Lovebites (band)

Last updated

Lovebites
Lovebites Resurrection Fest 2024.jpg
Lovebites performing in 2024
Background information
OriginTokyo, Japan
Genres Power metal [1] [2] [3]
Years active2016–present
Labels
Members
Past members
  • Miho
Website lovebites.jp

Lovebites (stylized as LOVEBITES) is a Japanese heavy metal band, formed in 2016 by former Destrose members Miho and Haruna. Its lineup currently consists of Haruna on drums, Midori and Miyako on guitar, Asami on vocals, and Fami on bass. After signing to Victor Entertainment, the group released both their debut EP and their first album in 2017, The Lovebites EP and Awakening from Abyss , before performing their first overseas concerts at the end of the year. With another EP and album released in 2018, Battle Against Damnation and Clockwork Immortality , Lovebites quickly garnered international attention and won that year's Metal Hammer Golden Gods Award for Best New Band. Following the releases of Electric Pentagram (2020) and Glory, Glory, to the World (2021), bassist Miho left the band in August 2021. After a year-long hiatus, Lovebites recruited Fami on bass and released Judgement Day , their fourth album, in February 2023. It is their highest-charting record to date, reaching number 5 on both the Oricon and Billboard Japan charts.

Contents

History

Formation and first album (2016–2017)

Lovebites played their first concert at Tsutaya O-West in November 2016. Shibui Gu 20170723-1.jpg
Lovebites played their first concert at Tsutaya O-West in November 2016.

Lovebites was formed in Tokyo in 2016 by bassist Miho and drummer Haruna. The two met while members of Destrose, another all-female metal band that disbanded in 2015. [4] After recruiting guitarist Midori and support guitarist and keyboardist Miyako (then known as Mi-Ya), the four chose vocalist Asami based on a demo she made. [5] Midori was in the band Gekijo Metalicche, Miyako was a member of A Drop of Joker and 21g, while Asami was a backup singer for Vamps and Uverworld. [6] During one rehearsal, the musicians performed "Love Bites (So Do I)" by Halestorm. Feeling that the song fit well with Asami's voice, it left an impression on all of the members and they chose Lovebites as the name for their new band. [7] They had their first concert on November 18, 2016, at Tsutaya O-West as part of the Girls Band Next Generation event. [5] [6] For the show, they were supported by third guitarist Sena. [8] They had previously performed a secret gig at Shibuya O-Crest on August 4, 2016, under the pseudonym "POWERSLAVES". [9]

Lovebites released their debut EP, The Lovebites EP , in May 2017 via Victor Entertainment. Miho explained that it was more of a demo to get the band signed, but the label liked it so much they had it properly mastered and released. [10] It was mixed by Mikko Karmila and mastered by Mika Jussila, who have worked with acts like Nightwish, Children of Bodom, and Stratovarius, at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland. The EP was released in the United Kingdom on August 25 by JPU Records and in North America by Sliptrick Records on August 31. [11]

Support member Miyako became a full member of the band in August 2017. [12] Their first full-length album Awakening from Abyss was released in Japan and North America on October 25, [12] and in the UK two days later. [13] It was again mixed and mastered by Karmila and Jussila and includes re-recordings of the four tracks from their debut EP. [4] [13] The album was supported by the sold out three-date Awakening from Abyss Tour 2017 from November 17 to December 7. [14] In between, the group played their first gigs outside Japan: two nights at Hyper Japan Christmas and one show at Camden Underworld, both in London at the end of November 2017. [4]

International recognition and Miho's departure (2018–2021)

Vocalist Asami performing in Germany at Wacken Open Air 2018 20180804 Wacken Wacken Open Air Lovebites 0240.jpg
Vocalist Asami performing in Germany at Wacken Open Air 2018

On February 23, 2018, Lovebites played a concert titled Re-Awakening from Abyss at Duo Music Exchange. [15] They then performed on the Japanese leg of Warped Tour on April 1 and released their second EP Battle Against Damnation on June 6. [16] [17] [18] Days later, they won the 2018 Metal Hammer Golden Gods Award for Best New Band. [19] They performed at Wacken Open Air on August 4, becoming the first Japanese all-female metal band to appear at the German festival. [15] [20] [21] They also performed on the main stage at Bloodstock Open Air on August 10, 2018. [22] In November, Lovebites held their first European tour that saw them visit the Netherlands, Germany, France and the UK. [23] The band released their second album Clockwork Immortality on December 5 in Japan. Limited editions of the album include a DVD or Blu-ray of the concert video Battle in the East, which was recorded on June 28, 2018, at Tsutaya O-East. [24] It was released in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand two days later by Arising Empire, and in the UK by JPU Records on January 18, 2019. [25] [26]

