June 15th, 2009 | Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

HearJapan’s June Visual Kei Boom

Tokyo, JP June 16, 2009- HearJapan (www.hearjapan.com), the largest worldwide store for Japanese music has been busy increasing it’s visual kei catalog.  In May, HearJapan signed with DEATHGAZE, DOLLY, GHOST, Otokage, Angelique, etc.  June offers more surprises bringing the total number of Visual Kei artists on the site to over 40.

HearJapan started out the month with the release of D=Out’s newest single, Hanasaka Beauty.  Hanasaka means ‘flowers blooming’ in English and is a metaphor for a new beginning.  D=Out play a great mix of visual kei infused with traditional Japanese music.

The next week brought in the solo work of HIZAKI (currently in Versailles).  HIZAKI’s label kapparecords rereleased his older work due to lack of availability.  HearJapan was there to bring fans worldwide his metal brand of VK.  Not only were his two solo mini albums released, but also his work with Schwardix Marvally.  Kapparecords also released other bands in their catalog including Jill’s Project and Galactica Phantom.

Tomorrow brings a very special release for visual kei fans, the new album of DER ZIBET.  DER ZIBET are considered one of the founding groups of vsual kei.  Having started back in 1984.  While they came before the early boom of visual kei in the 90s, the band is intricately linked with the likes of X Japan and BUCK TICK.  Their new album PRIMITIVE, is their newest release in over 13 years and symbolizes the return of the classic visual kei that has mostly been forgotten.  See where it all began with PRIMITIVE.

In a slightly related release, Japan’s furious hardcore band, Suns Owl are also releasing their new album tomorrow.  The drummer GO played with Kuroyume for their reunion and the guitarist SAB played with FUTURISTIC WAGDUG UNITY before recording Over Drive.  It is said that these two experiences influenced the band to create a new brand of hardcore music.

Stay tuned for more and more visual kei on HearJapan.

========

HearJapan is the largest and fastest growing place on the web to
purchase Japanese music of all genres.  Adding 50 albums + per week,
it is a great place to find the hard to find, and explore the
unexplored of Japanese music.  It features over 1500 artists profiles
all with original translations and 40 second samples of over 15,000
songs.

Links:
http://www.hearjapan.com
http://www.hearjapan.com/store/album_info/Hanasaka_Beauty
http://www.hearjapan.com/store/member_info/HIZAKI

By: Tokio
March 27th, 2009 | News

HYDExK.A.Z unit VAMPS will be coming to America (USA) this summer. There are no details yet, but they are coming soon.

In the mean time, here are banners you can use and share to help promote the tour:

Source: VAMPS MySpace

By: Tokio
March 27th, 2009 | News

This spring MONORAL will be hitting a few places overseas again.

April, 17 2009 08:00 PM - Sala Vivero
, MALAGA, - 15 Euro

April, 18 2009 08:00 PM - Sala Industrial Copera
, GRANADA, - 15 Euro

April, 19 2009 08:00 PM - Sala Q
, SEVILLA, - 15 Euro

April, 21 2009 08:00 PM - Sala Caracol
, MADRID, - 15 Euro

April, 23 2009 08:00 PM - Sala Mondo
, VIGO, - 15 Euro

April, 24 2009 08:00 PM - Sala Acapulco
, GIJON, - 15 Euro

April, 26 2009 08:00 PM - Sala Salamandra
, BARCELONA, - 15 Euro

May, 1 2009 08:00 PM - Secret Place
, MONTPELLIER, - 12 Euro + com

May, 5 2009 08:00 PM - Mecanique Ondulatoire
, PARIS, - 12 Euro + com

Source: MONORAL MySpace

Tags: ,
By: Tokio
October 4th, 2008 | News

MONORAL will be releasing a new album called “Via” on October 29th.

And instead of paying an arm and a leg to import the album, you can buy the album from CDBaby for $20.

For those of you who don’t know CDBaby, when you buy direct from them, like CDJapan and YesAsia, they can ship anywhere in the world.  But wait, I mean keep reading… it gets even better.  Due to the generous agreement we have with CDBaby, we are able to sell MONORAL’s new album “Via”, in its complete/physical form for only $20.00!!!  That is about 25% cheaper than the other online sites operating from Japan, and shipping may be faster depending where you live because the CDs are coming from the U.S.!

Yes! You can buy their new album without going bankrupted!

And for those of you who don’t want to wait until the 29th..well.. there will be advanced sales of the album at their HALLOWEEN LIVE 2008 show at Shibuya O’EAST on October 26.

