Latest Japanese Music News and Updates

New metal act ALGESIA, fronted by Yu Umehara, unleash debut single 'IRA'

Yu Umehara fronts new metal act ALGESIA on debut single ‘IRA’

15th May 2025

ALGESIA, a new metal band fronted by viral scream queen Yu Umehara (Merging Moon), have unleashed their debut...

New Kroi single ‘Method’ named opening theme for SAKAMOTO DAYS Part 2

14th May 2025

Tokyo-based five-piece Kroi have announced their upcoming single ‘Method’, opening theme for SAKAMOTO DAYS Part 2, which airs...

VK metal band DAMNED head to Europe this winter for JUKAI tour

14th May 2025

Visual kei metal band DAMNED have just announced their first Europe tour, starting in November. The tour, titled...

Watch: MASKED premiere first prime time TV spot for visual kei, plus VK café details

12th May 2025

Upcoming visual kei festival MASKED aired their first prime time television spot on May 10th. Originally broadcast on...

Phantom Siita launch major label era with ‘Suki, Kirai’, a warped spin on idol love

11th May 2025

Retro horror idol troop Phantom Siita have released their major debut single ‘Suki, Kirai’ (‘Love, Hate’) via Universal...

Knosis drops nu-metal collab with MoistCr1TiKaL, Nik Nocturnal, ‘All Wrong’

10th May 2025

Knosis (Ryo Kinoshita) has teamed up with MoistCr1TiKaL and Nik Nocturnal for nu-metal collab single ‘All Wrong’. It...

D’ESPAIRSRAY announce reunion for first live performance in over a decade at CROSS ROAD Fest

8th May 2025

Visual kei icons D’ESPAIRSRAY will reunite for a special appearance at CROSS ROAD Fest 2025, their first full...

DEXCORE release 2nd album ‘WE WERE HERE’, top Japan’s metal charts

8th May 2025

Metalcore visual kei band DEXCORE have just released their anticipated 2nd album ‘WE WERE HERE’, along with the...

SIRUP teams up with Hard Life for first 2025 release, 'RENDEZVOUS'

SIRUP links with UK band hard life on breakup track ‘RENDEZVOUS’

7th May 2025

Japanese R&B artist SIRUP has released his first track of 2025, ‘RENDEZVOUS’, featuring UK alt-indie pop band hard...

ASP welcome new member from BiS and team with Age Factory on ‘Get New MIRAI’

5th May 2025

Alt-idol unit ASP have unveiled their new member, iKO MUGENNOKANATA, and released their first single under the updated...

News

Yu Umehara fronts new metal act ALGESIA on debut single ‘IRA’

New Kroi single ‘Method’ named opening theme for SAKAMOTO DAYS Part 2

VK metal band DAMNED head to Europe this winter for JUKAI tour

Events

VK metal band DAMNED head to Europe this winter for JUKAI tour

D’ESPAIRSRAY announce reunion for first live performance in over a decade at CROSS ROAD Fest

Ako, Bialystocks, go!go!vanillas, and Kroi join The Great Escape 2025 for Japanese artist showcases

Features

JJJ to remain POP YOURS 2025 headliner in tribute following his passing

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’

Live Reports

Ichiko Aoba live in Oakland: Dreamlike stillness at the Fox Theater

Hitsujibungaku live in San Francisco: Calm intensity and full hearts at August Hall

HANABIE. live in Sacramento: Metalcore mayhem marks end of US tour

Interviews

CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE interview: Dancing through doubt and doing it their way

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’

Mrs. GREEN APPLE announce “MGA MAGICAL 10 YEARS” projects to celebrate 10th anniversary

IRORI Records Presents: The Alternative Escape 2025

New Kroi single ‘Method’ named opening theme for SAKAMOTO DAYS Part 2

News

Yu Umehara fronts new metal act ALGESIA on debut single ‘IRA’

New Kroi single ‘Method’ named opening theme for SAKAMOTO DAYS Part 2

VK metal band DAMNED head to Europe this winter for JUKAI tour

Watch: MASKED premiere first prime time TV spot for visual kei, plus VK café details

Phantom Siita launch major label era with ‘Suki, Kirai’, a warped spin on idol love

Knosis drops nu-metal collab with MoistCr1TiKaL, Nik Nocturnal, ‘All Wrong’

D’ESPAIRSRAY announce reunion for first live performance in over a decade at CROSS ROAD Fest

DEXCORE release 2nd album ‘WE WERE HERE’, top Japan’s metal charts

SIRUP links with UK band hard life on breakup track ‘RENDEZVOUS’

ASP welcome new member from BiS and team with Age Factory on ‘Get New MIRAI’