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Japanese superstars MAN WITH A MISSION have released their brand new single ‘ONE’. It’s a wild electrifying track which explodes with twists as MAN WITH A MISSION tease their exciting new era for 2026.

Opening with a powerful techno stomp and commanding chant of “One Wish, One Glory, One Soul”, MAN WITH A MISSION embark on their epic new chapter with the frenzied song. It blends the feverish rap and riffs of Jean-Ken Johnny throughout the propulsive rhythm from bassist Kamikaze Boy and drummer Spear Rib, alongside the soaring vocals from Tokyo Tanaka, all leading to a nuclear crescendo including hyperspace scratching from DJ Santa Monica.

The song has also been created to become the anthem for Japanese football team Cerezo Osaka. “Kamikaze Boy is a huge football fan and I am too,” explains Jean-Ken Johnny. “Cerezo Osaka weren’t doing that well during the season before we wrote the song, so they wanted to make a new song to encourage them. We wanted to make a song that was easy to chant together, not just the players but the supporters too, to create a positive vibe and enthusiasm to fight for victory.”

MAN WITH A MISSION are no strangers to high profile sport collaborations, and have previously delivered the soundtracks for the Japanese Rugby Team, the X Games and more. Their profound effect on Japanese culture and beyond throughout their career has also seeped into the sounds and visuals of numerous films, TV shows, anime series, video games and more.

‘ONE’ is the first in a series of new releases to come from MAN WITH A MISSION this year. It follows extensive worldwide touring from the Japanese rock phenomenon over the past 12 months which has taken them throughout Asia, the Americas, the UK and Europe. The band continue their tour performing at a number of major festivals in Japan this summer with additional headline dates in Japan announced for December.

Check out the single right HERE.

Inspiring Japanese idol STEFFI talks of her time thus far as an idol, music releases, playing live, and all there is to do and know about being an "idol", find all she had to talk about below!

1. Where did you get the idea for your idol name Steffi, is it your everyday name or a stage name?

My full name is Stephanie, but when I joined SCK GIRLS I was worried it would be too long and hard to say in Japanese, so I decided to use Steffi. I use both in daily life these days.  My current project name “Steff Airy” – the name I release on Spotify under – was inspired by various pop culture favorites like Legend of Zelda, Peter Pan, and Pokemon.

2. Why did you want to be and play live as an idol?

I’ve always loved musical theatre, but when I moved to Japan, the chances to perform were limited.  Performing with SCK GIRLS was an opportunity to get back on stage and I ended up really falling in love with the idol world.

3. To those who are not familiar with idols, can you describe it for us?

Idols are performers most known for high energy acts that include singing, dancing, audience interaction, and elaborate costumes.  They can be anything from cute to cool, or solo artists to large groups.

4. Where are you based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local acts or bands you could recommend?

I’m currently based out of Tokyo for my solo work and return monthly to Miyagi for group performances with SCK GIRLS.  The Tokyo scene has so many idols performing and the fans have such wonderful energy.  Miyagi holds its own with livehouses and idol events, but the opportunity to perform at local festivals and events that foster community is an absolute blessing. In Tokyo, I highly recommend Crazy Fantasy and Miniwacha.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Due to my musical theatre history, strong emotions inspire me to write music. It is said that a song happens in a show when the emotions a character is feeling are too big to only put into words and so they must be sung. That has always been how I have expressed myself. I write to deal with whatever I’m feeling. The base of a song will often come to me when I’m feeling sad or frustrated, then as I spend time with the lyrics, I work my way to a happy ending, something that can inspire people to keep fighting. It’s a really cathartic experience.

6. Do you write your own songs? What are your songs about? 

I write the top line and lyrics of most of my songs, then send them to composers to arrange and add the instrumentals. My songs are often about overcoming a strong feeling and finding healing within the music. My goal is to write songs that give people the power to smile again.

7. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

Over the course of my Steff Airy project, I have released 3 originals: “Sweet Dream Recipe,” “Focus,” and “My Lane,” as well as a few covers. (“Moonlight Densetsu,” “Dear Maria, Count Me In”).  Additionally, I wrote a song for SCK GIRLS called “Merry-Go-Round” that has not been released online yet. 

