It’s been over a year since I originally wrote a similar piece about the Eastern metal (and idol) scene, mostly focusing on Japan (An Introductory Guide to the Burgeoning Kawaii Metal and Alt Idol Scene) and with how quickly bands rise up (as well as disappear, looking to that original list), it seemed about time to circle back and highlight another round of impressive acts that are worth seeking out. Just like last time, we’ll separate out between musical groups and alt idol acts, and throw in a few anime references for fun at the bottom. [Pictured above: icontinew]
Let’s start with some bands…
Maximum the Hormone
A long-time running, innovative Japanese act that is renown for their experimental sound that blurs lines between metal, punk, hip hop, funk, and much more as you travel through their discography. With songs that range from simply fun to deadly serious, they are always a bit eccentric but consistent in their ability to create captivating music. There’s a reason they are so revered in the Japanese metal community.
Maximum the Hormone official website
East of Eden
With a stunning line-up lead by violinist Ayasa (Bang Dream‘s Morfonica), East of Eden bring forward a dazzling display of symphonic metal that stands out from the ‘traditional’ varieties. The group provides some bombastic and soaring sounds while at the same time providing a distinctive level of musical instrumentation that grabs the listener and gives the music some added depth.
East of Eden official website
East of Eden on Instagram
Hagane
Rebooted last year after a few members left (Uyu and Mayto went to Mana Diagram), Hagane has continued to bring out some first class power metal shredding with a healthy dosage of fun. Big choruses, big riffs, Hagane does nothing if not leave everything at it’s most memorable and epic, something that their most recent single “Start Our Journey” certainly exemplifies as it blisters its way with pure power metal glory.
Hagane official website
Hagane on Instagram
Survive Said the Prophet
For most people, probably most well-known for their Vinland Saga OPs, SSTP are another long-running act that tends to blend elements of metal, rock, and pop together into an infectious mix of sounds. Vocalist Yosh (also in Knosis) is bilingual and sings in English, which makes them a nice entry point, particularly for those seeking a group with some heaviness without moving too far into metalcore territory.
Survive Said the Prophet on Instagram
Survive Said the Prophet official website
Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas
For some, a quick reference might be to namecheck the group as the ‘male version of PassCode’ but it doesn’t really work. For one, Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas has been around longer and have distinctly different sounds and vibes (despite sharing a passion for electronics and vocoder-enhanced singing). But nonetheless, there’s a lot to like about one if you are a fan of the other. But Fear brings a definitive metalcore meets electronica feel that’s fun, frantic, and full of energy.
Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas official website
Gore-Girl Project
Recently covered here but worth a quick review to bring in some outside eyes, Gore-Girl Project is a brutal death metal meets metalcore meets jpop vision that’s unique and impressive. Bringing in a slew of big names to aid in particular tracks (including members from Fate Gear, Mana Diagram, and more), there’s a lot of heart put into this incredibly diverse offering that really does move between different extremities with ease.
Gore-Girl Project on Instagram
Gore-Girl Project on X
Rolling Quartz
A five member rock outfit from Korea, Rolling Quartz has a similar spirit to that of Band-Maid (sans the outfits of course). Meaning that they play some energetic hard rock that unloads plenty of fun vibes, while on a musical level they bring in more technical elements and prowess to give the songs an extra level of appeal. They’ll be returning to the US for a full tour in a few months.
Rolling Quartz official website
Rolling Quartz on Instagram
Little Lilith
Founded in 2018 and ‘renewed’ in 2021, Little Lilith is a djent act that features heavy grooves and an effective harsh/clean vocal hybrid. Their use of melodies within the heavier format gives them a great blend of hooks and headbanging energy that embeds them in the metal scene, while keeping a uniquely Japanese edge to their sound. Their third EP will be released next month on February 12.
Little Lilith official website
Little Lilith on Instagram
MakeMake
Recently covering their debut album, We Are One, Taiwanese MakeMake merge melody, metalcore, and electronic elements into a visceral yet catchy beast. There’s some really heavy stuff going on at times, but it is occasionally tempered by the electronics and melodies. They’ll be going to Europe this spring with Fate Gear, which should hopefully get more eyes and ears in their general direction.
MakeMake on Instagram
MakeMake on Facebook
Jiluka
A visual kei act that has been around for over a decade, Jiluka seems to have finally grabbed a bit of a foothold overseas in more recent years. Their decidedly heavy, breakdown-friendly approach to modern metal also includes some occasional forays into hip hop and dance, providing an experience that is crushing, but never one-note. They’ll be back in the US this spring supporting Imminence.
Knosis
Former Crystal Lake vocalist Ryo Kinoshita formed Knosis to represent his internal struggles over the past few years, and has recently signed to Sharptone Records. The experimental metalcore group merges some heavy hardcore breakdowns with metallic riffing, alongside Ryo’s identifiable vocals, should easily satisfy anyone looking for something on the heavier side of things with just enough melodic hooks to keep it memorable.
