JAPANESE BAND PROFILES [F]

Genre: Loud rock / electronic rock / dance rock

Origin: Osaka, Japan

Formed: 2012

Status: Active

Bitesize Overview:

FABLED NUMBER are an Osaka rock band combining heavy guitar-driven rock with electronic and dance elements. The band developed its sound around live instrumentation, melodic vocals and programmed sounds, creating a style that has moved between loud rock, electronic music and more aggressive rock over the course of their career.

Key Facts:

From Emo to Electronic Rock: The band's earlier incarnation was rooted in emo and screamo, with N'Eita originally playing guitar while Chii handled vocals. After N'Eita took over lead vocals, the group gradually expanded its use of keyboards, sampling and electronic sounds. By 2012, the six-member lineup had come together and began developing the electronic-rock approach that became central to FABLED NUMBER.

Building a Live Sound: The electronic elements weren't simply added in the studio. The band expanded their lineup specifically so they could reproduce the increasing number of electronic sounds on stage, adding keyboard and sampler/programming roles alongside the traditional guitar, bass and drums. Their early approach eventually developed into the rock-and-dance combination heard on their nationwide releases.

From Independent Releases to Nippon Crown: FABLED NUMBER released Fisherman's Profit independently in 2012 before issuing Might makes right in December 2013. They continued developing their sound through releases including The DIE is cast, before signing with Nippon Crown and releasing ILLUMINATE in February 2017 as their major-label debut.

A Change in Direction: After ILLUMINATE and THUNDER, the band deliberately looked to move beyond their established sound. Their 2018 single I Bet My Life(or Death) was followed by Millionaire in January 2019, with the band describing this period as a point where they wanted to reflect more of what they were doing on stage rather than simply repeat their previous records.

ELEXGAME: For their 2020 mini-album ELEXGAME, FABLED NUMBER worked with Sxun, formerly of Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas, as producer. Nippon Crown described the seven-track release as the opening of a “second chapter”, with the band pushing further into the combination of electronic music and loud rock.

A New Line-up:

2023 brought major changes to FABLED NUMBER. Original member Chii,pucchi left in January, followed later that year by founding member and bassist N'Taichi and sampler/programmer 宗光- Rodriguez. N'Taichi and 宗光- Rodriguez played their final shows with the band in November, before Ryo＝Lucilfer joined on bass in December.

Continuing With the New Line-up: The new four-member lineup began its activities with the THE FABLED NUMBER events in early 2024. FABLED NUMBER subsequently appeared at rock events in 2024 and 2025, and are booked for In The Family FEST 2026 in Tokyo on October 3, confirming that the band remains active.

Notable Releases:

Fisherman's Profit (2012) – An early independent release that included original material alongside covers of artists including Fall Out Boy and Justin Bieber.

Might makes right (December 2013) – Their first nationwide release, reflecting the band's developing combination of rock, electronic music, dance rhythms and melodic vocals.

The DIE is cast (July 2014) – A follow-up mini-album that continued developing the band's electronic and rock sound.

ILLUMINATE (February 8, 2017) – Their major-label debut and first full-length album with Nippon Crown.

THUNDER (November 8, 2017) – Their second album, released later the same year.

Millionaire (January 23, 2019) – Their third album, following the change in direction introduced with I Bet My Life(or Death).

ELEXGAME (January 22, 2020) – A seven-track mini-album produced with Sxun and described by Nippon Crown as a new chapter for the band.

Interesting Fact:

Before FABLED NUMBER developed their electronic-rock identity, the band's music was much closer to emo and screamo. In a 2014 interview, the members explained how the move from Chii's vocals to N'Eita's lead vocals, followed by the addition of keyboards and sampling, gradually changed what the band could do. That evolution eventually led them towards the electronic and dance elements that became central to their sound.

Online:

Web: fablednumber.com

Instagram: fablednumber_jp

Twitter (X): @FABLED_NUMBER

SONGS:
Popular: Symphonies Of The Dawn
We also like: MOVE

(フォーリング・アスリープ)

Genre: Alternative metal / metalcore / post-hardcore / electronic rock

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Formed: 2015

Status: Active

Bitesize Overview:

FALLING ASLEEP is a Tokyo-based alternative rock and metal band whose sound blends metalcore, post-hardcore, electronic rock and modern alternative influences. Since their earliest releases, the band has steadily evolved beyond their heavier roots, incorporating atmospheric electronic elements, melodic songwriting and polished production while maintaining the energy and intensity that defines their music.

Through a series of independently released albums and singles, FALLING ASLEEP has established a reputation for continually refining their sound, creating music that balances powerful riffs, emotive vocals and contemporary production with a willingness to experiment across genres.