8.  Besides your new song "My Lane", anymore newer music in the works?

I’m working on the online release of a collaboration song with another wonderful idol, Marmalade, called “Digital Bridge,” written by the fabulous producer another Shiro.  I also have at least two new originals and three covers in the works.  In addition, I’m planning to release Japanese versions of all my music.

9. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

At the moment I perform mainly solo in Tokyo with once-a-month trips to Miyagi to perform with SCK GIRLS. I would love to perform at a convention overseas, but no official plans to report just yet. My next big event is on July 8th, 2026, at the Ueno Waterside Music Hall!

10. Do you have a "call and response" at your live performances, if you do, what is it and can you discuss what exactly a "call and a response" is to those not in the know?

A “call and response” is a set phrase an idol will say that fans can react to with a set answer. It often happens when an idol introduces herself. At the moment mine is simple.  In Japanese I say “I’m the idol here to heal your heart with the power of music. I’m Steffi!  Please call me Steffi. Ready, go!” Then the fans reply by calling “Steffi!”

11. What plans do you have for this year that is 2026?

For now, I’m working hard on preparing for my performance on July 8th! It's my biggest solo stage yet so I want to give everyone a performance to remember.  After that, I plan to release more originals and covers and look into performing at conventions overseas this year.

12. Where can we listen to your music, buy merch, and find you online?

I am active on most forms of social media @steffairy_flying.  Music videos are available on YouTube and songs are available on Spotify, iTunes, and more. At the moment, my merch can only be purchased in person at live events, but my online store is in the works, so I hope you’ll stay tuned! In the meantime, many of my shows are streamed with a 2-week archive, so anyone who can’t make it in person can still support me that way.

Metal Blade Records is proud to announce the signing of Japanese metal sensation Broken by the Scream. Known for their explosive fusion of crushing metal riffs, modern extreme metal heaviness, deep growls, harsh screams and contrasting melodic vocals, the band has been steadily carving out a unique space in the global heavy music scene - and this marks a powerful new chapter in their career.

Check out their latest single, 追憶のナスカ, HERE.

Broken by the Scream will make their Summer Breeze Open Air debut this year, bringing their uncompromising live show to one of Europe's premier metal festivals. The band will also play Wacken Open Air and Reload Festival, further cementing their presence on the European festival circuit. More summer dates in Europe to follow!

TOUR DATES:

February 7 - JP - Kichijoji Shuffle, Tokyo

February 22 - JP - Kichijoji SEATA, Tokyo

March 4 - JP - Aoyama RizM, Tokyo

March 30 - JP - Shinjuku Antiknock, Tokyo

May 2 - JP - Shibuya Metal-Kai, Tokyo

May 24 - JP - Nishikawaguchi Hearts, Saitama

May 29 - JP - Tokyo Kinema Club, Tokyo (headline show)

July 29 - DE - Wacken Open Air, Wacken

August 13 - DE - Summer Breeze Open Air, Dinkelsbühl

August 14 - DE - Reload Festival, Sulingen

Their distinctive style has continued to shock and captivate heavy music audiences both in Japan and worldwide. In 2025, BBTS performed on the main stage at Resurrection Fest in Spain and at Japan Expo in France as part of their 9-date European tour across 7 countries.

Beyond the stage, Broken by the Scream are already hard at work on new material, with fresh music currently in development. While details remain under wraps, fans can expect new songs that continue to push the band's aggressive, genre-defying sound even further.

MACHO! sees Ladybeard and group-mates SUZU and MIZUKI bounce and flex their way through a dynamic live performance to reggaetón beats, metal screams and soccer hooligan chants. The track, composed by Drag Race Sweden’s Endigo and filmed live at Otakon in Washington DC, brings Japanese idol-pop and metal together in congruence with BABYBEARD’s signature sound, to create a high octane and audience vibing explosion of colour, energy and motivation.

MACHO! by BABYBEARD is here to wake you up, hype you up, and most of all, to

PUMP YOU UP!!

MACHO! by BABYBEARD.

Streaming now.