Advance Sales:  It’s official, we will start selling MONORAL’s new album “Via” on October 26th (3 days before the release date), during their HALLOWEEN LIVE 2008 show at Shibuya O’EAST.  For those of you not familiar with MONORAL’s annual Halloween show, it is a fun-filled, costumed spectacle, also packed with great performances… sure to include at least one new song from the new album!  It is not to be missed, so get your tickets now if you have not already… then get your “Via” before everyone else!  Just think how envious everyone will be reading your reviews of “Via” on the internet before they can buy their copy!  Making others jealous… good times…

MONORAL
Via

  1. Everybody’s Way
  2. You
  3. Costa Rica
  4. Safira
  5. Via
  6. Guards of Mice
  7. Everest
  8. Sun Shadow
  9. Casbah
  10. I don’t mind
  11. Sometimes

And that’s not all, MONORAL will be embarking on a Latin America tour from late November until Christmas.

Tour:  Yes, official today, MONORAL is embarking another tour… outside Japan!!!  Starting late November, and going all the way until Christmas, MONORAL will be in Latin America rockin-out!  The tour will include stops in Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina, and was chosen for the irony that no one in the band can speak Spanish or Portuguese.  Dios Mio!  Dios Mio I say!

And for a bit of fun, for every review about MONORAL that J-san sees he will upload 2 photos from their current tour.

So please, if you feel like sharing the love, write some reviews about MONORAL’s music wherever you can find it on the internet.  When you do, please send me the link.  For every review I see, I will post 2 new photos of MONORAL on this site from our current tour… my promise to you.

Source: Official MONORAL Myspace

By: Tokio
September 22nd, 2008 | News, Updates

The folks over at JaME have a live report from VAMPS‘ first tour.

On August 1st and 2nd JaME was able to attend the first two concerts of ‘newcomer’ band VAMPS, consisting of a pair of anything but newcomers, HYDE and K.A.Z. During their first tour the band played several concerts at different Zepp venues all over Japan.

Make sure you read the whole report here.

Also, things have been slowing down here on the site. School is back in session which keeps me worn down. Hopefully as I get more adjusted to my schedule things will start to pick up again here. I’m going to start gathering more pictures for another gallery update hopefully today.

By: Tokio
August 15th, 2008 | News

Are you a fan of the jrock band D? If you purchase volume 6 of Jrock magainze “Rock on J” you may get an autographed poster!

CdJapan will give an autographed poster to 3 people who purchase volume 6 of “Rock on J” magazine before August 25 (Japan time).

Three lucky purchasers of Rock On J magazine vol 6 will win a rare D’s Autographed Poster!

Eligible Items: Rock on J Vol.6 (NEOROJ-6)

How To Enter: Purchase Rock on J Magazine Volume 6 August 25, 2008 (Japan Standard Time)
to be automatically entered into the drawing. If you’ve already preordered the item, don’t worry; you’ve already been entered.

Campaign Presents: Promotional Poster for D signed by entire band.

Winners Announcement
Winners will be randomly selected by drawing at CDJapan. Those chosen to receive posters will have the signed poster included with their order for Rock on J volume.6

*The is an exclusive offer from CDJapan/Rock on J.

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/rcms/music/d_autographed.html

By: Tokio
August 12th, 2008 | News

L’Arc~en~Ciel Shine PV. Thanks to larc7hyde666 for uploading.

By: Tokio
August 11th, 2008 | News

Tickets are on sale for Dir en grey’s Noth American fall 2008 tour.

From Dir en grey Myspace:

Dir En Grey North American Tour Fall 2008 - Tickets Onsale NOW!
Category: Music

This fall, Dir En Grey will return to North America for a headlining tour with special guests, The Human Abstract

As a special gift to fans, a pre-order has been setup with a select allotment of tickets for all shows (US and Canada)…

Most are onsale now, and the additional shows will post throughout the day today.

Click HERE for all tour dates, ticketing links, and additional tour information.

Additional information coming on the tour as the day continues…

Tour dates and ticket sales.

By: Tokio
August 10th, 2008 | Updates

Need some Jrock makeup help? Have no fear, Style Council is here! I just added a new section to the gallery for Cure magazines Style Council.

There are only 36 images at the moment, but I’m still finding and uploading more. I’ll do my best to upload as many as I can for all you Jrockers out there. Never again shall yee have to walk around with boring and normal makeup. Now you can let your inner Jrock-star shine!

Of course, we take no responsiblity if your classmates laugh at you! Jrock yourself at your own risk.

(And we promise we won’t laugh at you!)

By: Tokio
August 9th, 2008 | News

According to CDJapan blog, Dir en grey’s “Uroboros” album [limited edition 2CD + 1DVD + 2LP (subject to change)] is back in stock. Originally it sold out so fast that CDJapan and other websites talked the record label into releasing more copies.

They are going to release it as pre-order only, so you have until August 16th to order your copy.

Get it here: Dir en grey: Uroboros [Limited Edition, 2CD + 1DVD + 2LP (subject to change)]

By: Tokio