Tag Archives: music

Entertainment Industry non-profit, Road Recovery joins #GivingTuesday! Raising Funds for At-Risk Youth – Join the Movement!

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Entertainment industry non-profit organization, Road Recovery joins the global GivingTuesday movement by launching their #GivingTuesday Fundraising Campaign. Show Your Generosity by the following ways in which you can participate! Donate $25, $50, $100 or whatever you can to help Road Recovery reach their goal of $10,000 –  Make an Impact here or through Instagram mobile.

GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. On November 28 the entire world will be talking about, thinking about, and discussing ways each of us can contribute to a better society.

This year, the non-profit celebrates their 25-Year Anniversary (1998-2023) helping a most precious asset, our youth, who face poverty, horrific trauma, abandonment, gender discrimination, gang and gun violence, foster care, mental health issues, substance/alcohol misuse, the justice system, neglect, and physical disabilities in their daily lives.

Join Road Recovery supporters including Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Slash, Mick Fleetwood, Tom Morello, Def Jam Recordings, Colin Quinn, Fred Schneider, and more entertainment industry professionals in helping to lift up at-risk youth. 

All donations are tax-deductible

  1. Donate directly to Road Recovery’s Giving Tuesday Campaign and receive a complimentary single download as a token of appreciation.
  2. Donate via Road Recovery’s Giving Tuesday Instagram fundraiser.
  3. Buy or gift Road Recovery’s, the Outer Space Blend Coffee in partnership with Fred Schneider of The B-52’s.

Additional Ways to Support:

The impact of COVID-19 and cuts in healthcare services are driving more and more young people to seek the Road Recovery’s after school program for mentoring and peer support services presented FREE to our youth serving partners across New York State.

Type O Negative and Z2 celebrate the 30th anniversary of Bloody Kisses

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30 years ago a dark presence moved into music history when Type O Negative released their third studio album, Bloody Kisses, bringing a goth metal voice to the masses. Listed at #53 on Rolling Stone’s Top 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Albums of All Time, Bloody Kisses was an instant classic paving the way to the music charts with the incredible vocals by the late Peter Steele, drums by Johnny Kelly, guitars by Kenny Hickey, with keyboards by Josh Silver. Z2 commemorates the 30th anniversary of Bloody Kisses with a stunning volume of art and stories from rock star contributors Andy Biersack, Carla Harvey, Cristina Scabbia, and Burton C. Bell – as well as many more! This anthology captures both the haunted edge and the dry satirical humor that defined what many consider to be the definitive gothic metal album. The collection is slated for publication in late spring 2024 and will include, for the first time ever a double-picture disc vinyl set of Bloody Kisses, featuring art by Alan Robert.

Type O Negative: Bloody Kisses is a collection of eleven stories based on tracks from the original release in 1993 along with the song “Suspended in Dusk” from the Suspended in Dusk alternative version (1994). Featuring cover art by Life of Agony and Z2 creator Alan Robert, an introduction by Biohazard’s Billy Graziadei, a collector’s card by Anthrax/Pantera drummer Charlie Benante, and inspired stories including Too Late: Frozen by founder and frontman for Black Veil Brides Andy Biersack with art by Paolo Armitano, Christian Woman by author and co-lead vocalist for Butcher Babies Carla Harvey with art by Thomas Tenney, We Hate Everyone written and illustrated by Life of Agony’s Alan Robert, Bloody Kisses by Lacuna Coil frontwoman Cristina Scabbia with art by Seth Adams, Blood & Fire by Grammy-nominee, photographer, producer and Fear Factory co-founder Burton C. Bell with art by Marco Finnegan, and Black No. 1 by New Years Day lead singer, actress, and creator Ashley Costello with art by Steve Kurth.

Z2 and Type O Negative present Bloody Kisses in hardcover and as a deluxe edition including the hardcover, double picture disc version of the album on vinyl featuring each of the four members of the band and collector’s card by Charlie Benante, a super limited edition including the hardcover, double picture disc version of the album on vinyl featuring each of the four members of the band, and collector’s card by Charlie Benante – limited to 666 units and finally a VERY limited number of the rare REPULSION demo cassette, thought to be lost forever, and uncovered recently in a Brooklyn attic.

