All posts by beyondsenpai

Beyond Senpai. The music and culture fanzine. Made by fans for fans. For features and content contributions contact: beyondsenpaiofficial@gmail.com

Marina Yozora Live at Soho Poly Independent Venue Week 2026

Live report

Rain is pouring down on this cold and dark January night, and there is still lots of people around in in central London. But just off Great Portland Street, hidden from the hustle and bustle, is Soho Poly.

I hadn’t heard of this venue before, and in the dark there was a warm glow coming from the entrance. We were greeted by a staff member who kindly waved us through, and I noticed the poster for tonight’s show with the words ‘SOLD OUT‘ across it.

Marina had been invited to this Independent Venue Week event, one of only a few selected artists, with the show sold out in advance.

Continue reading Marina Yozora Live at Soho Poly Independent Venue Week 2026

Re:O Reverie

I’m still here, frozen alone.

Beginning with bittersweet tones, Re:O‘s 10th single Reverie signals the dawn of a new era for Re:O. Reverie portrays the story of missing someone you shared every moment after they are gone. Those who once spent time with us eventually disappear from your sight as time goes by, like snow falling on your hand, without a trace. The fragile snow, even when it piles up, will eventually melt away. In the same way, human connections are breakable and bound to fade.

Continue reading Re:O Reverie

Generator: Blood Stain Child

Trance metal figureheads Blood Stain Child are back with new music with the brand new single ‘Generator‘.

Known for their fusion of melodic death metal and electronic dance music, the new track ticks all my vibe check boxes that fans know and love. Written by guitarist Ryu with lyrics by lead vocalist Sadew, the track kicks off with precise guitar riffs and layered synths. Moving along with gusto, Sadew brings his mix of clean and harsh vocals with signature aggression and range.

Guest vocalist TanTan features alongside Sadew in the chorus with a catchy upbeat melody that I really enjoyed before a short solo passage, her clean upper range works well amongst the heavy guitar and bass. Known for their heavy but euphoric build ups, ‘Generator‘ is no different, with an atmospheric rise into an electronic breakdown. Focused riffage from G.S.R, driving bass from Ryo and an energetic Yasu on drums, before following through into an impeccable Ryu guitar solo.

Generator‘ is a melodic metal electronic mix that shows off the talent of all the members. It has a raw feel that’s not overly polished for a studio track. There’s a nostalgic feel that takes me back to the Mozaiq era of Blood Stain Child, it makes me excited for the new album.

Overall, ‘Generator‘ is a solid addition to the bands roster, one that will hype up any live crowd. Now can we international fans all pray for a live show outside of Japan soon? We can only hope!

Generator‘ is available now!

https://bloodstainchild.lnk.to/GENERATOR?fbclid=IwdGRjcAPTaG9jbGNrA9NoaGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHg30TwH6iGY3y2netwb6bFgMzLE3rHCiXg1TXB3ZdF-eC3dtHRJMXFCrjwFY_aem_uHxspLHYIhaMYEoSgrCp6g

MAZE Take No Enemies In Their First EP, ‘BLASTELLA’ – EP Review

Review by Benny, AKA @Codomomentality

For forever now, people have been waiting for a proper MAZE release outside of their usual digital single releases. As of 2022, the group has released seven singles under their current name, however if we were to include their discography from when the group had been known by miscast, then altogether the group has released a whopping 19 singles, with the first 12 being released between the years 2019–2022. Considering the group continues to still play some of those songs at their live performances, I have decided to include them as a part of their overall discography.

In late 2019, the group had released a self-titled mini-album consisting of 4 tracks, however since then we have only been given singles. With their 2022 rebrand to group we know now, MAZE have continued to release music at a slightly slower rate, and the fans have only become hungrier for more.

Continue reading MAZE Take No Enemies In Their First EP, ‘BLASTELLA’ – EP Review

Explore the Depths of Grief & Loss in Re:O’s New Single ‘Violets’

Article written & Edited by Kelly-Mae Matt

After tapping into their darker side in their previous single, The Haunted, Re:O have since returned with their 8th single, Violets, which explores the depths of grief and combines Re:O’s signature blend of metal riffs with sombre and harrowing melodies and synthonic instrumentation.

Set to release on all streaming platforms from April 9th, 2025, Violets is a song that will captivate listeners through its mesmerising vocals, haunting piano melodies and its use of sombre and harrowing melodies that perfectly capture the feeling of grief and pain. For fans of Alternative Metal, Industrial Metal, Metalcore, Goth, J-Pop, Dark Pop, Nu-Metal, Post Hardcore and Rock, Violets is sure to bewitch both seasoned and new listeners of Re:O’s music.

Continue reading Explore the Depths of Grief & Loss in Re:O’s New Single ‘Violets’

A Day At London Anime & Gaming Con

All photos taken by Kelly-Mae Matt
Article written and edited by Kelly-Mae Matt

Recently, I was able to attend my first convention in over two years. Now, I am not an avid convention goer by any means, nor am I the sort of person prone to finding myself in overly busy places for the pure sake of it. With that said, I will go where the idols go, and if a convention is where they congregate, then by all means, take me there, too.

