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When you hear the term “mixture rock,” what kind of genre comes to mind?
True to the word “mixture,” in the 1990s Japan began using the genre name “mixture rock” to collectively describe bands that, influenced by contemporary Western music, incorporated a wide array of styles—metal, hardcore, and punk blended with rap and funk or reggae, electronic sounds, and more.
While the term “mixture” itself isn’t heard as often today, more and more bands have inherited the spirit of mixture rock and are crossing over an even broader range of genres such as EDM, funk, jazz, and R&B.
In this article, we’ll introduce mixture rock bands active in Japan, taking a broad view that includes the new generation as well!
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[Rock × ___] A Roundup of Japanese Mixture Rock Bands [2026] (51–60)
my peaches feat.PESINNOSENT in FORMAL
INNOSENT in FORMAL, a four-piece band affectionately known as “Inosen,” has generally used animation instead of their own likenesses in artist photos and music videos since their debut in November 2017, gaining attention as a virtual cartoon band.
Their emotional songs shine with a stylish, urban sensibility rooted in hip-hop.
They’re recommended not only for hip-hop fans but also for anyone looking to discover new music.
Ozonevistlip
A band among the younger visual-kei scene with outstanding popularity and high-level musicianship.
The heavy-sounding guitars intertwining with the vocalist’s clear, translucent voice are especially striking, giving even bright songs a cool edge.
The dynamics of the tracks shift sharply, making the listener look forward to how each song will unfold.
riskKroi
Kroi is gaining attention for their musical style rooted in Black music, blending a wide range of genres including R&B, funk, soul, rock, and hip-hop.
Formed in February 2018, they rose to prominence by winning an audition out of roughly 3,000 groups and performing at Summer Sonic, among other remarkable achievements.
They made their major debut with the album “LENS” in June 2021, and in January 2024 held a one-man show at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo.
Each member brings a different musical background, drawing influence from a wide array of artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lauryn Hill, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
They’re a five-piece band perfect for music fans seeking a unique, genre-crossing mixture sound that transcends scene boundaries.
NAHAVANDNAHAVAND
NAHAVAND is a crossover band that fuses guitar rock and hip-hop.
When they formed in 2011, they performed as a duo, but after guitarist Tokisato left in 2021, it became vocalist Miyauchi’s solo project.
The songs have a simple structure that highlights his pleasantly understated, subtly inflected rap, while both the sense of groove and the guitar melodies are exquisite—making you want to listen again and again.
Enjoy a fresh, unprecedented take on mixture rock!
cassisChim Chap
Chim Chap is a four-piece crossover band from Shiga Prefecture whose members each come from different musical backgrounds, delivering a diverse range of songs across rock, pop, jazz, funk, and more.
Debuting in August 2024, they have continued to release new work every month up to their October album, Orange.
The band began in their high school light music club and went on to win the grand prize at ESP BAND CONTEST 2023 and Jūdai Hakusho 2024.
Drawing influences from genres beyond rock—such as jazz and funk—they’ve established a unique style that mixes Japanese and English.
Aiming to create music as a universal language, their songs resonate with listeners from Gen Z to older generations.