Gig Reviews

Thrash Anthems Live: German thrash metal veterans Destruction kick off their Asia-Pacific tour in style in Tokyo.

A 35-year tradition of Swedish melodic hard rock triumphs in Japan now continues with The Poodles doing their first-ever Japan tour.

A special evening with Marty Friedman billed as “passionate guitar” turns out exactly like that: A musician, his guitars and plenty of passion.

American hard rock veterans Riot celebrate the band’s past, present and future with a special weekend of performances at Club Citta.

German metal veterans Rage return to Japan with a great line-up and a career-spanning show.

Swedish melodic rockers H.E.A.T returned to Tokyo for their third visit and they owned the place. Japan loves melodic hard rock from Sweden.

Venom Inc’s Mantas, Abaddon and Demolition Man destroy Tokyo as they kick off their “Blood Stained Earth Tour” in style.

With two legendary Bay Area thrash metal bands and one splendid newer thrash metal band from LA, it was an all-Californian affair at this year’s Thrash Domination festival at Club Citta.

Swedish death thrashers The Haunted once again made Tokyo do it with a splendid, brutal and sweaty show at Liquidroom.

Japanese promoter Evoken de Valhall put on another great folk metal festival in Tokyo headlined by Ensiferum and Trollfest.

Only nine months after their first Japan tour, Dutch symphonic metal masters Epica returned to Tokyo to perform new music. It was, of course, another massive win for the band.

An evening of British rock music of the best kind with Thunder back on stage in Japan.

Best known as rockers, KISS members Paul Stanley and Eric Singer return to Japan with their band Soul Station for intimate club gigs focused on soul music classics.