FEST VAINQUEUR to Release New Single

FEST VAINQUEUR will be releasing their third single on March 7. The new single, "Ai no Kusari," will include a bonus DVD featuring the PV for the title track. The band's OHP currently features a video clip of that PV.

FEST VAINQUEUR OHP here
"Ai no Kusari" CD pre-order at CD Japan here

exist†trace Ticket Giveaway at Tainted Reality

Visit the Tainted Reality website to read more about a ticket giveaway for the upcoming exist†trace U. S. appearances. The creators of the Fixer web comic, Roger Shackelford and Danny Kang, will give one set of two tickets for each of the upcoming shows in Philadelphia and Boston. The tickets will be awarded on Saturday, March 10, and giveaway rules do apply.

Giveaway information on Tainted Reality here
Read the Fixer web comic here
exist†trace tour information here

Golden Bomber Gets Official YouTube

Golden Bomber and their Euclid label have created an official YouTube channel for the band. There are no videos posted at this time, but anyone subscribing to the channel should receive updates as videos are uploaded.

Golden Bomber official YouTube here

Kra to Release New Single

Kra announced on their OHP--and Taizo in his blog--that they will be releasing a new single in May. The new single, called "Honne," will be released on May 30, and it will be issued in two types. Track listings and pricing information appear on the band's OHP "What's New" widget, but further sales details are not yet available.

Kra OHP here

Downer to Release New Single

Downer will be releasing a new single on March 7. The new single will be called "Clones Viewer" and will be released in two types. The band's OHP currently features a sample music spot for the single as their opening page.

Downer OHP here
"Clones Viewer" Limited Edition (w/DVD) pre-order at CD Japan here
"Clones Viewer" Regular Edition pre-order at CD Japan here

Versailles to Release New Single

Versailles Philharmonic Quintet will be releasing a new single on April 25. The new single, called "Rhapsody of the Darkness," will include two tracks. The band promises dark, neo-classical arrangements that are both Gothic and have speed metal elements. Further details about the release are not yet listed on the band's OHP.

Versailles OHP announcement here

Alice Nine Channel Airs 3/8

The next air date for Alice Nine's Nico Nico program, Alice Nine Channel, is March 8, 2012. The program airs at 23:00 JST (convert time zones). Registered Nico Nico members may timeshift for later viewing.

Alice Nine Channel gate here

Esprit D'Air to Release New Single

London-based visual band Esprit D'Air will be releasing their new single, "The Hunter," on February 29. The band is currently featuring an audio sample of the new single on their official YouTube channel, as well as link to the pre-order site. When you pre-order, a link to "The Hunter ~Reprise~ ft. Shudan" becomes available for immediate download and a link to the full single will be e-mailed on release day.

Esprit D'Air OHP here
Official YouTube here
Pre-order link here

Viju☆Love☆Cafe Will Air 3/4

Viju☆Love☆Cafe, hosted by Akemi Oshima and Biju the cat, will air episode number nine on Sunday, March 4, 2012. The program airs online at Visu-a-land.TV and starts at 14:00 JST (convert time here). The episode will also be rebroadcast at 24:00 JST on the same day, and an on-demand digest version will be available on Saturday, March 10 at 21:00 JST. Guests will include Matenrou Opera, THE KIDDIE, HIRO (La'Cryma Christie, Librarian), Umi (vistlip), Gou (Megamasso), DIAURA, A(エース), Drace XII (of Brazil), and THE LEX.


Viju☆Love☆Cafe will air here

exist†trace to Release First Full Album

exist†trace will be releasing their first full-length major album on May 23. The new album, called "Virgin," will include 12 song tracks. Track listings and purchase information are not yet available. "Virgin" information is listed under the Release category on the band's OHP.

exist†trace OHP here

Called≠Plan to Release First Mini Album

Called≠Plan will be releasing their first mini album on March 7. The mini album, called "NO Yancha!! NO Life!!." will be released in two types. Check out their PV spots on their official YouTube.

Called≠Plan OHP here
Official YouTube here
"NO Yancha!! NO Life!!" Limited Edition (w/DVD) pre-order at CD Japan here
"NO Yancha!! NO Life!!" Regular Edition pre-order at CD Japan here

MoNoLith to Release New Single

MoNoLith will be releasing a new single on Wednesday, May 2. The new single, called "Aquarium," will be released in two types. At the same time, the band will begin their "6th ANNIVERSARY COUNT-DOWN TOUR," touring Japan throughout the month of May.