Lovebites was the opening act for Arch Enemy at two shows in Shanghai and Beijing, China on March 23 and 24, 2019. [27] In June, they performed at the Download Festival in both Donington, UK and Madrid, Spain and at the Graspop Metal Meeting in Dessel, Belgium. [28] Their set at Donington was cited by its organizers and Metal Hammer as one of the festival's highlight performances, [29] [30] including when Asami joined Halestorm on stage to sing her band's namesake song, [31] which she had also done earlier at Download Festival Japan on March 21. [32]

On July 10, Lovebites released their first standalone concert video and live album, Daughters of the Dawn – Live in Tokyo, recorded on January 27, 2019, at Mynavi Blitz Akasaka. [33] The three-date Daughters of the Dawn Tour took place between July 12 and August 9. [33] They were a support act on DragonForce's UK tour throughout the first half of November, [34] and opened for Halestorm in Tokyo on December 2. [35] The band's third studio album, Electric Pentagram , was released on January 29, 2020. [35] It was set to be supported by a seven-date Japanese tour from February 14 to April 12, [35] but the last three concerts were postponed until June due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. [36] On July 22, Lovebites released their second standalone concert video and live album, Five of a Kind – Live in Tokyo 2020, recorded on February 21, 2020, at Zepp DiverCity. [37] To celebrate the third anniversary of Awakening from Abyss, the band streamed a live studio performance titled Awake Again, where they played the album in its entirety on October 25. [38]

Bassist and co-founder Miho left the band in August 2021. 20180804 Wacken Wacken Open Air Lovebites 0084.jpg
Bassist and co-founder Miho left the band in August 2021.

Lovebites wrote the song "Winds of Transylvania" to be used as the opening theme of the anime series Vlad Love and were named an official ambassador for the series. Its director, Mamoru Oshii, commented that "I could immediately see parallels between the five members and the main character of Vlad Love. They are like a heretic of heavy metal, wearing bright white outfits while playing intense music, they are the perfect choice to take charge of a theme song to an anime not bound by convention or common sense. And above all, their name couldn't be more fitting!" [39] The band members appear in the anime's opening credits, which also features Vlad Love's fictional characters performing the song in a sequence that the animators based on the band's. [40] A CD including "Winds of Transylvania" and the three other themes of the anime was released at Ichigo Animation's CulZone stores on January 9, 2021. [41]

Lovebites released their third EP Glory, Glory, to the World , which they recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 10, 2021. [42] The sold out national Ride for Vengeance Tour was originally set to take place between January 24 and March 5, [43] but was rescheduled to between March 12 and April 6 following the Japanese government's declaration of a second state of emergency due to the pandemic and its extension. [44] The March 26 performance at Tokyo Dome City Hall was filmed and recorded for release as the Heavy Metal Never Dies – Live in Tokyo 2021 concert video and live album on September 29, 2021. [45]

On August 17, 2021, bassist Miho announced her departure from the band. The other members and their staff had held "countless meetings to find a way for her to stay," but ultimately decided to respect her decision. As a result, Lovebites temporarily suspended all activities, but assured fans that they would return. [46] Between September 10–26, the band accepted votes via social media to help decide the tracklist of their first "best of" album. [47] In the Beginning – The Best of 2017–2021 was released on December 22, 2021. The two-disc compilation features remastered versions of 21 songs, an additional disc containing all of their music videos, and the new track "Nameless Warrior", which was the last song recorded before Miho left the band. [48]

Fami joins and Judgement Day (2022–present)

Between April 2 and May 24, 2022, Lovebites accepted auditions for a new bass player. Applicants had to create their own bassline to a track the band created for the occasion and submit a video of them performing it. [49] On October 21, Lovebites revealed 20-year-old Fami as their new bassist via a full-band performance video on YouTube. [50] [51] An active musician since high school, Fami has produced her own solo album and has nearly 650,000 subscribers on her own YouTube channel. [50] [51] Lovebites released their fourth studio album, Judgement Day , on February 22, 2023. [52] The limited editions of the album include footage of the bassist audition process, including the three songs Fami played with the band during the final selection. [52] Their first concerts with the new lineup were held at Ex Theater Roppongi on March 11 and 12, while the tour for the album ran from August 26 to September 24 and ended with a finale titled The Last Judgement on October 5. [52] [53]

