Category: jrock
the GazettE Unleash UNDYING Preview

WORLD TOUR BEGINS ● BACK CATALOGUE NOW AVAILABLE

the GazettE will release three track maxi-single UNDYING via JPU Records on 27 April 2016, the same day as they perform in Toronto as part of their world tour.
UNDYING contains three entirely new songs; UNDYING, MALUM and VACANT and has been mastered exclusively for iTunes, offering crystal clear 24-bit audio. The three track single is available now to pre-order: http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1099538074?ls=1&app=itunes
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UNDYING is the 6th movement of PROJECT:DARK AGE, an artistic venture involving 18 creative professionals spanning Japan’s fashion, design, photography, sound, film and stage industries, with the GazettE’s five members at its centre. DOGMA, the GazettE’s latest album, was the first movement;UGLY, the first single was the third movement; and the current world tour makes up movements 7, 8 and 9.

the GazettE
UNDYING
27 April 2016
TRACKLIST:
01. UNDYING
02. MALUM
03. VACANT
Additionally, the GazettE’s back catalogue under King Records has also been made available world wide (except Japan, Korea, Taiwan and South and Central America) through JPU Records.
Artist Page on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4gRFSxjAcJkb54BDjqo7Bc
Artist Page on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/artist/id308794328?ls=1&app=itunes
TOUR DATES:
The Americas:
15 April – Teatro Metropolitan – Mexico City
20 April – Teatro Vorterix – Buenos Aires
22 April – Audio Club – Sao Paulo
25 April – Bomb Factory – Dallas
27 April – Danforth Music Hall – Toronto
29 April – Playstation Theatre – New York
1 May – Regency Ballroom – San Francisco
3 May – Wilterm Theatre – Los Angeles
5 May – Vogue Theatre – Vancouver
The Far East:
13 June – TICC – Taipei
21 June – Q.Hall – Shanghai
The Continent:
3 June – Le Zenith – Paris
5 June – E-Werk – Cologne
8 June – Tonhalle – Munich
10 June – The Circus – Helsinki
12 June – Izvestia Hall – Moscow
BiSH Have A New Song Out
It’s called Deadman and it’s punk, basically.
BiSH still aint a patch on BiS but I kinda like this track because it sticks to the anti-idol narrative that marks them out as not just another silly pop group.
But what do you think? Comments or Twitter plz.
Babymetal: New Album Is Rather Brilliant
BABYMETAL’s second album follows in the torrid wake of a debut so deliciously bonkers many were left wondering what on Earth the group would come up with next. Honestly? Something rather brilliant.
BABYMETAL Have A New Music Video
Well about time. Hasn’t it been like two years since they’ve made something? I’m not counting Road Of Resistance. Just cos.
Anyway here it is. My very brief thoughts after the vid.
It starts off promisingly enough with the three girls facing off against 3 ghosts or something. And then it goes very badly tits up: the choreography lacks fluidity and stutters and it’s all very serious. Videos like Megitsune and Gimme Choco were great fun and showcased the daftness of the band, but this all feels very dry and soulless and … forced.
On the plus side Karate is a killer metal song; and it is a metal song through and through. BABYMETAL seem to be transitioning towards something quite formidable and it will be interesting to see what the new album brings to the table. Will it be ‘the best album ever made’ as some hyperbolic reviewers claim? Time will tell.
EDIT:
Actually, I’ve watched it again and it, erm, kinda gets much better from the point I clicked off. Still not sure about the dancing though 😉
But what do YOU think? You think I’m a bitter and twisted knob jockey? Yes, probs, but I’m also honest. Comments wait below.
Yoshiki Drum Kit Auction!!!

