ASTERISM (アステリズム)

"Mass Metal" Power Trio – Neoclassical Virtuosity, Math-Metal Precision & Instrumental Power

Biography & Band History

Formed in Fukuoka, Japan, in 2014, ASTERISM is a three-piece heavy metal and progressive instrumental power trio composed of guitarist HAL-CA and brothers MIYU (bass) and MIO (drums). Meeting as early adolescents at a Yamaha-sponsored music competition, the prodigy trio bonded over their shared obsession with complex hard rock, classic heavy metal, and technical virtuosity.

Their viral performance videos quickly attracted international attention from rock icons, including funk legend Bootsy Collins (who produced two tracks on their debut studio album) and former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman. Touring internationally while still teenagers across the United States (including SXSW), China, Thailand, and South Korea, ASTERISM coined their defining aesthetic genre as "Mass Metal"—intricately calculated, virtuosic metal arranged with infectious pop sensibility designed to resonate with broad audiences. Following an acclaimed indie period and relocation to Tokyo, the band signed with SME Records (Sony Music Entertainment Japan) in 2023, performing high-profile festival slots such as Knotfest Japan and FOX_FEST while integrating lead and chorus vocals alongside their blistering instrumental attack.

Band Members & Instrumental Mastery

HAL-CA (ハルカ) – Lead Guitar & Vocals: Picking up the guitar at age 10, HAL-CA is celebrated as one of Japan's premier modern virtuosos. Known for playing customized ESP and killer high-gain rigs, she executes high-speed alternate picking, sweep-picked arpeggios, wide-interval tapping, and neoclassical counterpoint with surgical precision and commanding stage presence. In recent releases, she also handles powerful lead rock vocals.
MIYU (ミユ) – Bass & Backing Vocals: Beginning bass at age 7, MIYU provides a ferocious, percussive low end inspired by bass titans like Billy Sheehan. Utilizing extended-range 6-string and 7-string electric basses, he specializes in high-velocity three-finger galloping, polyphonic two-handed fretboard tapping, and aggressive slap-and-pop techniques that function as a second lead voice.
MIO (ミオ) – Drums & Backing Vocals: Starting behind the drum kit at age 5, MIO acts as the rhythmic anchor and dynamic engine of the trio. His playing features relentless double-bass stamina, odd-time signature shifts, math-metal polyrhythms, and crisp, lightning-fast snare flurries.

Band Profile & Sonic Identity

Origin: Fukuoka / Saga, Japan
Label Affiliations: Tokuma Japan Communications (Early EPs/Album), Amuse Inc., SME Records / Sony Music Labels (2023–present)
Genre & Musical Concept: Mass Metal, Progressive Metal, Math Rock, Instrumental Shred, and Neoclassical Heavy Metal.
Thematic Meaning: The name ASTERISM refers to an identifiable constellation or grouping of stars; each member shines brightly as an individual soloist, but together they form a brighter, unified whole.

Selected Discography & Key Releases

Full-Length Studio Albums

IGNITION (2018): Their full-length studio debut on Tokuma Japan, featuring original compositions like "Light in the Darkness" alongside collaborative cuts produced by Bootsy Collins ("Blaze" and "MIDNIGHT MOVER").
GUERNICA+a (2021): A mature, aggressive progressive metal outing exploring dark thematic motifs, complex meter changes, and heavy guitar riffs on tracks like "000" and "Gun Burst".
Animetic (2022): A conceptual metal cover album reinterpreting iconic anime opening themes into virtuosic, high-speed math-metal arrangements, including covers of "Unravel" (Tokyo Ghoul), "Kyouran Hey Kids!!" (Noragami Aragoto), and "Silhouette" (Naruto Shippuden).
PLANET OF METAL (2024): A landmark concept studio album exploring dystopian science-fiction storylines, blending their signature instrumental shred with expanded vocal hooks, complex synthesizers, and heavy modern groove.

EPs & Mini-Albums

The Session Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 (2017–2018): Breakout early EPs showcasing high-velocity instrumental performances and covers of hard rock staples by Ozzy Osbourne, Rush, and Metallica.
GUERNICA (2020): A conceptual mini-album that served as the stylistic foundation for their subsequent GUERNICA+a expansion.
ASIDE & BESIDE (2023): Companion EPs released in conjunction with their Sony Music debut, featuring driving vocal tracks like "Hullabaloo" and "Finally".

Notable Collaborative Tracks

"GYUTTO!!" (feat. Marty Friedman) (2023): A blazing guitar trade-off single and THE FIRST TAKE appearance pairing HAL-CA's fretwork with former Megadeth virtuoso Marty Friedman.
"Ichizu / unravel" (feat. PelleK) (2022): A digital collaboration featuring Norwegian rock and anime vocalist PelleK over ASTERISM's high-speed metal arrangements.

ASTERISM LIVE IN KOREA (2026.09.06.SUN. PARADISE CITY, SOUND PLANET 2026)

#Asterism #asterism #SoundPlanet2026 #SOUNDPLANET2026
----------- Event Name: Sound Planet 2026 Filming Date: 2026.09.06 (Sun) Location: Paradise City Filming, Editing: SOMA51 Filming Equipment: Apple iPhone 16 PRO Max Video Format: 1080P 30fps HD Recording: Built-in Microphone ------------- Setlist
Intro (0:00)
1. STARS (01:03)
2. Blink of Ray (04:58)
3. BLACK CLOUDS (10:01)
4. SEX JAZZ (14:44)
MC (18:30)
5. Hakanai ( 19:30 ) 6. MY WAY ( 23:32 )
MC (27:56)
7. BLAZE (28:13)
8. What's My Life? (33:11)

ASTERISM(아스테리즘) LIVE IN KOREA(2026.09.06.SUN. PARADISE CITY, SOUND PLANET 2026)