Hanabie.
Hanabie. (Japanese: 花冷え。Stylized: HANABIE.) is a Japanese metalcore[1] band from Tokyo, formed in 2015[2][3] The band consists of Yukina (vocals), Matsuri (guitar, vocals), Hettsu (bass) and Chika (drums). They are known for combining loud and heavy music with contrasting Harajuku aesthetics[4] in a style self-described as "Harajuku-core".[5] Their songs incorporate elements of metalcore, hardcore punk, and nu metal, with a blend of hip hop, electronica and J-pop.[6]
Hanabie. 花冷え。 | |
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![]() Hanabie. at a Japanese music festival in 2023 | |
Background information | |
Origin | Kichijōji, Tokyo, Japan |
Genres | Metalcore, nu metal, hardcore punk electronicore, J-pop |
Years active | 2015–present |
Labels | Epic Records Japan |
Members |
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Past members |
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Website | Official website |
The band was formed by four high school friends due to their shared admiration of Maximum the Hormone, as a part of their light music club activities.[7] Initially a cover band, they soon transitioned into writing original music, self-producing their first single in 2016.[8] After a period as an independent band, during which they released an album and an EP, they were signed by Epic Records Japan, a subsidiary of Sony Music Japan in 2023.[9] In the same year, their second album Reborn Superstar! was released, ranking 24th on Billboard Japan's weekly album charts.[10] The success of the album led to international recognition and appearances a various music festivals outside Japan.[11]
The band name Hanabie. (花冷え。, "chilly spring weather"[12]), is a reference to the birthdays of the four founding members, all of whom were born during either in winter or spring months. The "。" signifies progress and was adopted from the name of another band the members were fans of during their middle school years.[13]
History
2015–2016: Formation and early years
Yukina, Matsuri, and Hettsu all met while attending the same junior high school, where Yukina and Matsuri became fans of Maximum the Hormone.[7][14] Hettsu came to know about Maximum the Hormone from them and was initially surprised to find "cute and clear Yukina listens to such indecent songs"[13] but eventually came to like the music herself. Yukina joined the school's music club as they had a Maximum the Hormone cover band along with Matsuri, who had already played guitar since childhood.[15] They decided to form a Maximum the Hormone cover band, with Matsuri on guitars, Hettsu on bass, Yukina on vocals, they were joined by Kaede on drums.[8] Hettsu said that she picked bass because it was an instrument she hadn't played before while Yukina admitted that she became the vocalist as it was the only role left. They chose the band name Hanabie. (花冷え。, "chilly spring weather",[12] a Japanese word for the spring day on which the coldness of winter returns), because all the founding members were born in either spring or winter months; Matsuri, Hettsu, and Kaede were all born in December, and Yukina was born in April.[13] The "。" was added to the name by Yukina as she and Hettsu were fans of the band Cocoa Otoko in middle school.[13]
They soon moved on from covering Maximum the Hormone songs and started writing original music.[15] In October 2016, the band released their first songs, "Crash Over" and "Sweet Killer". In December 2016, Kaede left the band to focus on her studies.[8]
2017–2019: First mini album, band contests, indie career
![](../I/Hanabie_2017.png.webp)
After Kaede's departure, the band continued their activities with various support drummers[8] and started performing regularly at various live houses around Tokyo.[8] The band released their third song "Envy", which was sold exclusively at their live house performances in the form of a demo CD, along with "Crash Over".[8] In July 2017, Boa officially joined the band, she had previously performed with them as a support drummer. In August 2017, they participated in the "School Out" national band competition, whose winner would get a chance to perform in France, they finished as the national runner up.[7] In January 2018, they participated in their first three-man live with Oshamegane and Wacality at "Shinjuku Antiknock". In August 2018, the band participated in the Japan Expo Rock contest and reached the finals, they were the only teenage band to do so.[16] During the contest they were noticed by Crystal Lake drummer Gaku Taura.[16] He offered to record their album at his studio. Taura also encouraged them to continue their band activities as he thought "these kids could make it big in the future."[16] In August 2018, the band announced they would release their first mini album, Cherry Blossoms Are Blooming, on October 17. At the same time, a tour was also announced.[17]
In September 2018, Boa left the band, they continued their live performances with various support drummers.[8] In November 2018, the "Flowering Declaration" release tour started, featuring shows in Shinjuku, Nagano, Osaka, Nagoya, Shizuoka, Kyoto, and Tachikawa.[18] In November 2018, they performed at "Ro Jack for Countdown Japan 18/19".[18] In November 2019, the band's newest single; "L.C.G" was released on a digital platform, along with a music video for the song on YouTube.[8]
2020–2022: Girls Reform Manifest and indie success
![](../I/Hanabie_at_a_live_house.png.webp)
In June 2020, they performed at "Ro Jack for Rock in Japan 2020".[8] In August 2020, "Sentimental Heroine" was released on various music streaming services, along with a lyric video on YouTube.[8]
In September 2020 the band announced Sae, who was active in the local underground scene, would join as the new drummer, in the same month, the band released the song "Reiwa Matching Generation". Their first big hit came with the release of "We Love Sweets", the music video was released on YouTube in January 2021, accumulating over a million views. The song's success led to more invitations to perform at various musical events and increased attendance at the band's shows. They participated in various two-man and three-man shows with bands such as C-Gate and Oshamagane.[8] Still university students, they continued to perform at live houses, balancing their studies, part-time jobs and recording sessions,[15][16] fitting in shows during holidays or whenever the members had time off.[16] In 2021 the band members graduated from university.