Type O Negative: Bloody Kisses will be available in hardcover via Z2 distributed by Simon & Schuster for a list price of $40 (ISBN: 979-8-88656-064-0) at retailers everywhere in Spring 2024. Preorder Available Now.

Type O Negative: Bloody Kisses

Crunchyroll Brings a Live Concert Experience to Anime NYC

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Crunchyroll welcomes artists Cö shu Nie, Hiroyuki SAWANO, SennaRin, and Survive Said The Prophet for Crunchyroll Night of Live Music – an unmissable one-night concert during Anime NYC.

Crunchyroll Night of Live Music will be held at the Crunchyroll Stage on Saturday, November 18th, featuring hit Sony Music Entertainment Japan artists who have worked on or contributed to fan-favorite anime series. Cö shu Nie is an experimental rock band featured in Tokyo Ghoul : re., PSYCHO-PASS and The Promised Neverland, and is known for their single “Give It Back,” the ending theme for the first season of JUJUTSU KAISEN. Hiroyuki SAWANO is a renowned Japanese composer, arranger, lyricist, pianist and music producer behind the scores for Attack on Titan, The Seven Deadly Sins, Blue Exorcist, among many others. Also featured is SennaRin, a multi-talented singer who has created many musical pieces for series including Dragon Raja, Legend of the Galactic Heroes and BLEACH: Thousand Year Blood War, just to name a few. Survive Said The Prophet, commonly known as “SABAPURO”, is an international rock band and is well known for their hit single “MUKANJYO,” the first opening for VINLAND SAGA. The concert will be free for all Anime NYC badge holders.*

The artists aren’t just in town to perform; fans wanting to hear more can head on over to Center Stage with Crunchyroll Live Music Artists, a panel exploring everything that goes into producing music for anime. 

Check out all the details for both the panel and concert below:

CENTER STAGE WITH CRUNCHYROLL LIVE MUSIC ARTISTS – PANEL

Friday, November 17 | 5:45PM ET
River Pavilion – Crunchyroll Stage

Join Crunchyroll in welcoming music artists Cö shu Nie, Hiroyuki SAWANO, SennaRin, and Survive Said The Prophet, for an exciting look into the processes of crafting music for anime. Don’t miss a chance to hear from them directly and get a glimpse at the musicianship behind your favorite series.

  • Host: Chris Han

CRUNCHYROLL NIGHT OF LIVE MUSIC

Saturday, November 18 
River Pavilion – Crunchyroll Stage

Crunchyroll is proud to welcome artists Cö shu Nie, Hiroyuki SAWANO, SennaRin, and Survive Said The Prophet for a one-night concert. You won’t want to miss these electric performances open to all Anime NYC badge holders on Saturday, November 18th at the Crunchyroll Stage!  Doors open @ approximately 6pm – set times and entrance procedures to be announced soon!

Iron Maiden and Z2 Join forces to celebrate the album Piece of Mind

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40 years have passed since the release of Iron Maiden’s groundbreaking fourth studio album, Piece of Mind. Released in 1983, Piece Of Mind was the band’s first album to enter the U.S. Billboard Top 20, peaking at #14, achieving RIAA platinum certification in the U.S. More than an album, it was a thunderous statement of intent by a band whose meteoric rise from the East End of London would thrust them into the realms of legend. This fall the metal pioneers have partnered with Z2, the award-winning publisher, to bring the multi-platinum album Piece of Mind to book form. Available Tuesday, November 21, Iron Maiden: Piece Of Mind, is a stunning love letter to fans from one of the most celebrated metal bands in music history. Opening with an introduction titled “Piece of Mind at 40” by ever-present manager Rod Smallwood, this commemorative book is packed with comics, art, and testimonials from acclaimed writers, artists, actors and musicians, as a powerful celebration of the living legend that is Iron Maiden.

A jaw-dropping work that pushes the boundaries of print production and presentation, The Oversized Deluxe and Asylum Editions of Iron Maiden: Piece Of Mind are encased in an asylum clamshell with locking mechanism. Maiden’s iconic mascot Eddie growls and snarls from behind the die-cut bars on the asylum doors, but the sliding bolt is designed to keep him safely confined! However, when the reader dares to unlock the book, they will be delighted as Eddie breaks free of his chains and straitjacket!