Knosis on Instagram
Knosis on Facebook
Gacharic Spin
Driving hard rock/alt metal outfit Gacharic Spin provide bountiful hooks throughout their music. As with a number of jrock acts, there’s a high level of musicianship that is weaved into Gacharic Spin’s music, adding to the playful and occasionally aggressive tones that they provide. They also aren’t afraid of tossing in some outside of the genre influences either. While it’s been said they are going to slow down a bit (they’ve been at it over 15 years), there’s a hearty discography to be indulged for those interested.
Gacharic Spin official website
Gacharic Spin on Instagram
Dexcore
Tapping into a similar vein to Jiluka, Dexcore is a visual kei act that operates in deathcore/metalcore territory. Vicious riffing and breakdowns countered with moments of melody and soaring clean vocals seems to define much of their sound – arguably keeping things very heavy. That said, there’s a distinctive energy to their music that is hard to ignore, elevating them among many of their peers in the international scene.
Dexcore official website
Dexcore on Instagram
Killt Melt Land
With commanding dual vocals from Rie (from the anime Aikatsu!) and P-Sama (Shiina Hikari), the blend of incredible melodies and frantically heavy moments is one of the most appealing parts of Killt Melt Land’s sound. They only have a few songs out currently, but the intriguing dynamics make the group one to keep an eye on, as their hooks and energy seems primed to explode.
Killt Melt Land official website
Kilt Melt Land on Instagram
Bridear
A noteable act for being able to merge elements of NWOBHM, jpop, and modern metalcore into a seamless and riotous package, Bridear have already made some notable international acclaim over their almost 15 year history. Their latest album, Born Again, saw them record in Sweden and really go all out in terms of making a worldwide splash. With urgent riffs and killer melodies, not to mention a 2025 world tour ahead, seems they will be making even more waves this year.
Bridear official website
Bridear on X
LUMiRiSE
While they don’t have a ton of music under their belt, LUMiRiSE (who feature former members of Re_roll) have managed to consistently produce some quality hard rock, driven songs since surfacing in 2022. Their latest vocalist joined last year, and we’ve seen more frequent singles since. They tend to sit on the more melodic side of the fence, in comparison to some of the other groups listed here, but the hooks are quite breathtaking and worth taking a listen to.
LUMiRiSE official website
LUMiRiSE on Instagram
Nek!
Having a pretty impressive rise since debuting early last year, Nek! seem to be the pick of many to be the next ‘big rock band to come out of Japan.’ Listening to their particular brand of ‘catchy with a side of attitude’ hard rock playfulness, it seems a fairly accurate statement to make. In addition to very consistently releasing music (another EP is slated for March), there’s a really fun and upbeat energy that the group has that’s nothing if not infectious.
A brief intermission: Alt Idols – what are they and how is it different from metal/rock [reposted from the last article]?
It’s all a marketing game really (particularly internationally), and do the labels matter? Not really in the long-run, unless you’re an elitist armchair warrior. But one big distinction is that the groups above are playing all of the instruments. With alt idols, the face of the group are the vocalist(s). The music being performed behind them (or even through the backing speakers) is important in terms of their sound, but an alt idol relies more on dance choreography and singing. Blasphemy for the pure metal warrior, but it’s all an acquired taste. It’s more akin to traditional Japanese idol music, which can be found in a slew of anime (Love Live, Idolm@ster, Idoly Pride) if you need a quick reference point. Traditional idol music is happy and cute/cheerful, whereas alt idols can bring in darker sounds as well as potentially less cheerful lyrics.
Some alt idol groups:
icontinew
Taking massive doses of electronic elements and tossing them into a jpop meets metal blender, icontinew have an urgent and adrenaline-fueled approach to idol music that also takes some tender care of melodies. It’s a striking dynamic that they have found, offering a lot of modern diversity and some excellent vocal work to lay an impressive and unique foundation that’s bound to attract fans of groups like Passcode.
Ladybaby
A seminal name in the alt idol scene who have gone through numerous iterations at this point, Ladybaby seems to chart territory that, while always grounded in idol sound, isn’t afraid to incorporate almost any sort of outside influence. They can play it heavy, they can bring in hip hop, they can go straight pop – it’s pleasantly unpredictable, and it’s always a fun time. They are an exciting group to watch.
Ladybaby official website
Ladybaby on Instagram
Aina Suzuki
A seiyuu probably most well known for her role as Mari in Love Live Sunshine, Aina Suzuki’s solo work, particularly recently, has been notably heavier. Her most recent EP, initium, shifts between ethereal melodies and frantic shredding as she beautifully sings atop it all. It’s an absolutely thrilling spectacle, and hopefully she will return quickly with more material.