When I do attend a convention, however, you will typically find me around the stage area, watching a performance or two and waving a penlight. And despite what I say about rarely attending conventions these days, I do love the variety of performances that happen there. Whether it is a full-fledged group or a Kaigai idol just starting out, conventions have become a haven for those who love the art of the performer, and London Anime & Gaming Con is no stranger to hosting some of the best that the UK has to offer when it comes to performers, old and new alike.

Continue reading A Day At London Anime & Gaming Con

A Reason to Never Oshihen: An Interview with GARUDA, HALUKA and Satanic Punish at Ikigai Vol. 2

Kelly, Amanda
Translators: Justin, Baz

Hosted by The Chocolate Brothers and the Dutch Idol Community and held between September 20th in Arnhem, The Netherlands, and September 21st in Koln, Germany, Ikigai Vol. 2 saw the return of GARUDA and Satanic Punish on European soil, as well as marking the debut of DIABLEVOIX’s Haluka in her first overseas tour.

For these two evenings, fans of these three acts had the chance to experience a show filled with incredible vocals, relentless energy, and the possibility of a strained neck the following morning, thanks to all the headbanging that went on.

For some fans, however, the weekend did not end at the Blue Shell with a final song, as those who had purchased off-kai tickets had the absolute pleasure of joining GARUDA, Satanic Punish and DIABLEVOIX’s HALUKA for an off-kai event the following Sunday.

It is also that, on this day, Beyond Senpai’s Kelly and Amanda were fortunate enough to attend as well and, for the first time since this site’s inception, both Amanda and Kelly were given the opportunity to deliver their first in-person interview to these three legendary performers.

So, it was with a great amount of nerves and some shoddy Japanese pronunciation that our interview began. With the help of Justin and Baz, who aided in translating the performers answers for us, Beyond Senpai joined Yuffie, Haluka, Manamu and LinLin at the front of the event hall to deliver the Ikigai Vol. 2 Interview, right in front of the fans…

Continue reading A Reason to Never Oshihen: An Interview with GARUDA, HALUKA and Satanic Punish at Ikigai Vol. 2

Esprit D’Air announce ‘Seasons & Aeons’ Tour

With 2024 still in motion, Esprit D’Air looks towards an exciting future in 2025.

With 2024 already over the halfway point, Esprit D’Air is already looking towards the year 2025. With their 15th anniversary on the horizon, it’s no surprise that the group is gearing up to create a memorable year for not only themselves, but their fans as well.

Just announced on July 31st, Esprit D’Air will hold their highly anticipated Seasons & Aeons Tour for 2025, with dates spanning across Europe. From England to Spain, Esprit D’Air have so far packed their up-coming tour with an impressive 9 countries in 15 different cities. Beginning on 22 March in Bristol, UK, the tour will conclude in Barcelona, Spain, on 28 April, with additional dates to be announced.

Due to the incredible success of their last European tour, which saw 17 of their 22 tour dates sold out, Esprit D’Air will now be playing at bigger venues with a capacity of 500 – 1,500 attendees,

Continue reading Esprit D’Air announce ‘Seasons & Aeons’ Tour

Kickstarting Your Heart For The Cro-Magnons

Article by: Beth / @magnonrockcave
Edited by: Kelly-Mae Matt

The last time I wrote anything about The Cro-Magnons – or ダ・クロマニヨンズ  as the t shirts are branded – they had 13 albums and counting. Now they have 17 albums, with at least 20 or so amazing hits among them. That’s not even counting the tracks by the same songwriters previous bands The Hi Lows, and perhaps the more globally famous The Blue Hearts. Basically, they’ve been writing great rock songs since 1985 and have barely ever stopped.

From L–R: Masaru Kobayashi (Ba.), Hiroto Kohmoto (Vo.), Masatoshi Mashima (Gr.), Katsuji Kirita (Dr.) (Photo courtesy of Sony Music Japan)

At this point, The Cro-Magnons are the longest running line-up of all three groups. Balancing the new energy of their current drummer Katsuji Kirita and bassist Masaru Kobayashi, alongside common denominators Mashima Masatoshi on guitar and Hiroto Kohmoto singing/playing the harmonica, the latter of which continues to steal the stage; this is not a bad thing and, as I have said before, Hiroto Kohmoto is a ball of energy and I just don’t know how he does it.

So, whether you have never heard of them and I convinced you in the past, or somewhere down the line you have heard a few songs and want to hear more, it begs the question: With this much of a discography, where do you start? Well, that’s ultimately subjective, and I’ll just cover The Cro-Magnons discography here, but I do have a source besides myself this time. 

Continue reading Kickstarting Your Heart For The Cro-Magnons

Re:O RONIN

Re:O are back with their brand new single Ronin. With their dark and infectious blend of metal and dark pop, this track is ready to set the world ablaze.

Ronin is the 5th single to be released by Re:O. A high energy, blood pumping and aggressive anthem that combines metal with a fresh blend of J-Pop and dark pop tones. Symphonic ambience and dissonance creates a surreal and ambitious soundscape that will captivate any fan of metal, metalcore, and nu metal to post hardcore and rock, leaving them wanting more!

Continue reading Re:O RONIN