Key Facts:

Formation & Evolution: Formed in Tokyo, FALLING ASLEEP began with a sound rooted in metalcore and post-hardcore before gradually broadening their musical approach. Over the years, the band has embraced a wider range of influences while remaining firmly connected to the modern Japanese rock and alternative scene.

Musical Style: Their music combines heavy guitar work, electronic textures, melodic hooks and dynamic arrangements. While retaining elements of metalcore and post-hardcore, recent releases showcase a more expansive alternative rock sound with contemporary production and layered instrumentation.

Independent Career: The band has developed its catalogue through independent releases, building a consistent discography that reflects its musical progression. Each release demonstrates a willingness to experiment while maintaining a recognisable identity.

Live Performances: FALLING ASLEEP has built a strong reputation as a live act, performing throughout Japan and sharing the stage with both domestic artists and international touring bands, helping introduce their music to wider audiences within the heavy music community.

Interesting Fact:

Rather than remaining tied to a single genre, FALLING ASLEEP has continually evolved its sound throughout its career. This willingness to embrace new influences while retaining the intensity of its heavier origins has become one of the band's defining characteristics.

Online::
WebShop: falling-asleep.square.site

Twitter (X): @falling_asleep_ 

Instagram: @fallingasleep_official
YouTube: @FallingAsleep_official

Facebook: fallingasleepband

SONGS:
Popular: HEAVEN'S DOOR
We also like: Underneath

(フェイトギア)

Genre: Steampunk metal / heavy metal / hard rock / power metal

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Formed: 2015

Status: Active

Bitesize Overview:

FATE GEAR is a metal band formed in Tokyo in 2015 by guitarist, composer and founding member Captain Mina. Combining heavy metal with a fantasy-inspired visual identity, the band has developed a creative world that connects their music, artwork and storytelling.

While the lineup has changed throughout the band’s history, Captain Mina has remained at the helm, guiding FATE GEAR’s musical direction and continuing to develop the project’s sound and overall vision.

Through a catalogue spanning heavy metal, hard rock and power metal influences, FATE GEAR have built a following in Japan and overseas through their concept-driven approach to metal.

Key Facts:

Formation & Concept: FATE GEAR was formed in 2015 by Captain Mina, who created the project around the idea of combining heavy metal music with a strong visual and narrative identity.

The band’s concept extends beyond appearance alone, incorporating themes and storytelling elements that connect their music with the wider world they have created.

Musical Style: FATE GEAR combines traditional heavy metal influences with hard rock, power metal and dramatic arrangements. The band’s sound features powerful guitar work, dynamic compositions and a theatrical approach that reflects their wider creative direction.

Across their releases, FATE GEAR have explored both heavier metal-driven songs and more melodic compositions, with different vocalists and musicians contributing to the band’s evolving sound.

Captain Mina & The Band’s Evolution: Although FATE GEAR has experienced several lineup changes since forming, Captain Mina has remained the constant creative force behind the project.

As guitarist and composer, Mina has continued to shape the band’s musical direction, while each lineup has contributed to different stages of FATE GEAR’s development.

International Reach:

FATE GEAR have developed an audience outside Japan alongside their activities in their home country, bringing their music to overseas listeners through international performances and releases.

Their combination of heavy metal, visual presentation and concept-driven music has helped introduce the band to fans of Japanese metal around the world.

Notable Releases:

• A Light in the Black (2015) – FATE GEAR’s debut album, establishing their heavy metal sound and concept-driven identity. 
• Headless Goddess (2018) – A key early album that developed the band’s dramatic, theatrical approach to metal. 
• The Sky Prison (2021) – Further expanded FATE GEAR’s storytelling and established the darker, more cinematic direction of their later work. 
• The Vanguard Of Hades (2024) – A major chapter in the band’s Shadows of Hades saga, continuing their increasingly ambitious narrative and musical style. 
• 冥王と慈愛の天使 (When the Angel Fell for the Devil) (2026) – The latest chapter in the Shadows of Hades saga, expanding the narrative universe established by The Vanguard Of Hades.

Interesting Fact:

Before forming FATE GEAR, Captain Mina was a founding member of the all-female metal band DESTROSE. With FATE GEAR, Mina created a new project built around her own musical direction, combining her metal background with a broader concept and visual identity.

