To celebrate the release of the soundtrack for the new Nitroplus game "FULL METAL DAEMON: MURAMASA", music download site JapanFiles.com is sponsoring a worldwide giveaway for fans of the Japanese game studio.
Throughout December, JapanFiles.com is giving away over $500 in free music downloads, plus limited edition Japanese promotional items and import CDs from Nitroplus artists, including Kanako Ito.
To be entered into the draw, simply purchase any single track or album from Nitroplus artists at JapanFiles.com between December 1st and December 20th. Winners will be chosen at random on December 20th and notified by E-mail. This competition is available worldwide and you can enter as many times as you like. Full details of the rules, prizes and eligible downloads can be found here.
Popular duo Do As Infinity have announced the upcoming release of their latest single Kimi ga inai mirai, which is scheduled for January 27th.
The title track is currently being used as the opening theme for Yomiuri TV's anime "Inuyasha Kanketsu-hen", which began airing in Japan on October 3rd. Kimi ga inai mirai will feature four tracks in total, including the title track, Fukai mori, Shinjitsu no uta and Rakuen, all of which have previously featured within the Inuyasha franchise.
The single is expected to be released in four variants, including two limited and two regular editions, both of which will feature one CD and one CD+DVD version. The CD+DVD versions are expected to include the music videos for all four tracks, plus other material. Each version of the release will also include an individual sticker.
Electronica duo m.o.v.e have unveiled details for their latest single FATE SEEKER, which is scheduled for release on January 13th.
The single will be the group's first in over a year and a half, and also the first since the departure of t-kimura in April. Further details regarding the tracklist and other information have yet to be confirmed, but are expected to be announced shortly.
Hello! Project quintet °C-ute have announced that they will release their upcoming single SHOCK! on January 6th.
The single will be the group's first since the departure of Umeda Erika in late October. Suzuki Airi is expected to perform lead vocals on the release. SHOCK! will be released in the standard CD and CD+DVD format and further details regarding a tracklist are expected to be announced shortly.
The Single V is scheduled for release on January 13th and is expected to include the music video for SHOCK!, an alternate version of the promotional video and making-of footage.
The Nagoya band EAT YOU ALIVE, previously known as MaveRick, have announced the release of a new maxi-single for next year.
This will be the band's first release since the two maxi-singles ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS and ATROCITY AND BLUE, which were released simultaneously in August. Their fourth maxi-single, Coke in a vein, will contain 3 songs and will go on sale on January 27th 2010.
The band is also holding their first three-man at Nagoya Music Farm on December 20th.
Askew Magazine has announced that its third volume is now available for free download.
The magazine offers a wide variety of Japanese music content in English, and its free download service allows it to be easily accessed by fans. This third issue features auncia as its cover artist and also includes Ken Lloyd of FAKE? and OBLIVION DUST, Kanon Wakeshima, Sugar, SATSUKI, VAMPS and many more.
Visual kei rock band Plastic Tree have announced a new album, called Donna Donna, and a PV collection, titled Gestalt houkai -eizouhen-, to be released on December 23rd.
Donna Donna will be Plastic Tree's tenth studio album and first since Utsusemi, released back in September 2008. It is expected to include the singles Fukurou and Sanatorium, and the limited edition will come with a DVD featuring footage from their free open-air performance in Yoyogi in June.
On the same day, the band will release a new PV collection, titled Gestalt houkai -eizouhen-. The disc will include the music videos of all their singles, starting with Sanbika, from 2005, as well as the PV of the b-side Consent., which was previously shown in their latest performance at Nippon Budokan.
Rock power trio UNISON SQUARE GARDEN have a new single called cody beats scheduled to come out on February 10th 2010.
This is the group's first release since their self-titled major debut album, which came out in April this year. Besides the title song, the single will also include the b-sides Gyakuten Sayonara and Sora no tobikata.
Prior to the release, UNISON SQUARE GARDEN will embark on a four-date one-man QUATTRO tour titled QUATTRO SQUARED in December, taking them to Osaka and Nagoya, and ending with two consecutive dates in Shibuya on the 16th and 17th.
Visual kei band UnsraW have announced that they will hold a European tour in February 2010.
Various UnsraW CDs have already been released in Europe through German label CLJ Records, and the band previously expressed an interest in performing on the continent in the interview JaME held with them in 2007.
Concrete plans for a European tour have finally been made, including shows in the Netherlands, Sweden, France, and three shows in Germany. More information about the tour can be found in our tour schedule.
Visual kei band SUICIDE ALI are to release a new DVD through gothic record label Darkest Labyrinth.
The DVD, titled Aoi Ookami ga Mita Zekkei, will be released on December 23rd and will be SUICIDE ALI's first video release to be distributed in Japan. It will include the PV for the title track, which was released on the album Daiyon no Waltz, plus live videos of Rebandyisyu ringu and Tadashii mahou no tsukurikata, recorded at their Tokyo and Osaka one-man shows in August. The accompanying booklet will contain artist photos taken by ts9, who has photographed Seileen and other artists.
The DVD is limited to 300 copies and advanced orders can be made here from November 27th at a price of $21.
Music download site HearJapan has announced the addition of OMODAKA's new EP Plum Song to their site.
OMODAKA has had a busy year of glowing reviews, tours and overseas performances, and has finally found the time to produce his new EP Plum Song. All of the release's tracks feature enka singer Kanazawa Akiko, adding her traditional vocal style to OMODAKA's cutting-edge sounds and sharp beats.