Assembling an all-star team to create new interpretations of the most important metal album in music, Iron Maiden: Piece of Mind features original stories for each of the nine album tracks including Where Eagles Dare – written by Steven Grant illustrated by Carson Thorn, Revelations – fittingly crafted by Bruce Dickinson with Tony Lee and illustrated by Damien Worm; (“Revelations” being the first track in Maiden history to be solely-credited to Dickinson), Flight of Icarus by Eisner nominee Ivan Brandon illustrated by Francesco Dossena, Die With Your Boots On by Emmy-winning director and screenwriter Sacha Gervasi with art by Christian Rosado, The Trooper by Antony Johnston illustrated by Staz Johnson, Still Life by Leah Moore and John Reppion painted by John Pearson, Quest for Fire from metal authority Brian Posehn with art by Michael Avon Oeming, Sun and Steel by multiple World Fantasy Award-nominee Chris Roberson with art by Danijel Žeželj, and To Tame a Land, written and illustrated by Alison Sampson. In addition, between each story, the book is packed with original pieces of art by acclaimed illustrators, including Montos, Ghoulish Gary, Steve Chanks, Jan Meininghaus, Kyle Hotz, Jay Geldhof, Darin Hazmat, Travis Knight, Akirant and Nat Jones.

The impact of Piece of Mind and Iron Maiden across the creative community is reflected by the star-studded testimonials contained within, including Simon Gallup, AEW legend Chris Jericho, MMA Superstar Josh Barnett, multiple Grammy-nominee and Lifetime Achievement Award-honoree Chuck D, Grammy-winning director Jonas Akerlund, and multiple Grammy-nominee Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian.

With Iron Maiden: Piece of Mind, collectors will have five variants available to purchase, including: The Trooper cover by multiple Eisner-nominee J.G. Jones, Asylum Edition with cover by multiple Society of Illustrators-winner Jason Edmiston, Die With Your Boots On cover by UK Iron Maiden illustrator Dan Mumford, and The Flight of the Icarus cover by Eisner-nominee Martin Simmonds with an additional The Trooper Cutaway cover by famed poster artist Travis Knight.

Z2 present multiple collector editions of Iron Maiden: Piece of Mind – perfect for the diehard fan’s bookshelf:

  • The standard edition graphic novel (HC) with cover art by Dan Mumford ($40.00).
  • The FLIGHT OF ICARUS Edition featuring the standard edition graphic novel (HC) with cover art by Martin Simmonds – limited to only 3,000 copies and exclusive to Independent Comic Shops ($40.00).
  • THE TROOPER Edition featuring the standard edition graphic novel (HC) with cover art by J.G. Jones – limited to 500 copies and exclusive to Project M/Revolver Magazine ($40.00).
  • THE TROOPER Cutaway Edition featuring the standard edition graphic novel (HC) with cover art by Travis Knight – limited to 666 copies and exclusive to Rockabilia.com ($40.00).
  • THE TROOPER Foil Card in sealed Collector’s Case, art by Travis Knight – limited to 666 cards ($35.00).
  • DELUXE Edition including the oversized graphic novel (HC) w/bonus pages and a POP-UP insert featuring cover art by Jason Edmiston encased in the Piece of Mind Asylum Clamshell box with locking Cell Door Action and three (3) Piece of Mind Art Prints Triptych set by Hydro 74, ($150.00) – website only.
  • And for the true collector, Z2 offers THE ASYLUM Edition which includes the oversized graphic novel w/bonus pages and a POP-UP insert featuring cover art by Jason Edmiston, encased in the Piece of Mind Asylum Clamshell box with locking Cell Door Action, three (3) Piece of Mind Art Prints Triptych set by Hydro 74, one (1) 1983 Piece of Mind replica concert ticket, one (1) Die With Your Boots On Art Print, signed and numbered by Dan Mumford (only available to the first 500 orders), four (4) Iron Maiden Collectors Cards in a display case featuring the works of Dan Mumford, Jason Edmiston, J.G. Jones, and Martin Simmonds ($300.00). Additionally, The Asylum Edition includes one (1) Eddie Asylum Model Kit, which will be shipped separately. 

