I catched the tail end of a Roselia livestream on YouTube this morning. Just a one camera set-up. Pretty sure that we will get this on DVD some day. The show was billed as “Neuweltfahrt Day 2”. Good to see them out there doing their thing.
(Live image is a screenshot from said livestream)
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Got the four track 2020 single “Yakusoku” with Roselia on import from Japan. It is really two songs with and without vocals and as you may know by now this is very common over there. 2020 was a great period for Roselia, they produced some outstanding songs and this is certainly highlighted with this release. It reached the Top 5 daily singles charts in Japan at the time. Bonus DVD with some episodes of the actual anime is included, I was hoping for a concert but that was not the case this time around. Still, worth having in the growing collection for sure. I love this band.
(My shot of said single, screenshot from bonus anime inserted)
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Time has come to take a look at what I have covered on the Asian/Japanese music scene in the last year so here are the basic information. Tags exists for several artists/bands (see tags for this post). Mentions and actual posts are counted. Before we move in on the Japanese rock and metal scene, lets take a look at the other avenues.
J-POP & GENERAL / Ichiko Aoba (March, June), Scandal (March, April), Soleil (May), The Jazz Avengers (May, June, July), Ondekoza (May), She´s A Rainbow (May), Juna Serita (May), Meiko Kaji (September), Yurika Endo (July), Yui Mizuno (September), Honeybee (August, September), Sakura Gakuin (September, November), Ayaka Miyoshi (September), Metalverse (October), Mariya Takeuchi (October), Hiromi (October), Karen Girl´s (November).
NONE JAPANESE ASIAN ROCK & METAL / Memi (June), Sixiwanzi (December), BLOODYWOOD (March, July, December).
JAPANESE ROCK & METAL by month (mentions in one way or another):
JANUARY: Babymetal (8), Lovebites (6), Murasaki (6), Fate Gear (6), Nemophila (4), Roselia (3), Band-Maid (3), Loudness (2), Show-Ya (2), Destrose (2), Koiai (2), Disqualia (2), Lonesome Blue (2), Hades (1), Hagane (1), Saki (1), Alicetopia (1), Saeko (1), Trident (1), Kanade Sato (1), Ibuki (1), Sally (1), Mardelas (1), Mary´s Blood (1), Aldious (1).
FEBRUARY: Lovebites (8), Babymetal (4), Saeko (4), Mari Hamada (2), Destrose (2), Action (2), Lonesome Blue (2), Ryoji Shinomoto (1), Wow Wow (1), Roselia (1), Lipstick (1), Sirius (1), Hitoshi Nakamura (1), Mardelas (1), Saki (1), 44 Magnum (1), Bridear (1), 5X (1), Wagakki Band (1), Nemophila (1), Loudness (1).
MARCH: Babymetal (7), Lovebites (6), Koiai (3), Murasaki (2), Empress (2), Mari Hamada (1), Saki (1), Maki Oyama (1), Paradoxx (1), Aresz (1), Red Heels (1), My Little Devil (1), Coven Japan (1), Loudness (1), Hagane (1), Sally (1), Fatomless Skywalker (1), Risky Melody (1), FullMoon (1), Raiden (1), Sirius (1), Lucida (1), Fate Gear (1), EZO (1), Lipstick (1).
APRIL: Babymetal (7), Lovebites (7), Sally (6), Saki (4), Hagane (4), Koiai (2), Coven Japan (2), Paradoxx (2), Nemophila (2), Bow Wow (2), Maki Oyama (2), Muses (2), Mana Diagram (1), Ningen Isu (1), Undying Words (1), Gungire (1), Mellows (1), Like An Angel (1), Action (1), Sirius (1), Little Lilith (1), The Stereogang (1), Murasaki (1), Roselia (1), Bridear (1), Fate Gear (1), Empress (1), Ibuki (1), Lonesome Blue (1), East Of Eden (1), TMG (1), Illusion Force (1), Iron Attack (1), Terra Rosa (1), Seikima II (1).
