Latest Japanese Music News and Updates

Heavy metal legends Seikima-II return with BABYMETAL collaboration, new single and EP

14th April 2025

Heavy metal legends Seikima-II have reunited for a limited time to mark their 40th anniversary, with celebrations including...

Takeru (SuG) and Shou (Verde/, Alice Nine) announce Europe tour ‘youthpit’

14th April 2025

Visual kei frontmen Takeru (ex-SuG) and Shou (Verde/, Alice Nine) will team up this September for a European...

RIP SLYME reunite with full lineup for first time since 2017

6th April 2025

Hip-hop outfit RIP SLYME have announced they are resuming activities with their full original lineup—RYO-Z, ILMARI, PES, SU,...

Tokyo indie trio anklet detail first EP ‘monologue’ following strong 2024 debut

4th April 2025

Tokyo-based trio anklet (アンクレット) will release their first EP ‘monologue’ on May 21st, building on the early momentum...

Visual kei’s most mysterious new band YATANO KAMEN debut with ‘KIBOU’ MV

3rd April 2025

YATANO KAMEN, a new visual kei band, have emerged—but their arrival comes wrapped in mystery. No names, no...

HANA shoot down clones in mud-soaked music video for debut single ‘ROSE’

2nd April 2025

HANA, the seven-member girl group formed through the BMSG and CHANMINA-led audition programme No No Girls, have released...

BABYMETAL detail new album ‘METAL FORTH’, with Poppy single ‘from me to u’ arriving this Friday

1st April 2025

BABYMETAL have confirmed details of their fourth original album ‘METAL FORTH’, due for simultaneous global release on June...

WACK in the UK Vol.6 doubles down for first two-day showcase in London

31st March 2025

WACK has confirmed its sixth and most ambitious international showcase to date, with WACK in the UK Vol.6...

MASS OF THE FERMENTING DREGS announce autumn 2025 Europe tour

27th March 2025

Japanese alt-rock trio MASS OF THE FERMENTING DREGS will return this autumn for the MASS OF THE FERMENTING...

THE BAWDIES launch HOT DOG RECORDS after parting with SEEZ

25th March 2025

Tokyo-based rock ’n’ roll outfit THE BAWDIES have announced the formation of their own independent label, HOT DOG...

News

Heavy metal legends Seikima-II return with BABYMETAL collaboration, new single and EP

Takeru (SuG) and Shou (Verde/, Alice Nine) announce Europe tour ‘youthpit’

RIP SLYME reunite with full lineup for first time since 2017

Events

Takeru (SuG) and Shou (Verde/, Alice Nine) announce Europe tour ‘youthpit’

WACK in the UK Vol.6 doubles down for first two-day showcase in London

MASS OF THE FERMENTING DREGS announce autumn 2025 Europe tour

Features

What is CEIPA? The organisation behind matsuri ’25 and MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN

Yoshiki honours David Lynch: A look back at their surreal collaboration on X Japan’s ‘Longing’

The best music collaborations out of Japan this year

Live Reports

Ado, ATARASHII GAKKO!, and YOASOBI live at matsuri ’25 Los Angeles: A sold-out statement for Japanese music

Phantom Siita live in London: ‘Moth to a flame’ tour ends with a crimson-tinged idol pop finale

(ARCHIVE) An Cafe live in London (2014): The oshare kei icons’ last UK show

Interviews

Hitsujibungaku interview: US debut, anime themes, and life beyond Tokyo’s indie circuit

KAIKA interview: From virtual singer to songwriter, the story behind ‘Umarerumaekara Kimiwo Shitteru’

Minori Nagashima – serval DOG – interview: “After dropping out of middle school… that’s when I picked up the guitar”

Hitsujibungaku interview: US debut, anime themes, and life beyond Tokyo’s indie circuit

Heavy metal legends Seikima-II return with BABYMETAL collaboration, new single and EP

Takeru (SuG) and Shou (Verde/, Alice Nine) announce Europe tour ‘youthpit’

News

Heavy metal legends Seikima-II return with BABYMETAL collaboration, new single and EP

Takeru (SuG) and Shou (Verde/, Alice Nine) announce Europe tour ‘youthpit’

RIP SLYME reunite with full lineup for first time since 2017

Tokyo indie trio anklet detail first EP ‘monologue’ following strong 2024 debut

Visual kei’s most mysterious new band YATANO KAMEN debut with ‘KIBOU’ MV

HANA shoot down clones in mud-soaked music video for debut single ‘ROSE’

BABYMETAL detail new album ‘METAL FORTH’, with Poppy single ‘from me to u’ arriving this Friday

WACK in the UK Vol.6 doubles down for first two-day showcase in London

MASS OF THE FERMENTING DREGS announce autumn 2025 Europe tour

THE BAWDIES launch HOT DOG RECORDS after parting with SEEZ