Lovebites held their first world tour, The Thin Line Between Love and Hate, between June 14 and September 12, 2024. It saw 17 performances, including four sold-out solo concerts in Europe and three in America, in 16 cities and 10 countries. [54] It included a South Korean date and an American leg, marking their first shows in both countries, and performances at the Rock Imperium Festival and Resurrection Fest in Spain, Hellfest in France, and the ProgPower USA festival in Atlanta, Georgia. [54] [55] [56] The band's fourth EP, Lovebites EP II , was released during the tour on August 28, 2024. [57] Lovebites are scheduled to perform in Mexico for the first time on March 1, 2025, as part of the Titans of Metal Fest. [54]

Music and influences

20180804 Wacken Wacken Open Air Lovebites 0211.jpg
20180804 Wacken Wacken Open Air Lovebites 0106.jpg
Guitarists Midori and Miyako performing at Wacken Open Air 2018

Although hailing from Tokyo, Lovebites' music is influenced by the new wave of British heavy metal, which led Sophie Maughan of Metal Hammer to compare their music to Iron Maiden and Rage. [4] [58] Miho said she always wanted to play a combination of power metal and "a little bit of old school [heavy metal]", as well as fast thrash metal. [4] [59] According to Asami, the thrash element is an indispensable part of the band's sound. [60] Miho noted that their decision to wear all-white clothing, as opposed to the genre's stereotypical black, was made to contrast with their old school sound and have them stand out. [4] Their lyrics are in English even though the musicians do not speak the language fluently. [5] They are usually written in Japanese before being translated into English. [61] An exception is the Haruna-penned song "Bravehearted" on their debut EP, which was intended for Destrose and sung in Japanese. [59]

The group frequently collaborates with former Light Bringer keyboardist Mao on composing and arranging songs. [5] [62] All of their releases have been mixed and mastered by Finnish audio engineers Mikko Karmila and Mika Jussila, [33] and all of their album cover illustrations since Awakening from Abyss have been created by Spanish artists David López Gómez and Carlos Vincente León. [63] These album covers all feature a wolf to symbolize that, by playing the non-mainstream genre of heavy metal, Lovebites are a "lone wolf" in the music scene. [64] The wolf is a mascot to represent the band, like Eddie for Iron Maiden or Vic Rattlehead for Megadeth. [64]

Miho has been strongly into hard rock and heavy metal since junior high, and started playing bass in high school. [6] Her favorite bands are Iron Maiden, Pantera, Mötley Crüe and Anthrax. [6] [59] She referred to her playing as more showmanship than technical, and cited Steve Harris as a strong influence alongside the style of Nikki Sixx. [59]

Haruna has played drums since she was thirteen years old, and began writing songs on a keyboard at fourteen. [59] [65] From elementary school up to high school her favorite band was B'z, but she became interested in heavy metal after hearing Helloween's Master of the Rings . [59] [65] As a result, she stated her basic drumming style is that of Uli Kusch. [66]

Midori started to learn piano at around two years of age and electric organ at eight, but gave up both upon entering university and started to learn guitar at 20. [6] [67] She is a graduate of Musicians Institute Japan in Osaka, and listed Kiko Loureiro, Nuno Bettencourt and Yngwie Malmsteen as her biggest guitar influences. [6] [67] [68] Generally speaking, Midori said that she plays the "flashy and aggressive" guitar solos in the band, while Miyako plays the "slower, more melodic" ones. [64]

Miyako has played classical piano since she was three and guitar since high school. [59] Having grown up listening to classic rock bands like Deep Purple and Rainbow with her mother, Miyako ended up being very influenced by Ritchie Blackmore. [68] But she has also been influenced by more modern guitarists, such as Timothy Henson and Scott LePage from Polyphia. [68] It was Disarmonia Mundi's Ettore Rigotti who inspired Miyako to start composing and arranging songs. [69]

Asami comes from a R&B and soul music background and likes artists such as Alicia Keys and Aretha Franklin. [59] Starting at the age of two, she performed classical ballet for about 16 years before moving to America after high school to study jazz and hip-hop dance. [70] [71]

Fami played the piano and violin before picking up bass guitar in junior high school at the request of a friend. [72] She plays in the fingerpicking style, explaining that she gave up trying to play with a pick after finding it "impossible". [72] Because there are two guitars in Lovebites, Fami feels the bass needs to have a grating and distorted sound. [72]