Online:

Web: fategear.jp

Twitter: @FATEGEAR_JP

Instagram: @fategear_mina
YouTube: @FATEGEARofficial

Facebook: fategearjapan

TikTok: @fategearofficial

SONGS:
Popular: Headless Goddesss
We also like: Super Sonic Samurai

Tokyo Noizu Spotify: FATE GEAR

Tokyo Noizu Coverage:

Interview: FATE GEAR Guitarist & Composer "Captain" Mina

(フィアー・アンド・ロージング・イン・ラスベガス)

Genre: Electronicore / screamo / metal / EDM / hip hop

Origin: Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan

Formed: 2008

Status: Active

Bitesize Overview:

Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas are known for combining emo, screamo, metal, EDM, hip hop and anime-song influences into a distinctive, high-energy sound. The band also became known for their powerful live performances as they rapidly built an audience through Japan's live-house scene.

Key Facts:

Building a Following: The band began by selling self-produced EPs exclusively at their live shows, repeatedly selling them out. This led to their first full-length album, Dance & Scream, being released as a Tower Records exclusive in November 2010.

Moving to Bigger Stages: By March 2013, the band had progressed to their first one-man show at Kobe World Memorial Hall. Their first one-man show at Nippon Budokan followed in early 2015, with both performances selling out.

Anime & Music: Songs from the band's catalogue have featured in anime, including "Just Awake" in Hunter × Hunter and "Let Me Hear" as the opening theme for Parasyte -the maxim-.

47 Prefectures: Following their move to Warner Music Japan in 2017, the band released their fifth album, New Sunrise, and embarked on a tour covering all 47 prefectures of Japan. The tour sold out every date and concluded with a one-man show at Makuhari Messe in April 2018.

Power of KOBE: The band's connection with their home city has continued into their more recent work. In September 2025, they hosted their own two-day Power of KOBE festival at Kobe World Hall. Live footage from both days was later included with the limited editions of StandBy.

Notable Releases:

Dance & Scream (November 2010) – The band's first full-length album, released exclusively through Tower Records following their run of self-produced EPs.

Feeling of Unity (2015) – The band's fourth full-length album, followed by the Feeling of Unity Release Tour and its final one-man show at Nippon Budokan.

New Sunrise (October 25, 2017) – Their fifth full-length album and first release through Warner Music Japan.

Cocoon for the Golden Future (October 26, 2022) – Their seventh full-length album.

StandBy (May 20, 2026) – Their eighth full-length album, released through Getting Better/Victor Entertainment. The ten-track album includes "Until You Die Out", the ending theme for Ninja vs. Gokudo, as well as "Song of Steelers", the official team song of the Kobe Kobelco Steelers.

Interesting Fact:

The band's latest album connects several parts of their history: StandBy includes "Song of Steelers", created for Kobe's Kobelco Kobe Steelers, while its limited editions contain footage from Power of KOBE, the band's 2025 festival at Kobe World Hall.

Online:

Web: lasvegas-jp

Twitter (X): @Falilv 

Instagram: falilv_official

Youtube: @fearandloathinginlasvegas9431

SONGS:
Popular: Let Me Hear
We also like: One Shot, One Mind 

Genre: Metalcore / post-hardcore / loud rock

Origin: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan

Formed: 2012

Status: Inactive

Bitesize Overview:

FOAD are a Yokohama band whose sound combines heavy guitar work, screamed vocals and melodic passages. The band's musical direction developed from their early Japanese rock covers into a heavier style influenced by post-hardcore, screamo and metalcore.

Key Facts:

Early Days: FOAD's members were all the same age and attended the same high school music club, but originally played in different bands. Their first project was a cover band, with Red Hot Chili Peppers among the songs they wanted to play, before they moved towards original material and developed their own sound.

Finding Their Sound: Vocalist KSKN has named FACT and HER NAME IN BLOOD as important influences in developing his approach to shouted vocals, alongside earlier emo and screamo bands such as Story of the Year and Saosin. The band also began incorporating cleaner, more melodic vocals into their music, something they discussed as a way of giving FOAD another dimension within the loud-rock scene.

From Yokohama to Nationwide: After releasing their first proper EP, NO BRAINER, in 2014, FOAD began expanding their live activity beyond Yokohama, including a 20-date national tour. They signed with Triple Vision Entertainment in 2016 and released CASCADE EP that April as their first nationwide release.

Taking FOAD Overseas: Their first overseas show came in November 2016 at Heartown Festival in Taiwan. They returned to Taiwan the following year, playing at Legacy with While She Sleeps, while also appearing at Japanese festivals including SCREAM OUT FEST and FREEDOM NAGOYA.

A New Line-up: In December 2019, bassist MORIYA and guitarist KENTO left the band and FOAD suspended live activity. The following year, Philippe of Fade In Solitude and Ash, formerly of Paledusk, joined the lineup, while Kento moved to bass and vocals. The new lineup released RETURNER in May 2020 after a two-year hiatus.

