The following is a list of notable Japanese rock bands and artists. For an extended list of J-Pop artists, see List of J-pop artists.

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The 5.6.7.8's The 5.6.7.8's are a Japanese rock band from Tokyo. They first started performing as a quartet in Tokyo, and recruited guest performers during their Australian tour. They became a trio in 1992, before touring Australia. Members The 5.6.7.8's fo ...

9mm Parabellum Bullet is a Japanese rock band, formed in March 2004 in Yokohama. It consists of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Takuro Sugawara, guitarist and backing vocalist Yoshimitsu Taki, bassist Kazuhiko Nakamura, and drummer Chihiro Kamijo, who came up wit ...

10-FEET is a Japanese rock band formed in 1997 in Kyoto, signed to Universal Music Japan and managed by Badass. Their music styles are mix of rock, punk rock, punk, heavy metal music, heavy metal, reggae, hip-hop, guitar pop and bossa nova. ''JaME USA''10 ...

12012 is a Japanese visual kei rock band. Formed in 2003 in Osaka Prefecture, the group centers its work around the concept of "madness inside a human" (人間の内面における狂気 '). 12012 is also the penal code for the possession of a danger ...

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Abingdon Boys School Abingdon Boys School (stylized as abingdon boys school) is a Japanese rock band formed in 2005 and fronted by Japanese singer Takanori Nishikawa. Formed in 2005, the band shares a name with the British independent school Abingdon School, in Abi ...

* Acid Android * Acid Black Cherry * Aldious *

Alexandros Alexandros may refer to: *Alexandros, a Greek name, the origin for the English name Alexander * Alexander III of Macedon, commonly known as Alexander the Great * Alexandros, Greece, a village on the island of Lefkada *Alexandros (band) , sty ...

* Amazarashi * A9 * An Cafe *

Androp Androp (anne-drop, stylized as androp) is a Japanese rock band formed in 2008 in Tokyo. The band had their indie debut in 2009, and then signed on to a major label Warner Music Japan in 2011. Before their major debut, in November 2010 they contri ...

* Animetal *

Anthem An anthem is a musical composition of celebration, usually used as a symbol for a distinct group, particularly the national anthems of countries. Originally, and in music theory and religious contexts, it also refers more particularly to short ...

Aqua Timez was a Japanese rock band signed to Epic Records. Overview Futoshi and OKP-Star met on with9.com in 2000 and attempted to start a band together. Unable to agree on the band's future, the two disbanded. In 2003, the current band members gathered ...

* Asian Kung-Fu Generation * Ayabie

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B'z are a Japanese rock duo, consisting of guitarist, composer and producer Takahiro "Tak" Matsumoto and vocalist and lyricist Koshi Inaba, 佐伯明『B'z ウルトラクロニクル』ソニー・マガジンズ、2003年。新型光�B'zはなぜ ...

* Baad * Babymetal * Back-On *

The Back Horn is a Japanese Rock music, rock band, formed in Tokyo in 1998. History The band got started around April in 1998, when the original members all came to Tokyo from the countryside where they all lived, all for different reasons. They met, and de ...

* Back Number *

Band-Maid Band-Maid (stylized as BAND-MAID® until 2016) is a Japanese rock band formed in 2013, consisting of singer Saiki Atsumi, guitarist/singer Miku Kobato, lead guitarist Kanami Tōno, bassist Misa, and drummer Akane Hirose. The band combines a rock ...

Base Ball Bear Base Ball Bear is a Japanese rock band from Tokyo that made its major debut in 2006 with EMI Music Japan. Although assembled in autumn 2001, the band formally began in 2002, and started off with self-produced releases. Their style influences incl ...

The Bawdies ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

Beat Crusaders were a Japanese rock band active from 1997 to 2010. During all promotional appearances, their faces are masked by drawings resembling themselves as printed by a dot-matrix printer. History Beat Crusaders, commonly abbreviated BECR, was founded ...