Members

Former members

Discography

Lovebites discography
Studio albums4
EPs4
Live albums6
Compilation albums1
Singles1
Video albums7
Music videos12

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
JPN
Oricon
[73] 		JPN
Billboard
Hot
[74] 		JPN
Billboard
Top
[75]
Awakening from Abyss 183322
Clockwork Immortality 212321
Electric Pentagram
  • Released: January 29, 2020
  • Label: Victor, JPU, Red River
91212
Judgement Day
  • Released: February 22, 2023
  • Label: Victor, JPU
555

EPs

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
JPN
Oricon
[73] 		JPN
Billboard
Hot
[74] 		JPN
Billboard
Top
[75]
The Lovebites EP
  • Released: May 24, 2017
  • Label: Victor, JPU, Sliptrick
274022
Battle Against Damnation
  • Released: June 6, 2018
  • Label: Victor, JPU
202418
Glory, Glory, to the World
  • Released: March 10, 2021
  • Label: Victor, JPU
111011
Lovebites EP II
  • Released: August 28, 2024
  • Label: Victor
1199

Live albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
JPN
Oricon
[73] 		JPN
Billboard
Hot
[74] 		JPN
Billboard
Top
[75]
Daughters of the Dawn – Live in Tokyo
  • Released: July 10, 2019
  • Label: Victor
53—44
Five of a Kind – Live in Tokyo 2020
  • Released: July 22, 2020
  • Label: Victor
274928
Heavy Metal Never Dies – Live in Tokyo 2021
  • Released: September 29, 2021
  • Label: Victor, JPU
383234
Knockin' at Heaven's Gate – Live in Tokyo 2023
  • Released: August 23, 2023
  • Label: Victor, JPU
302323
Knockin' at Heaven's Gate – Part II
  • Released: December 20, 2023
  • Label: Victor, JPU
—5445
Memorial for the Warrior Souls
  • Released: August 28, 2024
  • Label: Victor
414034
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Compilation albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
JPN
Oricon
[73] 		JPN
Billboard
Hot
[74] 		JPN
Billboard
Top
[75]
In the Beginning – The Best of 2017–2021
  • Released: December 22, 2021
  • Label: Victor, JPU
222221

Video albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
JPN
Oricon
DVD
[76] 		JPN
Oricon
Blu-ray
[77]
Daughters of the Dawn – Live in Tokyo
  • Released: July 10, 2019
  • Label: Victor
1312
Five of a Kind – Live in Tokyo 2020
  • Released: July 22, 2020
  • Label: Victor
1310
Awake Again – Live from Abyss——
Heavy Metal Never Dies – Live in Tokyo 2021
  • Released: September 29, 2021
  • Label: Victor, JPU
49
Knockin' at Heaven's Gate – Live in Tokyo 2023
  • Released: August 23, 2023
  • Label: Victor, JPU
44
Knockin' at Heaven's Gate – Part II
  • Released: December 20, 2023
  • Label: Victor, JPU
——
Memorial for the Warrior Souls
  • Released: August 28, 2024
  • Label: Victor
139
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
JPN
Oricon
[78] 		JPN Top Singles Sales
[79]
"Golden Destination"20202022Electric Pentagram

Music videos

YearSongDirector
[80]
2017"Don't Bite the Dust"Naoki Takeyama
"Shadowmaker"
2018"The Crusade"
"Rising"Takanori Yamada
2019"When Destinies Align"Naoki Takeyama
2020"Golden Destination"Un­known
2021"Winds of Transylvania" (2 versions)Naoki Takeyama
"Glory to the World"
"Nameless Warrior"
2022"Judgement Day"
2023"Stand and Deliver (Shoot 'em Down)"
2024"Unchained"

