NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST is set to step onto Latin American soil for the first time, with Mexico as part of this long-awaited tour. In this exclusive interview for Visual Violence, the Japanese band talks about their origins, the evolution of their sound from their beginnings through ARGOS, and what it means to finally come face to face with the fans who have been asking for their arrival for years. An intimate conversation ahead of a moment many have been waiting for.
1. For Visual Violence readers who don’t yet know NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST, could you briefly introduce yourselves? And from your own perspective, how would you describe NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST as a band?
NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST is a Japanese heavy music band formed in 2009. Our music is built on an intense metal sound, but it also incorporates melodies, symphonic elements, and different influences to create a style of our own.
It’s hard to describe in a single word what kind of band we are, but I think we’re a band that, above all, needs to be experienced live. For us, NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST’s music isn’t limited to what you hear on the recordings — it also includes the energy and intensity we bring to our shows.
2. How did the name NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST come about? What meaning or concept did you want to convey through it?
The name NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST was born as an expression of a dark, intense image.
«NOCTURNAL» means «of the night,» while «BLOODLUST» means «thirst for blood.» Together, these concepts carry the true meaning of «vampire.» It has a somewhat dark and aggressive sound, but that’s precisely why we felt it fit our music and our universe.
3. What are your main musical influences? Is there any particular band or artist that has had an especially important influence on NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST’s music?
Each member has fairly broad musical roots. We’ve been influenced mainly by metal and hardcore, as well as by heavy music from abroad, Japanese rock, and many other styles.
Rather than drawing inspiration from one particular band, we’ve absorbed everything that, at each moment, seemed «cool» to us. I think the result of all those influences is what has shaped NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST’s current music.
4. Since forming in 2009 up to today, the band has gone through different stages. Comparing your beginnings to the present, how do you feel NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST’s music has evolved?
At the start of the band, I think we were going for a much more direct intensity. As we continued our activity, we broadened our means of expression, incorporating not just a heavy, intense sound but also melodies, different developments, and symphonic elements.
Now we want to keep what makes NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST, but at the same time we don’t want to be limited by any genre. We’re looking to bring in elements that are even more full of madness while also being dizzying and ever-changing, almost like a circus.
5. Throughout your career as a band, how do you usually make decisions? Is there a member who mainly handles decision-making, or does everyone take part in defining NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST’s direction?
Basically, we make decisions by talking it through among all the members.
Of course, each of us has our own areas of expertise, and sometimes there are differing opinions, but in the end we all think together about what’s best for NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST as a band.
Precisely because we’ve been working together for so many years, we place a lot of value on respecting each member’s individuality while still moving forward as a single band.
6. What’s your usual songwriting process like? Is it common for one member to first bring an idea and then everyone works together to develop the song from there?
The songwriting process varies from song to song. Sometimes the person composing brings a demo and we develop it together, everyone contributing ideas.
We don’t always finish a song exactly as it started out. During the writing process, things can also change a lot when we think, «This would be cooler if we did it this way.»
7. In your music we find very heavy, aggressive moments that contrast with more melodic, atmospheric parts. Through these shifts within your songs, what kind of emotions or ideas are you trying to convey?
I think the contrast between the intense parts and the symphonic parts is very important to NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST’s music.
We don’t want everything to be intense all the time. I think it’s precisely because there are calm parts and melodies that the intense parts that come afterward can feel even stronger.
Through those shifts, we want to convey emotions that can’t be expressed through a single feeling — things like anger, sadness, hope, or conflict.
8. We recently also interviewed Kaya, who told us about his experience sharing the stage with NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST. What was that collaboration like from your perspective? Even though your musical styles are quite different, what did you feel sharing the stage with Kaya?
Sharing the stage with Kaya was a very stimulating experience.
Our music is quite different, but that’s exactly why I think it’s interesting to end up at the same event. Being able to experience a form of expression different from our own up close gave us a lot of inspiration.
Even though the genres are different, we have something in common: being on a stage and making the audience enjoy themselves. In that sense, it was a very interesting collaboration.
9. ARGOS was an important album that marked a new stage for the band. What does ARGOS represent for you? Also, after its release, how do you feel this album influenced NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST’s musical direction?
I think ARGOS was an important turning point for us.
While we wanted to honor everything we had built up to that point, it was also a work where we thought hard about where we wanted to take NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST from then on.
Through ARGOS, we also felt more strongly that we could make music in a much freer way. I think it’s a very important work that connects directly to what NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST is today.
10. In recent years, more and more people outside Japan have started listening to heavy music from the country. How do you see the relationship between Japanese music and international fans?
I’m genuinely glad that there are more and more opportunities for Japanese music to be heard abroad.
Before, I think there was a much greater distance between bands working in Japan and fans in other countries. But now, thanks to the internet and social media, people all over the world can share the same music in real time.
Lately the number of foreign fans coming to our shows in Japan has also grown, and we increasingly get to genuinely feel that «music has no borders.»
11. This will be NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST’s first performance in Latin America. Many fans have waited years for this moment. Now that you’ll finally visit the region and play for your Latin American fans for the first time, how do you feel about it?
I’m truly excited.
For many years we’ve received countless messages from fans in Latin America telling us they wanted us to come someday. We’ve seen those voices this whole time, so finally being able to travel there and play live in front of them is something really special for us.
Sharing our music in a new place, with people we’ll be meeting for the first time. I can’t wait to find out what that moment will be like.
12. Is there anything you know or have heard about Latin American fans? Also, during this visit, is there anything you’re especially looking forward to getting to know, experience, or try?
I get the impression that Latin American fans are incredibly passionate.
For a while now we’ve been able to feel, through social media, how huge their passion for our music is. Once we’re finally there, I want to see that energy with my own eyes and feel it in person.
And it’s not just about enjoying the shows — I’d also like to experience the local culture, the food, and lots of other things. I especially love Mexican food, so I’m really looking forward to trying it there.
13. This will also be your first performance in Mexico. What do you expect from your first show in the country? And is there anything you’d like to say to the Mexican fans who will come see NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST?
Since this will be our first show in Mexico, the first thing I want to do is enjoy it to the fullest.
Just like we do when we play in Japan, we’re going to get on stage and give it everything. Precisely because we won’t know how Mexican fans will react until we’re there, I’m really looking forward to finding out.
I want to put on a show that makes the people who’ve waited for us all these years think, «It was worth the wait.»
14. Many fans in Mexico and Latin America have waited years for the chance to see you live. How do you feel about finally being able to meet your fans from the region face to face?
We’re truly grateful.
There are people who, even though they’ve never met us in person, have kept listening to our music for years and have kept saying on social media that they wanted us to come. The simple fact that people like that exist means a great deal to us.
Now, at last, we’ll be able to stand in front of those people. I want to experience firsthand how something that until now only existed on the other side of a screen turns into a real moment.
And I’m sure a much greater energy than we can imagine awaits us, so I want to take it head-on and respond to it with everything we have.
15. To close, could you send a message to all the fans in Mexico and Latin America who have waited so long for this visit?
Thank you so much for waiting for us for so long.
The voices of everyone who said «We want you to come to Mexico» and «We want you to come to Latin America» have always reached us.
And now, finally, we can keep that promise.
From Japan, we’ll bring the best music and all the energy we have.
Even though we speak different languages and come from different countries, I believe that the moment the music starts, none of that will matter anymore.
That day, scream, jump, go wild, and let’s make an unforgettable moment together.
Mexico, Latin America, we’re finally coming to see you!
We’ll be waiting for you at the venue!
– BOLETOS –
Interview conducted by the Visual Violence team