On January 14, 2021, the band released their first full album Girls Reform Manifest.[19] In April 2022, the single "Love♡ Ranbu" was released, followed by the single "Neet Game" in August 2022. They had established themselves in the Tokyo indie scene. Throughout 2022, they performed at various venues across Shimokitazawa, Shibuya, Nagoya and Shinjuku.[8]
2023–present: Reborn Superstar!, international recognition and major record deal
![](../I/Makuhari_Messe_20111122b.jpg.webp)
In January 2023, they released a new single "Pardon Me, I Have to Go Now" (お先に失礼します。). The success of the song attracted the attention of international promoters, with the band receiving invitations to perform at MetalDays,[20] Leyendas del Rock,[21] Dynamo Metalfest,[22] Blue Ridge Rock Festival,[23] Louder than Life,[24] and Aftershock.[25] Their performance at MetalDays was cancelled after severe rainfall and flooding.[26]
After a period of absence from live performances, it was announced in April Sae would be leaving the band for personal reasons. The band went back to performing with support drummers. In May they performed at the event "Spring Great Liberation Festival 2023" where, during the encore, Chika was announced as the band's new drummer.[27] In the same month the band announced their European tour, and in June an American tour was announced. Also in June, the band performed at the Japanese music festival Satanic Carnival.[28] During the show, the band announced that they have signed with Epic Records Japan, a subsidiary of Sony Music Japan.[28] Their first album with the new label, Reborn Superstar! was announced at the same time as their record deal, and released on July 26, 2023. In July 2023 the band was featured in the 14th volume of Metal Hammer Japan magazine.[29] In the same month a promotional event "Orihime Who Ran Away" was held in Tokyo.[30] On July 14, 2023, the single "This Is the Year to Be a Gal" (early summer version) was released, along with a music video.
Musical style and influences
Musical style
"Our style is inspired by melodic hardcore, loud, and metalcore. We are all huge fans of Maximum the Hormone, so we decided to form a copy band. We all have different musical roots and mixed them, which became our current music style."
Hanabie. on their origins and influences[7]
Hanabie.'s music can be broadly classified as metalcore albeit with influences from various musical styles.[31][32][33]Their tongue-in-cheek lyricism and genre defying compositions is akin to Maximum the Hormone, whom they used to cover in their early days, and the band often incorporates elements from a wide array of genre including hip-hop, hardcore punk, nu metal and electronica.[34][35] Most of the band's songs have a backdrop of heavy power chord based riffs and feature a breakdown, but usually lack a guitar solo, with "Envy" being the only song to have one. Some of their songs follow non-traditional, non-linear structures with no repeating verse or chorus. Vocals alternate between screaming and cleans. They have been called Bring Me the Horizon-esque by knotfest.com.[35] Metal Hammer magazine has compared their music to Maximum the Hormone, Enter Shikari and Crossfaith.[36]
Songwriting
Hanabie. songs are mostly written by Matsuri and Yukina. Matsuri is the band's primary composer and is also involved in arrangement.[16] The lyrical theme of each song is made by Yukina based on Matsuri's instrumental demos. Yukina and Matsuri write melodies and lyrics for their respective vocal parts.[16] Hettsu usually only writes the bass lines but has also occasionally written lyrics. Drum sections have been composed by Matsuri during the absence of a permanent drummer.[16] Being the sole guitarist, Matsuri switches between rhythm and lead parts which she loosely writes in a 2:1 ratio.[37] Screaming and clean vocals constitute roughly equal portions of their songs.[15]
Influences
Yukina cites Maximum the Hormone, A Crowd of Rebellion, Hysteric Panic, and Ellegarden as her influences.[13] Matsuri has stated her musical tastes were influenced by her parents, both of whom are fans of rock and metal music.[15] She cites Maximum the Hormone, Hi-Standard, Hysteric Panic. SiM, and Coldrain as her influences. Hettsu cites anisongs as her biggest influence.[7] Vocaloid, and other electronic music popular on Nico Nico Douga have also been cited as influences by the band members.[15] All of the members have admitted to being fans of anime and video games, influences of which can be seen in their music, album covers and music videos.[34]
