Report and review

Report: SiM’s sold-out “THE RUMBLING iN LDN” performance serves explosive display of showmanship

Aug 6, 2023

Within the space of nearly a year, reggae punk outfit SiM, also known as "Silence iz Mine", recently saw their overseas activities materialize in a big way. In August 2022, the band performed in the US at both ...

Japanese band ASTERISM Live at S.O.B.'s in New York 7/11/23

Report: ASTERISM heats up in New York debut

Jonathan Lane

Jul 24, 2023

Report and review, Tour and event

Back in the US after four years, MASS METAL powerhouse ASTERISM delivers a free world-class performance in its debut appearance in New York City. Fans lined up outside S.O.B.'s in lower Manhattan on a blazing J...

Review: DIR EN GREY’s 25th anniversary concert captures intense emotions, haunting silence

Erica

Jul 16, 2023

Releases, Report and review

DIR EN GREY released live footage from their momentous 25th-anniversary concert, titled 25th Anniversary TOUR22 FROM DEPRESSION TO ________, on July 5.As ardent followers of the band know, DIR EN GREY has t...

Report: Rolling Quartz’s first US tour welcomes fans to Rock’n’roll Paradise

Bri

Jun 19, 2023

Report and review, Tour and event

On Sunday, May 14, South Korean girl band Rolling Quartz arrived at the Wayfarer in Costa Mesa to meet their fans and play some good old rock and roll. This was the fourth stop on the Rock N' Roll Paradise US T...

Report: Kyary Pamyu Pamyu showers LA with love in “WORLD TOUR 2023 -POPPP-“

Nori

May 31, 2023

Report and review, Tour and event

A gray Wednesday in downtown Los Angeles marked the second stop in Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s “WORLD TOUR 2023 -POPPP-”. Contrasting the dull overcast, a motley assembly in palettes of glitter ascended two flights of ...

Report: ACME dazzles crowds at Anime Detour Minneapolis

Astrid

May 29, 2023

Report and review, Tour and event

ACME returned to the US this spring, hitting the stage at Anime Detour in Minneapolis and Catch One in Los Angeles alongside QUIETUDE and EIGHT COLD HELLS. ACME bore the honor of being Anime Detour's first-ever...

Review: D=OUT’s twin singles “Dorobou Neko” and “Ten” couldn’t be more different

Erica

Apr 23, 2023

Releases, Report and review

On February 14, the visual kei band with traditional Japanese flair D=OUT released their 33rd and 34th singles simultaneously, Ten (天) and Dorobou Neko (泥棒猫). The music videos for the title tracks were also rev...

Report: MORRIE celebrates birthday with concert “Flesh Odyssey”

Ziggy

Apr 17, 2023

Report and review

MORRIE celebrates another trip around the sun with his birthday special concert "Nikukatamarisei Tanmatsuri -Flesh Odyssey-" on March 4. The show took place at Tokyo Kinema Club, an intimate venue with a charmi...

Review: KNOSIS’ debut EP “The Shattering” displays metalcore’s infinite potential

Erica

Mar 23, 2023

Releases, Report and review

If the universe really started with a big bang, KNOSIS' debut EP The Shattering is the sonic boom that forges new possibilities for metalcore as a genre. Running barely 8 minutes from start to finish, The Shatt...

Review: Enjoy dose of Japan at home with Japan Crate!

afaenia

Mar 13, 2023

Japan, Report and review

Imagine a sunny day in Tokyo, Japan. After stepping off the Yamanote line, what's your first order of business? Drop coins in gacha machines, or hunt for kawaii goods and delicious food?While it may be diff...

Review: “Demon Slayer: To the Swordsmith Village” lights fire in theaters worldwide

Nori

Mar 11, 2023

Anime, Report and review

Warning: The below review contains minor spoilers, such as content from official trailers and the manga chapters covered by the new episode.Demon Slayer: To the Swordsmith Village made its way to theate...

Report: Witnessing THE LAST ROCKSTARS US debut in New York City

Erica and G Andrew White

Feb 19, 2023

Report and review, Tour and event

On February 3, titans of rock THE LAST ROCKSTARS made their explosive US live debut in New York City. Fans camped out in front of Manhattan Center, braving freezing winds on the city sidewalk overnight—all for ...

Report: Cazqui’s Brutal Orchestra conducts dramatic live demonstration

Shmilly

Dec 22, 2022

Report and review

It was a crisp November evening when I headed to Aoyama RizM, but the chill in the air was of quite a different kind to the chill atmosphere inside the packed live house. Pensive background music from Enya only...

Report: D=OUT joins forces with HIZAKI at Nekocon 2022

Erica

Dec 4, 2022

Report and review, Tour and event

Nekocon attendees were treated to three full days of visual rock when Kouki (D=OUT) and HIZAKI (Versailles, Jupiter) appeared as special guests. The anime convention took place from November 4-6 in Hampton, Vir...