Jan 29 2019
Following up on the news of launching of their own record label, SCANDAL has announced that their first release on March 27 will be a double A-side with songs “Masterpiece” and “Mabataki.” The tunes will be available as a CD single with cover art by collage artist Q-TA and available as a regular edition or special bundle including a t-shirt or thirty-six-page magazine with exclusive photos and an interview. Each version features different cover artwork in a vibrant, fun style.
Jan 27 2019
coldrain has released the MV for their latest single, “REVOLUTION”, the theme for the arcade-fighting game Mobile Suit Gundam EXVS 2. And it’s more than “REVOLUTION”‘s powerful, aggressive melody that’s reminiscent of an early 2000′s anger-fueled nu-metal anthem.
The video, directed by Koh Yamada, is intertwined with clear references to the bands’ eternal influence Linkin Park, most heavily from LP’s 2001 colossal hit “In The End”. “REVOLUTION” sees coldrain perform in a desert set, dotted with dry twisted tree branches, while the whole performance is broken up with grainy, distorted digital effects. Far from distracting, these all work to enhance Y.K.C.’s lead guitar and drummer Katsuma’s insistent rhythm as much as Masato’s (whose wardrobe choice of beige shirt also feels like an emotional nod to Bennington) stirring vocal, mixing the bands expected post-hardcore screams and rousing lyrics within a captivatingly nostalgic MV.
Jan 21 2019
Photo credit: George Pimentel/Getty Images
The H Collective has partnered with prolific Japanese composer and musician YOSHIKI on the next installment in the xXx franchise, xXx 4 starring Vin Diesel. The film will feature a theme song with music written by YOSHIKI. xXx 4 is in pre-production with casting currently under way, and principal photography set to commence this year.
Jan 19 2019
YOSHIKI was swarmed by reporters when he appeared at the Hollywood red carpet event for the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (SSFF & Asia) Film Festival on January 17, 2019, presented by Japan House and the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles. YOSHIKI serves as an advisor for the Japan House organization and performed a special concert for the venue’s grand opening in August 2018.
Returning to Hollywood’s famous Chinese Theater where the X Japan documentary We Are X made its U.S. theatrical premiere, YOSHIKI responded to media questions about his Hollywood-related plans, and hinted at a new film announcement next week (view on Instagram).
Jan 16 2019
Check out JRock247′s best J-Rock album/single jackets for 2018, chosen by JRock247 contributors David Cirone, Michelle Minikhiem, Marc Bowie, and Nhu Nguyen.
Click here to view the full list, including BAND-MAID, DIR EN GREY, Kaya, Man with a Mission, SCANDAL, Mary’s Blood, and many more!
Jan 16 2019
BAND-MAID kicked 2019 off with a bang by releasing a music video to a typically melodic pounder of a new song called “Bubble.” The tune features a crunching riff with an intriguing break-down in the middle to change things up, while the video itself has the band performing on a smoky stage intercut with some dramatic tension between vocalists Saiki and Miku. Sure to please any sir or madam.
Jan 15 2019
HALLOWEEN PARTY 2018
October 28th, 2018
MAKUHARI MESSE
Live Report by Michelle Minikhiem
Photos by Hideaki Imamoto, Toshikazu Oguruma, Kazuko Tanaka
The final day of HALLOWEEN PARTY 2018 showed the same dedication to the Alice in Wonderland theme as the days prior. After seemingly falling from the ceiling like Alice down the rabbit hole, Kanon Wakeshima’s haunting performance was perhaps even more stunning than the day before.
Jan 15 2019
HALLOWEEN PARTY 2018
October 27th, 2018
MAKUHARI MESSE
Live Report by Michelle Minikhiem
Photos by Hideaki Imamoto, Toshikazu Oguruma, Kazuko Tanaka
HALLOWEEN PARTY 2018 was the first year that the entire event was focused around a central theme. The stage was decorated in iconic Alice in Wonderland tea party imagery and began with the shocking sight of a woman falling from the scaffolding of Makuhari Messe before the place was plunged into darkness, immediately evoking the visual of Alice falling down the rabbit hole. After the lights came back up, a lone figure could clearly be seen laying at the end of the catwalk.
Jan 10 2019
URBANGARDE has announced that guitarist Zeze Shin will leave the band following their March 16, 2019, one-man concert at Daikanyama UNIT in Tokyo. Shin’s departure is due to his increased family responsibilities, and his decision was announced with the full support of the other band members.
Shin is a founding member of the group, which celebrated its 10th Anniversary with the “KEKKON SHIKI” event at Nakano Sun Plaza on April 8, 2018. The concert video is included in the limited edition release of URBANGARDE’s second compilation album Ai to Gensou no URBANGARDE (“URBANGARDE of Love and Fantasy”), released last November.
Jan 08 2019
On New Year’s Eve 2018, YOSHIKI made Japanese television history with his dual performance on the “69th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen,” the last of the Heisei Era, by performing for both opposing Red and White teams during the top-rated broadcast. YOSHIKI wore white to plays drums for the Attack on Titan theme “Red Swan” with HYDE and SUGIZO, and then switched clothing on stage to wear red for his piano performance of “Miracle” with Sarah Brightman, creating a nationwide buzz that made YOSHIKI the number one trending topic on Twitter.
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