* The Blue Hearts *

Boom Boom Satellites were a Japanese electronic music duo consisting of guitarist and vocalist Michiyuki Kawashima and bassist and programmer Masayuki Nakano. They were signed to Sony Music Entertainment Japan, with whom they had released all of their albums in Japa ...

* Boøwy * Boris * Bow Wow * Brats *

Brian the Sun Brian the Sun is a Japanese rock band from Osaka. History The band was formed in 2007 in Osaka by Ryota Mori and Haruki Hakuyama. The name was inspired by the Arctic Monkeys song Brianstorm. The band's songs have been used for numerous Ani ...

* The Brilliant Green *

Buck-Tick Buck-Tick (stylized as BUCK-TICK) is a Japanese Rock music, rock band, formed in Fujioka, Gunma in 1983. The group has consisted of lead vocalist Atsushi Sakurai, lead guitarist Hisashi Imai, rhythm guitarist Hidehiko Hoshino, bassist Yutaka Hig ...

Bump of Chicken is a Japanese alternative rock group from Sakura, Chiba, Japan. The band members are Motoo Fujiwara (Vocalist, vocals, Rhythm guitar, rhythm), Hiroaki Masukawa (guitar), Yoshifumi Naoi (Bass guitar, bass) and Hideo Masu (Drum kit, drums). Since ...

Burnout Syndromes Burnout Syndromes (stylised as BURNOUT SYNDROMES when romanized) is a Japanese rock band formed on May 4, 2005 in Osaka. The band consists of guitarist and vocalist Kazuumi Kumagai (熊谷和海), bassist Taiyu Ishikawa (石川大裕), and drum ...

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Cali Gari Cali Gari (stylized as cali≠gari) is a Japanese visual kei experimental rock band formed with the concept erotic grotesque.

Chatmonchy was a three-piece all-female rock band which consisted of Eriko Hashimoto (guitar, vocals), Akiko Fukuoka (bass, chorus), and formerly Kumiko Takahashi (drums, chorus) who are from Tokushima Prefecture on the island of Shikoku, Japan. Since 20 ...

Church of Misery is a Japanese doom metal band from Tokyo, formed in 1995. Church of Misery's musical style melds early Black Sabbath-style doom with psychedelic rock; most of the band's songs are about serial killers and mass murderers. Bassist Tatsu Mikami ...

Cinema Staff Cinema Staff (stylized as cinema staff) are a Japanese alternative rock band from Gifu Prefecture, formed in 2003. Originally formed as Real when the band members were still in high school, they made their major debut on the label Pony Canyon in J ...

* Coldrain *

Crystal Lake Crystal Lake or Crystal Lakes may refer to: Lakes Canada * Crystal Lake (Saskatchewan) * Crystal Lake (Ontario), drain into the Lynn River, which drains into Lake Erie United States * Crystal Lake, California, a mountain lake in Nevada Co ...

* The Collectors *

Cö Shu Nie is a Japanese rock band. The band's current members are musicians Miku Nakamura and Shunsuke Matsumoto; previously in the group were Kōjirō Yamazaki and Ryōsuke Fujita. Formed in 2011, Cö shu Nie's early work consisted of independent rele ...

* Crossfaith * Cyntia *

Czecho No Republic is a Japanese band. Their album ''Santa Fe'' reached the 19th place on the Weekly Oricon Albums Chart and their singles "For You" and "Oh Yeah!!!!!!!" reached the 24th place on the Weekly Oricon Singles Chart. "Oh Yeah!!!!!!!" was also the th ...

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Dimlim DIMLIM was a Japanese visual kei rock band established in 2017, currently on the label DUM LABEL with the members Sho, Retsu and Hiroshi. Career Formation, VARIOUS and CHEDOARA (2017–2018) The band was formed in April 2017 by Ryuya, forme ...

