BRIDEAR Introduces Fan to A New World with Latest International Release!

AEGIS OF ATHENA International Jacket Cover

Having completed their fifth successful European tour last year, metal band BRIDEAR are adored by fans around the world. Following the April 20 domestic release of their latest album AEGIS OF ATHENA, the band have released an overseas edition on UK label SETSUZOKU RECORDS on May 13, available in the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States.

To celebrate the release of the overseas edition of AEGIS OF ATHENA, a new music video for the song “Determination” was also released today on BRIDEAR's official YouTube channel. AEGIS OF ATHENA is BRIDEAR’s fourth studio album, following the release of Bloody Bride in April 2021. Having been unable to pursue overseas activity since 2020 due to the effects of the ongoing pandemic, BRIDEAR resolved to tour Europe in September and October 2021, becoming one of very few Japanese artists to achieve this feat.

The tour was propelled by the success of their 8-minute blockbuster music video “BRAVE NEW WORLD REVISITED”, which carries the message of raising our voices and banding together to overcome this crisis that has affected the whole world – gaining a passionate response from the European audience. After successfully completing the tour despite difficult pandemic-related restrictions, the band members decided to create a new album dedicated to facing this crisis together. The resulting album, AEGIS OF ATHENA, is named after the sacred protective shield Aegis that was wielded by Athena, the guardian goddess of ancient Greek mythology.

The songs skillfully weave progressive elements and catchy melodies into a deep bed of heavy metal, while eight out of the 11 tracks are sung in English, resulting in an ambitious album that will leave a lasting impact on metal fans around the world. The album includes “Greed”, which was released with a music video ahead of the album. The song features an impressively unique melody and was written by kiyo, formerly of renowned Japanese band Janne Da Arc.

The jacket illustration is by jbstyle., an acclaimed artist who took first place in the digital art battle LIMITS Japan Championship 2019 and second place in the LIMITS World Grand Prix 2019. Working together with such world-class artists, BRIDEAR will continue to reach audiences across the globe in fall 2022.

Be sure to check out the music video for “Determination” below, with the order links for AEGIS OF ATHENA from SETSUZOKU RECORDS here!

Ongaku To You's Songs, Artists, and New Artists of the Year for 2021!

2021 was a very interesting year for the Japanese music industry and we at Ongaku to You would like to praise the songs and artists that helped us traverse this amazing year. Each member broke down the year in three categories; Song of the Year, New Artist We Discovered in 2021, and lastly our Artist of the Year. We hope that 2022 will bring many surprises to the Japanese music industry like we received in 2021!

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Luna’s Top Song and Artists of 2021!

Song of the Year: “JOYRIDE” by Miliyah Kato

When I first heard 'JOYRIDE', I was immediately pulled in by the lyrics as they are sad, emotional, and make a tremendous impact. Miliyah's vocals fit 'JOYRIDE' perfect in every aspect; she knows how to hit each note matching with the melody of the song. Miliyah's vocals, lyrics, the melody all come together making it a song that makes an impact. 'JOYRIDE' has personally made that impact moving me to tears and it has made its way onto my playlist on repeat.

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New Artist of the Year: BRIDEAR

BRIDEAR was a pleasant surprise finding out about this year. They were recommended to me by several people in the JME music group and also popped up on my Apple Music recommendations. I started listening to their Baryte album, which pulled me into checking out more of their music. The tracks "Ghoul" and "Mirror" made the biggest impacts on me. I enjoy metal but I don't listen to it as often, however, when I do, BRIDEAR is the type of band I enjoy listening too. Vocals, compositions, lyrics - all the members blend so good together when creating music. Ever since I did MC on them, I've add them in my rotation.

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Artist of the Year: CREAM

This year, I dived deep into the Hip-Hop/R&B fusiion scene and CREAM became a huge part of my playlist this year. In 2019, "Banana" got me into the group, my MC got me further. This year, I took a turn of going through their whole discography again and appreciating it to no end. CREAM has four songs and all four are in my top 10 on Apple Music Replay for most played. On top of that, I've listened to CREAM the most this year. Not only has CREAM released several new digital singles this year that are on many of my playlists but their older songs such as "Change", "Wonderland", "Playboy", "Girl LIke Me", "Banana", and "#nofilter" have been the most played for me. 2021 has consisted of CREAM and Yayoi Daimon, however, CREAM has reigned supreme.

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Gray’s Top Song and Artists of 2021

Song of the Year: “Ame ga Hajimari no Aizu” by 7ORDER

I love this song and while I've technically listened to "Seiyaku No Toushi" more, "Ame Ga Hajimari No Aizu" has my heart. I just love the melody and song composition. Everything works so well together. The vocal work at play here is super good. Every member does a standout job and the harmonization in the chorus is just spectacular.