The EP can be downloaded here, where you can also watch the PV of the title track. HearJapan also has a brief interview with OMODAKA, in which he talks about the release, which can be read here.
Japanese music download site HearJapan has announced new releases by 8bit/chiptune masters Saitone and JulieHally.
Firstly, Saitone have recorded two tribute tracks to the late Michael Jackson, which are currently available for download. The classic songs Thriller and Smooth Criminal have been reworked in this modern-day mash-up, using '80s technology. These tracks, as well as other releases, can be downloaded here. Saitone also have a new album due out on February 22nd 2010, details of which are expected to be released at a later date.
On November 25th, HearJapan will be offering a sampler of JulieHally's new release 265 e.p.. Unlike Saitone's instrumental style, JulieHally combine their energizing 8bit rock with both male and female vocals sung in a robotic style. These downloads can be found here.
In addition to this, both bands will be performing at the world's biggest LAN party, DreamHack, in Sweden. DreamHack is a giant LAN (local area network) party in Sweden that features various video game competitions at a place for like-minded people to gather and connect. Since the early '90s the event has gradually grown, eventually setting the Guinness World Record for attendance for such an event in 2007 with over 10,500 computers. Saitone and JulieHally will perform at DreamHack's winter event on November 26th. Further details can be found on DreamHack's official website.
The indie visual kei band Megaromania will be performing in Bucharest, Romania on December 13th.
The band from the well known UNDER CODE label has been around since last year and it is quite remarkable for such a young band to perform overseas. Another interesting fact is that this will be the first time for a visual kei band to perform in Romania.
As well as Megaromania's concert, the evening will include a fashion show and the performance of a Romanian rock band. More information can be found in our schedule and on the website of organizer Kohaku Music.
The electronica artist De De Mouse and the singer-songwriters Rica Minami and Ken Kobayashi will be performing in London tomorrow night (November 24th).
The show, named Japanese Tricks, will be held at The Cross Kings at 126 York Way, London and starts at 7pm. More information can be found in the concert schedule.
Singer/Songwriter ayaka has unveiled details of her upcoming DVD, which is tentatively titled MTV Unplugged ayaka, and is due for release on January 13th.
The release will be ayaka's last for the forseeable future due to her impending hiatus, which was originally announced in April. In the announcement, ayaka revealed that she had been diagnosed with Graves' Disease (which affects the autoimmune system) and would be withdrawing from her music career to concentrate on treatment.
The DVD will feature footage taken from "MTV Unplugged ayaka", which was held at Osaka-jo Hall on November 18th. The release will be issued in three variants, with the regular and limited edition scheduled to hit stores on January 13th. The BLU-RAY version of the performance is expected to be released on January 20th. The regular edition and BLU-RAY will include one disc which will feature footage taken from the performance along with a documentary feature, whilst the limited edition will include the aforementioned disc plus a bonus CD with a live recording taken from the concert.
The DVD is expected to include songs from across her career, from her debut song I believe to national favourites Mikazuki and Minna sora no shita, plus her rendition of Michael Jackson's Human Nature.
Rap group TERIYAKI BOYZ have planned the release of a CD+DVD combo called DELICIOUS JAPANESE for December 2nd.
DELICIOUS JAPANESE will consist of a mix CD with 27 tracks, featuring appearances by several well-known names in the worldwide rap/hip-hop scene, such as Pharrell Willams, Busta Rhymes, Kanye West and Jay-Z, as well as famous Japanese electro artist CORNELIUS and others.
The DVD is expected to include 11 tracks from their performance at Zepp Tokyo, part of their latest nationwide tour DO YOU LIKE JAPAN? TOUR, as well as a documentary from this same tour.
Pop-rock group LINDBERG have announced the final releases of their 20th anniversary special comeback as a new single and live DVD, which are both to be released on December 9th.
LINDBERG was formed in 1988 and managed to achieve a good amount of popularity during their years of activity. They disbanded in 2002 after releasing 35 singles and 17 albums, but reunited this year to celebrate their 20th anniversary. However, this reunion is only limited to 2009, as they will cease activities again on December 31st.
LIVE your LIFE, as the single will be titled, will include the title song, plus its instrumental counterpart and music video. The DVD, called LINDBERG 20th Anniversary LIVE {{SPECIAL}} ~dokidoki suru koto yamerare henna (emi)~, will feature footage from their concert at Nippon Budokan on September 28th - their first live in approximately twelve years.
Additionally, the band has also announced that they will perform a last one-man live to mark the closure of their reformation. The concert will be held at Nakano Sun Plaza, Tokyo, on New Year's Eve, under the title LINDBERG Nijuu shuunen dokidoki tokidoki Tochuu gesha no tabi 2009 Saishuu Kouen ~LIVE your LIFE & LIVE your LIFE~.
Former SUPERCAR bassist Furukawa Miki has announced the release of her newest solo single, Saihate, for December 2nd.
Saihate is Miki's first release since switching record labels from BMG Japan to Ki/oon Records. Her last release under BMG Japan was the album Bondage Heart, released in August 2008. The main track of the single can be recognized as the theme song of the popular anime "Hatsune Miku", composed by Kobayashi Onxy, and Miki has added her own pop sound to this release.
A remix of Saihate by Japanese DJ TOWA TEI will serve as the single's b-side. The single will be sold in both CD and CD+DVD versions, with the latter also including the music video of the title song.
Pop duo Every Little Thing have announced the release of a big, complete best-of album, called Every Best Single～COMPLETE～, for December 23rd.
