5/31 BLOODAXE FESTIVAL 2025 SPRING Live Report

Hello everyone! Hardcore Kids here, the new kid on the block at Sound House.
I just attended the annual spring event, BLOODAXE FESTIVAL 2025 SPRING, and I’m here to share my report!

What is the BLOODAXE FESTIVAL?

BLOODAXE FESTIVAL”（ http://bloodaxefest.jp/） is a large-scale live event organized by the Tokyo-based hardcore band Loyal to the Grave, which has built a global network in the hardcore scene. The event is centered around the theme of friendship and is held in collaboration with the distribution label Retribution Network （ http://retribution.ocnk.net/）

(…more to come)

“In order to bring the audience and bands closer together, barriers are removed and instead the stage is covered with platforms. This setup makes it easier for the kids to sing along and stage dive. Younger people will even grab the mic to become the star themselves. It’s an event that creates a sense of unity throughout the venue, capturing the very essence of hardcore’s greatest joy. That’s what BLOODAXE FESTIVAL is all about.”

This time, the double headliners are hardcore legends COUNTERPARTS and KUBLAI KHAN TX, with the highly anticipated first Japan visit of metalcore band DYING WISH. Plus, ARKANGEL is returning to Japan after 10 years, making for an incredibly packed and exciting lineup!

My first experience at a hardcore live show was at 2023SPRING, so this event holds a special place in my memories. Remembering the struggle with the crowds in front of the merch booths last time, they arrived a bit earlier this time. However, there was already a long line of hardcore kids in band tees standing outside the Kawasaki Club Citta’!

After exchanging wristbands, it was time to enter.

As mentioned earlier, this festival focuses on creating an intimate vibe that you would feel from a live house, so there were no seats or barriers. The audience was free to climb onto the stage. In the center of the floor, a large mosh pit started and it was filled with the familiar hardcore moshing. The merchandise booths were set up along the walls within the same area as the floor, and if you’re lucky, you can even chat directly with band members. I was fortunate enough to have a brief conversation with the members from DYING WISH and I bought a T-shirt and hoodie.

Now, let’s look back on each band’s performance.

■ STAINED

This opening act from Okayama was a hardcore band called STAINED. They kicked off the festival perfectly with their first song “Hidden Agenda” that featured catchy riffs and brutal breakdowns that already had the crowd moshing and stage diving, even in the early morning.

■ OTUS

Next up was Tokyo-based band OTUS, who delivered fast-paced hardcore with heavy use of blast beats that only ramped up the energy on the floor. Even though they were only the second band, the floor was already packed full, showing just how well-liked they were.

■ ReVERSE BOYZ

Osaka-based band ReVERSE BOYZ are champions of the NEONINJA HARDCORE style that blends club music elements with hardcore to create a unique sound. They even featured a rapper midway through their set, delivering a powerful yet diverse performance that captivated the audience.

■ C-GATE

Tokyo’s post-hardcore band C-GATE brought a very modern sound with their combination of Djenty riffs and electronic beats. Later on, I found out down to low F, which really adds depth to their heavy, cutting sound…

■ GATES OF HOPELESS

Formed in 2004, veteran band GATES OF HOPELESS from plays militant/fury edge hardcore. Despite the aggressive style, their long, fast guitar solos stand out, making it impossible not to throw up the metal horns.

■ STRANDED

Hailing from Saitama and nearing their 10th anniversary, “STRANDED” is a melodic hardcore band that combines an emotional atmosphere with high energy. The vibe in the venue shifted instantly to emo. One of the great things about this festival is how it primarily focuses on hardcore but also highlights subgenres like this, which is a key reason why I especially look forward to going.

■ DYING WISH

The band I was most looking forward to, DYING WISH made their first visit to Japan from the U.S. This hardcore/metalcore band features Emma, a female vocalist known for her intense screams, and the band’s dynamic song structures are addictive. The crowd’s anticipation was high, and I hope they come back again soon.

■ NUMB

A regular at BLOODAXE and a legend in the Tokyo hardcore scene, the band NUMB is known for their intense moshing. The size of the mosh pit doubled as vocalist SENTA feverishly hyped up the crowd with so many stage divers that the stage was practically covered.

■ VIEW FROM THE SOYUZ

A rising young band in the domestic metalcore scene, “VIEW FROM THE SOYUZ” is unstoppable this year, having secured a spot at the SATANIC CARNIVAL festival. Their melodic riffs, reminiscent of melodic death metal, are their trademark. Back in the circle pit days, the intro to their signature song “Attestupa” was often sung along by the crowd. Unfortunately, I missed their set this time—but that just means you should definitely check them out!

■ ARKANGEL

Legendary fury-edge band “ARKANGEL” made their first visit to Japan in 10 years, coming all the way from Belgium. Their overwhelming performance exuded veteran presence and ramped up the energy in the packed venue. Known for influencing countless bands, their sheer power was nothing short of devastating. There was no official video available, but here’s their Instagram for reference:

https://www.instagram.com/arkangelbxl/

■ PROMPTS

Another band gaining momentum in this lineup is PROMPTS. Based in Tokyo, this hybrid metalcore band consists of both Korean and Japanese members. Their sound is modern and highly aggressive, and vocalist PK’s scream range is especially impressive! From high-pitched clean vocals to shouts and guttural growls, PK delivers a stunning performance that truly captivates the audience.

■ LOYAL TO THE GRAVE

LOYAL TO THE GRAVE formed in 1998 as the festival’s organizers, and they are recognized as Tokyo’s pioneering hardcore band. Their songs are packed with mosh sections, and one of the iconic sights at BLOODAXE is the crowd grabbing vocalist Koba’s mic and singing along—a perfect example of the festival’s unique energy and community spirit.

■ KUBLAI KHAN TX

The first headliner finally took the stage: KUBLAI KHAN TX. Their signature simple yet devastating beatdowns kept the mosh pit at a constant peak, with sing-alongs erupting at key moments. Despite their intimidating looks, especially vocalist Matt, their gesture of gratitude by tipping their hats once again showed the beauty of this scene. The terrifyingly precise picking of their harmonics were a real highlight and sounded amazing.

■ COUNTERPARTS

With a sorrowful intro sound effect, COUNTERPARTS appeared. Known as giants of melodic hardcore, they blend emotional melodies that tug at your heartstrings with progressive breakdowns that captivate the audience. This time, they mainly performed songs from their new EP released last year, alongside classic hits that fired up the crowd. For the encore, they delivered the masterpiece “Whisper of Your Death” from their previous album, closing BLOODAXE FEST 2025 SPRING with everyone immersed in a sentimental afterglow.

To summarize

I was able to attend a festival again after such a long time, and the loud sound and intense moshing totally lifted my spirits. I’ve gotten used to my whole body aching afterward. The next event scheduled for September has already been announced, so I’m really looking forward to it! When I attend again, I’ll share another report, so I hope you’ll be looking forward to it. Thank you very much!

Bonus

One of the great pleasures of a festival is the food! Although this festival is small-scale, it always has food vendors, which I look forward to every year. This time, I chose a combo of chicken curry and motsu-ni. It’s a fantastic meal that replenishes your energy after all that moshing. Delicious! They also sell coffee, CDs, and more, making for a well-rounded and enjoyable experience!