HANABIE LIVE!! | RITZ
Coverage by Chris Sturk
We had the pleasure of covering one of Japan’s most exciting metalcore acts to emerge from Tokyo. The band, formed in 2015, consists of four members:
Yukina – lead vocals
Matsuri – guitar, vocals
Hettsu – bass, backing vocals
Chika – drums
Currently touring the U.S., the band is making an undeniable mark on the American metalcore scene. I had never seen them live before, so I was especially curious to experience their performance firsthand. One of the things that struck me immediately was the deep, guttural, grinding vocal sound coming from Yukina—something you would never expect at first glance. Her ability to hit such low, gravelly tones is nothing short of jaw‑dropping.
Yukina was an absolute blast to watch. She sprinted across the stage, engaged with fans, pointed into the crowd, jumped around, and radiated pure joy. The entire band matched her energy. Their love for the music they create was written all over their faces—every member smiling as they played.
The show opened with each band member walking out one at a time, stepping onto the stage riser, and bowing to the crowd before taking their positions. When Yukina appeared, she ran straight to the riser, shouted to the audience, and the crowd roared back. Then the music hit—intense, raw, and impossible to ignore.
If you’re worried about a language barrier, don’t be. The music and vocal tones transcend it completely, creating a hardcore metal experience that anyone can connect with. I highly recommend seeing them live. If you consider yourself a true metal fan, this is a band you absolutely want to follow.