Notable Releases:

NO BRAINER (2014) – FOAD's first proper EP, released before the band signed with Triple Vision Entertainment.

CASCADE EP (April 2016) – Their first nationwide release and the record that introduced the band to a wider Japanese audience. The title track became a regular part of their live set.

Saturation EP (January 2017) – Their second EP, released as the band's touring and festival activity continued to grow in Japan and overseas.

DIVE TO THE GROUND (April 2018) – A three-track release featuring the title track, "OXYGEN" and an acoustic version of "CASCADE".

RETURNER (May 9, 2020) – A seven-track release marking the band's new lineup following their two-year hiatus. FOAD described the record as incorporating 80s pop, nu metal and traditional Japanese instruments alongside their existing sound.

Interesting Fact:

"CASCADE" took a rather unconventional route into becoming one of FOAD's regular live songs. Vocalist KSKN told Geki-Rock that he created the vocal part at home while drinking and finished the song in less than a day. After the band played it live, its audience reaction was much stronger than they had expected, and it subsequently became a frequent closing song in their sets.

Online:

Instagram @foad_japan

Youtube: @BAND FOAD

Twitter: @foadjp

Facebook: foadjpn

🎧 SONGS:
Popular: Cascade
We also like: Wheel Of Life 

(フルーツポシェット)

Genre: Metal idol / J-pop / heavy metal

Origin: Ehime Prefecture, Japan

Formed: 2012

Status: On hiatus

Bitesize Overview:

FRUITPOCHETTE are an Ehime metal-idol duo combining idol vocals and performance with heavy metal and loud-rock influences. The group was formed by Shiori Azuma and Mina Teratani, who had both trained with Ehime idol group Himekyun Fruit Can before developing FRUITPOCHETTE as a much heavier musical project.

Key Facts:

From Idol Training to Metal: Both original members spent around a year as trainees with Himekyun Fruit Can before making their stage debut. 

FRUITPOCHETTE then developed a particularly demanding live schedule, including a 47-prefecture tour performed by the two members themselves. In a 2015 Geki-Rock interview, the pair even explained that they felt the word “idol” didn't fully describe their approach because of their strong band-oriented training and live focus.

A Major Metal Festival:

In October 2015, FRUITPOCHETTE appeared as the opening act at LOUD PARK 15 at Saitama Super Arena. They performed on the festival's Big Rock Stage on October 10, sharing the day's bill with acts including Slayer, Gojira, Children of Bodom and All That Remains.

Changes and a First Hiatus: After Mina Teratani left the group because of health problems, Shiori Azuma continued FRUITPOCHETTE with new members before the project stopped in July 2017. The original duo remained in contact after the split and eventually decided they wanted to work together again.

Returning as the Original Duo: FRUITPOCHETTE resumed activities with Azuma and Teratani on August 11, 2018. The pair deliberately chose to work at a pace that took Teratani's health into consideration, while also setting themselves the goals of releasing new music, making a music video and taking their music back on tour.

A Second Chapter: The reunion produced a run of new singles and the five-track PHANTOM mini-album in 2020, followed by further singles through 2024. In 2023, the duo celebrated five years since their return with a one-man show at Matsuyama SALONKITTY, which was filmed for a live DVD.

Current Status: FRUITPOCHETTE held an “activity hiatus” live in April 2024. Their official website now lists the duo as being on hiatus, with 稲妻-Empress- from March 21, 2024 remaining their latest listed single.

Notable Releases:

疾風迅雷 (July 20, 2013) – Their first mini-album, containing seven tracks and featuring Funky Sueyoshi on drums for “流星-CRIME-”.

The Crest Of Evil (February 25, 2015) – FRUITPOCHETTE's first full-length album, released through duke records with 13 tracks.

PHANTOM (July 31, 2020) – A five-track newly recorded mini-album released following the original duo's return.

未来-I don't give a damn- (February 7, 2023) – Their tenth single, released with “群青-Watch out-” as its second track.

稲妻-Empress- (March 21, 2024) – Their eleventh single and latest release, featuring three tracks: “稲妻-Empress-”, “螺旋-Specter-” and “永遠-Defined”.

Interesting Fact:

FRUITPOCHETTE's connection with metal goes beyond their music. When they appeared at LOUD PARK 2015, they were booked as an opening act on the Big Rock Stage, meaning their performance took place on the same festival stage later occupied that day by Gojira, All That Remains, Children of Bodom and Slayer.

Online:

Web: frupoche.com

Twitter (X): @fruitpochette2

SONGS:
Popular: PARASITE
We also like: Paradox