Japanese metal force HANABIE. will release a new EP, HOT TOPIC, on 28th January, followed by a headlining North American tour in March and April. The release offers the “Harajuku-core” quartet another opportunity to bring their whirlwind rock sound to a global audience, with a collection of songs that capture the band at their most heavy, chaotic and irresistibly catchy to date.

There's something different about fans of J-Rock. The intensity of fandom is a level above what is standard to see in the UK. At Electric Brixton the Japanese quartet Hanabie are joined by closer-to-home rock outfit Lake Malice.