Yoshiki to Donate His Special Drum Set for a Charity Auction as a 5-Year Commemoration of The Great Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
On March 11th Japan local time, X Japan’s leader Yoshiki donated his premier special edition of signature TAMA drum set for a charity auction to commemorate Japan’s 5 year memorial of the Great East Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011. Continue reading
So Uhhhh There’s a New Album By A Certain Band Coming Out
There are loads of really cool albums due for release shortly; one for a certain Japanese band I’ve followed for a while. All I will say is that if you’re a fan of this group, you’re in for a treat. That’s all I’m saying. And this is my blog so I can say what the fuck I like.
Is it better than the first? No. It’s just very very different.
6 Random Music Acts To Watch In 2016
I wrote this blog post last year about 7 Japanese acts to watch in 2015 and was all super happy when the likes of BABYMETAL went onto become global superstars so I thought it would be appropriate to do a similar piece this year, except this time I’m even going to include some Western music! So why don’t you join me for a cup of coffee and a run-down of six acts I think are set for bigger things this year. Continue reading
BAND-MAID On J-Melo!
BAND-MAID will appear on the international Japanese music television program J-Melo as one of the finalists in J-Melo’s Breakthrough Artist Showcase.
The all-girl rock band placed second in the recent viewer poll, and they’ll sit down for an interview with host May-J when the program airs in mid-March, just weeks before BAND-MAID’s debut American performance at Sakura-Con in Seattle.
Check the J-Melo website for more information.
Air Date:
March 14 (Japan Time)
0:10, 6:10, 12:30, 18:30
BAND-MAID recently announced their upcoming concert at Sakura-Con 2016 at the Washington State Convention Center. BAND-MAID will perform a live concert, participate in a Q&A session, and sign autographs for fans during the three-day event, March 25-27. Event and registration information can be found at Sakura-Con’s website.
Ach :( X-Japan Postpone Wembley Show
Here’s the PR:
Due to completely unforeseen circumstances, X JAPAN have announced that their show at SSE Arena Wembley, scheduled for March 12, 2016, has now been postponed to March 4, 2017. All tickets sold will remain valid for the rescheduled date.
X JAPAN’s guitarist, PATA was admitted to the ICU at a hospital in Tokyo on January 15, 2016. He was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition, which included a severe blood clot. He recently came out of the ICU and his condition has thankfully stabilized, however his doctors do not consider him fit to fly until he has made a full recovery.
After much discussion, X JAPAN has announced a suspension of their current performance commitments, which include the Wembley show. Given the unfortunate circumstances, the release of X JAPAN’s new album, scheduled for a March 11, 2016 has also been postponed. Expect a rescheduled worldwide release date for their as-yet-untitled new album to be announced soon.
X JAPAN members have released the following statements:
“My heart is filled with sadness. No words can describe how sorry I am to disappoint our fans,” says YOSHIKI. “I know the show must go on, but at this this time I can only pray for PATA’s recovery. I cannot tolerate more tragedy than what we’ve been through. I promise X JAPAN will come back strong, as we’ve done before, together with our fans.”
“We are truly sorry from the bottom of our hearts, for all the worries and concerns we’ve caused to our fans,” adds TOSHI. “X JAPAN is looking forward to playing with PATA again, and continuing our music journey together.”
“We truly apologize for the postponement of our Wembley show and new album,” says HEATH. “In order to present ourselves in the best condition for all our beloved fans, we’ve made a very difficult decision to wait for PATA’s full recovery. Upon his return, we promise to do our best to play even better and show you the best version of ourselves on stage. Please stay tuned.”
“There is no X JAPAN without PATA,” adds SUGIZO. “I will wait for him, for as long as it will take.”
XJAPAN Announce World Premiere of Documentary Film

X JAPAN (L-R): Pata (guitar), Heath (bass), Yoshiki (composer, drums, piano), Toshi (vocals) and Sugizo (violin, guitar)
As X JAPAN lay down tracks in a Los Angeles studio for their as-yet-untitled album, Japan’s most iconic rock band have announced that the world premiere of the new documentary film from Passion Pictures–‘WE ARE X’–will take place this week at the Sundance Film Festival. ‘WE ARE X’ explores the evolution, groundbreaking history and hopeful future of the land of the rising sun’s most legendary rock group. X JAPAN have sold 30 million singles and albums combined and continue to tour the world performing sold-out shows to massive arenas in 16 countries throughout the U.S. and Europe.
On Friday, January 22 at 9pm, YOSHIKI–songwriter, drummer, classically-trained pianist and the creative force of X JAPAN–will perform live with a string quartet for the first-ever Sundance Festival Base Camp party, presented by Canada Goose. YOSHIKI will headline the Festival Base Camp, a new outdoor venue located at Swede Alley, behind Main Street. Other artists confirmed to perform include Dan Deacon, Flying Lotus and Neon Indian.
“It’s overwhelming to see the full documentary ‘WE ARE X,’ says Yoshiki of X JAPAN. Stephen Kijak and John Battsek opened doors, which I shut and never intended to re-open. I didn’t realize that on the other side, dark memories could co-exist with a meaningful future. Audiences will be a witness to our history and future.”
Saturday, January 23 will mark the world premiere of ‘WE ARE X’ in the World Cinema Documentary Competition at Prospector Square Theater in Park City at 2:30pm. YOSHIKI and the film team will be on hand for the red carpet at 2:00pm and a Q&A after the premiere. ‘WE ARE X’ was created by the production team behind the Academy Award- winning film Searching For Sugarman: producer John Battsek (Passion Pictures) alongside renowned director Stephen Kijak (Stones In Exile and Scott Walker: 30 Century Man— (executive produced by David Bowie). From X JAPAN’s massive success (over 30 million albums, singles and videos sold) and sold-out tours worldwide, ‘WE ARE X’ chronicles the triumphs and tragedies of this legendary quintet who will never give up. On Sunday, January 24, YOSHIKI will perform live at the ASCAP CAFÉ at Sundance at 4:00pm.
X JAPAN initially split up in 1997 after playing their fifth New Year’s Eve show at the 55,000-capacity Tokyo Dome; they have now sold out the Tokyo Dome a record 18 times. The group reformed in 2007 and have released three singles: “I.V.” in 2008, “Jade” in 2011 and “Born To Be Free” in late 2015. They’ve been touring worldwide ever since–and in October 2014, the group performed their debut Madison Square Garden show in New York before announcing the new album and ‘WE ARE X’ film releases slated for 2016.
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