Crowdfunding Corner: Rock on! Metal Warrior are here!

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Backer Beware: Crowdfunding projects are not guaranteed to be delivered and/or delivered when promised. We always recommend to do your research before backing

Prepare to be transported to the far reaches of the universe as this legendary interstellar band makes their triumphant return…

on Kickstarter!

For decades, Metal Warrior vanished from Earth, engaging in a thousand-year war across billions of light years. But thanks to the incredible power of Quanndamm’s Black Blade and their journey through temporal rifts in the Time-Space Dimension Construct (TSDC), the band has resurfaced to rock your world once again!

The graphic novel presented in this campaign unveils the incredible challenges and villainy that Metal Warrior faced during their reunion. It is a riveting tale that sets the stage for the release of their new songs, including the mesmerizing tracks “Serenity” and “Malaçite Smash.” The Premium Edition of the graphic novel is an oversized (8″ x 12″) collector’s item, complete with an exclusive vinyl record featuring the two aforementioned songs. Additionally, the digital tracks, along with a special bonus track, “Peace Love Push & Shove,” will also be available. But it doesn’t stop there! Metal Warrior’s pledge levels are PACKED with Kickstarter Exclusive Rewards!

The campaign rocks on until Friday, December 1, 2023 at 10:00 AM EST.

Miles Davis and the Search for Sound arrives from Z2 this November

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Z2 Comics has announced Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound, an innovative and stunning exploration of the musical pioneer’s winding, exhilarating life and the intoxicating music that followed. The graphic novel will be released on November 7th, 2023.

The graphic novel chronicles Davis’ journey from his childhood in Illinois to mastering jazz improvisation throughout the ’40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s. These formative experiences led him to redefine the form again and again, culminating into the psychedelic frontiers of afro futurism throughout the ‘70s and beyond. Cartoonist Dave Chisholm, who received his doctorate in Jazz Trumpet from the Eastman School of Music, takes readers on a meticulously researched odyssey charting this dynamic figure’s musical evolution. Throughout, Chisholm centers on the one obsession threaded throughout Davis’ sprawling career: a restless search for the sound. A search that shattered and redefined the limits of what jazz—and music—could be.

Featuring narration adapted from Davis’ own words and a shifting palette of visual styles that mirrors Davis’ famously varied oeuvre, this 150-page graphic novel follows Davis through four decades of musical innovation and ever-escalating obstacles.

Chisholm frames the narrative around Davis’ recovery from a stroke in 1982. With Davis unable to play his trumpet, his medical team urged him to regain coordination by scratching out patterns and scribbles with a pencil on paper. From there, the story hurdles back in time to the icon’s quest to find a mysterious tone he once heard on a moonlit country road in his childhood.

Z2 Comics will release Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound on November 7th in standard hardcover and deluxe hardcover editions. The deluxe hardcover will be packaged with three art prints illustrated by Dave Chisholm and a limited-edition Miles Davis split 7” of Miles Runs The Voodoo Down and Spanish Key, with new art by Dave Chisholm. The Gold editions will be signed and numbered by Dave Chisholm and come with a set of accordion-style postcards with original paintings from Miles Davis and the split 7” of Miles Runs The Voodoo Down and Spanish Key will feature an exclusive colorway. Finally there will be only 10 of 10 Platinum editions of Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound and these will come with a 360° spinning Miles Davis Limited-Edition 3D sculpture, a Miles Davis T-shirt designed by Dave Chisholm and a split 7” of Miles Runs The Voodoo Down and Spanish Key on clear vinyl.

