The über-talented Japanese heavy metal power trio, ASTERISM has finally crossed the Pacific ocean, for their first series of concerts states side. Billed as the band's "The 1st World Tour", the U.S. leg included the trio's live sets at SXSW (South by Southwest) conglomerate festival in Austin, Texas. Before returning home, ASTERISM performed one last show on U.S. soil, in Los Angeles, on Sunday, March 24th 2019.
The explosive, instrumental heavy metal power trio, released their full-length debut album, "「IGNITION」" on August 22nd, 2018, via Tokuma Japan Communications. Two EPs, titled "The Sessions I & II" were released previously, in 2017, and early 2018, respectively. The bulk of material on their latest studio release is made of original material, with a couple of proper cover song renditions, completing the CD's tracklist. Bootsy Collins and Buckethead made musical contributions to two of the album's tracks.
The band's last American show took place at Los Globos, an L.A. venue known for their diverse events which include indie rock acts. ASTERISM performed their highly dynamic set in front of an audience of new and diehard fans (some traveled far to catch one last show), in an intimate setting. After the show band met with fans!
ASTERISM, who's members are still in their teen years, formed in 2014, and hails from Fukuoka on the northern shore of Japan’s Kyushu Island. The band's lineup: HAL-CA (guitars), MIYU (bass) and MIO (drums), remains unaltered since formation. The trio's infectious blend of heavy metal, combines elements of traditional with speed/power metal traits, all executed at breakneck speed and with utmost virtuosity. MIYU's creative fingerstyle picking technique (he plays both: 4 and 7 strings basses, on recordings and live), combined with MIO's bombastic skins pounding, provides the perfect match to HAL-CA's incendiary guitar playing, and her effortless transitions from riffing to soloing, and back to riffing!
ASTERISM's Los Angeles show setlist included crowd favorite originals from their LP and EPs: Blaze, Light in the Darkness, Midnight Hunter, Full Throttle, Disperse, Up the Horns, 155, Dawn, Rising Moon, etc, and three covers: Enter Sandman (Metallica), Stand Up and Shout! (DIO) & Helter Skelter (The Beatles).
Should the stars properly align, a follow-up effort to their debut LP, to be recorded towards the end of 2019. Sky's the limit for the talented youngsters.
ASTERISM Discography:
Got your Back! ～ガチヤバ！～/Wonder Rocket (single, 2016)
The Session Vol.1 (EP, 2017)
The Session Vol.2 (EP, 2018)
Ignition (LP, 2018)
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© 2019 by Emil Chiru
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