MoNoLith OHP here
"Aquarium" Type A (w/DVD) pre-order at CD Japan here
"Aquarium" Type B pre-order at CD Japan here

SHUN. Posts New Article on Visulog

SHUN., guitarist from THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S, has just posted the second article in his regular Visulog.jp column, "SHUN.'S FAVORITE THINGS." The articles appear both in Japanese and in English.

SHUN.'S FAVORITE THINGS here

the GazettE to Release New Album

the GazettE has updated their OHP to announce that in August 2012, they will be releasing a new album called "DIVISION." Track listings and purchase details are not yet available. The band will also be making appearances in current issues of Arena 37C, KERA, SHOXX, and B-PASS magazines.

the GazettE OHP here

LOST ASH to Release New Single

LOST ASH will be releasing a new single on April 11. The band's fourth single, "Mask," will be released in two types with two new songs and either a bonus DVD or song track.

LOST ASH OHP here
"Mask" Limited Edition (w/DVD) pre-order at CD Japan here
"Mask" Regular Edition pre-order at CD Japan here

DaizyStripper to Release Live DVD

DaizyStripper will be releasing a live DVD on March 14. "Six Bless 2011.08.21 in SHIBUYA-AX" will feature 23 tracks from the band's one man live concert.

DaizyStripper OHP here
Live DVD pre-order at CD Japan here

ELM to Release New Album

ELM will be releasing their first full-length on March 7. The new album, called "Malice in Wonderland," will include 14 tracks. The band's official YouTube channel currently features a promotional spot for the upcoming album.

ELM OHP here
Official YouTube here
"Malice in Wonderland" Limited Edition (w/DVD) pre-order at CD Japan here
"Malice in Wonderland" Regular Edition pre-order at CD Japan here

ALSDEAD to Release New Album & Magazine Appearances

ALSDEAD soon will be releasing their first mini album. The seven-track mini album, "MODALITY," will be released on February 29. A detailed track listing can be found on the band's OHP discography. The band will also be making appearances in the magazines Shoxx Vol. 230, Fool's Mate Vol. 366, and Cure Vol. 102.

ALSDEAD OHP here
"MODALITY" pre-order on CD Japan here

GALEYD to Release First Mini Album

GALEYD will release their first mini album on February 22. The new album will be called "Infitium" and will feature 6 tracks.

GALEYD OHP here
"Infitium" pre-order at CD Japan here

girugamesh to Release Live DVD

girugamesh will be releasing a live DVD on February 22. The new DVD, "Gaisen Koen 'CHIBA'," will feature the band's February 5, 2011 one man live show at Ichikawa City Cultural Hall. The band's OHP lists the 20 song tracks included on the DVD.

girugamesh DVD tracklist here
DVD pre-order at CD Japan here

SuG Nico Nico Show to Air 2/20

SuG will be appearing in a Nico Nico Live show on Monday, February 20 at 21:00 JST (convert time here). The title of the show is 『無修正SuGでShow』. Time shifting is available for Nico Nico members who are not able to watch the show live.

SuG Show to air here

Nightmare Guests on V-ON!!!

Nightmare will be guests on the Nico Nico radio program V-ON!!! This program airs on February 20 at 20:00 JST (convert time here). Time shifting is available to Nico Nico registered members who are not able to listen to the live show.

Nightmare on V-ON!!! here

Aurora Sannin Musume Airs Video Short #4

Worldnettv has just made a fourth short video clip from Aurora Sannin Musume's Viju☆Love☆Night antics available on their official YouTube channel.

Video #4 on YouTube here

Pre-order vistlip & SUPER LOVERS Collaboration Items

CD Japan is now taking pre-orders for vistlip & SUPER LOVERS collaboration fashion goods. Pre-orders for these items are being accepted until February 24 at 18:00 JST (convert time here) only. CD Japan is also offering exclusive badges, while supplies last, that feature the signature of the band member responsible for the design project purchased.

vistlip goods at CD Japan here
vistlip OHP news here

Blu-BiLLioN to Release New Single

Blu-BiLLioN will be releasing a new single on February 29. The new single, "With me," will be released in two types. The band's OHP currently features a preview video on the opening page.