The collection will include all of the duo's singles, from their debut Feel My Heart in 1996 to their newest single Tsumetai ame, plus other hit songs, for a total of 49 tracks over four discs. As a 50th and bonus track, a remake of Time goes by, by Kj from Dragon Ash, will also be included on the album under the title Time goes by ～as time goes by.
The limited edition will come with two DVDs including 38 music videos, plus a special video called Behind The "MEET" volume 00. A third version of the best-of album, featuring songs requested by fans, will also go on sale on the same day, featuring 30 songs in chronological order.
cali≠gari, who reunited this year after a six-year hiatus, have revealed a change of plans in the limitations of this schedule.
cali≠gari surprised fans after coming back from their hiatus with the release of the best-of album cali≠gari no sekai and a couple of concerts in Tokyo. Since then, the band have released a new single, -9-, and a new studio album called 10, as well as holding a short tour around Tokyo and Osaka called END OF Sorosoro in September.
Despite this, as stated in earlier news, the band would be freezing their activities after an event at Zepp Tokyo on November 18th,where they are to perform along with fellow bands MUCC and Plastic Tree. However, the group has now decided to delay their "dismantlement", as they have called it, to February 11th, when they will hold a one-man performance at the big Nippon Budokan titled Kaitai.
The announcement came after a change in their website layout, which has now been designed to look like a newspaper. In this newspaper, it was also revealed that a new CD called Zoku, tsumetai ame will be given as a present to the attendants of the Budokan concert. They also announced a change in the title of their upcoming DVD, set to come out on December 2nd including scenes from concerts at Zepp Tokyo and Shinkiba STUDIO COAST in June and September respectively, which will now be titled Juu.
A funny video of a fictional press conference regarding the news was posted on cali≠gari's official website and can be seen below:
Visual kei rock band SINCREA have scheduled the release of their second full-length album, PANDORA, for December 16th.
PANDORA will hit stores one year after the release of ATLAS, the group's first album. The new release will have a total of 14 tracks, including the singles Garasu no namida and Xmas Day, the b-sides PANDORA 21, OVERDRIVE and CANDLE, and the song Sakura mai chiru kisetsu ni kimi ga yume mita koto, which was produced by Janne Da Arc's keyboardist kiyo.
The album will be available in three different versions: limited edition A, including a DVD with an interview about the CD and a live PV of Mune ippai no ai wo, a low-priced limited edition B costing 1,980 yen, and a regular edition, which will include extra material on the main disc.
Pop singer Koda Kumi has announced her first release of the new year: a single, titled Can We Go Back, due out on January 20th.
Can We Go Back is Koda Kumi's 46th single and is simply described as a rock number with a strong message of "moving forward without looking back". Good☆day, the b-side, is a straight tune with the concept of a girl's unrequited love.
As usual, it will be available in both CD and CD+DVD formats, with the latter also including the official music video and making-of for Can We Go Back.
Visual kei rock band jealkb have planned two new releases for January: a new single called makemagic, in stores on the 20th, and their first ever photobook.
makemagic is jealkb's sixth major single and the successor of WILL, released in August. Besides the title song, which has a positive message, the single will also include the b-side Kiwadatasareta bibou and, in the first press, a ticket to take part in a backstage visit during their upcoming nationwide tour Ibara no michi.
The photobook, which is currently untitled, will go on sale two days prior to the single release. It will feature shower scenes and pictures from fourteen days' worth of live concerts. Purchasers can exclusively attend a signing session with the band members after their performances on January 18th and 19th.
Pop singer Mai Kuraki will release a very special live DVD on December 23rd called 10TH ANNIVERSARY MAI KURAKI LIVE TOUR "BEST".
Mai Kuraki made quite a stir this year with her best-of album ALL MY BEST, which was released in seven different formats. This year, the singer is celebrating her tenth anniversary as an artist, which has also led to the release of this four-disc DVD.
10TH ANNIVERSARY MAI KURAKI LIVE TOUR "BEST" can be divided in two parts, each with two discs: The first one includes footage from her concert at Makuhari Messe on July 4th, titled Best Party, and the other one contans scenes from her special Halloween concert at Nippon Budokan on October 31st, called HAPPY HAPPY HALLOWEEN LIVE.
Additionally, each "part" of the DVD is expected to come with additional content: the first part will come with a live document, while the second part will feature a special selecion of digital live pictures.
Pop/experimental singer and songwriter Chara has announced the release of a new album, titled CAROL, for December 9th.
CAROL will be Chara's first original album in a year and a half, since her previous album, honey, came out in June last year. This twelve-track CD will include breaking hearts, which was released as a single in July, Chara's latest single Kataomoi, and I miss you, which was used as the CM song for Orbis' "Aqua Force Extra Lotion".
For this album, the singer collaborated with five different producers: Tsutaya Kouichi, Seiji Kameda, Watanabe Zentarou, Toriyama Yuuji and Swing-o a.k.a 45. The release will be available in both CD and CD+DVD versions, with the latter also featuring off-shot scenes and an interview with Chara.
Alternative rock band STRAIGHTENER have announced the release of a new single, called Man-like Creatures, scheduled to come out on January 13th 2010.
Man-likes Creatures will be STRAIGHTENER's first single in five months, since CLONE / DONKEY BOOGIE DODO was released back in August. The main song of the single is described as an experimental tune with acoustic guitar, loop rhythms and poetic lyrics.
The single will also include the b-side Toneless Twilight and a remix of the title song made by aus. The release is also expected to come with extras on the CD and and a live postcard will be featured in the first press only.
