Crossfaith

Osaka natives Crossfaith fuse hardcore, electronic, and industrial ingredients into a high-velocity, abrasive strain of metal. Originally a nu-metal cover group, the band pivoted to electronicore during the mid-2000s and unveiled its debut album The Artificial Theory for the Dramatic Beauty in 2009, quickly earning notice for instrumental precision and ferocious concerts. Although progressive and punishing extreme metal remained the core foundation, 2013’s Apocalyze and 2018’s Ex-Machina added more streamlined sonic touches while embedding elaborate storylines set in dystopian futures. Later releases comprised the 2020 EP Species plus the singles “Gimme Danger” in 2022 and “Zero” in 2024.

Before Crossfaith assembled in 2006, vocalist Kenta Koie, guitarist Kazuki Takemura, and turntablist Terufumi Tamano had already performed together in a nü metal cover band. Seeking an original outlet that merged hard electronics with extreme metal, the trio enlisted bassist Hiroki Ikegawa and drummer Tatsuya Amano, then began composing and gigging across Japan under the Crossfaith name. Their first EP, Blueprint of Reconstruction, surfaced in 2008 and was swiftly followed by the full-length The Artificial Theory for the Dramatic Beauty on Zestone Records in 2009. A demanding tour itinerary soon found them opening for Hatebreed, the Used, and Machine Head. In 2011 Tragic Hero Records issued the band’s second album The Dream, the Space in the United States, broadening their global reach. Momentum led to a 2012 deal with Search and Destroy, which issued the Zion EP to cultivate further international interest ahead of the next album. Recorded in New York, Apocalyze arrived in late 2013; propelled by “The Evolution” and “We Are the Future,” the record expanded Crossfaith’s electronicore palette and overseas profile. The 2014 single “Madness” signaled a modest evolution, tightening hardcore and electronica elements with cleaner production and increased vocals. Months before their fourth album, the group joined Warped Tour dates in both the United States and United Kingdom. Razor & Tie released the 2015 concept album Xeno, centered on a female artificial intelligence that commandeers a male protagonist’s mind and featuring guest contributions from Beartooth’s Caleb Shomo and Skindred’s Benji Webbe. Another conceptual effort, Ex-Machina, followed in 2018 and depicted a near-future uprising against an authoritarian regime wielding artificial intelligence; it included appearances by Enter Shikari’s Rou Reynolds and industrial rappers Ho99o9. The interim EP Species arrived in 2020, succeeded by the pandemic-era single “Gimme Danger” in 2022. That year the band added touring guitarist Daiki Koide, who became a permanent member in 2024; the refreshed lineup issued “Zero” the following February.