Blu-BiLLioN OHP here
"With me" Limited Edition (w/DVD) pre-order at CD Japan here
"With me" Regular Edition pre-order at CD Japan here

Nightmare Single Preview

Nightmare has posted an audio sample of the new song "mimic" on their OHP discography. Fans can visit the discography page and click on the gray play button next to the "mimic" song track listing to hear a 21 second sound clip. The "mimic" single is due in stores on February 29.

Nightmare OHP Discography here

BugLug to Release New Single

BugLug will release a new single on February 22. The new single, "Guillotine," will be released in both Limited and Regular editions. A 31 second promotional spot for the single appears now on the Resistar Record's Official YouTube channel.

BugLug OHP here
"Guillotine" Limited Edition pre-order at CD Japan here
"Guillotine" Regular Edition pre-order at CD Japan here
"Guillotine" promo spot on YouTube here

Alice Nine on Nico Radio 2/22

Alice Nine's Tora and Hiroto will make an appearance on Nico Radio on February 22. The show will air online at 22:00 JST (convert time here). Time shifting is available for registered Nico Nico users who cannot listen to the live show.

Tora and Hiroto on Nico Radio here

Golden Bomber on Nico Nico 2/15

Golden Bomber's monthly show on Nico Nico web will air on February 15. The show begins at 24:00 JST (convert time here). Time shifting is available for registered Nico Nico users who cannot attend the live show.

Golden Bomber on Nico Nico here

Miyavi Featured on MTV Iggy

The MTV Iggy blog is currently featuring videos and interviews with Miyavi. These clips were filmed during Miyavi's recent North and South American tour.

Miyave on MTV Iggy here

ViViD to Release Budokan DVD

ViViD will be releasing a new DVD on April 18. The DVD is currently untitled, but it will feature the band's January 7th "TAKE OFF - Birth to the NEW WORLD -" concert held at Nippon Budokan. Details should be posted closer to the release date.

ViViD OHP here
DVD pre-order at CD Japan here

BORN to Release New Single

On the heels of their new album release, "Vigour," BORN will have a new single available on March 21. The new single will be called "Radical Hysteria." Single track details can be found on the band's OHP.

BORN OHP news here
"Radical Hysteria" pre-order at CD Japan here

SuG to Release New Album & More

SuG will be releasing a new album on April 25. The new album, titled "Lollipop Kingdom," will be released in three types.

SuG has also released the full version of their new "Fukanzen Beautyfool Days" PV via the Pony Canyon official YouTube Channel. This new single was just released February 1.

Fans of Takeru's million $ orchestra clothing line can now view the SPRING Collection new additions.

SuG OHP here
SuG listings at CD Japan here
"Fukanzen Beautyfool Days" PV here
million $ orchestra fashion here

amber gris to Release Artbook CD

amber gris will be releasing an artbook CD on February 29. The new single, called "decadence," will feature two songs and a 16-page booklet. The band's OHP currently features a short video clip of live performances included on their latest live DVD release, "night walking toy soldiers," released on January 14 at live events and in the amber gris store. The band also appears in February's issue of Zilling vol. 3.

amber gris OHP here
"decadence" pre-order at CD Japan here

AND Will Release 3rd Major Single

AND (アンド) will be releasing their third major single on April 25. The single, titled "Muyu no Kago," will be released in two types.

AND OHP here
"Muyu no Kago" Type A (w/DVD) pre-order on CD Japan here
"Muyu no Kago" Type B pre-order on CD Japan here

Alice Nine Special Airs on 2/23

In addition to Alice Nine's regular Alice Nine Channel program, scheduled for February 22, there will be a special program broadcast on February 23 to commemorate the release of their new album "9." The special will air on Nico Nico Live at 21:30 JST (convert time zones). This 2 1/2 hour special program will feature past PVs, commentary, and a special release live video. Registered Nico Nico members may timeshift for later viewing.

Alice Nine special program gate here

Twlve Months of World Wrap Word

World Wrap Word plans to issue 12 consecutive months of singles during 2012. The first release, "Cross World," was issued on January 13. Next up is the release of "ruler the BLACKSTAR" on February 14. On March 2, the band will release [-サピナ・ハピナ-] (-sapina hapina-) as the third single in the project. The singles will be available only at their lives and Internet store.