Pop-rock band GLAY have scheduled the release of a new live DVD titled GLAY 15th Anniversary Special THE GREAT VACATION in NISSAN STADIUM for January 27th 2010.
GLAY are currently celebrating their 15th anniversary, which led to the release of the compilation album THE GREAT VACATION, which was released in two different volumes in June and October this year. The live DVD, as the title may suggest, will also be a part of their commemorations and will feature footage from the group's performances at Nissan Stadium on August 15th and 16th.
GLAY 15th Anniversary Special THE GREAT VACATION in NISSAN STADIUM will be sold in two versions: a standard version, which will come with 21 songs from the August 16th concert split into two discs, and the complete edition, featuring 21 tracks from each performance, with a total of 42 songs.
Globally recognised post-rock band toe have announced the release of a new album, called For Long Tomorrow, for December 9th.
For Long Tomorrow will be toe first release since new sentimentality e.p., which was released three years ago. It will also be their first original album in nearly four years, as their last full-length original release, the book about my idle plot on a vague anxiety, came out back in 2005.
Among the album's thirteen tracks, there will be a few collaborations, including Clammbom's vocalist Harada Ikuko in the song After Image, Hoshikawa Yuzuru (DRY RIVER STRINGS, ex-UP AND COMING) in Say It Ain't So, and former Cymbals vocalist Toki Asako in Good Bye.
Rock group FLOW have planned the release of a new single, called Sign, for January 13th 2010.
FLOW finished the year with the release of a special coupling collection on November 4th. The song Sign is currently already airing as the newest opening theme of Tokyo TV's anime "NARUTO Shippuden".
Details regarding b-sides are expected to be announced soon, but it has already been mentioned that the single will be sold in the usual two versions, one of which will come with a special DVD.
Popular singer and actor Fukuyama Masaharu has announced the release of a new single, called Hatsukoi, for December 16th.
Hatsukoi is currently on air as the CM song for "REZGA". On the 6th of this month, the song was made available for purchase as a digital release and has already been downloaded over over 150,000 times. At first, there was no plan to sell the song as a physical single, but Masaharu's label decided to release it in stores due to its popularity.
The single will go on sale in three different versions: CD-only, CD+DVD and CD+T-shirt. This T-shirt, with a Christmas cartoon theme, was specially designed by the multi-talented Lily Franky.
Only one month after the release of their single PARADOX, visual kei band ALSDEAD have announced the release of their fourth single.
Distrust will come out on January 13th and its first press limited edition will contain an acoustic version of Kizu, a song which was featured on their debut single Violent of Reason.
Furthermore, the band has also announced their first anniversary one-man, which is to be held at Shibuya O-Crest on December 29th. On that day, those who buy Distrust at the hall will be given the band's first PV as present.
Johnny's group Kanjani∞ will release three new holiday-themed singles this December.
These singles will be the only other releases from the boy band this year, besides Kyuu☆ue☆Show!! which was released on November 4th. The three singles are titled GIFT ~Shiro~, GIFT ~Aka~, and GIFT ~Midori~ and will come out on December 23rd, 24th, and 25th respectively.
GIFT ~Shiro~ will include the tracks Fuyu koi and Kimi no uta wo utau, GIFT ~Aka~ will include the tracks I wish and Minus 100 do no koi, and GIFT ~Midori~ will include the tracks Yuki wo kudasaiOne day in winter and Snow White.
After being inactive for over a year, the Swedish version of JaME has finally come back!
A brand new team is now running this version, so if you are from Sweden, please check out the Swedish version to stay updated with the J-Music happenings in your country.
Visual kei indie band SKULL will release a new mini-album, titled Natural Born Killer, on January 20th 2010.
This release will be SKULL's first release since the single AWAKE, which was released in July. It will also be their third release with their new line-up, since bassist Sakura left at the end of last year and was replaced by Ryou, as well as additional guitarist Kouta, in February.
Natural Born Killer will include five brand-new tracks: karma, voice, serial killer, Sick Boy Crying Scream and COKEHEAD. To promote the release, the band will be holding a one-man live, titled NATURAL BORN V KILLERS, at Harajuku Astro Hall on February 27th 2010.
Visual kei band Awoi will release their first mini-album on November 25th.
The CD, titled ZACRO, will be the band's first release since their maxi-single Insomnia which was released about half a year ago. The mini-album will contain six brand-new tracks.
Furthermore, Awoi have planned a domestic tour to promote this new release, called winter tour 2009 "ZACROnic new world". It will end with a one-man live at OMOTESANDO FAB in Tokyo on January 29th.
Visual kei bands exist†trace and GLACIER have each added a video message to the JaME YouTube channel.
Having recently released their latest album Ambivalent Symphony in October, all-female visual kei band exist†trace have recorded a special message for JaME, which can be viewed here.
GLACIER have also recorded a message for their fans, in which the members introduce themselves to overseas fans and talk about their new single Kanasambana. This video message can be seen here, and a preview of the PV for Kanasambana can be watched here.
After releasing her fourth full album and a live album earlier this year, reggae/dancehall artist MUNEHIRO has announced the release of a new single for December 16th.
Maternity March, like most of MUNEHIRO's previous singles, will be a love song with an urban twist to it. The second track of the single will be a swing mix version of the song LUV, another love song, which came out in December 2007. Instrumental versions of both songs will be included on the CD as well.
The single will be available in a regular and limited edition. Both will contain the same four tracks and the limited edition will come with a DVD. A preview of the title track can already be found on her official website.
