Following an explosive debut concert (“Start the Fire”) Japanese metal supergroup Zilqy returned to the stage at Daikanyama Space ODD in Tokyo for a global press conference.
Written by Jonathan Lane
The conference was moderated by Mr. Kazuo Hirose, Editor-in-Chief of heavy metal magazine BURRN!, and Mr. Sean Nichols, Tokyo-based entertainment executive. Members of the press from Japan and abroad were present and more joined via Zoom. Fans who attended the concert were invited to stay to listen to the conference, and most did.
Major announcements about the Global All-Female Metal Band from Japan included:
- Zilqy will release their first full-length album in Fall 2026. Tracks are currently in development, and according to lead singer Anna, the two new songs performed in tonight’s set may be included. (The band has already released a five-track EP, and performed songs from the EP during the concert)
- Zilqy has signed with the major U.S. booking agency Dynamic Talent International. Mr. Trevor Swenson, CEO of the company, was present via Zoom. He echoed the excitement and enthusiasm about Zilqy that was present throughout the evening.
(While no definitive details were given, there were mentions during the session of overseas touring in the foreseeable future. On this subject, guitarist Toki exclaimed, in English, “I’m so happy!”) - As announced just days earlier, the band will hit the road in early 2026 with a domestic tour (“RISE TO LIBERATION”), including these dates:
Zilqy Tour 2026 “Rise to Liberation”
March 22 (Sun) – Kanagawa, Shin-Yokohama New SIDE BEACH!!
OPEN 17:15 / START 18:00
April 4 (Sat) – Aichi, Nagoya ell.FITS ALL
OPEN 17:15 / START 18:00
April 5 (Sun) – Osaka, OSAKA MUSE
OPEN 17:15 / START 18:00
May 3 (Sun) – Tokyo, Shibuya WWW
OPEN 17:00 / START 18:00
Ticket Price: Standing ¥6,500 (incl. tax)
Tax included / numbered entry / plus drink fee
Ticket Pre-Sale: Official Second Pre-Sale
December 23, 2025 (Tue) 18:00 – January 4, 2026 (Sun) 23:59 JST
From this Official Second Pre-Sale onward, ticket applications from overseas will also be accepted.
(Details and ticket links are available at https://www.zilqy.com/tour/ )
Insights into the band and its members
This conference provided an opportunity to introduce the background and direction of Zilqy, as well as a little about the individual members.
Zilqy Members
Guitarist Toki was a member of Aldious, pioneering all-female metal band from 2009 to 2025, when the band went on indefinite hiatus. Toki first learned to play guitar after watching a live video concert, which set her in motion to play on stage. Fast forward to 2024: Toki approached her friend Miho with the idea of forming a new band. Toki shared that she sees tremendous potential in Zilqy – and expressed her strong admiration and affection for her fellow band members. Toki was asked what it was like playing with three new people. She responded that she saw so much potential in all of them, and to see everything play out on stage exactly as she’d seen it in her mind, was just amazing.
Bassist Miho left heavy metal band LOVEBITES in 2021, and for some time thought she would give up her music career entirely. After a while, she received an invitation to join other musicians for a live performance during a session in Okinawa. With this experience, she realized that her dream was still alive and that it wasn’t time to give up on music just yet. Miho is proud to be on the same stage with her Zilqy band mates, performing live “in front of all the beautiful people in the audience.”
Vocalist Anna is an experienced singer and songwriter. After a long hiatus from singing, she was inspired to get back into music last year, after attending Miho’s annual birthday concert and party, “Booze N’ Roses”. Anna exploded with exuberance about the power of her band, and exclaimed that during this evening’s show, her first live performance in a long time, the energy of fans had already inspired her to write new songs. Additionally, she mentioned that two songs heard for the first time during the show, were new Zilqy songs, with working titles of “Psycho” and “Valentine”.
Drummer Kano’s musical education began with jazz. At school, while drumming in an improv session, she realized that people were banging their heads. This inspired Kano to shift over to a heavy rock style, which she decided is the kind of drumming she wanted to do for the rest of her life. As Anna noted, there is “endless power” behind Kano’s drumming. Having previously worked as a support or session drummer, Zilqy will be Kano’s first time as a full-time, permanent member of a band.
Here are some selected questions and responses from the conference:
- While we knew to expect a cover song or two in tonight’s show, we were excited but surprised to hear “Enter Sandman”, since it’s a tough song to cover. Why did you choose that?: Miho responded that along the way, as a band, they put together their own mix tape as a way to help them decide what kind of band they wanted to be, what sort of image did they want to portray, and decided that this song was a fit, and represented a challenge they were ready to meet. (note: it was well received).
- (To Anna:) Given your very pleasing and captivating voice, will this take the band in any particular direction in order to emphasize your voice? Anna: It’s less me, and more the band, and vocal is just another addition. That’s how I feel.
- When you have four members all very distinct and great at their own instrument, who becomes the leader, and who says, “this is how we’re going to do it”? Answer: “we are a democracy and we’ll all work together to make what’s best for the band.”
- At this time, why have you chosen Nu Metal as Zilqy’s genre? (The band’s sound on the official Zilqy website is described as “Post-Melodic Nu Metal”.) Answer (paraphrased): We don’t want to be confined by any musical category, but for now, this seems to be the optimal category to place our sound in – we will add a Japanese touch to the mix.
- You’re all talented and exciting performers. Of course, another important element is musical chemistry. But it’s been said that personal chemistry is also an important factor in the success of a band. So, I’d like each of you to tell us one thing you admire about the person to your left. Anna, since there’s no one to your left, you can tell us about Kano.
Anna: So, Kano – her talent, the endless power that she has is something I really look up to. I really admire and wish to be influenced by this for many years to come.
Kano: Of all the bassists I’ve worked with, I’ve never had such a pure connection, personally and musically as I have with Miho. Because of that, it makes playing in the band with her great. We both know what the other person is thinking, what we’re going to do, what we’re going to play next, and how it’s going to turn out. It’s just been great.
Miho, on Toki (in English): Her performance, and personality, I very love.
Toki on Anna (with lots of laughter): There are so many things I love and respect about her that it’s hard to pick just one thing. Sometimes I feel a little unsure of myself, how to do something, or show my face in public, or how I should dress, but Anna always has the perfect way to make me feel good and inspire and compliment me in just the right way to make me feel happy and get on with life. (Anecdote: backstage, Anna told Toki, “I like you so much I could just kiss you!” and Toki melted, and responded, “I want to kiss you, too!”)
On this warm note, the press conference was officially concluded.
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Editors note: Our own Jonathan Lane traveled to Tokyo and was credentialed for these events, with our own Don Marcelo joining this conference via official Zoom from California. We hope you enjoyed our teams special report.
Jonathan Lane
https://www.photographer-jonathan-lane.com/home
Don Marcelo Photography
Editors note: Press Conference images supplied by the band’s team
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