Streaming link:

https://linkco.re/CxbHDqrH?lang=en

Official Performance Video:

https://youtu.be/sQ5vTGloTSo

Japanese superstars MAN WITH A MISSION have released their brand new single ‘Against The Kings And Gods’ via Sony Music Japan/Century Media.
 
The powerful track finds the half-man, half-wolf collective embarking down a darker sonic path as bold metal riffs join dark biting verses among dramatic choruses and breakdowns. ‘Against The Kings And Gods’ sees MAN WITH A MISSION thriving in a heavy uprising, delivering a cinematic epic of apocalyptic beauty.
 
Regarding the new single songwriter, guitarist, vocalist and rapper Jean-Ken Johnny says, “What sparked this song was the desire to create something, both in sound and in lyrics, that we had never really attempted before, either as a band or personally.
In shaping a dark, heavy, and majestic track, I chose mythology as the motif, envisioning the image of a human facing supernatural beings.
 
Even in the real world, we all experience days of struggling against overwhelming powers and the impermanence of life.  We hope that those who listen to this song can find themselves within its story-like world, and that it awakens a spirit and strength that refuse to yield to anything or anyone. We hope you enjoy “Against The Kings And Gods.”
 
The new single comes ahead of a brand new vinyl and CD release titled XV EP Across The Globe out September 19th 2025. 

Check out the single HERE.

In celebration of the 20 Year Anniversary of their landmark album Pink, Japanese legends Boris have announced a North American tour in October + November 2025.

Since their humble beginnings, Boris have fused catchy heavy rock with expansive, experimental soundscapes— two seemingly opposing forces brought into harmony on a single sonic plane.  With Pink as a pivotal point, Boris would go on to further evolve and deepen their own definition of “heavy” by releasing an immense body of work while continually expanding the scope of their creative endeavors. Even now, they remain unswayed by convention, honing a singular aesthetic that defies predictability.

This upcoming tour marks the 20th anniversary of Pink and will be performed by the three-piece lineup from that era.  Centered around tracks from Pink, the tour will feature the very setlist that once boldly repainted the map of heavy rock with its vivid sonic colors.

Boris comment:

"'Do You Remember Pink Days?'

For those who experienced that era in real time—and for those encountering it live for the first time—this question will echo across personal timelines, bridging past and future alike.

With a diverse array of guest acts appearing at shows across the U.S., this tour promises to be far more than a simple anniversary celebration. It offers a powerful, immersive glimpse into both the future and multifaceted nature of heavy rock itself."

 TOUR DATES:

Oct. 23  Solana Beach, CA — Belly Up #
Oct. 24  Phoenix, AZ — Crescent Ballroom #
Oct. 25  Tucson, AZ — La Rosa #
Oct. 27  San Antonio, TX — Paper Tiger $
Oct. 28  Austin, TX — Mohawk $
Oct. 30  Atlanta, GA — Masquerade $
Oct. 31  Saxapahaw, NC — Haw River Ballroom $
Nov. 01  Silver Spring, MD — The Fillmore $
Nov. 02  Philadelphia, PA — Union Transfer $
Nov. 04  Brooklyn, NY — Brooklyn Steel %
Nov. 05  Boston, MA — Paradise Rock Club %
Nov. 06  Montreal, QC — Le National %
Nov. 07  Toronto, ON — Phoenix Concert Theatre %
Nov. 08  Detroit, MI — St. Andrew's Hall ^
Nov. 09  Chicago, IL —  Metro ^
Nov. 11  Minneapolis, MN — Fine Line ^
Nov. 13  Englewood, CO — Gothic Theatre &
Nov. 14  Salt Lake City, UT — Urban Lounge &
Nov. 16  Portland, OR — Revolution Hall &
Nov. 17  Seattle, WA — The Crocodile &
Nov. 20  San Francisco, CA — Great American Music Hall
Nov. 21  San Jose, CA — The Ritz
Nov. 22  Los Angeles, CA — Belasco ~

# with Suppression
$ with Agriculture
% with Uniform
^ with Bongzilla
& with Cloakroom
+ with special guests
~ with Lack of Interest

Esprit D'Air just released their brand new rap/nu metal single, 'Zetsubou no Hikari' ('Light of Despair'). The footage of the video was taken from their successful headline double-set UK tour finishing at London's Electric Ballroom this week. Check it out HERE.

