Report: Yoshikimono at the V&A Museum
The three UK musketeers of JROCK NEWS made a special pilgrimage to visit London's famous V&A Museum for the Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk exhibition. Featuring designs by Yoshiki of X-Japan, the Yoshikimono piec...
Review: FAKE ISLAND “Cell Division” album, where scream and clean vocals work in harmony
Cell Division is the debut album from Tokyo based metalcore band FAKE ISLAND, released on March 4, the album boasts twin female vocals: Erica on growls and YuuriBJOUX on clean vocals. It really drives home the ...
Report: STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION’s electrifying show heats up the floor!
Despite having been active making music for over six years as STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION, musician RON’s sound-making project had not performed live outside of appearances during large events. For his first one-man...
Report: DIR EN GREY offers theatrically rich performance in London
Back in February 2019, DIR EN GREY announced the European leg of their TOUR20 This Way to Self-Destruction, amongst which a London date appeared, this time performing at the Islington Assembly Hall. Undeterred ...
Review: SCANDAL revives rock roots in “Kiss from the darkness”
SCANDAL's Kiss from the darkness shines brightly with their former style of pop-rock in combination with strong rhythms and uplifting lyrics. They demonstrate the likeability and mastery that has made them a re...
Report: Hatsune Miku creates an unparalleled sense of unity
Even though I wouldn't say I'm a fan of Hatsune Miku, it's hard to ignore the fact that she's become a huge phenomenon even outside of Japan these days. I attended my first Hatsune Miku live show out of curiosi...
Report: BRATS’ first US performance win over fans at Animé LA 2020
Continuing on with our Animé LA series after our interview with BRATS, we report on their debut in America which left a big impression on attendees with their heavy dose of punk, aggressive Jrock.
On January...
Report: MIYAVI slays in white suit at Zepp Diver City, Tokyo 2019
Odaiba, an artificial island that houses an array of entertainment complexes, sits in Tokyo Bay and is home to Zepp Diver City—a 2,400 capacity concert hall nestled on the edge of a shopping mall.
The penult...
Photo report: DIR EN GREY live at Gramercy Theatre, New York
On December 13, 2019—a little over four years after their last show in New York, DIR EN GREY once again made their mark at Gramercy Theatre, a venue they are definitely familiar with at this point having played...
Review: LOVEBITES’ album “Electric Pentagram”, a power trip to the gates of hell!
Get the year started with an electric bang on January 29, when LOVEBITES release their third full album Electric Pentagram. It delivers 12 electrifying tracks of guitar shredding, face-melting power metal. Also...
Report: Hatsune Miku excites fans with metal performance!
Hatsune Miku who ended her first European tour in London 2018 is picking up from where she left off. With Miku Expo 2020, she started the tour in London, O2 Academy Brixton on January 11 and that’s exactly wher...
Review: “CONQUEROR” has BAND-MAID duelling on sound
After several weeks of news about BAND-MAID, they serve up their ambitious third full album CONQUEROR. It weighs in with 15 songs that include most of the singles released since World Domination. Accordingly, o...
Report: DIR EN GREY rocks Los Angeles with sold out show
You read that right. It has been about four years since DIR EN GREY last toured North America, so as soon as the group announced their 2019 North American tour along with ticket sale dates, fans snatched ticket...
Report: ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION supporting Feeder at Roundhouse London 2019
Feeder and ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION—two names we had no idea would come crashing together is every 90s' anime fan crossed with grunger's wet dream. It's a very niche group of fans, but I assure you that they ve...