Gig Reviews

American thrash metal band Mindwars’ return to Japan became a victory lap.

Former Loudness and Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist Mike Vescera showed Tokyo he still got it.

Mark Zonder brought his new version of Warlord to Japan. They did the legacy justice and proved that there is a future and not just a past for this terrific band.

Left to Die breathed new life into Death’s old-school Florida death metal. What a smashingly face-melting Death tribute this was!

Lovebites has become one of Japan’s best metal bands with its trademark twin lead-guitar attack. Their tour finale in Tokyo was a glorious homecoming.

Gothenburg’s melodic death metal pioneers Dark Tranquillity returned to Japan a decade after their last shows here.

Japanese heavy metal trio Asterism exploded on stage at Guitar Monsters Japan Vol. 2.

Guitar maestro Marty Friedman headlined volume 2 of Guitar Monsters Japan in Tokyo.

Brazilians Noturnall finally made it to Japan for a four-date tour. Roppongi Rocks was there for the first night of the tour in Tokyo.

Two nights of excellent thrash metal with Greece’s Suicidal Angels in Tokyo.

Ukrainian modern prog metal band Jinjer got Tokyo dancing.

Heavy metal is alive and well. Sweden’s Enforcer brought its traditional heavy metal back to Tokyo nearly a decade after its last performances in Japan.

Adrienne Cowan’s fabulous voice and Seven Spires’ technical, heavy-yet-melodic metal gave us a night to remember in Tokyo.