Esprit D'Air have released a new single called "Shadow of Time". Check it HERE.

Down in Downtown LA where Little Tokyo is known for all things Japanese and kawaii A.K.A. cute, is where some events were taking place, one down the street at the Little Tokyo Galleria shopping mall, a Hello Kitty flea market was being held, with over 100 items available for purchase featuring Hello Kitty! A lot of other items were available as well, including appeal, stickers, key chains, jewelry and shops with a lot of the same items. It was a free all ages event so it did bring a crowd, which made it felt roomy.

After browsing around and grabbing some late lunch, there was a mini Japanese idol concert, happening at the Little Akihabara shop, which has been known to be turned into various “pop-up” events, ranging from maid cafe’s, store fronts, and feature live shows like karaoke, and even concerts. Today’s day time event was titled the Akiba Live Japanese Culture Idol Show Event! It had 5 artists performing, having gotten there a bit late, only catching the late performance of Deco*Pro, a vocaloid cover band, where they would sadly lip sync, and dance to various vocaloid songs such as some from Hatsune Miku and her other vocaloid friends. Their performance was catchy and very interactive, with the audience, teaching all there first hand how to chant and shout back, and wave your hands and light sticks if you had any!

Following them would be duo idol group Strawberry Sunday, who has performed their own material, and covered a number of other acts, even doing solo performances during today’s performance. Now their performance was very bouncy and upbeat. Them giving off such energy and angst during their performance, that they had the crowd in an uproar with excitement. During the finale of their set would be a cover of Jrock act Babymetal’s track “Headbanger” and everyone was into it. Having starting a mosh pit, or trying too at least, was fun, with lots of headbanging to follow through of course! It was so much fun catching this duo giving it their all.

STRAWBERRY SUNDAY:

Next would be Hamu Cotton, catching her performance briefly, she gave off a more mellow yet spunky presents. Her stage antics being fun yet fulfilling. Her interactions with the crowd kept them interested, and very invested in the entirety of the performance. She provided various covers during her set and some other songs that had the crowd on their feet, eagerly wanting more.

Lastly would be maid cafe’s own idol group Moe Age! They brought their energy being the headliner of today’s performance. They giving off the energy non-stop, the crowd interacting with jumping, filming, shouting, and chanting it made their set so much fun to witness. Having seen them prior, this performance felt more comforting. I myself was headbanging and rising my light sticks high with such energetic movements it was never ending. They are surely an act to not miss and see once at least!

MOE AGE:

All in all, today’s mini idol show event was a fun filled one. Lots of energy given off, with everyone there having a kick out of it all. Surely idol culture is slowly seeping into the Cali terrain and we are all welcomed to it!

MAN WITH A MISSION have released the video for their new song ‘REACHING FOR THE SKY’, the lead single from their forthcoming XV EP to celebrate their 15th anniversary in 2025. The EP will be released digitally on March 12th via Century Media with a physical release to follow later in 2025.
 
The ‘REACHING FOR THE SKY’ video finds the Japanese superstars delivering an electrifying performance of their new fast-paced alternative rock track. The intensity of the song and the band’s dynamic show conjures lighting storms and dramatic weather changes which lead to both the band and dancer being possessed by its power. The video has been directed by Hidenobu Tanabe who has worked with a number of notable Japanese artists including RADWIMPS, MIYAVI, 9mm Parabellum Bullet and 04 Limited Sazabys among many others.

Check out the video HERE.

The Japanese band ALPHOENIX was formed in 2015 and plays a melodic type of death metal. In their music, they combine aggression with sensational melodic guitar parts, clean vocals and growls. While influenced by the Nordic scene, they fuse it with a uniquely Japanese sensibility, pushing the boundaries of melodic death metal while staying true to their roots.

Revitalizing the global death metal scene is no small task, but ALPHOENIX is moving towards achieving it. So far, the band from Tokyo has released two studio albums: "Final Crusades" (2015) and "Evil Ways" (2022) and few singles.

