Band Feature: Hybrids

Hybrids are a Jrock-inspired visual band from France who say their interests are music, sex and rock!  These guys bring a little bit of the East to the West with their unique sound and style.  They've toured through Europe with popular Japanese bands such as Anli Policino and Eat You Alive and their first album, Human Paranoid, just released this July. 

Meet the members:

NAO
DoB : 26.08
Instrument brand of choice : gretsch
Favorite colour : purple
Favorite clothing brand : roschell
Favorite food : porc au caramel
Most known for saying / catch phrase : Caaaaat  !!

Yune

DoB : 29.11

Instrument brand of choice : ESP

Favorite colour : red

Favorite clothing brand : Roshell, black baccarat

Favorite food : pasta

Most known for saying / catch phrase : Let's rock !!!

Jay
DoB : 17.10
Instrument brand of choice : Schecter
Favorite colour : yellow
Favorite clothing brand : Carhartt
Favorite Food : hamburger
Most known for saying / catch phrase : I'm too lazy

 

Sae

DoB : 20.04

Instrument brand of choice : ESP, Ampeg

Favorite colour : pearl aqua blue

Favorite food : salmon sashimi

Most known for saying / catch phrase  : what do you think?

 Tatsu
DoB : 05.06
Instrument brand of choice : tama, meinl, vic first
Favorite colour : purple
Favorite food : dairy
Most known for saying / catch phrase : fla ta ta ta tcha ta drag ta fla ta fla fla ta ta ta ta pouf

Band Feature: Re:CODE

Re:CODE is a visual rock band from Bandung, Indonesia. The band was originally formed by Ryou (Guitar) and Irsan (Vocals) in early October of 2009. They invited Fadia (Bass) and Emon (Drums) to join and named the band Coitus Delusion (Co: De). Co: De was a band that performed cover songs of Japanese visual kei bands, namely DELUHI. But the formation changed when Irsan (vocals) decided to resign and replaced by Ikbal. However, it was not to be and Ikbal decided to resign in Nov. 2010. This forced them into looking for a replacement, and they recruited Aldy from RIOTS as the new vocalist and that is how the band stands today. They have also changed from that of a cover band, into producing their own original tracks.

Meet the members and read the interview after the break!

PV Analysis: Nocturnal Bloodlust - 'Desperate'

Comprised of Hiro (vocals), Cazqui (7-string), Daichi (guitar), Masa (bass/vocals) and Natsu (drums), Nocturnal Bloodlust is a deathcore/metalcore visual kei band formed in September 2009. Their first mini-album Ivy was released in January of 2012, and their singles catalogue features 8 entries with a ninth due out by the end of the month. The video for their current release ‘Desperate’ features some brutal imagery that suitably illustrates the tone and content of the track.

PV Analysis: DIAURA - "Menace"

DIAURA was formed in December of 2010, comprised of Yo-ka (ex-Valluna) on vocals, Kei (ex-Valluna) on guitar, joined in March 2011 by Shoya on bass and in April 2013, Tatsuya on drums. Since their formation they've released 12 singles and 2 full albums, conveying a theme of Their latest single as of this writing is Menace, released in March 2014. In attempting to analyse the video, I've consulted lyrics from HipHopVomit, and Google translate has done a number on them so bear this is mind as I refer to the words as I go.

Band Feature: Rose Noire

Rose Noire was formed by members Louie (Vocalist) and Jill (Violin) when they were the students of the Tokyo National University of Fine arts and Music. They won the ZOOM at SONY-ZOOM DEMO tape competition in 2007.

Their music is free from predefined genres and concepts. Composed of their own world, in their own image, of their own existence and music. Classical with a touch of variety like Rock, R&B, Club music, HipHop, Industrial, Electronica and others.

Meet the members and read the interview after the break!

PV Analysis: DEZERT - "Himitsu"

Initially formed as Acid Cherry King in 2011, the Visual Kei band known as DEZERT released their first single in August of 2012. Comprised of Chiaki on vocals, Kira on guitar, SaZ on bass and Sora on drums, the band has released 6 singles to date. The PV for their first single, 'Himitsu' is a dark spectacle of mysterious imagery to accompany a frenetic electro-tinged rock piece.

PV Analysis: Black Gene for the Next Scene - "Welcome to Monster World"

Black Gene for the Next Scene (abbreviated as BFN or Black Gene) was formed in late 2011 by veterans of a multitude of other acts, currently following a theme of "Goshikaru transformer". Comprised of Ice on vocals, toki on guitar, Rame on bass and Sala on drums, they've released four singles and an album to date. Their latest PV for 'Welcome to Monster World' features an array of cinematic recall and considerable western influence in the visuals at play. The band talks about the PV in an interview, where they discuss the track addressing the nature of good and evil as well as the monsters inside us all.

Crestillion: Kriss To Step Down

In a series of very recent Facebook posts, Kriss and the band have announced he will be leaving Crestillion for personal reasons and priorities. The band will continue, with Kriss remaining very much a close friend. Though we are sad to see him go, we are happy to support him in all his future endeavors. The band comments can be seen below.

PV Analysis: Magistina Saga - 'Shadow Game'

Formed in 2008 as Guild in Japan's Kansai region, Magistina Saga adopted their current moniker in 2010. Signing with Starwave Records in mid-2012 the band has released 3 mini-albums altogether, most recently 'Two-facedness of a Tale' in August of 2013. With vocals by Iori, guitar by Urugi and bass by Kyo (support drums by Takuro) the band's rock sound incorporates themes of magic and fairy tale. These themes are perhaps best personified in the MV for 'Shadow Game', adapting a classic story familiar to young and old alike.

