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Interview: XaaXaa makes explosive US debut at Katsucon 2024

Apr 26, 2024

Interview, Report and review, Tour and event

XaaXaa made their American debut at Katsucon, an annual celebration of Japanese culture in National Harbor, MD. XaaXaa's Friday night performance packed the ballroom, with fans queuing hours before the show. As...

Report: Madmans Esprit’s five-night blitz “JAPAN TOUR 2024 -CHOP 5 days-“

Rin

Mar 24, 2024

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Korean experimental metal project Madmans Esprit returned to Japan for the first time since 2022 with a five-day concert series, "CHOP -5 days-" at Ikebukuro Chop. Each night, they headlined alongside artists s...

Report: BABYMETAL’s high-intensity performance rocks London in sold-out show

Sizergyia and Narine

Feb 6, 2024

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The number of heavy metal idol groups has grown substantially over the last decade and a bit, with BABYMETAL at the forefront of it all. BABYMETAL in 2023 saw them release their conceptual fourth album, THE OTH...

Report: Yugiri and SARSHI spread joy and positivity at Nekocon 2023

Erica

Jan 28, 2024

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On November 3 and 4, 2023, vocalist Yugiri of DaizyStripper and guitarist SARSHI of HERO appeared as special guests at Nekocon in Hampton, Virginia. The duo held two live concerts throughout the weekend...

Report: YOSHIKI’s classical performance rocks Royal Albert Hall

Bri

Nov 1, 2023

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On October 13, Japanese superstar YOSHIKI performed with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and GRAMMY award-winning artists Ellie Goulding and St. Vincent for a unique classical performance at the Royal ...

Report: SiM rumbles The Fillmore Silver Spring in The Jackpot Juicer US Tour

Erica

Oct 19, 2023

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Reggae punk titans SiM gave an electrifying performance at The Fillmore in Silver Spring, Maryland on September 19, sharing the stage with bands Within Destruction, Rain City Drive, and DANCE GAVIN DANCE. This ...

Review: SiM exceeds expectations with album “PLAYDEAD”

Kayla

Oct 13, 2023

Releases, Report and review

SiM has been doing an exceptional job of getting us hyped for their sixth studio album PLAYDEAD. With singles dropping left and right, tours across the world, and constant promotion, the question was going to b...

Japanese loud rock idol group PassCode - GROUNDSWELL Tour 2023

Report: PassCode earns a “GROUNDSWELL” of love from NYC fans

Jonathan Lane

Oct 12, 2023

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Loud rock idol group PassCode enchants fans at New York's Gramercy Theatre during the mid-point of "PassCode US TOUR 2023 -GROUNDSWELL-"—its first US Tour, which also includes stops in Dallas and Los Angeles. T...

Report: Kouki ignites emotions and connections at Otakon

Erica

Sep 10, 2023

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Kouki, the charismatic vocalist of the visual kei rock band D=OUT eagerly accepted the invitation to perform at Otakon, a revered gathering for anime enthusiasts and one of the largest Japanese culture conventi...

Review: Try a taste of Japan’s Moon Festival with TokyoTreat snackbox

Bri

Aug 30, 2023

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Is there a better way to appreciate nature than finding the perfect snacks to pair with the seasons? Japanese cuisine is known for having specialty flavors and ingredients that are unique to specific regions or...

Report: BAND-MAID completes 10th anniversary victory lap in North America

Nori and Jonathan Lane

Aug 23, 2023

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The hard rock waitstaff of BAND-MAID conquered the west on their 10th ANNIVERSARY TOUR, wrapping up the North American leg in Mexico City on August 18. JROCK NEWS reporters Jonathan Lane and Nori made a few lon...

Report: Dream Theater unites metalheads across Silicon Valley

Nori

Aug 14, 2023

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Prog bellwether Dream Theater hunkered down in San Jose, California on July 24 with colleagues Animals as Leaders and Devin Townsend for another night of its traveling festival Dream Sonic. With only three stop...

Review: Discover traditional Japanese snacks with Sakuraco

Zephyr

Aug 11, 2023

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As folks who enjoy Japanese snacks, we were intrigued when Sakuraco reached out and kindly offered to send us one of their traditional Japanese snack boxes to try out.Sakuraco delivers the taste of traditio...

Review: BAND-MAID live Blu-ray “TOKYO GARDEN THEATER OKYUJI” raises the bar

Jonathan Lane

Aug 7, 2023

Report and review, Videos

Dive into BAND-MAID's live Blu-ray TOKYO GARDEN THEATER OKYUJI and prepare to be mesmerized! Can't make it out to a show during the second half of the 10th ANNIVERSARY TOUR? This disc promises to immerse us in ...