World Wrap Word OHP here
Fan club here

Lc5 New Single & Album

Lc5 soon will be releasing a new single and new album. The new single, "Only You ~Kimi tono Kizuna~," will be released in three types on February 15. The band's first album, as yet untitled, will be released March 28.

Lc5 OHP here
"Only You" Limited Type A (CD w/DVD) pre-order at CD Japan here
"Only You" Limited Type B (CD w/DVD) pre-order at CD Japan here
"Only You" Regular pre-order at CD Japan here
Album TBA Limited Edition (w/DVD) pre-order at CD Japan here
Album TBA Regular Edition pre-order at CD Japan here

L'Arc~en~Ciel Announces Tour Dates & Tickets

Tickets are now selling for L'Arc~en~Ciel's upcoming 2012 World Tour. The band will be playing at venues around the globe, including the famed Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday, March 25.

Ticket information here

DIR EN GREY Cancels US Tour

DIR EN GREY regretfully announced via their OHP that they will be canceling their US tour and other appearances scheduled for March and April 2012. The announcement states that vocalist KYO has been diagnosed with Vocal Nodule Dysphonia and is following doctor's recommendations.

DIR EN GREY announcement here

LM.C Guests at Anime Central 2012

LM.C will be appearing as special musical guests at the 2012 Anime Central convention held in Rosemont, IL. The convention takes place April 27 - 29, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare and the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Maya and Aiji will be making appearances to answer questions and sign autographs. Anime Central's webpage features a subtitled comment from the band for their fans.

LM.C announcement here

HERO on Nico Nico 2/15

HERO will appear on a special Nico Nico live show on February 15. The show will be broadcast at 21:00 JST (convert time here). Time shift is available for Nico Nico members who cannot watch the live show.

HERO on Nico Nico here

KISAKI PROJECT to Release New Single

KISAKI PROJECT feat. Satsuki will be releasing a new single on February 15. The new single, called "So ~Twinkle Vitality~," will contain three songs and a DVD clip of a performance at AKASAKA BLITZ on November 27, 2011.

KISAKI PROJECT OHP here
"So ~Twinkle Vitality~" CD pre-order at CD Japan here

D=OUT and SCREW Nico Nico Show on 2/13

D=OUT and SCREW will appear on the February 13 live episode of V-ON!!! radio. The show will air at 20:00 JST on the Nico Nico Live website.

V-ON!!! airs on Nico Nico here

Aurora Sannin Musume Airs Video Short #3

Worldnettv has just made a third short video clip from Aurora Sannin Musume's Viju☆Love☆Night antics available on their official YouTube channel. The short video clips features the guys trying to find alternate uses for a balloon.

Video #3 on YouTube here

BORN TV Vol. 3 Airs 2/20

The third episode of BORN TV, hosted by musicJAPANplus, will air Monday, February 20 at 20:00 JST (convert time here) via its USTREAM channel. Follow the @enmjptv Twitter account to get English translations during the live broadcast

BORN TV airs here
MJP TV announcement here

SCREW TV Airs 2/22

SCREW TV Vol. 17 will air on USTREAM on Wednesday, February 22 at 21:00 JST (convert time here). The show airs via the musicJAPANplus USTREAM channel, and they are accepting questions for the band to answer during the show. Follow @enmjptv Twitter for English translations during the live show.

Screw TV airs here
MJP TV announcement here

Plastic Tree Release New PV on YouTube

Plastic Tree will be releasing their new single titled "Jyomyaku" on February 29. The band has also made a version of that title PV available on their new label's Official YouTube.

"Jyomyaku" PV on YouTube here
"Jyomyaku" Type A pre-order at CD Japan here
"Jyomyaku" Type B pre-order at CD Japan here

Band Feature: Alice Nine

Alice Nine is a 5-member band from Tokyo that formed in August 2004. The band released their first single, "Namae wa, Mada Nai" on July 5, 2004 as アリス九號. The band joined the PS Company recording label in September 2004. Later the band later re-styled their name as alicenine., and again in 2009 they changed the formatting to the current Alice Nine.

