After nearly a decade away from the stage, Japanese post-hardcore troop FACT made their highly anticipated return at REDLINE ALL THE FINAL, closing a nine-year gap since their emotional farewell at their self-produced event, ROCK-O-RAMA 2015.
Back then, the tears shed by both the band and their fans felt like the end of an era. On December 8th, 2024, FACT reignited that legacy in a performance that reminded everyone why they continue to be a widely praised name among Japan’s loud rock elites.
Performing on day two of the event at Chiba’s flagship convention centre, Makuhari Messe, FACT’s return was an instant draw—tickets for the day sold out within hours of their October announcement, proof of the pent-up demand to see the band back on stage. On the day, fans roamed the venue in replicas of the band’s iconic Noh masks and old tour merch, while others lined up to try JOY HOPPOSITES, guitarist Adam Graham’s beer collaboration with Tokyo’s CRAFTROCK Brewing, an apparent favourite among patrons since its creation in 2019.
Packed to capacity, a sea of people filled the hall, spilling into the next, while backstage, fellow performers rushed to wrap up their own sets, lining the sides of the stage to witness FACT’s long-awaited return. As the lights dimmed and the words everyone was waiting to see appeared on the big screen, “NEXT ARTIST IS FACT”, the crowd erupted. Coming out to the Steve Aoki remix of ‘rise’, a deep cut from their remix album ‘NIVAN RUNDER SOUNDRUGS’, Hiro (vocals), Adam (guitar/vocals), Kazuki (guitar), Takahiro (guitar), Tomohiro (bass), and Eiji (drums) calmly formed a circle with their backs to the audience.
“Thanks for the memory”: FACT are back
Without a word, they launched into ‘a fact of life’, the song that defined their 2009 breakthrough. The first notes sent a wave of emotion through the crowd. Bodies started flying as the whole room clapped, jumped, and shouted every lyric. “Thanks for the memory that doesn’t fade in my heart”. For longtime fans, that line hit deeply, a reminder of the connection they’d held onto during FACT’s absence; for newer listeners, it was an unforgettable introduction to the seasoned veterans.
来年のFACTツアー解禁されましたね。
— Suzuki Kentaro (@kkktttrrr) December 10, 2024
スケジュール見て、みなさん、合間で夏フェス出まくりなんじゃないかと思ってると思いますが、全くそんなことないです。
見れるうちに、
是非目撃してください。
只今先行受付中https://t.co/2mLQeWNcN2
REDLINEの熱狂を添えて。 pic.twitter.com/RLChkWXjnQ
Want a preview? REDLINE head Suzuki Kentaro (KTR) caught the carnage on video
The set quickly gained momentum with ‘los angels’, as Kazuki and Takahiro’s raw shouts reverberated through the venue, followed by the crushing riffs of ‘purple eyes’. Hiro, never one to miss a chance for some mischief—or a bit of merch promotion—launched an inflatable sex doll decked out in a FACT T-shirt into the crowd.
The energy surged again during ‘slip of the lip’, another heartstring-pulling classic that had the entire crowd moving. Hiro’s soaring high notes intertwined with Adam’s guttural vocals, delivering harmonies that filled every corner of Makuhari. The final chant, “This is where I belong even if I can’t find it”, carried across the venue—oh shit, FACT are really back.
“We are FACT!”: A chaos-fuelled comeback with heart
Takahiro rallied the crowd, calling for a circle pit as the band tore into ‘tonight’, and the audience didn’t hold back. Eiji’s thick, thunderous drumming drove the pit into a frenzy, a chaotic energy that carried seamlessly into the groove-heavy ‘FOSS’, fuelling relentless moshing and an unending wave of crowd-surfing.
Taking a moment to address the crowd, Hiro delivered the line that defined the night:
“I never thought I’d use these words again… We are FACT! It’s been almost ten years, but we’re back. Let me say it one more time—we are FACT!”
The cheers were deafening as Kazuki added:
“I’m sure there are people here who don’t know us. But seeing so many of you who do—thank you. Hiro, Takahiro, and I have been playing in our band (SHADOWS), and when KTR approached us about this comeback, we thought long and hard about it… So please, watch us and don’t walk away with any regrets!”
Hiro paused to acknowledge, “Adam flew here all the way from California for this,” prompting Adam to quip, “I’ve forgotten Japanese! …Like hell I did! I’m so happy to see this view and to be playing with these guys again!” Keeping the mood light, Kazuki teased Eiji—who has spent recent years performing with Japanese punk legend Ken Yokoyama—with a sly, “Can you still play the double bass?”.
The second half of the set kept the energy at its peak as the band tore into a powerful rendition of ‘disclosure’, which transitioned effortlessly into the rhythmically intricate yet melodically infectious ‘miles away’. Its opening guitar riff drew another deafening cheer from the crowd, propelling the momentum toward the climactic finale of the intense 35-minute set.
One last reminder: Treasure the moment
“Thank you so much. I have a little announcement…”, said Hiro, his words pulling the entire venue into a collective hush, anticipation hanging thick in the air.
“You know, we practiced a lot to stand here today. And we thought, ‘We want to keep going a bit longer’, so please stick with us for just a little while more. After our set is over, check X for the schedule of our FACT IS LIFE TOUR 2025!”
As the crowd reeled from the excitement of the band’s first tour in 10 years, Kazuki chimed in with a moving reminder:
“We’re going to break up again. There are so many things that can only happen right now. So treasure the present, help the person next to you, and let’s make tomorrow even better!”
Now it was time for the closer. As Hiro shouted “The sun has risen!” the band dove headfirst into ‘rise’, igniting the crowd into synchronised jumping and a full-throated singalong.
As the band exited the stage, posters for their 2025 FACT IS LIFE TOUR began appearing around the venue, igniting a buzz of excitement among fans—it was really happening. Spanning summer through autumn, the schedule notably omits the peak festival months of July and August, raising the question: do FACT have more surprises in store?
RELATED: FACT announce first nationwide tour in 10 years: FACT IS LIFE TOUR 2025
As well as being one of the biggest reunions of the year, this set was a reminder of why FACT’s name still carries so much weight. For those at REDLINE, it was a night to soak in the band’s energy, legacy, and tight-as-ever live performance. The message was clear: attending the tour isn’t just an opportunity—it’s essential. Bands like FACT are living things, and their live shows remind us how fleeting yet unforgettable these moments can be.
Just 90 minutes after FACT’s reunion on the REDLINE STAGE, Hiro, Kazuki, and Takahiro were back at it on the compact 360 set-up RIOT STAGE with SHADOWS. Backed by bassist Hayato and drummer Ryo, the band powered through another 35-minute set of fist-pumping, mosh pits, and non-stop crowd surfing. Midway through, Hiro took a moment to reflect on the day’s significance, saying, “As we approached today, I realized just how much I love SHADOWS… and now, I think I’m falling back in love with FACT too”.
Photos by Takahiro Takinami @nekozephoto
FACT REDLINE ALL THE FINAL Reunion Setlist
- a fact of life
- los angels
- purple eyes
- slip of the lip
- tonight
- FOSS
- disclosure
- miles away
- rise
FACT
Self-Titled
Release Date: 14/04/2009
Label: Vagrant Records
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music
FACT
best+ 2009-2015
Release Date: 11/05/2015
Label: avex
CD: CDJapan
