History
JILUKA: A Fusion of Visual Kei and Metalcore
JILUKA is a prominent Japanese band formed in May 2013, known for their distinctive blend of modern metal and Visual Kei aesthetics, often described as "loudkei." The band's current lineup features Ricko on vocals (formerly Kanata), Sena on guitar and rap, Boogie on bass, and Zyean on drums (joined in 2015).
Formation and Early Years
The band originated from the session band "J.L.K." and officially debuted on May 6, 2013, with their initial lineup including drummer JaiL. Following the release of their debut single "Sicks," JaiL departed in October 2013, leading to a temporary hiatus. JILUKA resumed activities in 2015 with the addition of Zyean on drums and Ricko adopting his current stage name. This period saw the release of their comeback single "Screamer" and the EP Brave Agonistic Letters Under Segregation.
Rise to Prominence
In 2016, JILUKA held their first solo concert, "Zion OF NEXT EPIC," and released the singles "Faizh" and "Lluvia." The following year, they released their third EP, Xenomorphic, and the limited single "Hellraiser" in 2018. That same year marked the release of their debut full-length album, Metamorphose, which achieved the number eight position on the Oricon Indies Albums chart. The band also gained recognition through performances at events like Metal Square vol. 4, sharing stages with notable Visual Kei acts such as DIMLIM and Nocturnal Bloodlust.
International Expansion and Continued Success
JILUKA organized the Mad Pit Tour in 2019, collaborating with bands like Deviloof and DEXCORE. They also released the cover album Polyhedron and a joint release with breakin' holiday, titled B'H⇄JLK. Their growing popularity was further acknowledged when they were ranked 12th on JRock News's list of top Visual Kei and Japanese rock artists for 2019.
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, JILUKA celebrated their 5th anniversary with a performance at Tsutaya-O West and released the EP Xtopia. They also embarked on a tour with Leetspeak Monsters. In 2021, the band held a free online concert streamed globally via Twitch and announced the release of their album Idola.
The year 2022 saw the release of the Jeff Dunne-produced digital single "Blvck" and another iteration of the Mad Pit Tour. Band members also engaged in various side projects, with Zyean supporting Cazqui's Brutal Orchestra and Sena and Boogie modeling for Mana’s brand Moi-même-Moitié.
JILUKA's international presence expanded significantly in 2023. They performed at Dex Fest 2023 in Nagoya and released the singles "Overkill" and "Venom." Their U.S. debut took place at Anime Weekend Atlanta 2023, followed by a performance at the Evil Live Festival in Lisbon, making them the first Visual Kei band to perform in Portugal. This marked the beginning of their first world tour, K4RMA, which included sold-out shows in Europe and performances at the Resurrection Festival in Spain and in Los Angeles. They returned to Europe in 2024.
In March 2024, JILUKA announced the establishment of their own label, FAIZH MUSIC LLC. They toured North America in May 2024 with IMMINENCE and returned to Europe in June 2025 for their "THE KVLT" tour. They are also scheduled to perform at the B7klan J-ROCK FESTIVAL in Paris in June 2026 and have announced further European dates for 2026.
Musical Influences and Member Backgrounds
Each member of JILUKA brings a unique background to the band. Ricko transitioned from guitar to vocals due to a lack of vocalists in his previous band. Sena initially played drums before switching to guitar, and Zyean, who started as a self-taught vocalist and guitarist, became a drummer with encouragement from a classmate. Boogie also adopted the bass when his previous band needed a bassist.
The band cites X Japan as a major influence. Sena, the primary songwriter, also draws inspiration from the band Kansas, classical music, and Rixton. Ricko's influences include rap and rock, with Linkin Park and L'Arc-en-Ciel among his favorites. Boogie's musical journey was shaped by various genres, with Slipknot being his introduction to metal. Zyean's musical roots are firmly in metal, with influences ranging from Metallica to Behemoth.
