This is a tour that has been destined to take place. Filipino metallers SHVRIKEN are taking on Tokyo this weekend and so we asked the band to help get you prepared for a weekend of wildness.

For those new to Shvriken, can you tell us about the band?

We are a Japanese-inspired Filipino modern, slightly progressive metal band. Basically a “djent” band that incorporates traditional Japanese instruments and themes in our music and live shows. We have been a band since 2016 but started to make originals on 2019 we’ve been playing them ever since. 

Your visuals, stage presence and even your music has a strong Japanese themes throughout; what inspired this?

Dave is an avid fan of the old sengoku era Japanese history. He knows a bit of the lore fairly well. Both Dave and Shawn also has an affinity for Japanese masks like the Hannya, Tengu and those old noh masks we always see on anime and other Japanese media. The band was open to putting on masks onstage inspired by the OG masked bands like Slipknot and the fairly new Sleep Token, so that’s why we went all out on it from the music to the suits etc.

You guys are heading to Japan to play for the first time this weekend, how are you all feeling?

We are very excited at the same time there’s always that airport anxiety hoping everything goes well. We’ve been doing a lot of travelling in recent years but Travelling to Japan is a dream and we pretty stoked that we’re actually playing shows there. So yeah, the excitement is greater than the anxiety. 

What is the process for Filipino bands to be able to play in Japan? Is it smooth or are there lots of hurdles?

The hardest part is actually finding some connections to actually booking some shows there. We were very lucky to have met some friends there especially the folks from the band Theo JP! Getting the Japanese visa was also a bit tedious because of all the requirements and especially the 2 week wait to know if we were approved or not was brutal.

What are you most excited about for this tour?

Aside from the show, we’re most excited to experience the food and the culture first hand. Also the vibe of the whole country is really on another level. All of our peers, they told us after they visited Japan it wasn’t a contest anymore Japan was the place to be. But lets not forget the first priority, The music! We’re very excited in seeing the local bands too. Especially Paramena! We met at Germany during the 2024th Wacken Festival. Super down to earth guys and insane musicians! 

This isn’t your first time playing outside of the Philippines, as last year you headed to Wacken for the Wacken Metal Battle. Is the feeling different this time?

There’s a bit of anxiety all because we’re on our own this time and this is also our first time in Japan so we don’t know what to expect. We’re just hoping for a smooth ride. Back in Germany was a breeze because it was the third time the wacken crew attended the festival so they really knew what they were doing at that point.

If somebody has never seen Shvriken live before, what can they expect?

They can expect high energy from us and the dark theatrical vibe we always put out on shows. Expect moshpits, circle pits and lets not forget the infamous Shvriken wall of death at the end. Pure modern metal madness if we were to put it in simple words. 

To prepare to see you live, what songs should listeners check out?

Our big 4 is already out on spotify! Oni, Hellwalker, Sekigahara ang Black sand. But our artist pick is our latest one, Black sand! It’s a more melodic song than all the others but it still has that signature SHVRIKEN feel.

Do you have anything else you want to say?

Buy some of our merch and lets hang on our live shows. Don’t forget to check us out on our social media platforms! We’re on Instagram, Facebook, X, youtube and Spotify!

You can catch SHVRIKEN two nights this weekend:
Saturday 27th at Shibuya Cyclone
Sunday 28th at 西荻窪 Flat