John Carney’s Flora and Son is one of the Best Films of 2023

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Movie poster of Flora and Son, directed by John Carney, premiering in theaters and Apple TV+ September 29

Fans of Irish writer/director/songwriter John Carney (Once, Begin Again, Sing Street) can rejoice again in having another strong entry in the filmmaker’s oeuvre. Flora and Son delivers that sweet spot that Carney is king of, successfully blending music and melodrama in a way that, pardon the pun, hits all the right notes in that perfect blend of happy/sad. But this time Carney stretches himself a bit by delving into dance and hip hop, which also alludes to a generational divide: youth who previously picked up guitars are now more likely to be making beats on a Macbook. While the film builds slowly and doesn’t quite have the showstoppers some of Carney’s previous works have, it sticks the landing so hard with its finale that it just leaves you feeling everything in a wide array of emotions.

Our protagonist is Flora (Eve Hewson), a single working-class Dublin mom to Max (Orén Kinlan), whom she had as a teenager. Estranged from Max’s dad, Ian (Jack Reynor), Flora is struggling to keep Max out of jail and connect with him. Finding a beat up guitar in a dumpster, she fixes it up and offers it to him as a gift, which he rejects, but she stubbornly decides instead to try to learn how to play it herself. She connects with Jeff (Joseph Gordon Levitt) a Los-Angeles-based guitar tutor online and there’s some immediate sparks. Flora crosses a few inappropriate lines, but undaunted, Flora continues to learn, even collaborating with Jeff on a song as they grow closer to one another.

At the same time, she’s trying to be there for Max, eventually discovering he’s also making music on his laptop. While his is more beats and hip hop, they begin collaborating, with her even helping shoot a rap music video. It’s beautiful to see Flora try and fail to connect with people, over and over. She’s a mess, but we’re always rooting for her.

Flora and Son ends up being a really beautiful tribute to family, to music, and to the messiness of life. While it’s not as immediately striking as Carney’s previous films, it’s still right in the pocket of what he’s known for. Carney again writes many of the songs, and is joined by the always adept Gary Clark, Jr. Joseph Gordon-Leavitt also delivers a wonderful supporting performance that is vulnerable, aloof, and charming in equal parts.

There are a few downsides, as the film certainly earns its R rating with language and a decent amount of sexual content. No nudity, but still a decent amount of talk that would be uncomfortable to watch with a lot of younger viewers. Speaking of talk, more than any of Carney’s previous films, this movie leans in heavily to its Irish brogue. One argument to watch this at home on Apple TV+ would be that you can turn on subtitles, which may be a necessity. The most unrealistic thing in the entire film is despite major portions of the film taking place over Skype between Flora and Jeff, he never once asks her, “What? What did you say?” Flora’s accent is thicker than the head on a Guinness. It’s also equally as amazing.

Flora and Son gets a hybrid release both in a handful of theaters and on Apple TV+ on Friday, September 29. Apple’s release plan mirrors its similar film, CODA, in 2021, and the similarities could not be more striking. It’s worth noting CODA ended up nabbing numerous Oscar nominations, and wins for Best Picture and Supporting Actor. Given Gordon-Levitt’s performance, don’t be surprised to see him in the mix come awards season. And Carney himself is an early favorite for Original Screenplay. Given the Academy’s ranked-choice voting system, if there is a pitched battle for Best Picture between Oppenheimer, Barbie, The Color Purple, etc, if Flora and Son can be everyone’s second or third choice (the way CODA was), it could be a surprise winner.

Whether streaming or in a theater, treat yourself to Flora and Son as soon as possible.

4 1/2 stars out of 5

Listen to “My Sails are Set” from Netflix’s One Piece

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The second single from Netflix’s upcoming live action adaptation of the best-selling manga in history, One Piece has just released. Available everywhere now,  “My Sails are Set” feat. Aurora, is the dazzling second single, written and produced by Billboard chart-topping artists Sonya Belousova & Giona Ostinelli, from the depths of this highly awaited series.

Uniting the acclaimed composers and music producers, Belousova and Ostinelli – the masterminds behind the phenomenal soundtrack of “The Witcher” – with the effervescent sensation, Norwegian art pop superstar, Aurora, the artist behind the Academy Awards and Golden Globes nominated song “Into The Unknown” from Frozen II, this collaboration is a celestial symphony in motion. Aurora’s ethereal vocals cast a spell, immersing listeners in a sublime realm. Belousova & Ostinelli, the composers of the viral sensation “Toss a Coin to Your Witcher,” are set to make waves once again, this time in collaboration with Aurora, as they continue to create unforgettable music for captivating stories and push barriers in the epic fantasy action-adventure genre whilst retaining their trademark expansive sound. Together they composed the original score to One Piece as well as wrote & produced the original songs.