Pop singer Utada Hikaru has announced on her official website that she will tour the US and UK from mid-January.
The tour will start on January 15th in Hawaii and will end on February 12th in London. So far there are eight dates for the US and only one date for the UK. No other information has been announced as of yet. For further details on this tour, check Utada's tour schedule.
At the finale of their current tour at Tokyo Kinema Club tonight, Dancho made the announcement that after four years, NoGoD are to make the transition from indies to major.
Dancho began by talking about their history and shocked fans by casually mentioning how those had been their 'indies days' before informing the fans that in 2010, NoGoD will release a major label single.
No details about which label they are signed to has been released as yet, but more information will follow shortly.
Rock singer GACKT has unveiled more information about his upcoming single, set to hit stores on December 9th.
Setsugekka -The end of silence-/ZAN, as the single will be called, is a double A-side release which includes both tie-in songs for the upcoming Wii game "Sengoku Musou 3". The instrumental counterparts to both songs will also be featured on the CD.
It has also been announced that GACKT has chosen three members from popular Visual kei bands to be featured in the music video of Setsugekka -The end of silence-. These members will be Ni~ya from Nightmare on bass, TSUKASA from D'espairsRay on drums and Shun from DuelJewel on guitar. YOU, from his backing band GACKT Job, will fill the second guitarist spot.
Pop/R&B singer Kana Nishino will release her first double A-side single, called Dear.../MAYBE, on December 2nd.
Having recently released the hit single Motto..., both title songs of Kana's new single will be used as tie-ins. Dear..., a winter ballad, has been chosen as the theme song of NTT Docomo's "Ganbare Jukensei '09-'10", while MAYBE, an upbeat tune, is being used as the image song for MAYBELLINE NEWYORK's "Volume Express Magnum".
The single will also include the song Yours Only,feat.WISE ～maison de m-flo～, a cover of hip-hop duo m-flo, which was previously included on their tribute album TRIBUTE ALBUM m-flo TRIBUTE ～maison de m-flo～.
Alternative rock band 9mm Parabellum Bullet have set the release of Inochi no zenmai, a new song scheduled to be used as the theme song for the movie "Higanjima", as a single for January 6th 2010.
This release and tie-in comes as a closure of "9mm's year", in which the band had a release rush with one single, an EP and a live DVD. It was also in 2009, on the historical date 09/09/09, that the band had their first one-man concert at Nippon Budokan.
The title track will be accompanied by a cover of Dou ni mo tomaranai, released by singer Linda Yamamoto in 1972. This cover will serve as a challenge for the band, as even though they have been releasing other covers for compilations of bands like Quruli and THE YELLOW MONKEY, it will be different for the band to record a song which is 37 years old.
Pop/acoustic singer Hata Motohiro has scheduled the release of a new single, titled Ai, for January 13th 2010.
Ai will be Hata's first single since Halation, released in August this year. Besides the title song, described as a warm ballad, and its instrumental counterpart, the single will also include live studio versions of Yoru ga akeru, a song from his second album ALRIGHT, and also a cover of KIRINJI's Aliens.
The limited edition of the single will also come with a DVD featuring live scenes from his premium concert in Kyoto in April and also footage from his performance at the event Augusta Camp 2009～Extra～, held at Saitama Super Arena in October.
Singer Kamiki Aya has announced the release of two new albums, both for January 27th 2010.
The first album, AYA KAMIKI Greatest Best, will be a best-of CD, released through the label GIZA. It will contain fifteen songs, starting from her debut single and displaying her career so far. This album will also come with a DVD featuring specially selected scenes from her tour AYA KAMIKI LIVE 2008 〜Are you happy now?〜, as well as the PV for Are you happy now? and Sekai wa soredemo kawari wa shinai.
The second album, Individual Emotion, will be released through Avex and will officially mark the singer's switch to this label. This album will be available in both limited and regular editions. The regular edition will include a PV as part of the same CD, while the limited edition will come with an extra CD including ten of her best songs, as selected by Kamiki Aya and her fans.
Popular rock band UVERworld have planned the release of their first best-of collection, called Neo SOUND BEST, for December 9th.
2009 is a very special year for UVERworld, as it marks the tenth anniversary of their formation and the fifth year of their major debut, which led to the release of this compilation album. The CD is expected to include their breakthrough hit D-tecnoLife, which was used as the opening theme song for the anime "BLEACH", and their newest single Kanashimi wa kitto, as well as several other singles, b-sides and album tracks.
As an exclusive treat for fans, the band has also included on the album D-tecnoRize, a song from their indies period which was the prototype to D-tecnoLife. Featuring a total of 16 songs to span their ten years, the album will go on sale in both regular and limited editions. The limited edition will come with a DVD containing twelve songs recorded during their latest nationwide tour AwakEVE TOUR.
Visual kei rock band Doremidan have announced via their official website that bassist Shinji will be leaving the group after their upcoming one-man concert at Omotesando FAB on December 26th.
Shinji has been facing some health issues that even made it impossible for him to perform with the band at the big V-ROCK FESTIVAL in October. Since his physical condition has not improved fully, he and the band came to the decision that this was the best option for him.
However, Shinji has made enough of an improvement to return to Doremidan and take part in their upcoming winter tour, which kicks off on December 4th at Saitama HEAVEN'S ROCK, as his last performances with the group. He also apologizes for worrying the fans and hopes that they can support him and the band until their last concert as these five members.
New visual kei band virgil, who formed earlier this year, will release a new maxi-single on December 9th.
