Crossfaith have been seen as the one of the most influential metalcore/hardcore bands to come out of Japan in recent years. Though there are only a small minority of fans dedicated to the genre, they have successfully brought hardcore to a new high in a country dominated by the J-pop scene, pathing the way for new bands in the genre to take to the stage. In 2009, ZESTONE RECORDS released Crossfaith’s first album ‘The Artificial Theory for the Dramatic Beauty’ in stores across Japan, and it was met with outstanding reviews by metal critics everywhere, praising them for their unique mix of electronica with the already commonly associated sounds of metalcore. Since then they have toured with countless bands from Asia and America, and for the first time, from April 20th to May 5th, Crossfaith will be touring with American metalcore band ‘Of Mice & Men’, hitting 16 venues across the UK, starting at the Tunbridge Wells Forum. So to celebrate the upcoming tour, we got an interview with Crossfaith themselves to ask about how far the metalcore genre has come in Japan since the band formed, and what they have planned for the future.
Crossfaith are considered to be the first band to truly bring the metal/hardcore genre to the Japanese market, and at the same time, receive a large following in the west. How do you feel about having such a prestigious title nationally and internationally?
In Japan, they have many J-pop groups in the mainstream of the Japanese music scene. Metal/hardcore music is still a minority here so far. Specifically, we don’t have clean vocals, so I don’t expect that our music would become more loved by many people.
Since you guys started out, back in 2006, how has the metal scene changed in Japan? Has the amount of fans of the genre risen?
I think the Japanese metal scene has made a change for the better, many listeners are getting interested in Japanese metal bands. If you come to our show in Japan, you can see the people from various genres, such as kids who wear punk rock band t-shirts.
Your music combines the main elements of hardcore, alongside electronic sounds. How and why did you come to a decision to innovate, rather than just stick with an already popular style?
Teru makes all electronic parts for Crossfaith. He hasn’t inspired electronic sounds from recent post-hardcore bands. Also, he never wants to make the same sounds. But he listens to lots of electronic music like techno, psychedelic trance, drum’n’bass, dubstep and more… Especially, he really loves The Chemical Brothers.
Have there been any bands which have truly inspired you throughout your music career?
Linkin Park gave us a lot of inspirations for songwriting!
The 2009 album ‘The Artificial Theory For The Dramatic Beauty’ is widely seen as your most influential album, managing to create an entirely new music industry, unseen in Japan. What have have you changed/improved upon to make your 2011 album ‘The Dream, The Space’ stand apart from your first?
The record of ‘The Artificial Theory For The Dramatic Beauty’ is like our visiting card. When we started a band as Crossfaith, a few bands played extreme music with electronic sounds. When we were making our 2nd album, we wanted to make music to show scenery.
Your cover of ‘Omen’ by British electronic band ‘Prodigy’ has become one of your most well known tracks to date. What inspired you to cover such a song?
When we were looking for a new approach, we got an offer for “PUNK GOES POP 3” Japanese Edition. Then we had to pick some and make our first cover song. The Prodigy inspire us well, and we tried to add elements of dubstep and metalcore to that song.
Your UK tour with ‘Of Mice and Men’ kicks off on April 20th at The Forum in Tunbridge Wells. Overall, what are you most looking forward to whilst you’re in the UK?
The tour will be our first time to Europe. We’ve been hearing that we already got some fans out there. I would love to meet every single one of you!
Are there any bands that you’d like to tour with that you haven’t already?
This question is hard to answer. If I were to say, then maybe ‘The Devil Wears Prada’.
Are there any countries you wish to perform in which you haven’t already? If so, which ones and why?
I want to tour in Australia. There is a HUGE music festival called “Soundwave”. We want to be part of the line up for 2013.
What are your plans for 2012? Can we expect a new album in the near future?
This year, we’re going to be going to so many countries outside of Japan. Plus, our new record’s production process had entered the final step. I could easily say that this coming record is going to be the best one in our entire career!
And finally, any last comments for our readers?
Thanks for taking your time to read this and being interested in our band. We hope you’ll come to our show and feel the new shock from Japan!
Words by Charles Shepherd