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Asterism (band)

Asterism
Asterism in 2023. (L-R): Hal-ca, Miyu, and Mio
Asterism in 2023. (L-R): Hal-ca, Miyu, and Mio
Background information
OriginFukuoka, Japan
GenresHeavy metal, Hard rock
Years active2014–present
LabelsYamaha Music Publishing, Tokuma Japan, Amuse Inc., SME Records/Sony Music Japan
Members
  • Hal-ca (guitar, vocals)
  • Miyu (bass, chorus)
  • Mio (drums, chorus)
Websiteasterism.asia

Asterism (stylized as ASTERISM) is a Japanese rock band formed in Fukuoka in 2014 by brothers Mio (drums) and Miyu (bass) and Hal-ca (guitar).

The band has toured the United States, South Korea, China, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Singapore, and Japan, including performances at SXSW Music Festival, Taihu Midi Festival, and Knotfest Japan.

Asterism has gained international recognition for the combination of their collective youth and advanced technical skill as instrumentalists.[1] The band is managed by Japanese talent agency Amuse, Inc.[2]

History

[edit]

In 2014, the band members participated separately in Yamaha's 8th Music Revolution competition, with Hal-ca performing as a solo guitarist and brothers Miyu and Mio performing as a duo under the name Ogi.[3] Yamaha executives introduced the musicians, and the decision was made to create the group Asterism.

On November 1, 2015, Asterism (performing under the name "Hal-ca") won both the Outstanding Performance Award and Audience Award at the Kyushu-Okinawa final round of "The 9th Music Revolution" sponsored by Yamaha.[4]

On June 15, 2016, the band released their first CD single, "Got Your Back/Wonder Rocket".[5]

In November 2017, Asterism released their first recorded EP titled The Session Vol. 1, including instrumental covers of songs by Metallica, Judas Priest, and Ozzy Osbourne.

In January 2018, they released their second EP The Session Vol. 2, including covers of songs by Rage Against the Machine, Rush, and Motorhead. The same month, the band began performing a series of live concerts on Facebook from the Hard Rock Cafe in Fukuoka. American bassist and producer Bootsy Collins reposted a performance by Asterism on his Facebook page and contacted the band about collaborating on new material.[6]

In August 2018, Asterism released their first full album, Ignition, which included two songs produced by Collins with additional guitar by Buckethead.[7] The album also included covers of the Beatles and Dio.

In January 2019, Asterism began touring outside of Japan with their first Asia tour in China and Thailand.[8] On March 2, they performed their first one-man shows titled "Welcome to Inferno Vol. Max" at Graf in Fukuoka, followed by a second one-man at Shimokitazawa Liveholic.[9] That same month, the band toured the United States with performances at SXSW in Austin, Texas,[10] and additional stops in Houston, Dallas, and Los Angeles.[11]

The band  returned to China in April and May for a six city headlining tour[12] including performances at the Taihu Midi Festival in Suzhou.[13] In August, they performed at the Gangwon Rock Festival in South Korea.[14] In October, they performed a five city tour of South Korea and China, and appeared at Music China 2019 at the Shanghai New International Expo.[15]

In December 2020, Asterism released their third EP Guernica, followed by their second full album Guernica+a, released in September 2021, which added four new tracks.

In September 2022, Asterism released the concept album Animetic, which contained covers of theme songs from several Japanese anime, including Jujutsu Kaisen, Tokyo Ghoul, Naruto: Shippūden, My Hero Academia, and Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn Re:0096. In December, the band teamed with Norwegian anisong cover singer Pellek for the digital release "Ichizu / Unravel",[16] performing the theme songs from Jujutsu Kaisen 0 and Tokyo Ghoul. This single was the first release to include Hal-ca performing vocals, and the songs were added to the re-release of the album retitled Animetic+p in June 2023.

Asterism's fourth EP Aside was released in March 2023, and their fifth EP Beside in September 2023. Both releases featured Hal-ca performing vocals and guitar.

On April 1, 2023, Asterism performed at Knotfest Japan at Makuhari Messe.[17] On June 5, the band appeared on NHK's English-language music program J-Melo.[18] On July 1, Asterism was the featured musical performer at the Anime Expo 2023 opening ceremony and performed two free concerts in California and New York.[19][20] On August 27, they performed at the Gamers8 - Gamers Cosplay Cup festival in Saudi Arabia.

