As well as hard-hitting catchy songs with a Hip-hop vibe, ROTNS has adopted the lesser known codes of today’s heavy music scene, that of the Japanese “Yankees” and the “Bosozokus”. The identity is strong, the lyrics are deep, and they deal with the values that are important in manga’s, all amounting to the perfect screenplay for these “Japanese Bad Boys”. And the recipe has proved fruitful. Very quickly shows lined up, and the band played it’s first shows in France and in Europe, before settling down to create it’s first 5 Track CD.
“Tokyo Assault” was recorded in only 5 days at St Marthe studios by Guillaume Mauduit (Providence, Kick Back, Out For The Count). Again, the feedback is very positive, and ROTNS really stands out of the Parisian and French Hardcore scenes. Landscape Rockshop (Paris) Made ROTNS a part of the Landscape Family, staging them next to other French bands such as Chunk! No Captain Chunk! and Admiral’s Arms. At the same time, the band became endorsed by Monster Energy Drink.
With the release of the EP, the reviews pour in…and they are flattering to say the least. Calling the band Aggressive, Powerful, but mostly original due to it’s approach to it’s identity, the band continues to be seen differently to the other more classical formations. The band even begins to see its name on Japanimation blogs, as well as otaku forums.
In February 2011, a new track called “Protect Ya Chest” is released, and the video is shot and directed by Berzerker. The feedback is great, with over 15 000 views in a week on the bands Dailymotion page. From there, the video is relayed on Hardcore, Metal, Graphic Design and Japanimation Blogs, but also through important bands in the European Beatdown Scene like Nasty and Six Fit Ditch. Through this all, we can witness the creation of the added bonus of the band, as it federates as much through the broad theme of violent rock (Metal/Hardcore/Death) as it does through the manga aficionados, and other fans of Japanimation…
In May 2011, the band launched the “Protect Ya Japan” Project, which was a reaction to the triple cataclysm that touched Japan on March 11th of the same year, with the aim to raise funds for the Japanese Red Cross through an exclusive track. The song “Phoenix”, recorded by Aslak Lefèvre arrived online on June 20th. As well as being downloadable on the bands bandcamp, a video for “Phoenix” was shot by Gregoire Orio. After a couple of days the video was seen thousands of times, and is yet another link between the band and the country of the rising sun.
Early 2012 : the band is preparing their debut album. Tokyo hold on tight, Rise Of The Northstar is coming.
