HAGANE was founded in June 2018 in the Japanese capital Tokyo by bassist Sayaka, who had recently graduated from high school. The original line-up consisted of singer Chiemi, the two guitarists Sakura and Mayto, bassist Sayaka and drummer Kanako Takahashi. However, singer Chiemi left the band the following year and was replaced by Uyu on the microphone .
Hagane, whose name means steel in Japanese, play a melodic style of power metal. In a 2020 interview with GekiRock, the musicians cited bands such as Helloween, Rhapsody of Fire, Dragonforce, Frozen Crown, but also Crossfaith, X Japan, and Dream Theatre as musical influences. The songs are mostly written in Japanese; however one of the group’s songs has lyrics in English. The colour blue has been a theme, and I think it has worked out well giving them a recognisable identity.
The group’s first two releases were in 2018 and 2020 in the form of two demo CDs. This was followed in 2020 by the release of two live DVDs, an EP and a single. The latter made it into the domestic singles charts, where it entered at number 47. The following year, another live DVD and single were released, before a fourth live DVD and the debut album Code;9021 followed in 2022.
In February 2023, Uyu (vocals), Mayto (guitar) and Kanako (drums) has left the band. The last video released with the previous line up, “Sword Of Judgement” was released on YouTube in March 2023. Sakura (guitar) and Sayaka (bass) have replaced them with Nagi on vocals and Junna on percussion. A new single Life Goes On was released in April 2024. This was followed by a series of sell out concerts.