The track is the second listen of the eventual soundtrack, which will be released alongside the series on Thursday, August 31.

Based on Japan’s highest-selling manga series in history by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece is a legendary high-seas adventure unlike any other. Monkey D. Luffy is a young adventurer who has longed for a life of freedom since he can remember. Luffy sets off from his small village on a perilous journey to find the legendary fabled treasure, ONE PIECE, to become King of the Pirates! But in order to find the ultimate prize, Luffy will need to assemble the crew he’s always wanted before finding a ship to sail, searching every inch of the vast blue seas, outpacing the Marines, and outwitting dangerous rivals at every turn. 

Starring Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji, One Piece is a live action pirate adventure created in partnership with Shueisha and produced by Tomorrow Studios and Netflix. Matt Owens and Steven Maeda are writers, executive producers, and showrunners. Eiichiro Oda, Marty Adelstein, and Becky Clements also executive produce. Previously announced cast includes Vincent Regan, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, Morgan Davies, Aidan Scott, Langley Kirkwood, Jeff Ward, Celeste Loots, Alexander Maniatis, McKinley Belcher III, Craig Fairbrass, Steven Ward, Chioma Umeala and Michael Dorman. Additional cast to be announced.

Michael Vescera to Perform at Otakon 2023

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Michael Vescera

American heavy metal singer Michael Vescera will be a guest at Otakon 2023, according to Otakorp Inc. He will be a guest singer at the Yaiba concert.

Vescera has been a singer for various bands and projects, such as Loudness, Obsession, Yngwie Malmsteen, Animetal USA, D-Metal Stars and presently AniMaze X.

In 2011 Mike started ANIMETAL USA (Sony Music), playing heavy metal versions of Japanese anime theme songs (following in the steps of the Japanese project Animetal). This project features Rudy Sarzo on bass, Scott Travis on drums (later, Jon Dette on drums), and Chris Impelliterri on guitar. “Animetal USA 1” and “Animetal W” both charted at number one In Japan. Two successful tours of Japan followed, sharing the bill with Jam Project, along with an appearance at “LoudPark” and Anime Expo in Los Angeles. Animetal USA also collaborated and recorded the theme song for the Naruto spin-off, “Rock Lee and his Ninja Pals” as well as a song for Ressha Sentai ToQger 2 mini album – 2014 (Columbia), “I’ve been working on the railroad” (metal version), Animetal USA with Shogo
Kamata (Japanese vocal).

In mid-2016, in a spin-off of the Animetal USA project, Vescera with Rudy Sarzo on bass, John Bruno (Obsession) on guitar, and BJ Zampa (House of Lords) on drums, recorded a new project. This project, D-Metal Stars, “Metal Disney” was released in October 2016 on Walt Disney Records in the Japanese market. It reached No. 3 on the Amazon Japan Hard Rock / Metal Best Sellers chart, and No. 2 on the Children’s Chart. The album was then released for the U.S. market in March 2017 by Universal Music Group, landing on the Billboard, iTunes, and Amazon charts.

In 2018, Vescera produced and arranged a rock guitar project called “Disney Super Guitar” (titled “Super Guitar Disney” in Japanese market). This is an instrumental release featuring a guest lead guitarist on each song, featuring Zakk Wylde, Paul Gilbert, George Lynch, Richie Kotzen, Orianthi, Ron Thal, Mike Orlando, Phil X, Jeff Watson, and Tak Matsumoto. Super Guitar Disney became a No.
1 Best Seller on the Amazon Japan Anime Chart, and No. 3 Best Seller on Amazon Japan Rock Chart.

Mid-2018, Michael launched a new project called AniMaze X. This is a project started by the members of D-Metal Stars that encompasses a wider variety of music themes, such as superheroes, popular cartoons, Broadway musicals and movie soundtracks, all played in the metal style.

Otakon 2023 will be held from July 28 to July 30 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

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