The band's third full album Decide was released in November 2023, including songs from the two previous EPs and the new song "Shooting Star". The release was followed by a national tour of Japan titled Asterism "Decide" Release Tour 2023 -The Decision. On November 8, the band released the music video for "Shooting Star", featuring footage from their U.S. tour.[21] On November 24 and 25, Asterism performed at Anime Festival Asia Singapore.[22]

In March 2024, Asterism released the live album The Decision (Live in Tokyo 23.11.2023).[23] On March 8, 9, and 10, they performed at Japan Expo in Marseilles, France.[24] In June, the band collaborated with manga artist Acky Bright to create the concept album Planet of Metal.[25] In July, the band performed at Anime Expo in Los Angeles and at Japan Expo in Paris.[26]

In December, it was announced that the band would perform the song "Crescendo" as the opening theme for the TV anime series Even Given the Worthless "Appraiser’"Class, I’m Actually the Strongest, with the single release scheduled for January 24, 2025.[27]

Band members

[edit]

Hal-ca (b: 11/23/2002) – guitar, vocals (2014–present)

Miyu (b: 3/12/2002) – bass, chorus (2014–present)

Mio (b: 11/14/1999) – drums, chorus (2014–present)

Musical style

[edit]

Asterism describes their style as "mass metal", with the goal of composing music that can reach a broad global audience.[28]

Bassist Miyu performs on a unique 7-string bass created for him by ESP.[29]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
Year Album details
2018 Ignition
  • Released: August 22, 2018
  • Label: Tokuma Japan
  • Formats: CD, CD/DVD, digital

Track Listing

  1. Blaze (Bootsy Collins: Producer/Bass/Vocals; Buckethead: Guitar)
  2. Light in the Darkness
  3. Midnight Hunter
  4. Warning (Bootsy Collins: Producer/Bass/Vocals; Buckethead: Guitar)
  5. Dawn
  6. Up The Horns!
  7. Stand Up and Shout (DIO/cover)
  8. Helter Skelter (The Beatles/cover)
  9. Overdrive
  10. God Speed You!
  11. Disperse

DVD

  1. 55 music video
  2. Rising Moon music video
  3. Blaze music video
  4. Live performance digest video
  5. Behind the scenes/recording
2021 Guernica+a
  • Released: September 15, 2021
  • Label: Amuse, Inc.
  • Formats: CD, digital

Track Listing

  1. Stars
  2. Then & Now
  3. Full Throttle
  4. Museum of Death
  5. Music
  6. Gunfire
  7. Faced/Burned
  8. Church
  9. Day26
  10. 000
2023 Animetic+p
  • Released: June 28, 2023
  • Label: Asterhythm Music
  • Formats: CD, digital

Track Listing

  1. Kaikaikitan (OP theme song for anime Jujutsu Kaisen)
  2. Unravel (OP theme song for anime Tokyo Ghoul)
  3. Sora ni Utaeba (OP theme song for anime My Hero Academia)
  4. Polaris (OP theme song for anime My Hero Academia)
  5. Kyouran Hey Kids!! (OP theme song for anime Noragami)
  6. Silhouette (OP theme song for anime Naruto: Shippūden)
  7. Asphyxia (OP theme song for anime Tokyo Ghoul:re)
  8. Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari (ED theme song for anime Bakemonogatari)
  9. Next 2U -eUC- (ED theme song for anime Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096)
  10. Ichizu Pellek ver. (OP theme song for anime Jujutsu Kaisen 0)
  11. Unravel Pellek ver. (OP theme song for anime Tokyo Ghoul)
Decide
  • Released: November 1, 2023
  • Label: SME Records/Sony Music Japan
  • Formats: CD

Track Listing

  1. Stardom
  2. Fiction
  3. Choir
  4. Last World
  5. No Way
  6. Live House
  7. Hullabaloo
  8. Sunny
  9. Finally
  10. Metal
  11. Shooting Star
2024 The Decision (Live in Tokyo 23.11.2023)
  • Released: March 8, 2024
  • Label: SME Records/Sony Music Japan
  • Formats: Digital

Track Listing

  1. Stardom
  2. No Way
  3. Sunny
  4. Choir
  5. Last World
  6. Hullabaloo
  7. Shooting Star
  8. Blaze
  9. Gunfire
  10. Light in the Darkness
  11. Fiction
  12. Live House
  13. Finally
  14. Full Throttle
  15. Peace
  16. Metal

Singles and EPs

[edit]
Year Single and EP details
2016 Got Your Back!/Wonder Rocket (Got your back! ～ガチヤバ!～/Wonder Rocket)
  • Released: November 15, 2017
  • Label: Yamaha Music Publishing
  • Formats: CD

Track Listing

  1. Got Your Back!～ガチヤバ～
  2. Wonder Rocket
2017 The Session Vol. 1
  • Released: November 15, 2017
  • Label: Tokuma Japan
  • Formats: CD, digital

Track Listing

  1. 155
  2. Enter Sandman (Metallica/cover)
  3. Ram It Down (Judas Priest/cover)
  4. Bark at the Moon (Ozzy Osbourne/cover)
  5. Magic Bullet
2018 The Session Vol. 2
  • Released: January 24, 2018
  • Label: Tokuma Japan
  • Formats: CD, digital

Track Listing

  1. Rising Moon
  2. Guerrilla Radio feat. Maki Oyama (Rage Against The Machine/cover)
  3. YYZ (Rush/cover)
  4. Ace of Spades (Motorhead/cover)
  5. Yunagi
2020 Guernica
  • Released: December 9, 2020
  • Label: Amuse, Inc.
  • Formats: CD, digital