Loyal will be released on the Free Will label in three different versions. All three types will come with the main track Loyal Milk T, but they will each include a different second track. Types A and B will both come with a DVD, each containing a different music video, and the type C will come with a bonus third track.
Popular boy band KAT-TUN will release a new live DVD on December 16th. The DVD is entitled KAT-TUN Live Break the Records, named after their album of the same name, which came out in April this year. The DVD features footage of their performance on June 15th at the Tokyo Dome, which was held to promote the aforementioned album.
KAT-TUN certainly broke the records this year in May, as they held eight consecutive performances at the legendary Tokyo Dome, for which they are now noted in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The DVD will be released in a regular and a limited edition. The limited edition will come with a bonus disc including tour documentary footage with interviews and behind the scenes footage. The DVD can already be pre-ordered at CDJapan.
Music download site HearJapan has added Red Bacteria Vacuum's album Dolly Dolly, make a epoch to their website.
Red Bacteria Vacuum is a three-piece female punk rock group from Osaka, who got together in 1998. Over the years, they have been honing their skills, bringing their music to Tokyo and even to the US, touring the west coast and taking part in the legendary Japan Nite Tour. The group plays melodic yet brash punk rock, mixing in elements of indie and garage rock, as well as electro and new-wave styles and three-part vocal harmonies.
The group's music has been featured on HearJapan before as part of the free Japan Nite Sampler and these free tracks were extremely popular. HearJapan is now offering Red Bacteria Vacuum's sixteen track album Dolly Dolly, make a epoch for a special discounted price. Purchasers will essentially be getting six tracks free, as well as an extra 5% discount. The album can be downloaded here and a sample of all the songs can be heard before purchase.
Gothic rock'n'roll band SPEED-iD have annouced via their official MySpace the release of two digital albums.
The first one is iNDEEP LP, which was released on April 9th last year for their 15th anniversary. This release is available with digital PDF booklet. It is available through iTunes here.
The second release is a live album titled GOOD EVENING,EVILIAN, which was not released on CD. This album includes live versions of all of the songs released on iNDEEP LP, plus a previously unreleased live cover of Sisters of Mercy's song THIS CORROSION. This CD also includes a digital booklet and will be available through iTunes soon.
Pop-rock band SOPHIA have already planned their first release of 2010: a self-cover album titled 15, due out on January 20th.
SOPHIA celebrated their 15th anniversary this year with several releases and a long nationwide tour, which began in July and spanned 15 dates. This album, while still themed with their 15th anniversary, has been in the process stage for two years, during which the group had the help of three producers.
Although there are not currently many details available, the CD will feature fifteen reworked songs from their back catalogue. Other information, such as privileges and the full tracklist, are expected to be announced gradually.
Pop singer Crystal Kay has planned the release of a new music video collection DVD, titled CK 04-09 MUSIC CLIPS2 -DECADE-, for December 2nd.
Crystal Kay announced this release during the first performance of her newest tour, held at Yokohama BLITZ on November 6th, which was met with much enthusiasm from the audience. This tour, called Crystal Kay 10th Anniversary Tour CK10, has been organized to celebrate the tenth anniversary of her debut as a singer.
The DVD will feature fourteen songs released since CK 99-04 MUSIC CLIPS, her previous PV collection, which came out in 2005. The disc will include all of the videos released between the singles Bye My Darling! and After Love -First Boyfriend- feat.KANAME(CHEMISTRY), plus the making-of for Namida no saki ni, Anata no soba de, Kitto eien ni and Koi no ochitara.
Idol duo KinKi Kids have announced the release of their newest album, J album, for December 9th.
This will be the group's eleventh studio album and first full-length release in over two years - their last one was Φ (Phi), released in November 2007. As for the tracklist, the album will include eleven songs, among them their most recent singles Secret Code, Yakusoku and Swan Song.
As usual, the album will be available in two versions. The regular edition is set to contain a bonus track called Ai ni tsuite, while the limited version will come with a DVD including the music videos and TV spots for all of the singles mentioned above and a 28-page booklet.
Pop group SHANADOO have announced the release of their so-called "re-debut album" Launch Party for November 25th.
Launch Party is SHANADOO's first release in almost two years and will mark a new start for the group. Their last album The Symbol came out in December 2007 and was a European only release. The CD will come with 14 tracks, including Next Life, Love Space Ship and World's End Supernova. The limited edition of the release will also come with a DVD, which will feature the PVs to the three aforementioned songs. You can find samples of the group's songs, as well as the PV for Next Life, on SHANADOO's official MySpace. It is currently unknown if this album will be released in Europe as well.
Furthermore, the group is participating in two events in the upcoming weeks. On November 13th they are performing at X"202" presents HOUSE NATION Fiesta alongside Ami Suzuki, May J and many more at ageha. One day later, they will perform at X"202" presents HOUSE NATION Terminal Disco with several other artists at Club Camelot.
Rock band Sparta Locals are releasing their last live concert as a DVD called Last Dance on December 16th.
Sparta Locals decided to part ways after a last concert at SHIBUYA-AX on September 23rd, having been together for eleven years. The show featured most of their hits and the 36 songs they played spanned their entire back catalogue.
Last Dance will include uncut footage from the concerts on two separate discs and will go on sale in two editions. The limited one will also feature three other discs, including two live CDs, a documentary and the music videos of Mizu no youda, GOOD NEWS and Parade, as well as a 60-page color booklet.
Acid Black Cherry, the solo project of Janne Da Arc's vocalist yasu, has revealed on its official website that the group is stopping activities due to an urgent health issue with the singer.
