With a large music industry such as Japan has, second largest in the world, it is inevitable that music fans will be inundated with a profusion of good (and also less good) music from this country. It is impossible to keep track of this and write a review about it per video. But to avoid missing out on gems, it is time for a weekly list of new music videos from lesser-known Japanese musical acts that are definitely worth watching. We are now looking back on a couple of videos that were released in week 12 of the year 2021. Enjoy the new discoveries!
NEPHILIM – fall apart
NEPHILIM are a three-piece rock band that got formed in 2015. The band toured the United States in 2019, produced a song that was used in the anime series Kengan Ashura (to be seen on Netflix) and joined the anime’s omnibus album that was released by Pony Canyon in 2020. The rock band mixes melody, emo and hard rock and released 5 consecutive singles from August last year, fall apart is their first digital release of 2021. — Recommended by Francisca
the dim Island – Halma
the dim Island are an alternative fourpiece that started activities in the spring of 2020. Later that year, the band released their first single, which got supported by a couple of music videos. The rock band is mostly active in Tokyo and very much in their beginning phase so it is not possible to go totally in-depth but it seems that they are planning to release a collection of their sound sources, so do keep an eye on them. — Recommended by Francisca
EVE OF THE LAIN – 真実一路 (Mamikazumichi)
EVE OF THE LAIN are a three-member rock band based in Osaka and formed in the winter of 2020. The sound of the band is focused on guitar rock and the powerful singing voice of vocalist and guitar player Kohei Soda. After releasing a couple of singles, it was time for a mini-album and it’s on its way. That is, it will be out in a few days! — Recommended by Francisca
余日 (Yozitsu) – 殺心犯 (the killer)
Yozitsu are a melodic rock band, consisting of five members. The band is based in Osaka and started activities in 2019. The lyrical contents of their songs are related to topics of life resulting in melodic songs full of emotion and rawness. One EP and several singles have been released by the band and now it is waiting for the next step of the rock band, maybe an album? — Recommended by Francisca
アラウンドザ天竺 (Around the Tenjiku) – はんぱつ宣言 (Hanpatsu Sengen)
Around the Tenjiku can be seen as a mischievous loud rock band, they are based in Tokyo and just released their third mini-album. It is the first time that the four-piece decided to produce an animated music video for one of their songs. The rock band started out in 2017 and has since released a handful of CDs, including one where they collaborated with gravure idol Yui Kohinata. — Recommended by Francisca
Night Glory – dead piano
Night Glory are a four-piece alternative rock band based in Okazaki (Aichi Prefecture), currently active in the live house scene of Nagoya, Tokyo and Osaka. They describe themselves as a destructive and passionate ensemble with the addition of a fragile piano sound and sad melody. They have been active for at least 4 years and have released a couple of singles, a mini-album and an EP. — Recommended by Francisca
なきごと (Nakigoto) – 知らない惑星 (Shiranai Wakusei)
Tokyo-based rock band Nakigoto got formed in 2018 by Emiri Mizukami (vocals & guitar) and Yasumi Okada (guitar & chorus). During performances, they are a four-piece with support members. Immediately after formation, they started to release new music and soon managed to find fans. Coming April, they will release their first mini-album in a year and a half, titled 黄昏STARSHIP (Twilight STARSHIP). — Recommended by Francisca
Next week we will be back for a new list of new music videos to check out. But you can also look back to the earlier editions of this weekly article series for when you yearn for more musical gems!
