Who’s Behind the Screams?

As part of their 2025 European Tour ‘SCREAMING INFERNO’, Broken By The Scream is back in France for a double dose of chaos, hitting Japan Expo Paris on July 4 and La Marquise in Lyon on July 6!

Before screaming and cheering for them on stage, let’s take a moment trying to know more about this colorful and shouty quartet.

Formed in 2016 in Tokyo, Broken By The Scream (or BBTS) is born from Katsuya Kumamoto’s imagination, alias Electro Sonar, guitarist, producer and composer. 

The ambition? To fuse the aesthetics and “kawaii” voices of Japanese idols with the brutality of extreme metal. A bold gamble… but a successful one.

• Io Nodukidaira – low-pitched scream / founding member
• Tsubaki Nanaougi – clean vocal / joined in 2021
• Shizuku Mikogami – clean vocal / joined in 2023
• Yayoi Takayashiki – high-pitched screams / joined in 2024

Like many idol groups, BBTS has gone through emotional member changes such as the departure of their leader Yaburama Ayame in 2023 but also welcomed new energy with the arrival of Shizuku and Yayoi in 2023 and 2024.

There’s no doubt that a first listen will surprise more than a few! This debut throws us back to the origins of “Kawaii Metal” pioneered by BABYMETAL, but here, BBTS pushes the boundaries even further with a more extreme sound and much more prominent, intense screaming.

The “kawaii” side of their music stems from idol pop (which Mikogami is a huge fan of), where every track contains a light-hearted, rhythmic section that suddenly makes you want to grab your glowsticks, right after an intense round of headbanging.

Contrast is their signature: just when you expect a cheerful J-pop chorus, guttural screams, brutal breakdowns, and razor-sharp riffs erupt. This explosive blend represents their deliberate embrace of musical hybridity-kawaii metal, idolcore, screamo, djent, deathcore… each track dances between genres without ever being confined by them.

Screams are handled by Io (deep growls inspired by death metal) and Yayoi (sharp, high-pitched screams reminiscent of black metal), while the clean vocals are delivered by Tsubaki and Shizuku, bringing a polished pop sheen to the chaos.

With claimed influences ranging from Whitechapel, Infant Annihilator, BABYMETAL, Maximum The Hormone, Slipknot, Arch Enemy, to sugary J-pop, almost anything seems possible in BBTS’s sonic universe.

Despite the apparent aggression of their music, Shizuku reassures us: the messages carried by their songs are actually positive, even touching on themes like love—much like more traditional idols. This contrast only strengthens and contributes to their uniqueness, something both BBTS and their producer wholeheartedly embrace.

Since their debut single in 2017, BBTS has steadily built an impressive discography:

• 3 full-length studio albums
• 1 mini-album, Whitewater Park (2024)
• Standout singles such as “KISEKI,” “Ikaros,” and “Monologue”

Since then, they’ve consistently showcased their creativity and high energy on stages across Japan, earning them a strong and growing reputation.
Their major label debut with Tokuma Japan Communications in 2022, marked by the release of RISE into CHAOS, was a major turning point: more ambitious production, increased recognition, and the beginning of their expansion beyond Japan.

In 2024, the desire to expand beyond Japanese borders naturally emerged, leading to their first European tour that included dates in France, Germany, and Austria. They also participated in renowned festivals such as the Motocultor Festival in France, sharing the stage with iconic bands and direct influences like Judas Priest, Slipknot, and Korn. Additionally, they performed exclusive concerts in the United States and Taiwan during the same year. And will be part of the Resurrection Fest in Spain on next June (from June 25 to 28).

At Katsucon 2023 in the US, even though the audience wasn’t familiar with them, the reaction was explosive:

As if that weren’t enough, their temporary 2025 collaboration with brands like GEKIROCK CLOTHING and SABBAT13 for exclusive merchandise showcases their remarkable rise in popularity and growing influence.

Ready to shake French stages once again, Broken By The Scream stands out as a truly unique group, capable of bringing together extreme metal fans and idol culture enthusiasts alike.
Are you ready to face the wave crashing down on France this summer? Then don’t miss them at Japan Expo on the Tsubame stage on July 4, and in Lyon on July 6 at La Marquise venue.