Acid Black Cherry recently finished a nationwide tour at Nippon Budokan, held to promote the album Q.E.D, which was released in August this year. However, yasu had been facing problems with his throat since the rehearsals for the concerts. It was later discovered that it was full of cysts, and as they cannot be treated by medication, he has to undergo surgery.
Therefore, the group's concert at Osaka-jo Hall on December 24th has been postponed indefinitely, as well as the acoustic performances held to purchasers of the album Q.E.D. Lastly, it has already been stated that yasu intends to resume activities as soon as he is fully recovered.
Hip-hop duo Hilchryme will release their third major single, Mou Byebye, on December 2nd.
Hilchryme have recently released their second single, Shunkashuutou, which became a huge hit in Japan and is still climbing the charts with good sales. The music video of this song can be watched here.
Mou Byebye, described as a love song, was previously released as an indies single in July 2008 and will now be available to a wider audience in a remade version.
Visual kei rock band hime ichigo have announced that, following their upcoming one-man concert at Daikanyama UNIT in Tokyo on December 8th, they will be disbanding.
hime ichigo was formed in 2004 as the younger brother band of fellow visual rock group Charlotte. Showing a similar sound in the first few years of their existence, the band has recently moved away to a more different sound and attitude.
The band states that the decision of the disbandment was discussed several times and that, due to musical differences between the members, this is the best thing they can do now. They also apologize for the sudden announcement and hope that the fans can support them until their last concert.
Legendary American guitarist Slash, of VELVET REVOLVER and GUNS N'ROSES, will release a Japanese exclusive two-track single on November 11th. The single will feature a collaboration with B'z singer Koshi Inaba.
The song is called Sahara and is also expected to appear on Slash's forthcoming solo album, titled Slash & Friends. This album will also be released in Europe through Roadrunner and is expected to come out in spring 2010.
After having announced his collaboration with CAPCOM in order to make the CM song for the upcoming Wii game "BIOHAZARD : THE DARKSIDE CHRONICLES", Singer Kiyoharu has announced the release of a new single for January 13th.
Kiyoharu was selected from 300 artists to make the song and was invited to TOKYO GAME SHOW on September 24th to officially announce his involvement with the game. He had the opportunity to play the game before its release to soak up of its atmosphere.
"Biohazard" is known as "Resident Evil" overseas and the game will be released on January 14th in Japan.
The single is still untitled, but Kiyoharu named the song LAW'S when he played it during his last concert on October 30th at Zepp Tokyo.
The single will be released in three different versions, with one regular and two limited editions. All three versions will include the same two songs, while the limited type A will come with a DVD including a "Resident Evil" version of the main song's PV, while the type B will include the regular Kiyoharu version of the PV.
Sonore, a label which specialises in experimental music from Japan, has organised Oorutaichi's first European tour. The tour will begin on November 3rd in France and will end a month later, taking him to the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and Finland.
Oorutaichi began activities in 1999 and produced music inspired by Aphex Twin, The Doors and Reggae Dancehall. In his first album, YORI YOYO released in 2003, Oorutaichi offered a progressive music style, switching between folk, urban and electro.
During this tour, Oorutaichi will share the stage with some other Japanese artists who are on tour in Europe at the same time. Among them will be Yuichi Kishino, accompanied by pianist Yoko Miura, with his show called "La veuve moustachue" (the widow with a moustache). Clips and samples can be found on his Official MySpace.
On some other dates, Oorutaichi will be joined by experimental and electro artists LAKILAKI (also known as maho or Thaidisco) and shabushabu. Clips and samples can be found on both LAKILAKI and shabushabu's official MySpace pages.
For full details on Oorutaichi's tour, please click here.
girugamesh have announced the release of their newest album, NOW, for December 16th.
The album will be available in three editions: regular, limited and super limited. The regular edition will feature a CD only and will come with twelve tracks. The limited edition will come with nine tracks and a DVD including the PV for arrow and dirty story, plus two other videos titled Ura-BORDER and Ura-girugamesh. The super limited edition will come with eleven tracks and a DVD, including the PV for ALIVE and BORDER, plus a video called G-TRAVEL Footage and a documentary and interview called SUMMER EVOLUTION.
Music download site JapanFiles.com have announced their American release of girugamesh's NOW for January 4th 2010. The USA release will contain the same jacket art and Japanese-language booklet as the Japanese regular edition. Pre-orders began yesterday and all pre-orders will receive free shipping. To pre-order, please click here.
Visual kei band Versailles will be releasing their debut major album Jubilee on January 20th 2010.
The release was originally scheduled for September this year, but was postponed due to the sudden death of bassist Jasmine You.
Jubilee will be available in both regular and limited CD+DVD editions. The DVD will include the music video for ASCENDEAD MASTER and one other song, plus making-of footage. The limited edition is also due to come with a deluxe booklet, though this is subject to change.
source: Glazart Website, Tsuneo Akima's Official Fan club
Glam Rock band Rama Amoeba will perform in Europe for the first time in November.
Rama Amoeba is an old school quartet, formed last autumn by leader Tsuneo Akima, an emblem of Japanese glam, thanks to his band Marchosias Vamps which was active between 1985 and 1996. Last July, Rama Amoeba releasedthe album Hello! End Of The World, which covered some of Marchosias Vamps' old songs. At the same time, the compilation Golden Age Of Glam Rock was released, where the band covered hit songs from David Bowie, New York Doll, T-Rex, Slade and more.
