Official Japanese Music News

LOVEBITES, one of the most important Japanese heavy metal bands, will release their thunderous new EP GLORY, GLORY, TO THE WORLD in the UK on CD and vinyl from 28 May, 2021 from JPU Records. It will be an extended EP featuring the award-winning band's first theme song from anime as a bonus track. This will be the first time the LOVEBITES EP has been set to vinyl in the world. The new EP was released digitally worldwide today and entered metal charts around the world, including all 5 tracks taking the top 5 positions of iTunes Japan's Metal Song...

Japanese band the GazettE trended worldwide today as powerful new single BLINDING HOPE and its striking music video were released. The quintet, who celebrate their 19th anniversary this year, also announced that their tenth studio album MASS will be released on CD from 28 May outside of Japan from JPU Records, and a sampler containing each track was also revealed. The album will be out digitally worldwide from 26 May. On twitter #thegazette and #BLINDINGHOPE trended around the world, including #2 in Russia. The single also reached top ten in Amazon’s Hard Rock and Metal Song listings in various countries, and...

eternal eternal (TOWA REI remix) Download / Stream Japanese pop-rock band SCANDAL have today released the first single of their 15th anniversary year with 'eternal', available to download / stream now. The two-track single is available to download and stream now, while its limited international physical release from JPU Records sold out on pre-orders alone. 'eternal''s dreamy music video has also been released. Up-and-coming videographer Oudai Kojima, who has directed music videos for several artists in Japan, beautifully captures the magic of snowfall as it gently envelops the band's members. The single is a festive number perfectly suited to kicking...

Japanese rock band BACK-ON triumphantly released their 15th anniversary album FLIP SOUND digitally in February, featuring 15 fresh new recordings of their most celebrated anime anthems, J-rock hits and career defining tracks from the last decade-and-a-half. Today the pair, KENJI03 and TEEDA, release their first new song since celebrating their decade-and-a-half milestone, entitled 'Down'. The new single's cover art has been designed by the band's MC and lyricist TEEDA, and incorporates BACK-ON's rock sound with pop hooks. Further details on FLIP SOUND's physical two-disc international release have also been revealed today, including its release date, bonus material and its exclusive...

Samurai grooves, ninja funk and un-programmable notes – Japan's KARI-BAND set three of their epic prog-rock livestream sessions to disc with 2CD live album with Friends. -Live at Streaming-, out from 30 April 2021 from London's JPU Records. It features a number of prominent Japanese metal, jazz and funk musicians who join forces as special guests. KARI-BAND was originally formed by three Japanese session musicians, all of whom are probably best known international as the live band members of global phenomenon BABYMETAL. The project formed as a way for the three musicians to express and push the limits of their...