the GazettE return to claim the Best Musical Act award in the NEO Awards for a second consecutive year. This British magazine goes on to state that the GazettE ‘received 45% of the total vote… beating their nearest rival several times over’. The band comments;
“Thank you so much. We travelled across the world in 2013, and could actually feel that there are a lot of fans awaiting us out there. It’s a shame that we had been in UK just once and couldn’t include there as one of the stops in the previous tour. Though, we hope we can ‘rock’ with you next time we go there.”
In 2013 the GazettE toured Europe, released the maxi-single FADELESS and full length album BEAUTIFUL DEFORMITY – both of which are available now in Europe from JPU Records.
What’s in store for 2014? It’s already getting off to an exciting star as band’s European tour DVD prepares for release, entitled; 「the GazettE WORLD TOUR13 Documentary」
JPU Records is very happy to hear that two of its artists have been nominated in the JpopAsia Music Awards 2013! This year sees SPYAIR and the GazettE up for awards. Back in the 2012 awards, over one million votes were recorded, resulting in our first and only artist at the time walking away with an impressive six awards, winning 50 per cent of the awards available in the ‘rock’ category. The full details can be found in our article here.
This year’s awards sees our artists split over two categories, Jpop and Jrock. Click either category to see the nominations, and don’t forget to log-in (at the top of the page) to cast your votes. Here are the JPU Records artists and which categories they’re in;
Favourite Artist/Band: the GazettE Best Rocking PV 2013: FADELESS – the GazettE Best Single 2013: Niji [PV] (SPYAIR), FADELESS [PV] (the GazettE) Best Album 2013: BEAUTIFUL DEFORMITY (the GazettE) Best Rock Act: the GazettE Best Use of Social Media:AOI (the GazettE), IKE (SPYAIR), RUKI (the GazettE) Sexiest Rocker: KAI (the GazettE)
The albums the nominations come from are available now on CD and MP3 across Europe courtesy of JPU Records. Click each album cover below to order the CD direct from JPU’s HQ, shipping worldwide!
With the end of the year just around the corner we decided to quiz the staff at JPU Records on their favourite releases of the year – Japanese or otherwise! First up, JPU Chriss; lover of big hair, sitting like a yankii and Kiyoharu.
清春(Kiyoharu) – UNDER THE SUN
“Actually released in the final moments off 2012, this album climbs up yet another level of heaven for Japan’s least angelic musician. Kiyoharu’s solo work continues to be at a level everyone else can only hope for. I love this album because it’s like a transportation to another world. Outstanding tracks: JUDIE feat. MIYAVI and MESSIAH.”
Buy from Amazon: Regular Edition, Limited Edition.
KISS – Monster
“Yes KISS still make albums. One of the true highlights of my year. Both album and tour were so much fun I probably won’t be over it until next year. I love this album because KISS are my rock’n’roll daddies and if you ever need a little confidence boost, just listen to this album and strut. Outstanding tracks: Freak, Outta The World.”
Buy from Amazon: Regular Edition, Digital Edition, Limited Edition.
the GazettE – BEAUTIFUL DEFORMITY
“Experimental and yet instantly recognisable. Again, the GazettE have got their game faces on. Also not an instant lover – when I first heard this album I picked holes all over it, but ask me now what I thought was wrong with it I couldn’t possibly tell you. The best thing about this album is the care that has gone into the mastering, it’s truly complete. Outstanding tracks: DEVOURING ONE ANOTHER, LAST HEAVEN.”
See a complete list of where to buy it here.
Perfume – LEVEL3
“Up until this year I would always have chosen a CAPSULE album over a Perfume one (both artists are produced by the same person), but LEVEL3 brings the sound I love this time. Perfume have been on top form all year. I love this album because it’s one big happy party. Outstanding tracks: Handy Man which could possibly win my track of the year.”
Buy from Amazon: Regular Edition, Digital Edition.
Yeti – 賛成の反対 (sansei no hantai / Approval Opposition)
“Yeti win my indie album of the year. Despite being extremely new (so new this is only the second CD they’ve released), their style and depth is super impressive. Jazzy, bright, clean and best of all, interesting.
Outstaning tracks: monochro.”
Buy from Amazon: Digital Edition.
And there you go. A mixture of visual kei, J-rock, and good ol’ glam with a sprinkling of electro-pop. Next up, JPU’s driver, sales-monkey and DJ-botherer, JPU Matt! Until then, we’ll leave you with the title track from Kiyoharu’s album:
Fresh from completing a world tour with sold out dates across Europe, Japan’s ‘visual kei’ veterans the GazettE return with their seventh full length album BEAUTIFUL DEFORMITY, due for a worldwide digital release on 23 October, and a physical release in the UK, Europe and Russia from JPU Records.
BEAUTIFUL DEFORMITY captures the essence of what it means to be an outsider. Since their inception over a decade ago, the GazettE have found themselves being somewhat of an anomaly – separated from regular bands and musicians. Their singles have continually ranked in the top ten in Japan, but their music is far too aggressive, dark and disturbing to be recognised as pop; their guitarmanship and sea of fans headbanging in unison at live shows is a spectacle to witness, but the band’s androgynous demeanour and attention to art and aesthetics makes them an irregularity in the rock and metal worlds. The album title, combined with its unusual artwork, is a physical representation of a band that never compromise in the way of expression.
The cover art is a further metaphor, envisaging a hybrid beast made from five distinct but very different creatures. “the GazettE’s creativity depends on the individuality of all five member of the band”, explains vocalist RUKI. “Our art is a distilled combination of audio and visual”.
JPU Records’ regular edition of the album will also marry the sound and vision of the GazettE. Its 24-page booklet embodies all 14-tracks with unique artwork depicting each song, while an additional booklet will be included exclusive to the UK, Europe and Russia, containing translations of the lyrics into English.
BEAUTIFUL DEFORMITY will be released in 79 countries across the world from 23 October 2013, making it the GazettE’s biggest release so far as their overseas fandom continues to swell. If you haven’t already, it’s time to tune in and celebrate the beauty of deformity.
Pre-order details coming soon.
the GazettE – BEAUTIFUL DEFORMITY
BEAUTIFUL DEFORMITY Track List:
01. MALFORMED BOX
02. INSIDE BEAST (Teaser Video)
03. UNTIL IT BURNS OUT
04. DEVOURING ONE ANOTHER
05. FADELESS
06. REDO
07. LAST HEAVEN
08. LOSS
09. THE STUPID TINY INSECT
10. IN BLOSSOM
11. KARASU
12. Kuroku Sunda Sorato Zangaito Kataha
13. TO DAZZLING DARKNESS
14. CODA
JPU Records is very happy to hear that two of its artists have been nominated in the 
With the end of the year just around the corner we decided to quiz the staff at JPU Records on their favourite releases of the year – Japanese or otherwise! First up, JPU Chriss; lover of big hair, sitting like a yankii and Kiyoharu.
Japan Underground | JPU Records Ltd. 