Track Listing

  1. Music
  2. Gunfire
  3. Faced/ Burned
  4. Church
  5. Day26
  6. 000
2022 Ichizu / Unravel
  • Released: December 9, 2022
  • Label: Asterhythm Music
  • Formats: Digital

Track Listing

  1. Ichizu
  2. Unravel
2023 Aside
  • Released: March 31, 2023
  • Label: SME/Sony Music
  • Formats: Digital

Track Listing

  1. Fiction
  2. Choir
  3. Hullabaloo
  4. Live House
  5. Metal
Beside
  • Released: September 1, 2023
  • Label: SME/Sony Music
  • Formats: Digital

Track Listing

  1. Stardom
  2. Sunny
  3. No Way
  4. Last World
  5. Finally
[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lane, Jonathan (June 14, 2023). "An older and wiser ASTERISM returns to the US". JROCK NEWS. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  2. ^ "ASTERISM | アミューズWEBサイト". www.amuse.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  3. ^ "平均年齢15歳のヘヴィメタルインストバンド・ASTERISMがデビュー". BARKS (in Japanese). October 10, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  4. ^ "The 9th Music Revolution JAPAN FINAL 九州・沖縄 FINAL STAGE Music Revolution ～日本最大規模の音楽コンテスト＆音楽オーディション～". musicrevolution.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  5. ^ "ASTERISM/Got your back! ～ガチヤバ!～/Wonder Rocket". tower.jp. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  6. ^ Cirone, David (March 11, 2019). "ASTERISM - Interview (2019)". J-Generation. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  7. ^ "ASTERISM, Three Piece Heavy Metal Instrumental Band Release Their First Full Album. The Album Will Feature Bootsy Collins(BASS／ex JB'S) and Buckethead(GUITAR／ex Guns N'Roses)". SYNC MUSIC JAPAN. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  8. ^ "ASTERISM, first Asia Tour is confirmed!". SYNC NETWORK JAPAN. December 28, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  9. ^ "ASTERISM、3/15より開催のアメリカ・ツアー詳細発表！". 激ロックニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  10. ^ "ASTERISM". SXSW 2024 Schedule. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  11. ^ Cirone, David (May 6, 2019). "ASTERISM blazes through L.A. on first U.S. tour (Live Report)". J-Generation. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  12. ^ "Asterism (Japan) China Tour Beijing Stop!". www.thebeijinger.com. April 27, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  13. ^ "ASTERISM、5/2-4開催の中国大型フェス"太湖迷笛音樂節（TAIHU MIDI FESTIVAL）"出演決定！". 激ロックニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  14. ^ "강원락페스티벌 | 강원 락페스티벌 | 대한민국". December 13, 2019. Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  15. ^ "ASTERISM MUSIC CHINA＆中国、韓国ツアー". 【VIPO】映像産業振興機構 (in Japanese). Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  16. ^ Howkins, Jane (July 11, 2022). "New Music: ASTERISM – unravel". York Calling. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  17. ^ "BANDS | KNOTFEST JAPAN 2023 -ノットフェス・ジャパン-". October 12, 2023. Archived from the original on October 12, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  18. ^ Corporation), NHK (Japan Broadcasting, Past Editions 2023/6 - J-MELO - TV - NHK WORLD-JAPAN - English, retrieved February 15, 2024
  19. ^ Regev, Nir (August 15, 2023). "ASTERISM Band Interview: 2023 USA Tour, Animetic, Anime Expo". The Natural Aristocrat. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  20. ^ Lane, Jonathan (July 24, 2023). "Report: ASTERISM heats up in New York debut". JROCK NEWS. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  21. ^ Brazelton, Dalen (November 10, 2023). "Japanese Metal Band ASTERISM Releases New Music Video "Shooting Star" Featuring Behind-the-Scenes Footage from Their U.S. Tour - Jrockrevolution". Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  22. ^ "Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2023 to feature appearances from FLOW, Rurusama, MAPPA, ASCA, and more". Bandwagon Asia. October 17, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  23. ^ Cirone, David (March 5, 2024). "ASTERISM Releases New Live Album THE DECISION with Premiere of Full Concert Video". J-Generation. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  24. ^ "ASTERISM". www.japan-expo-sud.com. February 5, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  25. ^ "Interview with ASTERISM: Blending art and metal in innovative album "PLANET OF METAL"". JROCK NEWS. June 21, 2024. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  26. ^ Cirone, David (August 26, 2024). "Japanese Metal Band ASTERISM Returns to U.S. in November, Releases Anime Expo and Japan Expo Highlights". J-Generation. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  27. ^ "ASTERISM will perform opening theme for "Even Given the Worthless 'Appraiser' Class, I'm Actually the Strongest"". j-generation.com. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  28. ^ Brazelton, Dalen (November 10, 2023). "Japanese Metal Band ASTERISM Releases New Music Video "Shooting Star" Featuring Behind-the-Scenes Footage from Their U.S. Tour - Jrockrevolution". Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  29. ^ "SXSW 2019: ASTERISM talk about their battle metal sound, inspirations & influences, goals". Asian Junkie. May 3, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2024.