Preview: REIGN's Second Of 5 Chapter Releases "究明" (Kyumei - Discovery)

I just can't help myself, I have to share it! This teaser gives us yet another completely different sound from this brand new band. Though personally I think this clip sounds a little too much like this song.....I'm excited for it non the less. It goes without saying I'll be picking it up, and you can too with the help of the fabulous admins over at the REIGN Fan Page. Just shoot them a message! Out 2014.04.16

ZEAL LINK Global Twitter Account

Zeal Link, a Japanese music company specializing in visual kei that works promoting and producing lives, bands, releases etc, has launched a new twitter account to reach out to fans on a global scale. Posting in English, this twitter account seeks to connect fans to their favorite bands. And there's the hint of more to come if it's successful. So what are you waiting for? Share and follow! Let's get more JRock around the world!

ZEAL LINK Global

Check Out Leox's Newest Song!

My friend Leox just posted a demo version of his newest song "Meow Means I Love U". Check it out on his official Facebook page below!!

Post by Leox L.

Crestillion - New Look!

Our friends at Crestillion have updated their look! And with a new look always follows new music. Looking forward to what's coming up. If you missed our feature on them, you can check it HERE! We'll keep you updated.

J-rock North Promotions Inc. Presents: DaizyStripper At Anime North 2014

They're back!!! After joining us back in 2012 with the promise to return, DaizyStripper has just announced their return to Canada! This time they will be performing at Anime North, Canada's premier fan-run anime convention in association with J-rock North Promotions and Beyond Max Inc.

If you are not familiar with them, check out their bio below. But I guarantee you, whether you know them or not, you won't want to miss their show. Get your pass now! Concert is FREE for all convention attendees!

Anime North 2014 

Date: May 23rd - 25th, 2014 

Website: www.animenorth.com

Concert Date: Saturday May 24th, 2014

Location: Toronto Congress Centre - Hall C

Doors open 6:30 PM | Concert Starts 7:00 PM | Second act 8:30 PM

Review: REIGN "疑惑"【Giwaku - Suspicion】

They're back! After the devastating news to myself and fellow agents last spring, Ikuma and Kaji announced their formation of a new band, REIGN. Let's just say I was beyond eager to hear what the new sound would be like. Their first single was released 2014.01.31 after a slight delay. Though live-limited in it's release, the admins of the REIGN Fanpage were kind enough to take orders and make sure the fans around the world were able to get their hands on a copy. 

PV Analysis: llll-ligro - "Higanbana"

llll-Ligro is a visual kei band formed in Tokyo in 2010, most recently comprised of Hinata (vocal), Kazari (guitar), Anki (guitar), Hiro (drums) and Nao (support bass). Their band concept of ‘gloomy salvation through emptiness’ on the ‘mayhem of emotions’ seems to have marked their relatively short career, as 2011 saw member changes following a demo single release as anki and Nao joined the group. Kazari was added as second guitar in early 2012, however the end of 2013 saw more members leave. Anki quit due to 'severe opposing views', following his post of a controversial YouTube video, and Hiro’s decision to quit was apparently led by an increased focus on promotion over music. This has led the band to hiatus. However a month prior to these departures they released their 5th single ‘Higanbana’, accompanied by a visceral PV.

J-rock North Promotions Inc. Presents: Rose Noire At Anime North 2014

Fear not more eastern than Alberta Canadians! Rose Noire has just been announced as a musical guest for Anime North 2014. If you were worried about making your way to Otafest, worry not. You now have a second location to choose from. Gothic/J-rock/Classical Visual Kei duo Rose Noire will be performing this May at Anime North 2014. Please check out their comment video below!

Rose Noire was formed by members Louie (Vocalist) and Jill (Violin) when they were the students of the Tokyo National University of Fine arts and Music. They won the ZOOM at SONY-ZOOM DEMO tape competition in 2007. 

Their music is free from predefined genres and concepts. Composed of their own world, in their own image, of their own existence and music. Classical with a touch of variety like Rock, R&B,Club music, HipHop, Industrial, Electronica and so on. 

Presented by: J-rock North Promotions in association with Darkest Labyrinth. 

Anime North 2014 

Date: May 23rd - 25th, 2014 

Location: Toronto Congress Centre - Hall C

Website: www.animenorth.com

Concert Date: Saturday May 24th, 2014

Location: Toronto Congress Centre - Hall C

Doors open 6:30 PM | Concert Starts 7:00 PM | Second act 8:30 PM

Band Feature: Crestillion

After trying out various projects, Kitcha realized his true ambition. Sharing his visions with Petri, together they decided to form a visual project from scratch. That marked the start of Crestillion, a newly founded band residing in Sweden. With a melodic yet happy sound, mixed with eastern visual influences, this band brings something truly unique to audiences around the world. 

Meet the members and read the interview after the break!

J-rock North Promotions Inc. Presents: Rose Noire At Otafest 2014

Just announced! Gothic/J-rock/Classical Visual Kei duo Rose Noire will be performing this May at Otafest 2014. Please check out their comment video below!

Rose Noire was formed by members Louie (Vocalist) and Jill (Violin) when they were the students of the Tokyo National University of Fine arts and Music. They won the ZOOM at SONY-ZOOM DEMO tape competition in 2007. 

Their music is free from predefined genres and concepts. Composed of their own world, in their own image, of their own existence and music. Classical with a touch of variety like Rock, R&B,Club music, HipHop, Industrial, Electronica and so on. 

Presented by: J-rock North Promotions in association with Darkest Labyrinth. 

Otafest 2014 

Date: May 16th - 18th, 2014 

Location: University of Calgary 

Website: www.otafest.com

Band Feature: Crestillion Teaser!

Our next feature band just released their first EP and is beginning to make their mark not only in Sweden, but with fans around the world. Please look forward to our interview with Crestillion! Full feature out tomorrow, watch for it!