It has been almost a year since the pandemic hit, and I don’t think I have to explain you how bad the situation is for everyone in all corners and occupations all over the world. But because of the subject we usually talk about here I’d like to limit ourselves to the categories of “musicians”
雪 (Yuki)
She originally started the project in 2009 as a photographer under the name of Arlequin Photography, but developed an interest in journalism and translation ever since. Because of these interests interviews and reviews were added to the project, until it eventually hit the limits as a "photographer" in 2021, and Arlequin Magazine was added to the mix.
雪 (Yuki) is a native Dutch speaker with a graphic design degree, which means she is also the main person behind Arlequin Creations.
After all these years, she's still the one responsible for the interviews and most of the live photography you see here at Arlequin, but the majority of reviews and behind-the-scenes work is also done by her.
The reviews she writes are from the viewing point of an overseas fan, and thus written in English before being translated to Dutch, Spanish and Japanese. In the English versions she also tries to explain the meaning behind certain kanji or song titles to the readers, but what you don't see here is that these explanations are omitted in the Japanese versions in order to appeal to these readers more.
She speaks Dutch and English on a native level, but also understands Japanese and German.
摩天楼オペラ (Matenrou Opera) // A fleeting hymn of love
I’m sure that most people by now have heard of 摩天楼オペラ (Matenrou Opera) as a band, but in the recent years I have seen their overseas activity get less and less. Yet there was a lot going on in the world of the band. Not only have they gone independent last year, they’ve also lost their guitarist,
David announces new concept mini-album “Gothculture”
Like I said in the previous article about SUI’s plans for January of 2021, he planned a large event spanning two days to celebrate not only his own birthday, but also the 4th anniversary of David as his solo project. Unfortunately the state of emergency was issued in Japan, preventing SUI from holding
Angels’ Temptation // “As angels, we support you.”
Angels’ Temptation is still a relatively new band on the scene, starting their very first activities on their YouTube channel in November of 2018, and releasing their very first digital single “Fallen Angel” in July of 2020. So that’s quite some time between the very first
David announces live performances “Fragment & Reminiscence” for SUI’s birthday
For his birthday SUI has announced that he will be playing not one, but two live shows named “Fragment & Reminiscence” in 浦和Narciss (Urawa Narciss) on the 23rd and 24th of January.
Originally it was intended as a full live show which would also be broadcasted through TwitCasting,
Alpha999 announces opening of official webshop
When I introduced Alpha999 last year there was something that I noticed almost immediately.
The one who introduced me to TAKA’s music lives in Japan. They have the option to go to Alpha999’s live shows and get their hands on CDs or merchandise. But since I live overseas, I cannot do any of
Mr.SunFace // Combining street culture and graffiti with fashion
If you’re familiar with DaizyStripper you probably know まゆ (Mayu) as the lead guitarist of the band. But did you know that he recently jumped into a completely different project that has nothing to do with the band? He recently launched his very own clothing label Mr.SunFace!
The very first collection,
Scarlet Horizon // 7: This is the way of our life
Scarlet Horizon are a ヴィジュアル系 (Visual Kei) inspired band from Bejing, China, existing out of ZERO on vocals, 曜 (You) on guitar and backing vocals, 覚 (Satori) on bass and 亚弥 (Ayase) on drums.
In 2016 they released their first single “Unstoppable”, and since they followed that up with the
The Betrayed announces first EP “Crying with One Eye”
Maybe you’ve heard of Ryo Fujimura through the band he started in 1999, called “AciD FLavoR”. In 2006 he debuted as the 7-strings guitarist and leader of the band from EMI in Japan, and he remained at this position until the band eventually disbanded in 2010. From that moment he has been focusing
Ryo Fujimura // Creative and resourceful for the recording of the first EP from The Betrayed
You might have seen the announcement about the very first EP of “The Betrayed” being available on Bandcamp right now, but this information seemed a little stale to me, especially because of the current situation worldwide. We’re all forced to stay home as much as possible and be
DEVILOOF // Devil’s Calling/Angel’s Cry: This story of love that is determined to end my life
The release of DEVILOOF’s newest single was already announced in January of 2020, with the release date itself being set for March 11. But the release was eventually delayed indefinitely. To the great surprise (and delight) of fans we didn’t have to wait for the single to be released anyway,
NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST // ONLY HUMAN: The greatest sin is human beings
NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST started their “counterattack on 2020” last May already, with their sudden release of the single “Life is Once”, along with the message that they have returned to the studio along with a mystery guitarist. Now, two months later, the band is back again with another single, this time