Image
![](../I/Harajuku_fashion_2005_(2).jpg.webp)
Harajuku street fashion is an important part of the band's image. The term 'Harajuku-core' (Harajuku fashion + metalcore) has been used by the band to define themselves.[29] The term is often used on their merchandises. The band's stage outfits are mostly inspired by 'Harajuku aesthetics'. Hettsu, the band's bassist, stated during a concert that the band's stage clothes were designed and hand-made by her.[38] Anime imagery has also been frequently used by the band and features on all of their album covers as well as much of their merchandise. Before the release of "L.C.G", the band had a more casual dressed-down look similar to 2000s hardcore bands, which was seemingly inspired by bands like Maximum the Hormone.
Members
Current members
- Yukina – harsh vocals, clean vocals (2015–present)
- Matsuri – guitar, clean vocals (2015–present)
- Hettsu – bass, backing vocals (2015–present)
- Chika – drums (2023–present)
Past members
- Kaede – drums (2015–2016)
- Boa – drums (2017–2018)
- Sae – drums (2020–2023)
Timeline
![](../I/3bba4cff436a84ba840dbd704048a9ae.png.webp)
Discography
Studio albums
- Girl's Reform Manifest (2021)[39]
- Reborn Superstar! (2023)[9]
Mini albums
Singles
Title | Year | Album |
---|---|---|
"Crash Over" | 2016 | Cherry Blossoms Are Blooming |
"L.C.G." | 2019 | Girl's Reform Manifest |
"Love Ranbu" (Love乱舞) | 2022 | Non-album single |
"Neet Game" | Reborn Superstar! | |
"Osaki ni Shitsurei Shimasu" | 2023 | |
"Run Away" (Tousou) | ||
"This Is the Year to Be a Gal" (Early Summer version) | ||
"Believer - Cover" | Non-album single | |
Tours
Japan
- "I've Kept You Waiting! First One-Man Tour for the 8th Anniversary of Our Formation!!" (2023)[40]
References
- "Hanabie - discography, line-up, biography, interviews, photos". www.spirit-of-metal.com. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
- Gonzales, Ramon (2023-01-13). "Hanabie fuse JPop and metalcore on the infectious new single お先に失礼します。(Pardon Me, I Have to Go Now)". Knotfest. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
- "Hanabie – Otome kaikaku". JaME. 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
- Goodman, Eleanor (2023-08-16). "Videogames, office rage and, erm, sweets: inside the wild and colourful world of Hanabie, Japan's next metal superstars in waiting". louder. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
- "花冷え。が世界へ叫ぶ原宿コア". Big Up!zine (in Japanese). 2022-04-30. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
- Aldersladepublished, Merlin (2023-01-12). "New Hanabie single お先に失礼します。(Pardon Me, I Have to Go Now) is the colourful, crazy burst of Japanese metal you've been waiting for". louder. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
- "Interview with Hanabie". jrocknroll.com. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
- "Profile". Hanabie Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- "花冷え。が「来世は偉人!」でソニーからメジャーデビュー". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-06-23.
- "Billboard Japan Top Albums Sales | Charts". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-08-29.
- "世界が萌えている!…美貌のガールズ・メタルコアバンド 『花冷え。』に「浴衣姿を独占撮」妖艶写真(Friday)". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-08-29.
- 花冷え - English translation – Linguee, retrieved 2023-06-24
- [EngSubs] #HANABIE Questions from fans | 16th Apr 2021, retrieved 2023-06-23
- "Interview with Hanabie。". Hallyu+. 2021-03-18. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
- "(前編)花冷え。のリーダー、マツリに単独インタビュー! 「"ヴォーカルとして歌っている上でギターを弾く"っていうことにすごく憧れてました」". Young Guitar (in Japanese). 2022-06-06. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- Department, Gekirock Editorial. "花冷え。× 田浦 楽| 激ロック インタビュー". 激ロック ラウドロック・ポータル. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- 花冷え。 - 開花宣言 / Cherry Blossoms Are Blooming (in Japanese), 2018-10-17, retrieved 2023-06-23
- "Past Live". Hanabie Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-07-12.
