Japanese heavy metallers Mardelas are to release their as-yet untitled debut album on April 22nd via King Records. Formed last year by frontwoman Marina Hebiishi following her exit from Destrose, the band also features Hibiki and Yumi, the rhythm section of power metallers Light Bringer, and guitarist Kikyo Oikawa of Screaming Symphony. The outfit first emerged back in October, with the release of single Daybreak / Phantasia. You can listen to demo versions of both songs below.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Destrose

There seems to be no stopping Tatsu Mikami, founder and bassist of Japanese stoner doom outfit Church Of Misery. After the departure of bandmates Hideki Fukasawa, Junji "JJ" Narita and Ikuma Kawabe in late 2014, Mikami posted a message on the band's Facebook page in which he vowed to "never give up" on Church Of Misery. He's now made good on his word.

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Source:	churchofmisery.net
Band profile:	Church Of Misery

Japanese melodeath trio Gyze have announced they'll be putting out a new studio album on February 25th through their Japanese label Victor Entertainment. Entitled Black Bride, this record will be their sophomore release, following on from their Ettore Rigotti-produced 2013 debut Fascinating Violence. We don't yet know anything regarding Black Bride's contents, or if either member of Disarmonia Mundi has been involved in the production.

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Source:	twitter.com
Band profile:	Gyze

Despite having just released their fourth album Monument back in November, Japanese power metallers Light Bringer have announced they're to go on hiatus for the foreseeable future. In a message on their official website, Light Bringer apologized for the sudden announcement, but didn't elaborate on why they were pausing activities after almost a decade.

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Source:	lightbringer-lovely.com
Band profile:	Light Bringer

Since the breakup of visual kei juggernauts Versailles in 2012, vocalist Kamijo has been vigorously pursuing a solo career, churning out a run of singles and full-length debut Heart. Now, to commemorate his twentieth year in the music industry, he has announced a world tour that will see him performing on at least four continents. Thus far, only dates for the tour's European and Japanese legs have been confirmed.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Versailles

Japanese death metallers Defiled will be descending upon South Asia this January for a string of shows across the Indian subcontinent. Starting on January 8th in Pokhara, Nepal, The Elite Of Steel Tour 2015 will include a series of headlining performances at festivals like Nepal Deathfest in Kathmandu, and the inaugural edition of Kolkata Deathfest.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Defiled

Israeli melodic death metallers Prey For Nothing proudly present the first taste of their forthcoming third album: The Reasoning. A release date for the record has yet to be finalized, but is expected before the end of 2014, and will feature a guest appearance from none other than the ubiquitous Fabio Lione. Enjoy the video of "The Devil's Words (From The Angel's Mouth)" below, and stay tuned for more.

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Band profile:	Prey For Nothing

Good tidings from the Japanese underground: death/doom metallers Coffins have teamed up with Nagoya-based grindcorers Unholy Grave for a new split release. The exact release date has yet to be confirmed, but it's expected sometime in early 2015. The record will be distributed in 10" MLP format via the Polish label Dark Side Of Punk Records. Take a look at the artwork below.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Coffins

In another sign they're becoming as prolific as predecessors Versailles, symphonic power metallers Jupiter have announced they'll be releasing the follow-up to 2013 debut Classical Element in the new year. Entitled History Of Genesis, the visual kei quintet's sophomore release will be out on January 7th, 2015 via Universal Music Japan. No information concerning the record's contents has yet been disclosed.

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Source:	jupiter.jp.net
Band profile:	Jupiter

Two weeks ahead of its release, longstanding death metallers Necrophagia have made their new album Whiteworm Cathedral available for streaming in its entirety. Still available for pre-order, the record's due out on October 28th via Season Of Mist. Listen to the full album here.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Necrophagia

With new album Legion two weeks away, veteran Brazilian thrashers Korzus proudly present a lyric video for the new song "Bleeding Pride". Due out on October 24th via AFM Records, the group will hold a launch show for the album on November 22nd at São Paulo's Espaço das Américas.

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Source:	korzus.com.br
Band profile:	Korzus

Well, that was quick. Just weeks after the release of the single Arcadia, visual kei quintet Jupiter have announced the release date of their next single. 氷の中の少女 (Koori No Naka No Shoujo) will be available from October 26th via Universal Music Japan, coinciding with the finale of the band's Japan-wide Arcadia tour.

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Source:	jupiter.jp.net
Band profile:	Jupiter

Flamboyant Japanese power metallers Sex Machineguns have lifted the lid on the contents of their forthcoming tenth album. Entitled Love Games, the record will contain ten tracks including recent single "未練Fire!" (Miren Fire!), and will be the first full-length release with new drummer Leon. Love Games will be released on October 29th on Kanameishi Records, and the video of "Miren Fire!" can be watched below.

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Source:	sexmachineguns.smg-fire.com
Band profile:	Sex Machineguns

In promotion of their new EP The Prologue, Japanese heavy metallers Destrose have released a video for the title track. Released on September 24th via the band's own Flyingcat Records, it's their first release to feature new vocalist Lisa. You can enjoy the video below.

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Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	Destrose

Currently celebrating the 15th anniversary of the release of their full-length debut Gauze, visual kei survivors Dir En Grey have unveiled the tracklist for their upcoming album Arche. Coming three years on from its predecessor, the band's ninth studio effort will be released on December 10th via Sony Music Japan.

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Source:	direngrey.co.jp
Band profile:	Dir En Grey