Since their beginning, the band has released over 19 singles, 1 digital single release, 1 DVD single release, 3 EP albums, 5 full albums, 1 compilation album, 9 DVDs, 4 band scores, and 3 photo books. As a major recording artist for PS Company, Alice Nine is frequently featured in popular visual rock magazine and music programs, including Shoxx magazine and Music Bomber. The band has had their own monthly Nico Nico web program called "Alice 9 Channel" since 2010.

Members:

Vocalist: Shou
Guitar:  Tora
Guitar: Hiroto
Bass:  Saga
Drum: Nao

Alice Nine OHP here

Blogs:

Shou's blog here
Tora's blog here
Hiroto's blog here
Saga's blog here
Nao's blog here

Twitter:

Shou's Twitter here
Hiroto's Twitter here
Saga's Twitter here
Alice Nine Staff's Twitter here


Nau:

Nao's Nau here

DEATHGAZE to Release Live DVD

DEATHGAZE will release a live DVD on February 22. The "2011 PREMIUM NIGHT"BLISS OUT MIND"- FROM THE END -" DVD will include 25 songs from their August 30, 2011 performance at ElectrickLadyLand in Nagoya. Track listings can be found on the band's OHP.

DEATHGAZE OHP here
Live DVD pre-order at CD Japan here

VII-Sense to Release New Maxi Single & News

VII-Sense will be releasing a new maxi single on February 29. The new single will be called "Silent Assassin" and will feature three songs and one DVD disc that includes the "Silent Assassin" PV. VII-Sense is also collaborating with Jewelry Bland "BB Pearl" to create an accessory line for each band member. This line will debut in March.

The band will have its first one man live--"First Impact"-- at SHIBUYA REX on Sunday, February 5. Further details can be found on the band's OHP.

VII-Sense OHP here
"Silent Assassin" pre-order at CD Japan here
Jewelry Bland collaboration here

Sadie to Release New Mini Album

Sadie will be releasing a new mini album on April 4. The new release will be called "Red Line." The CD will be released in two types, but further sales details are not yet available. The album announcement appears on the band's OHP

Sadie OHP here

Jills Blue Roses to Release 1st Mini Album

Jills Blue Roses will be releasing their first mini album on February 14. The new album, called "Honey Blossom," will include five tracks.

Jills Blue Roses OHP here
"Honey Blossom" pre-order at CD Japan here

Hear Japan Launches 2.0 Beta Platform

Digital download site Hear Japan just unleashed its new 2.0 website in beta. The site, which offers legal digital downloads of Japanese music to a global audience, now has new prices and new features (anime music), as well as the old favorites. The tabbed Genres feature allows users to quickly navigate to the type of music they want. Hear Japan still offers music from visual and Akiba kei bands.

Visit Hear Japan 2.0 here

D=OUT is V-Rock Station Featured Artist for February

February's featured guest DJ artist on the V-Rock Station website will be D=OUT. Each week, D=OUT will be appearing with a new band. The lineup includes BORN, SCREW, Kra, and Alice Nine.

V-Rock Station website here
D=OUT OHP here

ToshI to Release New DVD Box

ToshI, solo artist and vocalist for X Japan, is now offering pre-orders for a new DVD Box set. The "LIVE Samurai Japan" special box set will include performances from the ToshI Concert 2011 performance on November 27, 2011, the LIVE Samurai Japan concert on August 18 & 19, 2011, the recording live documentary and music video clips, recorded interviews and special footage, and  a premium CD of ToshI's Best 2010-2011. The set will also include a special booklet of photos and lyrics. Pre-order are being accepted only from January 15 to February 15 (23:59 JST) at ToshI's web shop. Fans can hear sample of the songs included on ToshI's MySpace page.

ToshI OHP here
ToshI MySpace here
ToshI Web Shop here

exist†trace Article at Kawaii girl Japan

exist†trace is featured in an artile on the Kawaii girl Japan website. The article covers a live report of the band's January 9, 2012 solo live show at Meguro Rokumeikan, including photos. The article appears in English and Japanese.

Read exist†trace feature at Kawaii girl Japan here

SHUN. Starts Visulog Column

SHUN., guitarist for THE MICRO HEAD 4N'S, has just started a column at visulog.jp. The new column, called "SHUN.'S FAVORITE THINGS," had its debut post published on February 1. The article is displayed in both English and Japanese.

Read "SHUN.'S FAVORITE THINGS" here