Awards and nominations

Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards

YearNominee / workAwardResult
2018LovebitesBest New Band [81] Won

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References

  1. ↑ Kaufman, Spencer (February 14, 2020). "Japanese Power-Metal Band Lovebites Premiere New Song "Signs Of Deliverance": Stream". Consequence . Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Album review: Lovebites' Clockwork Immortality is the sound of power metal's future". Metal Hammer . January 22, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Hear Japanese Power-Metal Act Lovebites' Shreddy Anthem "Unbroken"". Revolver . March 26, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "New Band Of The Week: Lovebites". Loudersound. December 18, 2017. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "LOVEBITES – Interview (2017)". J-Generation. August 10, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "LOVEBITES プロフィール・バイオグラフィ・リンク". Barks (in Japanese). August 17, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Interview: LOVEBITES". Saetori. October 17, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Girls Band Next Generation". Beeast (in Japanese). February 26, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  9. ↑ Lovebites [@lovebites_jp] (August 4, 2022). LOVEBITESとしてデビューする前の2016年8月4日、変名バンド🔥POWERSLAVES🔥名義で行なったシークレット・ライヴから6年‼️ (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved August 12, 2023– via Twitter.
  10. ↑ "INTERVIEW: Lovebites". Distorted Sound. June 6, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  11. ↑ "LOVEBITES - All Girl Japanese Band To Release Debut EP In North America Next Month; "Don't Bite The Dust" Music Video Streaming". BraveWords . July 27, 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  12. 1 2 "LOVEBITES Release More Details For Their Debut Album". BraveWords. September 4, 2017. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  13. 1 2 "LOVEBITES Unleash Shadowmaker Music Video". MusicJapanPlus. September 27, 2017. Archived from the original on August 24, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  14. ↑ "LOVEBITES、初単独公演で超満員のオーディエンスを前に圧巻のパフォーマンス". Barks (in Japanese). November 18, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  15. 1 2 "LOVEBITESが鳴らしたピュアで濃厚なヘヴィメタルスピリッツ 世界に羽ばたくバンドの今を見た". Real Sound (in Japanese). March 6, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  16. ↑ "超豪華！「Vans Warped Tour Japan」出演アーティストをまとめてチェック". AndMore! (in Japanese). March 13, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  17. ↑ "LOVEBITES "Battle Against Damnation" for demonic mini-album". JRock News. February 27, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  18. ↑ "LOVEBITES - Battle Against Damnation erscheint in Europa". Otaji (in German). February 28, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  19. ↑ "LOVEBITES Named Best New Band at The Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards 2018". JaME World. June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  20. ↑ "WACKEN OPEN AIR mit Neuzugängen". Powermetal.de (in German). February 21, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  21. ↑ "LOVEBITES zu Gast auf dem Wacken Open Air 2018!". Sumikai (in German). February 22, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Bloodstock festival 2018: The big review". Loudersound. August 11, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  23. ↑ "LOVEBITES to tour Europe in Autumn this year". JRock News. August 21, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  24. ↑ "LOVEBITES、「進化が凝縮された」2ndフルアルバムをリリース". Barks (in Japanese). September 26, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Japan's All-Female Metal Band LOVEBITES: Listen To 'Pledge Of The Savior' Song". Blabbermouth.net . December 7, 2018. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  26. ↑ Munro, Scott (November 15, 2018). "Lovebites return with video for blistering new single Rising". Loudersound. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  27. ↑ "LOVEBITES on Twitter". Twitter . March 13, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  28. ↑ "LOVEBITESがベルギー『GRASPOP METAL MEETING』に出演決定＆夏の東名阪ツアーのチケット抽選先行スタート。". Burrn! (in Japanese). April 6, 2019. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Download Festival 2019: Highlights from this year's Drownload!". Metal Hammer. June 17, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  30. ↑ "Download Festival 2019 - Saturday Highlights". Download Festival . June 17, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  31. ↑ "HALESTORM Joined By LOVEBITES Singer For 'Love Bites (So Do I)' Performance At U.K.'s DOWNLOAD (Video)". Blabbermouth.net. June 17, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  32. ↑ "LOVEBITES Singer Joins HALESTORM On Stage At DOWNLOAD JAPAN (Video)". Blabbermouth.net. March 25, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  33. 1 2 3 "LOVEBITES、19台のカメラが捉えた初ライヴ作品リリース". Barks (in Japanese). March 8, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  34. ↑ "LOVEBITES、ハーマン・リからオファー受けDragonForceイギリスツアーに出演". Natalie (in Japanese). July 19, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  35. 