Re:O on Vampires, Metal, and Their Ever-Evolving “Japancore” Sound

Blending the best of Japanese alternative music with Western metal and rock, Re:O has carved out a genre-defying niche that fans have dubbed “Japancore.” Think metalcore and industrial riffs fused with J-pop hooks, dark pop atmospheres, and cyberpunk-inspired symphonic layers. Their ninth single, Crimson Desire, leans heavier than anything they’ve released before — guitars front and center, synths dialed back — while still keeping the storytelling, wit, and melodic sensibilities that define their sound.

We caught up with James and Rio to talk vampiric metaphors, sonic experimentation, and what this single says about the next stage of Re:O.

“Crimson Desire” uses vampirism as a metaphor for ambition and hunger — what drew you to that imagery, and how does it reflect your own journey as artists?

James: We were struggling with how to tell this story at first, then while playing Baldur’s Gate 3, we fell in love with Astarion — and it clicked. Vampires perfectly capture the drive to chase the next milestone, the hunger that keeps pushing you forward.Rio: When I started writing, vampirism wasn’t even in my mind. We usually work on instruments first, then lyrics. But Astarion’s cheeky, ladykiller vibe fit perfectly as a metaphor for the song.

This track shifts away from your signature Japanese-styled synths toward raw, heavy guitar riffs. What inspired that sonic direction?

Rio: It wasn’t intentional. The song just came together with simpler guitar layers, fewer synths, and it sounded great. Synth is still our best friend, so we layered it carefully to complement the heavy guitars.James: Honestly, it’s about whether the song sounds good. Some tracks end up poppier, some heavier. Crimson Desire just developed naturally into a heavier track, and we loved it enough to release it.

Rio’s vocals balance aggression and calm calculation — how intentional was that duality?

Rio: Very! I play with tones to match the words. For instance, “One small bite I’ll be gentle” gets a softer, seductive tone, while choruses are more aggressive. Singing shapes the story and connects with listeners — I hope it fuels them, shows they’re not alone, but also inspires them to keep going.

You’ve been blending J-pop, dark pop, and metal. Where do you see Re:O’s sound evolving next?

Rio: I want to explore cyberpunky vibes with heavy guitars and darker tones.James: We’ll keep mixing heavy, mid-tempo, and poppier tracks. It’s all about variety.Jay: The beauty of Re:O is you never know what’s next — that unpredictability is part of the fun.

As your ninth single, what does “Crimson Desire” represent for the band?

James: It marks the transition from Rio’s solo project to a full 5-piece band. With Alex joining on guitar, we can layer our sound even more. The fan response has been incredible, and this is just the beginning — the debut album is the next goal.Rio: This is the next chapter. Our new lineup and evolving sound open doors for more gigs, festivals, and eventually an EP or album. It’s the start of a bigger journey, and we hope our fans come along for the ride.

If you want, I can also tighten this further into a fast, magazine-style punchy Q&A that reads in quick bursts for online audiences. Do you want me to do that?