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New Artist of the Year: White Jam

I've been obsessed with White Jam since I covered them for MC and I know I talked about them all the time on the show. I love Shirose and Niki's vocals plus you have Gashima's rap which is always done super well. White Jam doesn't release too often, but when they do they really make it something. Can't wait to see what these guys do next.

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Artist of the Year: Da-ICE

Becoming my consecutive artist of the year, Da-ICE started off the year really strong and stayed consistent throughout. Their latest release is their "CaITRUS" first take which is just phenomenal. Also I'm eagarly anticipating the release of their song "Live Devil" which is being used for the excellent Kamen Rider Revice. I know I haven't talking about them too much on the show but I'm still carrying the torch for these guys and I can't wait to see what they do next.

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Ken’s Top Song and Artist of 2021

Song of the Year: “Fushigi” by Gen Hoshino

This was one of the songs that upon first listen I knew that would be a part of my top songs of the year. However, to becoming number 1 is something of a surprise due to the fact that i didn’t know how much I would absolutely love it. While Hoshino might not be an artist that I’m a total fan of, I do respect the range of styles this man does. As the release before this “Create” was to my dismay, a track that did capture me like the mass have, but “Fushigi” more focus on Hoshino’s vocals with its slow to mid-tempo composition absolutely encompassed me like “Pop Virus” had years ago. While I might not like all of Hoshino’s releases, I cannot deny the influence “Fushigi” did to me throughout the year.

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New Artist of the Year: Rung Hyang

Rung Hyang is the breakout star for me in 2021 as she brings a unique taste as a "soul" writer who continues to evolve with an "omnivorous" style. They incorporate various genres such as Jazz, Hip Hop, Soul, and folk, with realistic lyric styles that anyone can relate to. Hyang is sure to have a work that fans can always jam to throughout her amazing and varied discography. While her solo work is phenomenal, her collaboration work is some of the best work I heard of in the pandemic era. 

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Artist of the Year: TENDRE

What more can I say about TENDRE that I haven’t said before in my prior Music Corners. I shall reiterate that I was really afraid of his signing to EMI RECORDS of Universal Music Japan, his style, while not bad per say, is very difficult to garner an audience in which studio tampering could happen. So to my present surprise, TENDRE’s style is still there and doesn’t skip a beat. While this major label debut was the biggest thing this year for him, it was also what he did behind the scenes as a composer and produces that proved more then enough to become my artist of the year for 2021.

Music Corner 83: BRIDEAR

BRIDEAR is a all female five member metal band from Fukuoka that formed between 2011 and 2012. Their current members are KIMI (Vocals), MISAKI (Guitarist), AYUMI (Guitarist), HARU (Bassist), and NATSUMI (Drummer), with AYUMI and NATSUMI being the most recent members joining in 2019. The band’s style of music is a combination of metal, progressive rock, and power metal - which makes their exact genre difficult to pinpoint. The power BRIDEAR brings to the music scene is immense, from the dueling guitars and riffs (MISAKI and AYUMI) to KIMI’s smooth and empowering vocals to HARU’s lightening bass and NATSUMI’s sharpness on the drums. BRIDEAR has taken not just Japan by storm with their impactful music but Europe as well. In 2017, BRIDEAR had their first live concert in Europe, ever since then, they have performed in 11 countries including Metal Matsuri in 2019 which was Europe’s first J-Metal music festival. In 2021, BRIDEAR was signed to SETSUZOKU RECORDS and released their first international album titled Bloody Bride, currently available in the UK/EU.

BRIDEAR’s track “Ghoul” is a engaging track as KIMI’s vocals pierce through your soul, MISAKI and AYUMI create mesmirizing guitar riffs that stay with you after this song is over, leaving you wanting more. “Ghoul” is the first track I listened to by BRIDEAR and it left a lasting impression on me due to how each girl puts her all into this song. “Light in the Dark” is a very interesting track as KIMI adds screaming to it in addition to her vocals. I love how KIMI shows her vocal range in such various capacity and the mixture of her singing and screaming flow together so well and its composition is the icing on the cake. “Bloody Bride” is BRIDEAR’s newest song and is part of their debut international album under SETSUZOKU records. “Bloody Bride” shows off all the girl’s musical talent with guitar riffs, heavy drums, and KIMI’s rich vocals that bring this track to life.

Currently, BRIDEAR has three albums, BARYTE, Expose Your Emotions, and Bloody Bride; three mini albums, Overturn the Doom, Helix, and Rise; two singles, “Thread of the Light/Roulette” and “Light in the Dark/NO SALVATION”, and one digital single “IGNITE”. Check out BRIDEAR’s official website, Twitter, Instagram, along with the music video for “Bloody Bride” below.