Ready To Lose Your Mind At UNIFY Gathering? Here's Why Crossfaith Might Be The Trigger

Japan has played a very solid cameo role in the world of rock and metal music over the years. It has been a strong market for Western recording and touring acts, and has produced a number of world class acts of its own that have gone on to achieve international notoriety. In recent times, the name Crossfaith has been on the lips of many heavy music aficionados across the planet and with good reason. They combine a broad range of styles within the heavy canon, with a very modern electronic approach. The end result is really something quite unique.

Frontman Kento ‘Ken’ Koie, speaking from Osaka, agrees. “Yeah I guess so,” he says. “Our music can’t be analysed by one musical genre. Our music is like a trigger for people to lose their minds. Of course, heavy rock music is the base of the Crossfaith sound but there are so many elements from other genres to switch people’s minds.”

He believes that the fact that they are form a non-Western nation is a strong contributing factor to the uniqueness of their sound and general approach. Especially with his own nation having such a strong, distinctive cultural and musical identity and heritage. “Every country has its own favourite melodies or beats at a genetic level,” he states, “and Japanese people love lyrical styles. So I don’t think we’ve got so many inspirations from Japanese music but there’s Japanese tastes before us, so maybe.”

Being from a nation that is a little off the beaten path in the consciousness of rock fans in Western nations could be of disadvantage when it comes building an international profile, but Koie thinks the opposite is actually the case for his own band.

“There are not any negative parts, but only good things,” he opine. “Most people don’t think they will be rocked so hard by a Japanese band like us because the general image of Japanese people is that they are super polite and shy.”

"Our music is like a trigger for people to lose their minds."

Whatever the case, it all seems to be working rather nicely for them. They have now been around for well over a decade and have released five albums, the most recent being 2018’s monumental Ex_Machina. Koie is very happy that his band has experienced a steady rise through the ranks rather than a massive explosion of popularity.

“Yeah it’s true,” he confirms. “Of course we do want to be big but I don’t want the way [to be] unnatural. The band is not just for money, it’s our home and life. We should sail this boat together slowly but surely.”

Their career has also bought them to Australia on previous occasions, and they are about to add to that with an appearance at the enormous UNIFY Gathering in Victoria this month, when they play alongside the likes of such heavy music luminaries as Underoath, Taking Back Sunday, Karnivool, Every Time I Die, Ocean Grove and many, many more. Koie remains unsurprised that they have managed to tour Down Under so many times over the years.

“Yeah our dream was always to be the band that tours around the world,” he says. “We always get so much inspiration from touring outside of Japan.

“We’re beyond excited to be back in Australia! I’ve heard lots of stuff about UNIFY and have been waiting [for] the moment to rock that stage!”

He looks forward to more than just his own band playing the festival, this type of gig can be a chance to catch bands you are a fan of and are also often a reunion of old touring buddies. “Of course, it’s gonna be mega for sure. And there are so many of our friends and my favourite bands too. Watching Underoath at an outdoor festival after midnight will be insane.”

As far as the future of Crossfaith is concerned, Koie looks forward with a cautious optimism. “I love my life now and hope it will last forever,” he says. “But I don’t know what the future will be so we need to take it step by step surely.”