* D * D'espairsRay *

Diaura is a four-member Japanese visual kei rock band, currently signed to their own record label, called NDG, they were formerly under Galaxy Inc. and then Ains. The band formed in December 2010 by yo-ka (ex-Valluna and Megamasso roadie), Kei (ex-Val ...

* Dir En Grey * DISH// * Do As Infinity * Does * Doll$Boxx * Dragon Ash

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* Earthshaker *

Elephant Kashimashi , sometimes abbreviated as , is a Japanese rock band from Kita, Tokyo, formed in 1981. It has consisted of vocalist and guitarist Hiroji Miyamoto, guitarist Toshiyuki Ishimori, bassist Seiji Takamidori and drummer Yoshiyuki Tominaga since 1986. ...

* Ellegarden * Exist Trace * Ezo

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* Fate Gear *

Flow Flow may refer to: Science and technology * Fluid flow, the motion of a gas or liquid * Flow (geomorphology), a type of mass wasting or slope movement in geomorphology * Flow (mathematics), a group action of the real numbers on a set * Flow (psych ...

Flower Flower is a Japanese rock band that was formed in 2013 by Japanese singer-songwriter Yui. The group debuted with the single "Tsuki" (2013). Biography Vocalist Yui is a musician from Fukuoka, who originally debuted as a soloist under Sony Music Ent ...

* Flower Travellin' Band * Flumpool * Frederic * Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas

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* Gacharic Spin *

Gackt , better known by his mononymous stage name Gackt (stylized as GACKT), is a Japanese musician, singer, songwriter, record producer and actor. Born in Okinawa, Japan, to a Ryukyuan family, Gackt learned the piano at a young age and was raise ...

* Galileo Galilei * Galneryus *

Garnidelia (stylized as GARNiDELiA) is a Japanese pop rock duo, consisting of singer Mai Mizuhashi, better known by her stage name MARiA and Vocaloid record producer , better known by his stage name toku. History The duo first collaborated on the song "Col ...

The Gazette The Gazette (stylized as the GazettE), formerly known as , is a Japanese visual kei Rock music, rock band, formed in Kanagawa Prefecture, Kanagawa in early 2002.''Shoxx'' Vol 106 June 2007 pg 40-45 The band is currently signed to Sony Music Recor ...

* Gesu no Kiwami Otome *

Girugamesh is a Japanese rock band, formed in 2003. Their name is sometimes stylized with a metal umlaut as girugämesh and is derived from the ''Final Fantasy'' character. They disbanded on July 10, 2016, although announced a new song, to celebrate labe ...

* Glay * Globe * Going Under Ground *

Golden Bomber is a Japanese visual kei "air" rock band formed in 2004 and signed to the independent label Euclid Agency (sublabel ''Zany Zap''). Despite not actually performing the instruments themselves during concerts, they have gained popularity through ...

* The Golden Cups *

Granrodeo Granrodeo (stylized as GRANRODEO) is a Japanese rock band, specializing in creating anime soundtracks. Career In 2005 voice actor Kishō Taniyama ("Kishow") and musician Masaaki Iizuka ("E-Zuka"), known for his collaborations in creating anim ...

* Guitar Wolf

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* Happy End *

Hello Sleepwalkers is a five-member Japanese alternative rock band from Okinawa formed in 2008. The band is signed to A-Sketch Music Label and have currently released five studio albums, two extended plays, four single albums, and ten singles. They are best known ...

* Hi-Standard *

The Hiatus The Hiatus is a Japanese rock supergroup formed by Takeshi Hosomi, lead vocalist of Ellegarden. Members * – vocals, guitar (Ellegarden, MONOEYES) * Masasucks – guitar (Fullscratch) * – bass (Radio Caroline, ex-Thee Michelle Gun Elephant ...

High and Mighty Color High and Mighty Color (stylized as HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR) was a Japanese rock band active from 2003 to 2010. They had two vocalists; a male and a female. History Formation and Anti-Nobunaga The band started in Okinawa when Sassy and Meg left a ...

