Review by Kayla Hamilton (@kaylazomboid)

Crossfaith w/Jiluka
Diamond Hall, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
July 25th 2024

Crossfaith’s 2024 comeback is one for the ages. From member changes, releasing a new album and touring extensively across Japan (plus some sneaky Australian and Indonesia dates), the lads from Osaka are on a tear.

One of the notable things about their current AЯK tour across Japan is the way it is structured. Rather than holding bigger shows in larger cities, they have chosen to go across the country, playing smaller live houses and in the process, putting on a whole host of bands- some that they may not otherwise play with. This was the case with their show at Diamond Hall in Aichi prefecture this week- bringing Chiba’s visual metalcore act Jiluka over to open for them.

The integration of Visual Kei into metalcore has been subtle, but Jiluka is one of the bands, along with Dexcore and Deviloof, who have been leading that charge. Coming off a hell of an overseas run, the flashy metal act has been turning heads and gaining fans both domestically and internationally. While there was a slight clash of cultures, it did not seem to make a huge difference to the energy in the room. Those who wanted to crowdsurf did and those who wanted to take part in the furitsuke (a kind of choreography and movement common amongst visual kei audiences). Either way, it was a lot of head banging and a lot of moshing through the Jiluka’s entire set.

Typical to visual kei shows, there was no filming allowed during their set, so it was very much a no holds barred, in the moment experience. As their opening song ‘S4vage’ led into ‘Blvck’, the energy in the room lifted tenfold. Frontman Ricko was on fire, displaying some nasty gutturals and incredible stage energy. Bass player Boogie, joked around with those in audience. Working the crowd with a confidence that only a proficient stage man can. Guitarist Sena, despite his delicate features and feminine charm, was an absolute beast on his Flying-V guitar, throwing it around as if it was nothing. By the time they played their final song ‘Venom’ I found myself a little mesmerised. Not going to lie, as somebody who was not much of a fan of Jiluka going into this show- I did walk out with a newfound respect. Cutting their teeth overseas has improved their show vastly since the last time I saw them, and they warmed up the crowd well and truly before Crossfaith took the stage.

There is something special about seeing Crossfaith in Japan. You just can feel in the air that you are in presence of metal royalty. The anticipation. The heat. The second the lights dim, the way the crowd pushes forward. It is unlike any other feeling I have experienced at the show. While I tried to stay out of the pit, I was sucked in like a vortex. Opening the show with their album intro ‘The Final Call’, the band entered the stage individually, with the entire audience chanting their names. A chorus of screams and cheers, we were about to witness greatness in the making.

Ripping through ‘Zero’, ‘HEADSHOT!’ and ‘L.A.M.N’, Crossfaith once again proved that while their albums are always high quality, their live show is where you can really experience the greatness of their songwriting in its full capacity. From the second ‘Zero’ kicked in, frontman Kenta Koie launched himself into the crowd. Bodies consistently made their way to the front via on top of the rabid crowd, making the security work hard for their pay.  It felt like there was no way the energy could get any higher- electronics mastermind Teru pulled out a bottle of Jägermeister from behind his set-up and that elicited a beyond feral response from all in attendance. It was time for ‘Jagerbomb’. Chaos is the only word left to describe what happened. Absolute chaos.

Peppering older classics with the new bangers is a recipe for success. From ‘My Own Salvation’ to ‘Devils Party’ back to ‘DV;MM¥SY5T3M’ and of course, the ever heavy ‘Countdown to Hell’– there was no time to catch your breath. Teru once again showing his showmanship, throwing himself off the high speakers into the sea of fans. Newest recruit Daiki showed just why he was asked to join the band, with his input on the latest tracks evident through the passion he put into playing. After the insanity that was ‘Countdown To Hell’, the band gave everybody in the room some reprieve. Kenta addressed the crowd, giving props to the Nagoya based band Dexcore who they played with in Gifu prefecture the night before and giving love to Jiluka.

(Full disclosure, my Japanese is rubbish so my interpretation of his crowd address may be quite inaccurate- but I will do my best). His comparison and curiosity of Visual Kei culture as commendable, showing that the mission for Crossfaith this year is to not just progress their band- but to push Japanese metalcore, unite the different scenes and bring new eyes to smaller bands kicking ass in the scene. He picked on some of the bangya in the crowd- bangya being the fans of visual kei- and asked her to pick who her favourite member of Crossfaith is. Sheepishly expressing love for the ethereal, elflike drummer Tatsuya, Kenta then invited the man behind the kit to address the crowd. It then started a chain of the other members giving an address. As guitarist Kazuki stumbled over his words, it showed a side of Crossfaith that others outside of Japan may not see. Once everybody had time to cool down and have a laugh, it was time to get back to it, with the band inviting guitarist Sena out to join them in playing ‘Catastrophe’.

From there, the band finished their main set with ‘God Speed’ before sneaking backstage for the inevitable encore. The fans demanded and they got it- but it was one of those be careful what you wish for scenarios as it was not for the fainthearted. Re-emerging to ‘System X’, we were about to get hit with a classic and nobody was ready- except the crowd surfers. As they thundered into ‘Xeno’, the look of mischievous glee on the front man’s face as unmistakeable. Assessing the carnage, once the track finished, Kenta took this time to address the audience again- this time really from the heart. Language barrier aside, it was clear that this man was truly humbled and grateful for what was happening and his mission pure. As a long-time fan of this band, it was very heart-warming to see just how much the man I first met back in 2013 was still the same ambitious and humble soul.

With that, it was time to finish out the show and giving the new album the respect, it deserves, the final tracks of the album made up the final tracks of the set. From the ballad ‘Afterglow’ to the rambunctious and uplifting ‘Canopus’– it was the send-off the band deserved. A young fan behind me once they left the stage burst into tears and I have to say, I really empathised with her in that moment. It was one of the most impressive, powerful and enjoyable show experiences I have had in a long time.

As I wandered back out into the stifling summer air, makeup down my face and possibly with less hair than I walked in with- it was not lost on me the magic I had just witnessed. Crossfaith are back and they are back with both a vengeance and a mission, so get ready 2025 because world domination is on the cards.

THE CROSSFAITH AЯK JAPAN TOUR 2024  CONTINUES
For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click here.