MAY: Babymetal (5), Kanade Sato (4), Hell Freezes Over (2), Lovebites (2), Fate Gear (2), Murasaki (2), Alicetopia (2), Muses (1), Rie a.k.a Suzako (1), Juna Serita (1), Loudness (1), Maki Oyama (1), Psycho Skull (1), Saki (1), Aldious (1), Das Feenreich (1), Earthshaker (1), Anthem (1), Schonberg (1).
JUNE: Babymetal (12), Koiai (5), Lovebites (4), Saki (3), Nemophila (2), Roselia (2), Murasaki (2), Fate Gear (2), Paradoxx (1), East Of Eden (1), Coven Japan (1), Band-Maid (1), Loudness (1), Bow Wow (1), Earthshaker (1), EWO (1), Muses (1), Hades (1), Hanabie (1), Kuunatic (1), The Stereogang (1), Sally (1), Lipstick (1), Wow Wow (1), Raise A Suilen (1), Isiliel (1), Fathomless Skywalker (1), Allegiance Reign (1), Shiver Of Frontier (1).
JULY: Babymetal (10), Koiai (5), Murasaki (5), Empress (4), Roselia (4), Hagane (4), Fate Gear (4), Lovebites (3), Sally (3), Nemophila (2), Maki Oyama (2), Saki (2), Muses (2), Lonesome Blue (2), Condition Green (1), L´Antica (1), East Of Eden (1), Paradoxx (1), Hades (1), Undying Words (1), Fatomless Skywalker (1), Hell Freezes Over (1), Coven Japan (1), Alicetopia (1), The Stereogang (1), Mana Diagram (1), Sirius (1), Risky Melody (1), FullMoon (1), Raiden (1), Lucida (1), Mari Hamada (1), Saeko (1), Earthshaker (1), Loudness (1), Juna Serita (1), Band-Maid (1), Bridear (1).
AUGUST: Babymetal (8), Roselia (2), Raise A Suilen (2), Hagane (1), Whiskey Dust (1), Risky Melody (1), Raiden (1), Lucida (1), Fate Gear (1), Koiai (1), Kanade Sato (1), Marasaki (1).
SEPTEMBER: Lovebites (6), Babymetal (5), Nemophila (3), Saki (3), Hagane (2), Band-Maid (2), Fate Gear (2), Hades (1), Mardelas (1), Muses (1), Rie a.k.a Suzako (1), Unlucky Morpheus (1), Zilqy (1), Murasaki (1), Show-Ya (1), Risky Melody (1).
OCTOBER: Babymetal (10), Saki (2), Hagane (2), Zilqy (2), Lovebites (2), Nemophila (1), Jam Project (1), Wagakki Band (1), Fate Gear (1), Aldious (1) Yuko Suzuhana (1).
NOVEMBER: Babymetal (11), Aldious (5), Saki (4), PaleNeo (3), Empress (3), Onmyo-za (3), Anthem (3), Isiliel (3), Nemophila (2), Sally (2), Li-sa-X (2), Hagane (2), Paradoxx (2), Koiai (2), Gacharic Spin (2), Mellows (2), L´Antica (2), Undying Words (2), Maki Oyama (2), Bone Dawn (2), Hanabie (2), Lovebites (2), Hades (2), Asterism (2), Broken By The Scream (2), Bridear (1), Rie a.k.a Suzaka (1), Muses (1), Eye (1), First Contact (1), The Uncrowned (1), Das Feenreich (1), Dollsboxx (1), Ningen Isu (1), Roselia (1), Frail (1), Saeko (1), Like-An-Angel (1), Band-Maid (1), Loudness (1).
DECEMBER: Babymetal (10), Hagane (6), Lovebites (4), Nemophila (4), Saki (3), Koiai (3), Sonic Lover Restless (2), Roselia (2), Mary´s Blood (2), Maki Oyama (1), Risky Melody (1), Kanade Sato (1), Hanabie (1), Loudness (1), Wow Wow (1), Paradoxx (1), Hades (1), Mari Hamada (1), Coven Japan (1), Band-Maid (1), Sally (1).