The High-Lows were a popular Japanese punk rock band that was formed in 1995. The band stopped all activities in November 2005 and broke up. Members * Hiroto Kōmoto – vocals, harmonica, occasional rhythm guitar * Masatoshi Mashima –guitar, backing ...

* HY

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* I Don't Like Mondays. *

Ikimono-gakari The romanization of the group's name does not have the hyphen according to Sony's websites for their albums. is a Japanese pop rock musical duo, duo from Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan consisting of Yoshiki Mizuno and Kiyoe Yoshioka. The group starte ...

* Indigo la End

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* JAM Project * Janne Da Arc *

Jealkb Jealkb (ジュアルケービー ''juarukeebii'') is a Japanese visual kei rock band made up of seven members, all of them comedians including London Boots Ichi-go Ni-go's Atsushi Tamura. History Their debut single ''Metronome'' hit number 1 o ...

Judy and Mary Judy and Mary (often stylized as JUDY AND MARY) was a Japanese rock band formed in 1991 in Japan by bassist Yoshihito Onda and vocalist Yuki Isoya, Yuki, with drummer Kohta Igarashi and guitarist Taiji Fujimoto completing the lineup in 1992. Guit ...

* Jupiter

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* kizu * Kuroyume * Kagerou *

Kagrra, was a Japanese visual kei folk rock band. They were originally signed to the now defunct Key Party Records under the name "Crow". The group changed its name when they signed to PS Company in 2000. History The band's major debut was in 2004 wit ...

* Kana-Boon *

Keytalk Keytalk, styled KEYTALK, is a Japanese rock band. Their album ''HOT!'' reached the 4th place on the Weekly Oricon Albums Chart and their single "Starring Star" reached the 7th place on the Weekly Oricon Singles Chart. Their song "Ōka Ranman" is th ...

* King Gnu * Kyuso Nekokami

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* L'Arc-en-Ciel * Lazy * Ling tosite Sigure *

LM.C LM.C is a Japanese visual kei rock duo playing a mix of electronic rock and pop, which they call "new century electrorock". History LM.C was founded by Maya, who was formerly a guitarist for musician Miyavi in his support band Ishihara Gundan, ...

* Loudness * Lovebites *

Lovendor is a Japanese all-female band. History The band was formed in 2012 around Morning Musume member Reina Tanaka. Originally there were four members: Reina Tanaka (vocals), Marina Okada (vocals), Yuki Uozumi (guitar), Marin Miyazawa (guitar). In ...

* Lucious * Luna Sea

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* Malice Mizer * Man with a Mission * Mary's Blood *

Matenrou Opera is a Japanese visual kei power metal band. The band was formed in 2007 by Sono and Yuu who were previously the vocalist and drummer of Jeniva.

* Maximum the Hormone * Mejibray * Mongol800 *

Monkey Majik Monkey is a common name that may refer to most mammals of the infraorder Simiiformes, also known as the simians. Traditionally, all animals in the group now known as simians are counted as monkeys except the apes, which constitutes an incomple ...

* Monoral * The Mops *

Mr. Children , commonly referred to by their contracted nickname , are a Japanese pop rock band formed in 1989. Consisting of Kazutoshi Sakurai, Kenichi Tahara, Keisuke Nakagawa, and Hideya Suzuki, they made their major label debut in 1992. They are one of t ...

Mrs. Green Apple Mrs. Green Apple (stylized in all caps; Japanese: ) is a three-member Japanese rock music, rock band from Tokyo that made its major debut in 2015 with EMI Records. They are known for performing the fourth ending theme to the anime series ''Yu-Gi ...

* Mucc *

My First Story My First Story (stylized as MY FIRST STORY) is a Japanese rock band from Shibuya, Tokyo. Formed in 2011, the band currently consists of vocalist Hiroki Moriuchi, guitarist Teruki Nishizawa, bassist Nobuaki Katō, and drummer Shōhei Sasaki. The ...

