COVID-19 Archives

Interview with Saki Rose: Emerging solo vocalist in visual kei

Apr 8, 2023

In February, JROCK NEWS was on the scene covering THE LAST ROCKSTARS' debut in New York City. While in Manhattan for the weekend, we reached out to independent musician, Jrock Afficianado and local Brooklynite ...

Rock sensation RADWIMPS defies odds with comeback US tour, soundtrack release

Zephyr

Feb 26, 2023

Releases, Tour and event

If you are an anime fan or a fan of Japanese rock, you are more than likely to know of RADWIMPS to some degree. Despite being active since 2001, the band has gained international notoriety in recent years for h...

Interview with TAKURO (GLAY): Healing the world through “The Sound Of Life”

NBT

Feb 24, 2023

Interview

The world hasn't been an easy place as of lately, with contributing factors such as a pandemic and war outbreaks, leaving people feeling anxious and helpless. From all of these recent events, TAKURO, the guitar...

Interview: BAND-MAID unpacks sold-out US tour and aggressive EP “Unleash”

G Andrew White and Nori

Jan 7, 2023

Interview, Tour and event

Between a wildfire US tour, and prepping for their first big concert of 2023, BAND-MAID sat down for an interview with JROCK NEWS. The metal maidens from Tokyo had a lot to say about their US tour experience th...

Interview: Kouki and HIZAKI’s philosophies of visual kei

Erica and Omatsu

Dec 8, 2022

Interview, Tour and event

Musicians Kouki (D=OUT) and HIZAKI (Versailles, Jupiter) rocked Nekocon 24, held from November 5-7 in Hampton, VA. After a hectic weekend of autograph sessions, a Q&A panel, and no less than three live conc...

Interview with Madmans Esprit: Shaping brutal but warm album

Rin

Oct 16, 2022

Interview

Madmans Esprit is an avant-garde metal band from South Korea that incorporates elements of visual kei into both their sound and aesthetics. The band started as the solo project by independent artist Kyuho in 20...

Symphonic metal band LIV MOON returns with album “OUR STORIES”

NBT

Oct 15, 2022

Releases

Back in May, we reported about the symphonic metal band LIV MOON picking up activity again and promising an album sometime this year. Now, with the latest announcement, it seems like the seeds sowed back then w...

Interview: SCANDAL reflects on touring challenges and looking forward

G Andrew White and Nori

Sep 19, 2022

Interview, Tour and event

On July 15, SCANDAL made the fourth stop on their North America WORLD TOUR 2022 "MIRROR" in Atlanta, Georgia. JROCK NEWS was in the crowd.This tour, previously planned for 2020 but delayed by the COVID-19 p...

GACKT successfully returns from hiatus

NBT

Jul 30, 2022

Disband/Hiatus/Revive

After entering an indefinite hiatus last year due to a severe illness, GACKT stopped all activities to focus on recovery. Today, GACKT successfully livestreamed the event "GACKT:RE birthday special", hosted by ...

Get stoked for free livestream “HATSUNE MIKU Digital Stars 2022” with Utsu-P and more

NBT

Apr 22, 2022

Music Video, Online Concert, Vocaloid/Virtual singer

The company behind Hatsune Miku, Crypton Future Media, has been increasing its efforts to bring live music to fans around the world during the ongoing pandemic. One of the efforts that have continued to this da...

Three Jrock bands jolt America live at Aftershock Festival 2022

G Andrew White

Apr 6, 2022

Tour and event

Once again, Jrock shakes up America at Aftershock Festival 2022 with three amazing bands from Japan. The festival happening at Discovery Park in Sacramento, California will see Crossfaith and NEMOPHILA perform ...

Interview with HAKUEI and KAMIJO: A talk between 2 charming musicians

Dorian and Rin

Mar 11, 2022

Interview

This interview was originally published by “club Zy.” in Japanese. JROCK NEWS is partnering with club Zy. and Vijuttoke with the aim to popularize Japanese visual kei globally. Learn more about our partnership ...

BAND-MAID US TOUR 2022 sells out in 5 American cities

G Andrew White

Mar 6, 2022

Tour and event

Update 2022-4-3: Due to the vast majority of shows selling out, BAND-MAID has added two more.October 30 American Dream East Rutherford, NJNovember 1 House of Blues Chicago, ILOrigina...

Interview with SiM: Creating Attack on Titan’s opening theme song “The Rumbling”

NBT

Feb 15, 2022

Anime, Interview

The reggae-punk band SiM recently surprised the world by unveiling its song "The Rumbling". Not only was this song accommodated to the popular anime “Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2” (Shingeki no Kyojin), b...

Topic COVID-19