If anybody out there want to send me promotion material (CDs/DVDs), please get in touch (see ”Contact” tag). I am interested in promoting the Asian scene. I am also interested in conducting interviews for this blog via e-mail. See list of interviews that are currently on this blog below (many quotes have been lifted for books on artists over the years). Any fans that see bands out there and want to send over pictures and words about said events can also get in touch. In 2025 I presented interviews with Sally, Saeko and George Murasaki on this blog. My goal with Trinkelbonker is just to have some fun and supporting the Asian/Japanese scene is one of the chosen interests that I cover on this blog. And stats are pretty good, so I think all this can be helpful in some small way for sure. Best hobby in the world in any case.
Mike Eriksson / Trinkelbonker
(Top image includes shots by me (Babymetal) / Sally image courtesy of management, shot taken at March 20 2025 show by Peter Lim / assorted artist shots, CD and DVD covers and screenshots are from various sources – no malice intended)
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CLASSIC ROCK INTERVIEWS ON TRINKELBONKER: DEEP PURPLE 1987 (November 8 2025), NEMEDIAN CHRONICLES 2025 (October 20 2025), DEEP PURPLE TOUR MANAGER COLIN HART 1991 (September 15 2025), SALLY 2025 (April 18 2025), MIKE ERIKSSON 2008 (April 1 2025), JONAS ÖHLUND 2025 (March 19 2025), SAEKO KITAMAE (February 2 2025), MARTINA EDOFF 2025 (February 1 2025), GEORGE MURASAKI 2025 (January 23 2025), JONAS ÖHLUND 2024 (July 22 2024), MURASAKI 2024 (June 28 2024), METALLIC KITTY/DECADENCE 2007 (May 14 2024), FABIENNE SHINE/SHAKIN`STREET 2008 (May 9 2024), ECHOES OF ETERNITY 2007 (May 6 2024), 220 VOLT 2002 (April 17 2024), THEY WATCH US FROM THE MOON 2024 (March 29 2024), BERNIE MARSDEN 1981 (September 3 2023), BRIDEAR 2023 (June 13 2023), STEVE LUKATHER 1989, Part 2 (May 29 2023), LADIES OF ROCK 2008 (April 25 2023), GLENN HUGHES 1993 (February 23 2023), JON LORD 1983 (June 26 2022), BLIND GOLEM 2022 (April 29 2022), PUBLISHER HANS HATWIG 2015 (Part 2, December 24 2021), MURASAKI 2021 (December 3 2021), PUBLISHER HANS HATWIG 2015 (Part 1, November 22 2021), CARINA LIROLA 2008 (November 9 2021), TOTO 1987 (September 17 2021), HEAVEN & EARTH 2001 (July 25 2021), STUART SMITH 1998 (July 4 2021), RAINBOW 1997 (June 28 2021), MARINA AMMOURI 2021 (February 12 2021), VISIONS OF ATLANTIS 2007 (November 10 2020), RITCHIE BLACKMORE & CANDICE NIGHT 2001 (October 27 2020), JOHN NORUM 1988 (October 18 2020), ACCEPT 1986 (July 17 2020), DEEP PURPLE 1996 (June 27 2020), EUROPE 1986 (June 16 2020), DEEP PURPLE PODCAST 2020 (April 6 2020), KIMBERLY GOSS/SINERGY 2002 (March 31 2020), RAINBOW 1997 (March 9 2020), RAINBOW 1996 (March 6 2020), MICHAEL BRADFORD 2003/MAKING OF DEEP PURPLE´S “BANANAS” (March 2 2020), URIAH HEEP 1988 (February 18 2020), ANNE-LIE RYDÉ 1984 (January 21 2020), CRYSTAL VIPER 2020 (January 16 2020), JOHN NORUM 1988 (January 12 2020), ARTOMUS FRIENDSHIP 2019 (November 10 2019), NAZARETH 1989 (August 26 2019), VELVET INSANE 2018 (September 11 2018), JON LORD 1981 (December 15 2015), DAVID COVERDALE 1981 (November 13 2015), GLENN HUGHES 1996 (May 12 2015), TOTO 1988 (March 31 2015), YNGWIE MALMSTEEN 1990 (March 1 2015), MARTINA EDOFF 2009 (December 4 2014), MICHAEL MOJO NILSSON 2014 (January 21 2014), THE HUGHES TURNER PROJECT 2001 (December 29 2013), JOE LYNN TURNER 1996-1998 (October 9 2013), GLENN HUGHES & JOHN NORUM 1988 (September 21 2013), JOE LYNN TURNER 1994-1995 (September 9 2013), JOE LYNN TURNER 1993 (September 7 2013), STEVE LUKATHER 1989 (September 4 2013), BLACK SABBATH 1983 (August 22 2013), RAINBOW 1995 (July 19 2013), MICK UNDERWOOD/GILLAN 1982 (June 11 2013), DEEP PURPLE 2002 (May 2 2013), DEEP PURPLE 1998 ( February 25 2013), BLACK SABBATH 1986 (February 12 2013), BLACK SABBATH 1987-1989 (December 31 2012), JOHNNIE BOLIN 2012 (December 24 2012), MARTIN POPOFF & RICH GALBRAITH 2009 (November 12 2012), DAVID COVERDALE 2000 (October 14 2012), JON LORD 1984 (September 7 2012), JOE LYNN TURNER 1992 (August 31 2012), JUDAS PRIEST 1986 (August 22 2012), RONNIE JAMES DIO 2001 (August 20 2012), NIGHTWISH 2002 (August 14 2012).