Aina Suzuki official website
Aina Suzuki on X
Mad Jamie
A punk rock solo idol effort for Akubi Kanjosen (after the four member version ended in 2023), Mad Jamie is full of riotous attitude and flair, with a certain amount melody lying beneath it all. Nonetheless, it’s an intense yet catchy experience that stands out among the usual idol crowd. She went on tour in Europe last year, so here’s to hoping she can get back out again internationally.
Mad Jamie official website
Mad Jamie on Instagram
LustQueen
One group I’ve been quick to latch onto is that of LustQueen, due to Yuina’s vocal work in Love Live Superstar!! as Wien Margarete. In a harder rock outlet, she can truly utilize her charismatic power front and center. There’s plenty of playful hooks to be found in her first EP, and the balance with some heavier, rock numbers ensures that she casts a wide net. Yuina’s voice is stunning, and LustQueen brings all the rightful attention she deserves.
LustQueen official website
LustQueen on X
Kolokol
Much like last time, it seemed like a more melodic alt idol would call for inclusion, and Kolokol is the pick this time. Not to say that they haven’t had some heavier tracks (such as “After the Storm”), but overall there’s a stronger pop element to the group than most of the other acts in this article. That said, their brand of idol energy is just as infectious and there’s a lot of fun to be had with their ever-growing discography.
Schrodinger’s Dog
Blending some harsh electronics and a video game-y chiptune sound together with a more hard rock and metal aesthetic, Schrodinger’s Dog keep things danceable yet decidedly heavy at times. There’s a lot of frantic energy in their tracks, and this balance of influences never feels jarring so much as almost futuristic and inviting. Perfect for those seeking something almost more industrial in tone.
Schrodinger’s Dog official website
Schrodinger’s Dog on X
Not Secured, Loose Ends
Moody and atmospheric, Not Secured, Loose Ends is an interesting idol group that goes back all the way to 2015 (see yukueshirezutsurezure), they also merge in some pretty heavy riffing and more traditional idol elements that helps to give them a more quickly identifiable sound that bucks some trends (so does their emphasis on English lyrics). It’s chaotic, hook-driven, and satisfyingly hard to describe the exact feel without listening yourself.
Finally, a few anime-related groups to check out
Ave Mujica
We covered Ave Mujica’s last EP, and now the group’s Bang Dream anime is currently airing. Ave Mujica is probably the most thoroughly metallic of the Bandori bands to date, with some songs blurring the lines between symphonic metal, visual kei, and elements of gothic metal. The riffs on “Symbol I” and anime OP “KiLLKiSS” are massive, and should quickly appeal to any fans of those genres.
Ave Mujica officlal website
Ave Mujica on X
LizNoir
The group within the Idoly Pride collective that tends to add in heavier riffing behind their idol songs, is also voiced by the real life members of of the idol group Sphere (who have also played many anime roles too). Much like Saint Snow below, it’s embedded in idol sound, but compared to straight-up idols, there’s a metallic underbelly shining beneath here.
Idoly Pride official website
Diamond Dust
I’ve written at length about Togenashi Togeari, but Diamond Dust (also from Girls Band Cry), is also a gem of a group. Sadly with only two songs as of now, compared to TogeToge there is more of a metallic sheen to their sound, with soaring solos and a heavier instrumentation. Rounding things out are Reina Kondo’s vocals for some extra polish. Hopefully with the anime now aiming towards mobile game status, Diamond Dust will expand their discography.
Girls Band Cry official website
Kessoku Band
For those in the anime space that somehow missed the explosively popular Bocchi the Rock, Kessoku Band was the anime’s (and Bocchi’s band), which tends to play an almost math-y at times version of harder rock. The songs hit more introspective themes that coincide with Bocchi’s character, and some like “Planet” playfully move between moments of soaring melodies and more mellow and intricate riff sections.
Bocchi the Rock official website
Saint Snow
Aqours’ rivals from Love Live Sunshine, Saint Snow songs tend to lead towards a much heavier side than the bright sparkling of Aqours. “Self Control” and “Drop Out” essentially sound like melodic death metal if you replaced the vocals with kawaii singing (tell me “Self Control” doesn’t sound very similar to Soilwork’s “One With the Flies”). Sure, there’s some idol elements mixed in, but this was as heavy as Love Live got…until Wien Margarete showed up with her gothic flair.
Love Live Sunshine official website
Laureley
While the Whisper Me a Love Song anime was riddled with disappointing animation and delays, one huge bright spot was the handling of Shiho’s (Sui Mizukami) band Laureley. There’s a ton of intricate heavy rock riffing and standout bass work, to the point where one has to wish that Laureley would be given an extended life outside of the anime. The songs go from fierce and frantic to preciously melodic, with a lot of care done for these tracks.
Laureley Whisper Me a Love Song wiki