The band will accompany TOKYO DECADANCE for some of this tour, which will begin on November 10th in France. The band will also take part in the first international glam festival, Glamarama 2009, which will be held in Paris on November 11th with various glam and rock'n'roll bands from Sweden and Germany. The tour currently only has three official dates, though there are two more which are still to be confirmed.
For full details of the tour, click here. You can listen to some of the band's songs through their official MySpace.
Rock star J has announced the release of a new mini-album for December 16th.
The new release will be called Here Comes Nameless Sunrise and is the second mini-album which he has released this year. Just like his previous mini-album STARS FROM THE BROKEN NIGHT, which came out this August, this new release will contain six brand-new songs.
Here Comes Nameless Sunrise will be available in both limited and regular editions. The limited edition will come with a DVD including the music video of the main track. The regular edition will include an English version of the main track as a bonus.
On the same day, J will release a new DVD, the third in his 'CRAZY CRAZY' series. CRAZY CRAZY III will contain live footage of his show at SHIBUYA-AX on August 30th, as well as music videos for the songs TWISTER, walk along - infinite mix- and RECKLESS. It is also set to include a documentary about the recording of Here Comes Nameless Sunrise, though this is subject to change.
Four different projects have been announced to showcase the history of legendary rock/punk band THEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT, including the releases of a new best-of album and DVD box.
TMGE made their way into the Japanese music scene with loud and powerful music in 1991, later releasing their major debut single in 1996 and becoming a true legend in the country. Since their disbandment in October 2003, the members went to form new bands, most notably ROSSO and The Birthday by vocalist Chiba Yuusuke, with drummer Kuhara Kazuyuki in the latter. Unfornately, in July this year, their guitarist Abe Futoshi passed away due to an acute epidural hematoma at the age of 43.
Several labels and managements have united to release a complete edition of TMGE's best works. THEE GREATEST HITS, a complete best-of album, will be released by Columbia Music Entertainment on December 16th. This compilation will feature 32 songs split into two SHM-CD discs. The limited edition will also include a 15-track DVD including TV performances and a 100-page booklet.
A special DVD box, titled THEE LIVE, will be released by Universal Music on January 20th 2010. Among its ten discs, there will be scenes from performances from TV, events and festivals, as well as specially selected DVDs: WORLD STEREO LYNCH TOUR (recorded at Hibiya Yagadai Ongakudou in 1997), WORLD CASANOVA SNAKE TOUR FINAL (filmed at Akasaka BLITZ in 2000) and TMGE YOYOGI RIOT! (TMGE's first free open-air live, held at Kokuritsu Yoyogi Kyougijou Olympic Plaza in 2001).
It has also been announced that the live movie "MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT "THEE MOVIE" -LAST HEAVEN 031011-" will be released in the Sezon Shibuya theater on December 19th, followed by other theaters in the whole country. This movie features footage from TMGE's final concert, held at Makuhari Messe in October 2003, including backstage and never published scenes.
Almost at the same time as the movie release, THEE SCENE-LAST HEAVEN 031011-, a special work with recompiled scenes from the band's last live, will be broadcast in several live houses all around Japan, in basically the same format as an actual tour.
A special website for all of these activities has been opened, in which you can find more information about screening schedules and the new releases in Japanese.
Popular technopop girlgroup Perfume have set the release of a new live DVD, currently untitled, for January 13th 2010.
Perfume have just finished their second nationwide tour with four concerts at Yokohama Arena, held to promote their latest album ⊿, which hit the first spot on the Oricon charts in its first week of sales and has already sold over 300,000 copies.
Though there are not many details available as of now, the DVD will be released as a double-disc set, featuring full live footage and also various other bonus material, such as scenes from the production and design of the concerts. The first press will also come with a post card.
TOSHI, of X-JAPAN fame, has announced the release of a new solo mini-album titled Chikyuu mada arimasu ka, as well as a pause in his live performances schedule.
TOSHI has recently been diagnosed with intercostal neuralgia, a kind of stress that causes pain from the spinal cord to the spaces between the ribs, causing him to stop all his live activities. As for the CD, it has been described as a "healing symphony", in which he sings about making life beautiful in midst of the destruction of nature that currently affects the planet.
In other news, the releases of the two upcoming live DVDs by each of his projects TOSHI with T-EARTH and TOSHI & WANKU are still scheduled to go on sale as planned. More details about these can be found here.
Pop singer Aiuchi Rina will celebrate the 10th anniversary of her debut with the release of a new compilation album called ALL SINGLES BEST ～THANX 10th ANNIVERSARY～, due out on December 16th.
The collection, as the title may suggest, will feature all of her singles, from Close To Your Heart, released back in Marh 2000, until MAGIC, her newest single released on October 21st, for a total of 36 songs split into three discs.
The album will be available in both regular and limited versions. GIFT, a brand-new song, is set to be included on the regular version as a bonus track, while the limited edition will come with a 10-track live DVD, as well as a luxurious booklet.
Pop singer misono has planned a new double A-side single called Watashi-iro/Bokura Style to come out on November 25th.
Watashi-iro, chosen as the newest theme song for the commercial of digital downloads website music.jp, is an acoustic rock song with lyrics written by misono herself and music composition by singer-songwriter Hirose Kohmi. Bokura Style, on the other hand, was fully created by Kohmi and features an upbeat pop vibe.
A rock arrangement of Hirose Kohmi's Gerrende ga tokeru hodo koishitai will also be included on the single, as well as the instrumental counterparts to all three songs. The CD+DVD edition will also include the music video of Bokura Style and the TV spot for the single.
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