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Magazine sales are down (plenty of titles have disappeared in the last five years). The UK is totally dominant on the import scene in Scandinavia, followed by Stateside titles. A new trend are the specials that are dedicated to one artist/band. They seem to be doing OK and they are probably here to stay. Nostalgia is the name of the game, even Metal Hammer is now readable for older rock fans. Classic Rock is broadening its appeal as well. Ozzy/Sabbath and Castle Rat can be featured in both. There is an overlap. Rock Candy is basically dipping into the old Kerrang! archive, with some new stuff added, mostly with older artists. Some good stuff but it looks like a fanzine. Nobody has taken the Japanese scene seriously, except for a handful of artists (Babymetal, Lovebites, Hanabie and looking back, Loudness). No big features on the scene at large. I have seen this however in magazines in Europe, like in the Czech Republic, but Japan is still largely underground in the English speaking magazines (nothing much on Hagane, Roselia, Nemophila, Koiai or musicians like Saki and Kanade Sato). This is not helped by labels and festivals still ignoring the Japanese scene. Had it not been for YouTube and social media, we would largely be in the dark. Things could improve. The way things are, for magazines to matter five years down the road, they need to rethink and expand the talent pool (maybe get rid of some tired writers). I would find the talent needed on YouTube. There are people out there that are really nailing it. But these people are not recruited. Also, I wish there was a hub (outside of eBay) somewhere that sold music magazines from the whole world. That would have been pretty awesome. I love magazines deeply, I hope the scene will be able to prosper and carry on for a long time. Maybe, some day, we will spot Sixiwanzi in an English speaking publication. And maybe we could have some Deep Purple and Babymetal back to back some day, like it bloody well should be.
(My shot in a local magazine store in Östersund, Sweden this week)
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Added the 12th single from Roselia to the old collection, “Swear – Night & Day”/”Our Carol”, released in standard versions as well as the usual instrumental takes on this four track CD. It comes with two bonus Blu-ray discs, with the band performing live over two days at Fuji-Q Highland Conifer Forest (Japan) in May 2022. The first night was titled “Weissklee” and the second “Rose”. Both nights were livebroadcasted in movie theaters in Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong. It was released in October 2022. These live concerts are always an absolute delight to take in. Everything about Roselia has a positive vibe, the songs are good and even though it is all nice and polished it still has traces of early 1980s Rainbow and stuff like that. It is easy for me to appreciate this and it makes me happy. Obviously, there is a reason why they have carved out a nice career for themselves. They are not competing with the usual rock bands in Japan (Lovebites etc), they really exist is a parallel universe along with a few other acts that are also grounded in the world of anime. I have blogged about all this before. The chances of me ever being able to catch a show with Roselia is low, I have no intention of visiting Japan. But I can get a bunch of concerts on Blu-ray and I am enjoying all this quite a bit. Having said that, it makes me sad that only a few people are aware of this scene in my neck of the woods. That is why I support it on this blog (and I have given these posts a tag for easy access). With Roselia, you will be entertained.
