ASTERISM, the Japanese rock trio hailing from Fukuoka, has been making waves worldwide with their youth-infused, high-energy instrumentals and extraordinary technical prowess. Formed in 2014, the band features HAL-CA (guitar), MIYU (bass), and MIO (drums), whose chemistry and musical virtuosity have earned them accolades across the globe. Known for headlining festivals like SXSW and Knotfest Japan, their dedication to raw, powerful performances recently brought them to India for NH7 Weekender. When the festival faced cancellation, ASTERISM thrilled fans with a spontaneous free gig at Hard Rock Cafe Pune. While their performance at NH7 Weekender could not materialize, the band has already formed an unbreakable bond with India with “Metal Gandhara”, a collaboration track with Bangalore based fusion rock band Pineapple Express.
We got in touch with the band know more about their experience in India and their recent collaboration with Pineapple Express.
What has been the most memorable experience on your visit to India?
HAL-CA: The most memorable experience during my visit to India was the market in Bengaluru, which we visited on the last day. When traveling overseas for live performances, we don’t often have the chance to take our time for sightseeing, but this time, we had a little extra time, so we all explored together.
It was my first time experiencing such large crowds, and seeing bikes and rickshaws pass so closely by people— it really gave me a true sense of India! I also bought some scarves and accessories from the market.
What do you know about Indian metal music? What do you think of Indian independent music in general?
MIO: Indian indie metal has been a popular topic on platforms like Twitter (now X) for many years, and I’ve come across it frequently. I recognize Bloodywood as the most popular and mainstream Indian metal band, even in Japan.
Personally, I find the experimental rap of Chaar Diwaari, along with the fusion of electro and local organic elements in their music, to be absolutely fantastic.
The NH7 Weekender cancellation must have been a disappointment. How did the opportunity to perform a free gig at the Hard Rock Cafe in Pune come about?
MIYU: Even though the festival was canceled, I really wanted the people of India to see our performance. So, we quickly requested and were able to perform a live gig at the Hard Rock Cafe Pune. For ASTERISM, Hard Rock Cafe holds a special place in our hearts. About seven years ago, we played monthly at the Hard Rock Cafe Fukuoka in Japan, and that’s where we were nurtured and developed as a band.
We’re incredibly happy to have had the opportunity to perform at the Hard Rock Cafe in Pune, and the crowd, many of whom were seeing us for the first time, got really excited. It turned into an unforgettable experience.
The Pune audience reportedly included both metal fans and anime enthusiasts. How did you find the experience of performing for such a diverse crowd?
HAL-CA: The audience in Pune was truly diverse! Some moved to the rhythm, some sang along, others raised their hands or cheered out loud—there were so many ways to enjoy the show. As performers, it made us incredibly happy to see everyone so engaged!
How did the collaboration with the Indian band come about? What can you tell us about this collaboration track?
MIO: In 2024, once it was confirmed that we’d be going to India, I knew I wanted to collaborate with some amazing Indian artists and create something special. After doing some research, we decided to reach out to Pineapple Express.
We exchanged demo tracks online, and from there, we created a song that represents our shared connection through music. We named it “Metal Gandhara”, as it reflects our vision of building a metal paradise together. This collaboration, with both of our intense performances, will surely make everyone feel the power of music that transcends borders!
You have combined heavy metal and anime songs in your album ‘Animetic’. Tell us more about that interesting combo!
MIYU: Of course, heavy metal is the core of our identity, and we wanted to make sure we created melodies that the audience could sing along to during our live shows.
In the anime song cover album “Animetic”, we infused each track with our own colour and energy. It’s a combination of heavy metal with anime music that represents our essence and gives the genre a fresh twist!
What are your thoughts on the potential for anime music and J-Pop to gain a larger fanbase in India?
HAL-CA: When we performed the anime song medley live, the reaction was incredibly positive. I believe that, moving forward, there will be more opportunities for people in India to listen to anime music and J-Pop, and these genres will continue to grow in popularity!
