BUCK-TICK unveil ‘SUBROSA’ details, first album since Atsushi Sakurai’s passing

BUCK-TICK have unveiled new details surrounding ‘SUBROSA’ (スブロサ), their 24th studio album, slated for release on December 4th.

This album holds special weight for the veteran rockers, marking their first full-length project since the passing of iconic frontman Atsushi Sakurai in October 2023. ‘SUBROSA’ will feature 17 tracks, with the lead single, ‘Raijin Fujin – Resonance’, dropping on November 20th.

‘SUBROSA’ sees guitarists Hisashi Imai and Hidehiko Hoshino at the helm of the creative direction, with Imai responsible for the majority of the songwriting and composition, crafting 13 of the 17 tracks. A mix of vocal and instrumental pieces, the album reflects BUCK-TICK’s evolving sound while staying rooted in their signature mix of dark post-punk, gothic rock, and experimental fusion that has defined their four-decade career.

Notably, BUCK-TICK has yet to announce who will handle vocals on ‘SUBROSA’ or the upcoming single. Since the passing of Atsushi Sakurai, no information has been provided about his potential replacement or how the band will approach vocals on these new releases.

Matt Colton mastered the album at Metropolis Studios in London, while Katsutoshi Kitamura from Warner Music Mastering oversaw the vinyl cutting. Kazunori Akita, who worked on previous BUCK-TICK albums like ‘Abracadabra’ (2010), ‘Datenshi’ (2020), and ‘Izora’ (2023), designed the cover art.

In addition to the music, limited editions of ‘SUBROSA’ will come with a bonus DVD or Blu-ray, featuring a special interview with the band and behind-the-scenes footage from the recording sessions. This marks the first time BUCK-TICK have spoken publicly about the shift in dynamics following Sakurai’s death, giving fans a rare glimpse into how the group has adapted. The limited editions will also include new visuals and a look at the making of the music video for ‘Raijin Fujin – Resonance’.

Ahead of the album’s release, fans will have the chance to attend exclusive pre-release listening sessions on November 28th in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. These events will be exclusive to those who pre-order the album from select stores, with attendance determined by a lottery system.

Trailer for BUCK-TICK’s live DVD ‘BUCK-TICK Phenomenon -2023-‘, featuring footage from their December 2023 Budokan memorial performance

Additionally, BUCK-TICK will close out 2024 with their annual year-end concert at Tokyo’s legendary Nippon Budokan on December 29th, just weeks after the release of ‘SUBROSA’. The event, titled Naisho no Bara no Shita (Secret Under the Rose), remains a cherished tradition for both the band and their fans. While the fan club-exclusive FISH TANKer’s ONLY 2024 tour, which hits Aichi, Osaka, Gunma, and Tokyo earlier in December, will give fan club members the first chance to hear the new album live, the Budokan show will be the first opportunity for a wider audience to experience ‘SUBROSA’ on stage.

This moment marks a particularly emotional chapter for BUCK-TICK, arriving one year after the tragic loss of frontman Atsushi Sakurai, who passed away from a brainstem hemorrhage after collapsing during a fan club-exclusive show at KT Zepp Yokohama on October 19th, 2023. With Imai and Hoshino stepping into expanded roles, the band continues to push forward while keeping Sakurai’s legacy close. ‘SUBROSA’ aims to strike a chord with longtime fans, capturing both the grief of Sakurai’s absence and the enduring strength that has sustained BUCK-TICK through the years.

‘SUBROSA’ will be available in multiple formats, including CD, vinyl, and digital, with the vinyl release scheduled for January 29th, 2025. Pre-orders are now open for international fans via CDJapan.

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BUCK-TICK ‘SUBROSA‘ Track-list

1. Hyakuman Nayuta no Chiri SCUM (百万那由多ノ塵 SCUM)
   [Lyricist: Hisashi Imai / Composer: Hisashi Imai]
2. SUBROSA (スブロサ)
   [Lyricist: Hisashi Imai / Composer: Hisashi Imai]
3. Muyubyo SLEEP WALK (夢遊猫 SLEEP WALK)
   [Lyricist: Hisashi Imai / Composer: Hisashi Imai]
4. From Now On
   [Lyricist: Hidehiko Hoshino / Composer: Hidehiko Hoshino]
5. Rezisto
   [Lyricist: Hisashi Imai / Composer: Hisashi Imai]
6. Shinkeishitsu na Kaidan (神経質な階段)
   [Composer: Hisashi Imai]
7. Raijin Fujin – Resonance #rising (雷神 風神 – レゾナンス #rising)
   [Lyricist: Hisashi Imai / Composer: Hisashi Imai]
8. Meiosei de Shine (冥王星で死ね)
   [Lyricist: Hisashi Imai / Composer: Hisashi Imai]
9. Yusei Tsushin (遊星通信)
   [Lyricist: Hisashi Imai / Composer: Hisashi Imai]
10. paradeno mori
    [Lyricist: Hidehiko Hoshino / Composer: Hidehiko Hoshino]
11. Strelitzia (ストレリチア)
    [Composer: Hisashi Imai]
12. To Zetsubo to Iunano Kimi e (絶望という名の君へ)
    [Lyricist: Hisashi Imai / Composer: Hidehiko Hoshino]
13. TIKI TIKI BOOM
    [Lyricist: Hisashi Imai / Composer: Hisashi Imai]
14. PSYCHE (プシュケー)
    [Lyricist: Hisashi Imai / Composer: Hidehiko Hoshino]
15. Gabriel’s Horn (ガブリエルのラッパ)
    [Lyricist: Hisashi Imai / Composer: Hisashi Imai]
16. Kurage (海月)
    [Composer: Hisashi Imai]
17. Tasogare no Howling (黄昏のハウリング)
    [Lyricist: Hisashi Imai / Composer: Hisashi Imai]

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