August 20, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Japanese Metal Band ASTERISM Returns to U.S. in November for PLANET OF METAL Tour
“ASTERISM LIVE TOUR 2024 -PLANET OF METAL-” Will Have One Show Only in L.A. at The Echo – Tickets on Sale Now!
Japanese instrumental metal band ASTERISM has released a performance digest video with highlights of their concerts at Anime Expo in L.A. and Japan Expo in Paris last month.
The video shows ASTERISM performing tracks from their concept album PLANET OF METAL for excited crowds at the largest anime events in the U.S. and Europe.
WATCH: ASTERISM Concert Digest 2024 from Anime Expo and Japan Expo
ASTERISM will return to the U.S. in November for one show only at The Echo in Los Angeles on November 4. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.
https://www.ticketmaster.com/search?q=asterism
Created by ASTERISM and manga artist Acky Bright, PLANET OF METAL is a collaboration born from the artists’ friendship which began at Anime Expo 2023.
The result is a blistering 7-song album which takes fans on a journey through a fantasy world that only ASTERISM and Acky Bright could create. The 7-track album combines with a 28-page book of dazzling artwork to create the multi-sensory experience of PLANET OF METAL.
WATCH: “THE TITAN” by ASTERISM and Acky Bright
PLANET OF METAL artwork will also be featured at the special exhibition “Acky Bright: Studio Infinity”, which will have a public preview August 23-25 before the official opening in October.
Conceived as Acky Bright’s design studio, the exhibition offers visitors an exceptional opportunity to meet the artist, witness his freestyle “live drawing”, and participate in making a series of manga-style murals. Bright is known to U.S. audiences for his recent multimedia designs for the nationwide “WcDonald’s” campaign, the official Squid Game coloring book for Netflix, and various covers for DC Comics.
Tickets and info:
https://japansociety.org/gallery/acky-bright-studio-infinity/
PLANET OF METAL
Special Website:
https://www.planetofmetal.com/
STORY
In PLANET OF METAL, at the edge of the galaxy, a horrific curse spreads across the planet, causing creatures to become violent. ASTERISM journeys to find the mysterious mechanical skull at the source of the curse, aided by Zom-chan, a zombie-like companion with a dark secret. ASTERISM battles the forces controlled by the Mecha-Skull — ninjas, a giant squid, an army of zombies, and a giant metal dragon — before their final, epic battle to restore the soul of metal.
The album’s track list chronicles these chapters to lead listeners through the story.
1. Planet of Metal
2. The Dragon
3. The Ninja
4. The Squid
5. The Zombie
6. The Robot
7. The Titan
Available now:
PLANET OF METAL – Deluxe Artbook Edition
7-song CD with songs by ASTERISM
28-page book with illustrations drawn by Acky Bright (A4 size)
Order now: https://asterism.lnk.to/PLANETOFMETAL_CD
ASTERISM
ASTERISM is a three-piece instrumental heavy metal band consisting of HAL-CA (Gt.), MIYU (Ba.), and MIO (Dr.), who have all performed music since childhood. The three met at a musical competition in 2014 and formed the band as teenagers, receiving praise for their advanced technical skill and passionate onstage performance.
“ASTERISM” means “a group of stars”, and the three musicians want to express their music as one, becoming a band of shining stars.
Championed early in their career by noteworthy musicians such as famed producer and songwriter Bootsy Collins, ASTERISM has completed multiple tours of Japan, Asia, and the U.S., including performances at SXSW Music Festival, Taihu Midi Festival, and Knotfest Japan.
In March 2023, they made their major debut with SME Records. In 2024, the band will tour North America, Europe, and South Asia.
ASTERISM aims for further global expansion with a new genre “MASS METAL” which means “a metal that reaches, resonates, and is loved by the masses”, based on their meticulously composed music and their unique pop sensibilities.
Official Website: https://asterism.asia/en/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ASTERISM2016
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ASTERISM2016
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asterism.metal/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asterism2016/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asterism.metal
ACKY BRIGHT
Acky Bright is a highly acclaimed manga artist and illustrator, renowned for his captivating “kawakakkoii” style drawings that pay homage to the golden age of Japanese manga and anime. With an impressive portfolio spanning both domestic and international projects, Acky has left an indelible mark on the industry.
Collaborating with esteemed Japanese media companies, he has crafted mesmerizing manga and character designs. Notably, since 2020, he has also lent his exceptional talents to renowned American companies such as DC Comics and Hasbro. His new DC Comics series, “KNIGHT TERRORS: ANGEL BREAKER vol. 1 & 2,” was released in July 2023.
Acky’s latest art book, “B/W” (PIE International), released to widespread acclaim last year, continues to captivate art enthusiasts worldwide. Building on its resounding success, the book is poised to captivate a global audience, ensuring that art aficionados worldwide can experience the brilliance of Acky’s work.
In addition to his extraordinary achievements above, Acky has embarked on an exhilarating journey in commercial field with global corporations. In 2021, Acky began a groundbreaking partnership with BMW of Germany, where he conceptualized and brought to life a manga series inspired by a real-life esports professional team. The following year, his artistic prowess shone through in his meticulous character designs and artwork for the Japanese adaptation of the immensely popular German novel “WOOD WALKERS.”
In 2023, he was entrusted with the remarkable task of creating the official coloring book for NETFLIX’s sensational Korean drama “Squid Game” (Penguin Random House). Meta discovered Acky Bright for their new brand campaign, “It’s Your World,” in collaboration with Coi Leray to create a new manga to promote their project. In Japan, Acky drew a 22-page pilot manga titled “JERART” for one of the largest energy companies, JERA, to convey the corporate message to their global future generations.
In 2024, Acky embarked on an illustrious collaboration with McDonald’s Japan, serving as the principal character designer for the brand’s second music video campaign. This campaign was highlighted by contributions from renowned Japanese artists YOASOBI and VAUNDY. Concurrently, Acky led the charge for McDonald’s Global in a month-long manga and anime-inspired promotion campaign named “WcDonald’s,” which spanned over 30 territories, including the U.S. and Canada. This campaign showcased Acky’s character designs across various mediums—advertising, packaging, digital manga, and anime short videos. Launched in February 2024, the campaign received widespread acclaim, with Acky’s characters and designs also laying the groundwork for an “immersive dining experience” at a physical restaurant location in Los Angeles.
Demonstrating his versatility as an artist, Acky has mastered the art of live drawing, enchanting audiences worldwide with his awe-inspiring performances on large canvases. From Tokyo to Los Angeles and New York, his captivating live drawing exhibitions have mesmerized fans. Building on his immense popularity, Acky was honored as a Guest of Honor at Anime Expo 2023 and Anime NYC 2023, where he graced the stage, captivating attendees with his remarkable live drawing performance.
Prepare to be spellbound as Acky Bright continues to push the boundaries of manga artistry, leaving an indelible mark on the world stage.
Official Website: https://www.acky-bright.com
Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/aki001208
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acky_bright
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Images:
PLANET OF METAL visuals (Dropbox)
ASTERISM Live Performance Photos (Dropbox)
Music by ASTERISM
Art by Acky Bright
©Sony Music Labels, Inc.
