Happy Easter from Imari Tones, Japan.
On this occasion of celebrating Easter, we would like to share our story with you.
Last October, our amazing drummer Shinryu left the band.
It was an amicable parting, and we are still good friends.
The three and a half years we spent with Shinryu (he joined in February 2021) were truly incredible.
We toured throughout Japan, went on two U.S. tours, released the “Nabeshima” album through a European label, made countless music videos, gained many new friends and fans—and after enduring the difficult fire incident in 2023, we released our new album “Coming Back Alive”.
Getting this far is a major accomplishment. In fact, we could even say it’s a miracle.
Coming Back Alive is, in a way, a “happy ending” album for us.
With our previous work “Nabeshima”, we pursued a bold, uncompromising, and complex musical vision, rooted in Japanese tradition and progressive metal.
We are deeply grateful for that journey—but we were also able to return to our roots and create something straight, fun, hopeful, and filled with the teenage spirit.
Through this, we were able to send the message to our fans: “We’re back!”
We felt as if we had completed one major cycle.
We thought maybe it was time to take a break. After all, we’re not that young anymore (even if we might look young!).
There was even a moment when we thought about quitting music altogether—feeling that, as an indie band, we had already been blessed with such an incredible journey.
But then, something unexpected happened—just before Easter—that changed our minds.
After Shinryu left the band, we weren’t really looking for a new drummer.
We were planning to take some time off from live shows and performances.
Just the two of us—Tak and Marie—doing small, laid-back local gigs.
But then, one day while we were rehearsing at church, a drummer showed up.
He had met our pastor at a fish market, learned about our band, and decided to visit the church.
His name is Kenshin—a 19-year-old rock drummer full of talent and passion.
The moment we saw him play, everything changed.
Because we realized: he was the ideal drummer we had always dreamed of.
(Do you know how crucial a drummer is in a rock band?)
To us, this was clearly a message from God: “Keep rocking.”
We had planned to slow down, relax, and eventually stop making music.
But God seemed to be telling us, “Work harder.”
Now with our new young and talented drummer Kenshin,
we must become a world-class band and deliver top-level performances.
We will establish Christian Heavy Metal in Japan and carry on the legacy of classic hard rock.
We are now determined to create new music.
Tak has already written songs for several new albums, including
“Godman EP,” “Heavy Metal Church Worship,” and “Christian Samurai.”
If our time is limited—what are we waiting for?
If our youth is not infinite—why wait to tour the world?
What we need now is budget and time.
Honestly, after four intense years of activity, our band’s budget has almost run dry.
That’s why we’ve decided to take our business seriously—to bring the new Imari Tones, featuring our young drummer, to the world.
As a unique Christian heavy metal band from Japan, we need your support to create new music and tour the world.
First, we are going to restart our Patreon, where we will share the band’s progress and growth with you.
We also want to let more people know about our band.
So please—lend us your strength.
Together with young Kenshin, we aim for the world.
We will take this young samurai to the grand stage.
To us, this is truly a resurrection—and at the same time, perhaps our final challenge.
We hope to post more details about our new Patreon page very soon.
Please be part of this new journey with us.
We are truly grateful for your continued love and support.
Happy Easter.
Happy Resurrection Day.
Tak & Marie / Imari Tones