(My shot of said CD/Blu-ray edition, screenshot inserted)
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Japanese anime rockers Roselia will release their 18th single “Steadfast Spirits” this week and as usual we get a Blu-ray edition as well with live stuff (hopefully a full concert). Check out the YouTube trailer. It is an absolute delight to collect the Roselia stuff.
(Live image is a screenshot from said trailer, CD/Blu-ray cover inserted)
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“Brave Jewel” is the seventh single from Roselia. Released in December 2018 it was the theme song for the second season of the anime. You get two versions here, one being an instrumental of the song. Same goes for the other tune on this release, “Sanctuary”. This release went to a respectable third position in the Oricon charts over there (Japan). This comes with a bonus Blu-ray with an anime version of “Brave Jewel”. Slowly adding this stuff to the old collection.
(My shot of said CD/Blu-ray single)
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By a strange twist of fate, I received Metal Hammer 402 after the issue that followed (and which I blogged about a few days ago). Well, here it is, and it sports interviews with all (then) members of Black Sabbath and some with people that were guests on the big blowout that took place in Birmingham on July 5. Nearly half this issue is dedicated to Sabbath and Ozzy. Then you have three pages with Babymetal dealing with the London O2 gig, loads of album reviews etc. All in all, a good issue. I also got a couple of CDs from Japan on import in the shape of Roselia “Brave Jewel” (comes with a Blu-ray bonus) and Raise A Suilen “Bad Kids All Bet” (both from the Bushiroad Music Bang Dream anime territory operation). Basically a couple of singles, and one of the tracks on the latter is actually called “Welcome To Pandemonium” (hence the headline for this post). I will review these within a week or so on this blog.
(My shot of said magazine and CD releases)
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The July 19 post “10 Reasons Why Japanese Rock Rules In The 2020s” is doing well. Top draw on the blog now. I have seen some nice feedback on social platforms. Well, I did have a lot of fun writing that one.
(My shot of said post on this blog)
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One of the bands that I grew up with was Dutch rockers Ekseption (1967-1989), a group that covered pieces of music by famous classical composers (Bach, Beethoven etc) in a modern context. They had a certain sound and keyboard player Rick van der Linden could not help but to be influential back in the day. Que Japan today and you have bands that are looking at European culture that incorporates the same kind of ideas that Ekseption had pioneered now. Maybe one of the reasons that I appreciate Roselia so much is that they have a strong connection to classic European culture (again, Bach, Beethoven etc) that comes across in both their music (they often incorporate well known pieces as show intros, and in the general vibe from the keyboard perspective) and even image wise. Roselia has German titles for all their singles, albums and DVDs. The stage sets often looks like big cathedrals, typical for old school Europe. Sometimes, the music that flows from the stage at a Roselia concert takes me back to what it was that I liked about Ekseption (and other groups, like German band Eloy). Add the connection to Rainbow and other groups (even ABBA to some extent) in the DNA of the music and you start to get the picture. I have no idea if Roselia are aware of this or if it comes from the world of anime, but it is a sound that I can appreciate. Roselia is still a very Japanese thing, but they always comes up with strong melodies and hooks. Add a touch of happiness on top and you have a recipe for success. Frankly, I am surprised that no label in Europe has picked them up.
(My shot of 1973 compilation LP “The Best Of Ekseption” and 2022 Roselia EP Rozen Horizon”, images from the Roselia “2017-2018 Live Best – Soweit” Blu-ray box inserted – no malice intended)
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