Morfonica Morfonica is a Japanese all-female band, all-female rock band that is part of Bushiroad's media franchise ''BanG Dream!''. Formed in 2020, the group's members portray fictional characters in the project's anime series and mobile game ''BanG Dream ...

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* NaNa * Nemophila * Nico Touches the Walls *

Nightmare A nightmare, also known as a bad dream, Retrieved 11 July 2016. is an unpleasant dream that can cause a strong emotional response from the mind, typically fear but also despair, anxiety or great sadness. The dream may contain situations of d ...

Ningen Isu is a Japanese heavy metal band formed in Hirosaki in 1987. The band's current line-up consists of co-founders Shinji Wajima (guitar, vocals) and Ken-ichi Suzuki (bass, vocals) alongside Nobu Nakajima (drums, vocals), who joined in 2004. All thre ...

No Regret Life No Regret Life is a Japanese rock band. History No Regret Life was founded in 2001 in Kanoya, Kagoshima, Japan, by Kazusō Oda, Ryūta Hashiguchi, and Yuka Shimokariya, who was later replaced by Genta Matsumura. They played live shows before r ...

Nothing's Carved in Stone Nothing's Carved in Stone is a Japanese rock band formed in January 2009. After Ellegarden decided to go into hiatus in 2008, the group's guitarist Shinichi Ubukata created Nothing's Carved in Stone as his solo project. Their debut album ''Paral ...

* Novelbright

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* Oblivion Dust *

Off Course Off Course was a Japanese folk rock band formed by Kazumasa Oda and Yasuhiro Suzuki. They broke up after a farewell performance at the Tokyo Dome on February 26, 1989. Their most famous songs are "Sayonara" (さよなら), "YES-YES-YES", "Setsu ...

* Official Hige Dandism * Okamoto's *

Oldcodex Oldcodex (stylized as OLDCODEX) was a Japanese rock band from Tokyo, Japan, formed in 2009. They performed the opening themes for the anime series '' Free!'', ''Servamp'' and '' God Eater'' and the ending themes for ''Kuroko's Basketball'' and ...

* One Ok Rock *

The Oral Cigarettes , stylized as THE ORAL CIGARETTES is a four-member Japanese alternative rock band from Nara Prefecture, formed in July 2010. The band signed to A-Sketch in 2012 and have currently released five studio albums, two independent albums, one demo albu ...

* Orange Range *

Outrage (band) Outrage is a Japanese thrash metal band, formed in Nagoya in 1982. They made their debut in 1987 with a lineup of Yosuke Abe on guitar, Yoshihiro Yasui on bass, Shinya Tange on drums and Naoki Hashimoto on vocals. Hashimoto left the band in 199 ...

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* P'unk-en-Ciel * Passepied *

The Pees are a Japanese three-piece rock band. Formed in 1986 by college students based in Tokyo, they have 11 original albums and continue to tour Japan. They once left the music scene but returned in July 2002 after a five-year absence. The current me ...

* The Peggies * The Pillows * Plastic Tree *

Polkadot Stingray is a Japanese rock band from Fukuoka, Japan signed under Universal Sigma. The band's members consist of Shizuku (guitar and vocals), Harushi Ejima (guitar), Yuki Uemura (bass), and Kazuma Mitsuyasu (drums). History 2014–2016: Indies era, ...

* Polysics *

Poppin'Party Poppin'Party is a Japanese all-female band that was formed in 2015 as part of Bushiroad's media franchise ''BanG Dream!''. The group's members are voice actresses who portray fictional characters in the franchise's anime series and mobile game ''B ...

* Porno Graffitti * Princess Princess

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* Queen Bee * Quruli

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Radwimps is a Japanese rock band who debuted independently in 2003 and signed with Toshiba EMI in 2005. The band's name, Radwimps, was formed from two English slang terms, " rad" and "wimp". According to the band, the coined word had several meanings, i ...