1 2 3 Cirone, David (November 1, 2019). "LOVEBITES announces third album Electric Pentagram". J-Generation. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  36. ↑ "LOVEBITES ELECTRIC PENTAGRAM TOUR 2020". creativeman (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 31, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  37. ↑ "LOVEBITES、26台のカメラが捉えた最新ライヴ作品発売". Barks (in Japanese). May 26, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  38. ↑ "LOVEBITES、1stアルバムのリリース3周年記念し同作を完全再現したスタジオ・ライヴ配信が決定！". Geki-Rock (in Japanese). October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  39. ↑ "LOVEBITES' New Song to Feature in Upcoming Series VLADLOVE from Anime Masterminds Mamoru Oshii and Junji Nishimura". JPU Records. November 5, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  40. ↑ "Girls Rock Out Hard in Mamoru Oshii's New Anime VLADLOVE OP Movie". Crunchyroll. December 4, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  41. ↑ "【お詫び】「GG映画祭」延期およびぶらどらぶCD販売のお知らせ". Oricon (in Japanese). January 26, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  42. ↑ "Japan's All-Female Metal Band LOVEBITES To Release 'Glory, Glory, To The World' EP". Blabbermouth.net. December 25, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  43. ↑ "LOVEBITES、来年1月から全国4ヶ所で国内ツアー決定！初の全席指定でソーシャル・ディスタンス保った"リベンジ"ツアー！". Geki-Rock (in Japanese). October 25, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
  44. ↑ "LOVEBITES RIDE FOR VENGEANCE TOUR 2021". creativeman (in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 12, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  45. ↑ "LOVEBITES、コロナ禍に敢行した最新ライヴを9月にパッケージ化決定！トレーラー映像公開！". Geki-Rock (in Japanese). July 27, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  46. ↑ "Japan's All-Female Metal Band LOVEBITES To Go On Hiatus Following Bassist's Exit". Blabbermouth.net. August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  47. ↑ "LOVEBITESがベストアルバム発売決定、収録曲のファン投票を受付中". Natalie (in Japanese). September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  48. ↑ "Lovebites | ベストアルバム『In the Beginning - the Best of 2017-2021』12月22日発売 | タワレコ先着特典ポスターカレンダー" (in Japanese). Tower Records. October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  49. ↑ "LOVEBITESが再始動、ベーシストオーディション開催". Natalie (in Japanese). March 31, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  50. 1 2 "LOVEBITES、新体制での再始動を発表 新メンバーは弱冠20歳の気鋭ベーシストfami". Oricon (in Japanese). October 21, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  51. 1 2 "New Bassist Joins LOVEBITES". JaME World. October 21, 2022. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  52. 1 2 3 "新生LOVEBITES、アルバム『ジャッジメント・デイ』発売＋EXシアター六本木でライブ開催". Barks (in Japanese). November 25, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
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  54. 1 2 3 "LOVEBITES、10か国・16都市を廻る初のワールドツアーを完走". Barks (in Japanese). September 13, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  55. ↑ "Japan's LOVEBITES Announce Three September U.S. Dates". BraveWords. May 29, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  56. ↑ "LOVEBITES、初のワールド・ツアー実施！その日本公演となる過去最大規模にして年内日本国内唯一のフル・セット・ショー決定！". Geki-Rock (in Japanese). January 1, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
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  58. ↑ "Lovebites - Awakening From Abyss album review". Metal Hammer. December 7, 2017. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
  59. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "男勝りのヘヴィ・メタルを掻き鳴らす！ ガールズ・メタルの新星、LOVEBITESの1st EP". EMTG Music (in Japanese). May 31, 2017. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
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  67. 1 2 "Entrevista exclusiva: LOVEBITES". Headbangers Brasil (in Portuguese). October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
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  71. ↑ "LOVEBITES「ELECTRIC PENTAGRAM」インタビュー". Natalie (in Japanese). January 31, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  72. 1 2 3 "【イベントレポ】Fami。＆アヤコノ、「私がベーシストになったわけ」". Barks (in Japanese). November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  73. 1 2 3 4 "LOVEBITESのアルバム売上ランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  74. 1 2 3 4 Peak positions for albums on Billboard Japan's Hot Albums chart:
  75. 1 2 3 4 Peak positions for albums on Billboard Japan's Top Albums chart:
  76. ↑ "LOVEBITESのDVD売上ランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  77. ↑ "LOVEBITESのBlu-ray売上ランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  78. ↑ "LOVEBITESのシングル売り上げランキング". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  79. ↑ "Billboard Japan Top Singles Sales│Charts│Billboard JAPAN". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  80. ↑ "Lovebitesのミュージックビデオ情報" [Lovebites music videos information]. Space Shower TV (in Japanese). Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  81. ↑ "Golden Gods 2018: Judas Priest, Code Orange, Maynard James Keenan amongst winners". Metal Hammer. June 11, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
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