Alphoenix draws inspiration from legendary bands like In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, and Soilwork, blending the melodic intricacies of the Gothenburg sound with powerful, evocative lyrics that resonate with listeners' hearts. Their music feature are guitar harmonies that mix catchy melodies with heavy rhythms with fusion of clean vocals and growls to express a broad emotional range

Today, the Japanese band is releasing video to the brand new song titled "Tokyo Lunar" with guest vocal by Xavier from American melodic death metal band Upon Stone. Single was engineered by Thomas Johansson at The Panic Room (Blindead 23, Ereb Altor, Evergrey, Katatonia, Mayhem, Watain). The cover artwork was created by Shimpei - the vocalist and guitarist of the band.

Leader of the band about new song: "It's our the heaviest track to date, fusing 90s Tokyo culture with a modern perspective, set during the dawn of melodic death metal. Celebrate the band's 10th anniversary with us!".

New song "Tokyo Lunar"

Watch video at YouTube ➡ https://youtu.be/ZelYpBtskVE

Japanese superstars MAN WITH A MISSION have announced their new XV EP to celebrate their 15th anniversary in 2025. The EP will be released digitally on March 12th 2025 via Century Media with a physical release to follow later in 2025.

Marking the announcement the half-man, half-wolf collective have released the brand new single ‘REACHING FOR THE SKY’. It is a fast-paced alternative rock track with dynamic anthemic energy featuring propulsive riffs, powerful electronics, an uplifting chorus and a frenzied rap which sees MAN WITH A MISSION making a bold statement to kick off their landmark year.

Check out the single HERE.

Harajuku-core trailblazers HANABIE. have released their new single ‘Tasty Survivor’.  This song is their first anime tie-in song which is the opening theme song to anime “Momentary Lily” that started this January.

When asked about the inspiration behind the song, vocalist Yukina shared:

“This is our very first tie-in with an anime, and we wrote this track specifically for it! The song reflects the world and characters of Momentary Lily while also capturing the essence of our band life.

From the intense “eat or be eaten” vibe of live band battles to the exhilarating build-up toward the chorus, it mirrors the way we warm up for a live show and the anticipation of listeners heading to the venue.

We hope this song becomes a source of energy for everyone living their lives to the fullest all over the world.!”

HANABIE. vocalist and guitarist Matsuri commented:

“For our first-ever anime tie-in, we focused on blending the world of Momentary Lily with HANABIE.'s unique style. The result is a track that’s bold and straight-forward,yet carries a touch of fragility.

The intensity of the intro, in particular, was inspired by the anime’s battle scenes, so we’d love it if you pay close attention to every detail. There were so many connections between HANABIE. and the characters of Momentary Lily, and we poured all those emotions into the lyrics.We hope you enjoy every aspect of the song, from the lyrics to the music, down to the smallest nuances!”

Bassist Hettsu also shared:

This is HANABIE.’s long-awaited anime tie-in song!

We expressed the story of the girls in the anime in true HANABIE. style—it's pop, fast-paced, and features an incredibly catchy chorus that perfectly matches the battle scenes. We think it’s going to be addictively fun! The bass line is also super catchy and intense, so make sure to pay attention to that as well.We hope you’ll enjoy the song together with the anime! ♪”

Drummer Chika stated:

“This is our first-ever anime tie-in, and we had the honor of creating the opening theme for Momentary Lily. While keeping the anime in mind, we also made sure to stay true to HANABIE.'s signature style.

One of the key highlights in the drums is right before the first chorus—a section where the kick drum is hit eight times in a row. It’s a small but powerful detail, inspired by the dynamic and intense battle scenes, as if representing a flurry of attacks. Just like the anime, this track is full of highs and lows, and we hope it gets your heart racing with excitement as you listen!

The band has previously dropped album 'Bucchigiri Tokyo' this past December and had a successful Japanese domestic tour with that title. Check out the music video for lead track of the album, "Ito Okashi My Type" on official You Tube while we wait for a new video to come out. The band will venture out on a massive North American co-headlining tour with alternative artist Kim Dracula beginning on March 5. Check link here for tickets and details! The band just announced their EU/UK tour starting this October. Be sure to stay tuned for more exciting HANABIE. news coming in 2025!

Check out the new single - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-9AtkL-lZI