* Roselia *

Raise A Suilen Raise A Suilen (stylized as RAISE A SUILEN) is a Japanese all-female rock band that is part of Bushiroad's media franchise ''BanG Dream!''. Formed in 2018, the group's members portray fictional characters in the project's anime series and mobile ...

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* Sabbat * Sakanaction *

Sambomaster is a Japanese rock band signed by Sony Music Japan. The band's name, Sambomaster, refers to the Russian martial art called Sambo. History Lead vocalist and guitarist Takashi Yamaguchi first met drummer Yasufumi Kiuchi at a university music club ...

* Scandal * Sekai no Owari *

Sex Machineguns Sex Machineguns (stylized as SEX MACHINEGUNS) is a Japanese heavy metal band formed in 1989. Their music is characterized by a heavy focus on bass as well as extremely fast guitar and bass solos. The band uses the image of " shoc ...

Shonen Knife Shonen Knife is a Japanese pop-punk band formed in Osaka in 1981. Influenced by 1960s girl groups, pop bands, the Beach Boys, and early punk rock bands such as the Ramones, the band crafts stripped-down songs with simple yet unconventional lyr ...

* Show-Ya * Sid *

Sigh Paralanguage, also known as vocalics, is a component of meta-communication that may modify meaning, give nuanced meaning, or convey emotion, by using techniques such as prosody, pitch, volume, intonation, etc. It is sometimes defined as relatin ...

Silent Siren was a Japanese all-female band formed in 2010 and associated with Platinum Production. The members consist of three fashion models: Sumire Yoshida (lead vocals and guitar), Aina Yamauchi (bass guitar), and Yukako Kurosaka (keyboard). Ayana Sōg ...

* SiM *

The Sixth Lie The Sixth Lie (stylized as THE SIXTH LIE) is a Japanese electronic rock band formed in May 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. Their music is known for its hybrid style inspired by the latest western music, and their overall science fiction-inspired theme con ...

* Skin * Southern All Stars * The Spiders * Spitz * Spyair *

Stereopony was a Japanese pop rock band that formed in Okinawa, Japan in 2007 and disbanded in 2012. The three-girl band consisted of Aimi Haraguni (lead vocals and guitar), Nohana Kitajima (bass guitar), and Shiho Yamanoha (drums). They were signed to the ...

* Straightener *

Super Beaver Super Beaver (stylized as SUPER BEAVER) is a Japanese rock band formed in 2005. They are best known for their song , which was used as an ending theme (the 9th ending theme for the series) for the fifth season of Naruto Shippuden, their song "Ra ...

Suchmos Suchmos is a Japanese rock group formed in 2013. Suchmos was inspired by African-American music such as rock, jazz, and hip-hop. The band's name, Suchmos, is adapted from a jazz musician Louis Armstrong’s nickname, “Satchmo”. History 2013: ...

* Sug * Sumika * Supercar * Superfly

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* The Tempters * The Tigers *

Tokio Tokio may refer to: * , the capital of Japan, used primarily in non-English-speaking countries may also refer to: Music * Tokio (band), a Japanese pop/rock band ** ''Tokio'' (album), their debut album * Tokio Hotel, a German rock band * Toki ...

* Tokyo Jihen * Triceraptors * Tube (band)

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* UnsraW * Unicorn * Uroboros * Uverworld

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* Vamps

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Wagakki Band is a Japanese band that combines rock music with ''wagakki'' (traditional Japanese musical instruments) and ''shigin'' (Japanese poems reciting art). Their early songs were adapted from Vocaloid recordings but they have since written their own ...

* Wands * Wanima

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* X Japan

Y

* The Yellow Monkey * Yeti

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* Zone *

Zutomayo , stylized as ZUTOMAYO, is a Japanese rock group that debuted in 2018. Secretive by nature, the group has never released a full member list, crediting different people for music, arrangements, and music video production each time. The only member ...

References

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Rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...

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