- "Amazon.co.jp: 乙女改革 : 花冷え。: Digital Music". www.amazon.co.jp. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
- "Home". MetalDays. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
- "Line Up". Leyendas del Rock 2023 - XVI Edición (in Spanish). 2021-07-27. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
- "Loud Noise | We like it loud!". www.dynamo-metalfest.nl. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
- "2023 Lineup". Blue Ridge Rock Fest. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
- "Louder Than Life 2023 | September 21–24 | Louisville, KY". Louder Than Life 2023 | September 21–24 | Highland Festival Grounds at KY Expo Center. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
- "Aftershock 2023 | October 5–8 | Discovery Park, Sacramento, CA". Aftershock 2023 | October 5–8 | Discovery Park. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
- "MetalDays 2023 in Slovenia canceled due to severe flooding on final day". Lambgoat.com. August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- @HA_NA_BIE_ (May 28, 2023). "【💥YouTube📢】 「春の大解放祭2023」にて発表された チカ正式加入ドラマを公開しました🔥 会場に来られなかった方もお楽しみください🌟 📹Video Shooting by. @chanmei_camera youtu.be/mCtlLjN2V1c" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- "Satanic Carnival 2023 (サタニックカーニバル2023) 幕張メッセ 国際展示場 9-11ホール 2023年6月17日(土)、18日(日) | Satanic Ent" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-06-23.
- metalhammer (2023-06-18). "キラキラ&ゴリゴリのエクストリーム・ロック・バンド[花冷え。]がメジャー・デビュー! 最新作『来世は偉人!』から「Tousou」を配信!". Metal Hammer Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- "花冷え。メジャーデビュー飾る「来世は偉人!」詳細発表、メンバーは七夕に都内を逃走". 音楽ナタリー (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-07-12.
- "花冷え。が語る、突然変異型メタルコアの裏側、「やったるぞ!」精神 | Rolling Stone Japan(ローリングストーン ジャパン)". Rolling Stone Japan (in Japanese). 2023-07-27. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
- "Hanabie – Otome kaikaku". JaME. 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
- Gonzales, Ramon (2023-01-13). "Hanabie fuse JPop and metalcore on the infectious new single お先に失礼します。(Pardon Me, I Have To Go Now)". Knotfest. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
- Goodman, Eleanor (2023-08-16). "Videogames, office rage and, erm, sweets: inside the wild and colourful world of Hanabie, Japan's next metal superstars in waiting". louder. Retrieved 2023-08-28.
- Gonzales, Ramon (2023-01-13). "Hanabie fuse JPop and metalcore on the infectious new single お先に失礼します。(Pardon Me, I Have to Go Now)". Knotfest. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
- @HA_NA_BIE_ (July 21, 2023). "【💥メディア掲載情報📢】昨日発売された英・Metal Hammer にて、花冷え。が掲載されております!こちらから💁bit.ly/buyhammer" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- "(後編)花冷え。のリーダー、マツリに単独インタビュー! 「もっと進化している状態を今年はたくさん見せられるんじゃないかな」". Young Guitar (in Japanese). 2022-06-06. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
- 全部都是阿囧的错. "花冷え。Studio Live 2021 -11th Dec,2021 1pm in JPN time-_哔哩哔哩_bilibili". www.bilibili.com (in Simplified Chinese). Retrieved 2023-07-12.
- 花冷え。 - 乙女改革 Girl's Reform Manifest (in Japanese), 2021-01-14, retrieved 2023-06-23
- @HA_NA_BIE_ (May 25, 2023). "【🎉 初ワンマンツアー 🎉】🎫5/27(土)10:00~ 一般先行発売開始🔥✅7/15(土)大阪 心斎橋Varon✅7/17(月・祝) 名古屋ell.Fits All✅7/28(金) 渋谷WWW【e+】eplus.jp/hanabie/【ぴあ】w.pia.jp/t/hanabie-a/【ローソンチケット】l-tike.com/hanabie/" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- "花冷え。、メジャー・デビュー・アルバムを携えたUSAツアー開催決定 - CDJournal ニュース". www.cdjournal.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-07-08.