After nearly two decades of forging their own path through Japan’s metal underground, INHALE has arrived at what may be their defining moment. Formed in Osaka in 2006, the band has never chased trends, instead focusing on combining memorable songwriting, soaring melodies, and crushing heaviness into a sound that’s unmistakably their own.
Their latest release, BLUE MOMENT, is more than just another album—it’s the culmination of years of growth, perseverance, and determination. Produced entirely at guitarist Takahiro “Hasshin” Hashimoto’s Studio Galaxy Blast, the record seamlessly blends classic heavy metal craftsmanship with modern melodic death metal aggression while carrying a powerful message of hope in difficult times.
With blistering performances from vocalist Yusuke “Uske” Shimomura, bassist Akira “Tatty” Tateyama, and drummer Tatsuya “Pan” Fujimori, BLUE MOMENT showcases a band firing on every cylinder.
We sat down with the members of INHALE to discuss the band’s evolution, the inspiration behind BLUE MOMENT, the challenges of creating the album during the pandemic, and why this release represents the closest they’ve come to realizing their musical vision.
Interview
INHALE formed back in 2006—that’s nearly 20 years of evolution. How has the band’s sound and vision changed from those early days to the razor-sharp melodic metal you’re delivering on BLUE MOMENT?
Hasshin:
The core vision of the band hasn’t really changed at all. The biggest difference is that our previous album focused primarily on raw energy and aggression, whereas this time we wanted to express a much broader emotional landscape throughout the entire record.
We paid close attention not only to intensity but also to atmosphere, dynamics, and the contrast between each song, allowing the album to breathe as one complete work.
To achieve that, we revisited everything—from songwriting and performance to the overall production. The result is an album that’s still firmly rooted in extreme metal while offering much greater depth and dimension.
Since the very beginning, INHALE has always been built around the idea of combining heaviness with strong melodies. That philosophy hasn’t changed. BLUE MOMENT simply represents the closest we’ve ever come to achieving our ideal INHALE sound, where aggressive power and emotional melody coexist in perfect balance.
Coming from King of Darkness, what inspired you to form INHALE, and what elements from your previous band still live in INHALE’s DNA?
Hasshin:
I spent nearly seventeen years playing in the hard rock band King of Darkness (K.O.D.). When that chapter ended, I never wanted to simply start another hard rock band. If I had stayed in that genre, I probably would’ve ended up creating something very similar to K.O.D., and I felt it was more meaningful to challenge myself with a completely different direction.
Around that time I had become increasingly inspired by melodic death metal and metalcore. I believed I could combine the melodic sensibilities I’d developed through hard rock with the intensity of those genres to create something uniquely my own.
Of course, I’m still the same songwriter, so certain things naturally carried over. The emphasis on memorable melodies that I cultivated with K.O.D. remains at the heart of INHALE today.
I also believe our emotional guitar work—rooted in hard rock but delivered through the framework of extreme metal—is one of the defining characteristics that truly sets INHALE apart.
The new album is called BLUE MOMENT. What does that title represent, and is there a central theme running throughout the record?
Hasshin:
This album carries a much stronger concept and message than anything we’ve done before.
“Blue Moment” is the natural phenomenon that occurs just before sunrise and just after sunset, when the sky is covered in a deep, surreal blue. But for us it symbolizes something much deeper.
Today’s world is filled with painful realities—war, division, and events that leave people emotionally exhausted. Even in those difficult times, there are still moments of extraordinary beauty. Even in a reality where suffering cannot always be avoided, it’s still possible to find hope—and more importantly, the strength to never lose sight of it.
That’s what BLUE MOMENT represents.
The lyrics move between darkness and light, despair and optimism, but the one constant theme is hope. It reflects our own journey as a band after so many years together—the determination to keep moving forward, rise again, and never give up.
There was never any other title that could truly represent this album.
You recorded and produced BLUE MOMENT at your own Studio Galaxy Blast. How did having complete creative control shape the album?
Hasshin:
I’ve always been extremely particular about sound. Since I first picked up the guitar, I’ve taught myself not only about gear but also recording techniques, so INHALE has always relied heavily on self-recording.
As I eventually became a professional audio engineer, I was able to apply everything I’d learned directly to this album. Producing your own band’s record definitely comes with unique challenges! (laughs)
This time, I wanted the sound itself—not just the performances—to communicate the atmosphere and emotion of the album. In metal, people often focus on heaviness and loudness, but I believe nuance, space, and three-dimensionality are what truly allow music to convey emotion.
Two engineers I deeply admire are Jens Bogren and Andy Sneap. Rather than imitate either of them, my goal was to combine the qualities I admire most from both through my own interpretation.
Having my own studio also meant I wasn’t restricted by deadlines or outside limitations. I could refine every sound until I was completely satisfied.
For me, mixing and mastering aren’t simply the final steps—they’re just as much a part of creating the music as writing or performing.
Which track best represents the balance between classic heavy metal and modern melodic death metal on the album?
Hasshin:
Without a doubt, “Resurgent Threat.”
I believe this song embodies everything INHALE is striving to achieve today.
It opens with razor-sharp riffing before expanding into a melodic, anthemic chorus. From there it flows into an authentic guitar solo rooted in classic metal traditions before moving into a progressive section that takes the song somewhere completely unexpected.
It really encapsulates everything this album has to offer.
We also placed a short guitar instrumental immediately before it, building anticipation and making the impact of “Resurgent Threat” even stronger.
If I had to choose one song that best represents INHALE today, this would definitely be one of them.
Uske, your vocals move effortlessly between soaring clean melodies and aggressive growls. What challenged you most on this album?
Uske:
We re-recorded four songs originally written during the era of our previous vocalist: “Resurgent Threat,” “Sanctuary,” “Dark Days,” and “Silence Is Broken.”
I wanted to respect what our former vocalist brought to those songs while also making them my own. Rather than simply recreating the originals, I focused on preserving their essence while expressing them through my own voice and interpretation.
The remaining six songs represent the new era of INHALE. I wrote both the melodies and lyrics to reflect where we’re heading, and I consciously brought more of my own personality into every performance than ever before.
Among them, “Resurrection” stands out as one of the defining tracks.
Ironically, the biggest challenge wasn’t the singing itself—it was maintaining my condition throughout the recording process.
The clean vocals cover quite a high range, and balancing that with aggressive growls required constant attention to vocal care, physical conditioning, and overall health. Looking back, keeping my voice in peak condition throughout the sessions may have been the hardest part of making the album.
Tatty and Pan, the rhythm section provides such a powerful groove throughout the album. How do you approach locking in with Hasshin’s precision guitar work?
Tatty:
Every instrument is important, but within INHALE I see Hasshin’s guitar as the very core around which every song is built.
My role is to make that core sound even bigger and more convincing. I pay close attention to the precision, timing, and attack of every riff so my bass locks in perfectly.
During choruses and guitar solos, I also focus heavily on locking in with Pan’s kick drum to create the strongest groove possible.
Pan and I have developed almost instinctive chemistry through years of playing together. It’s not just about technical precision—we want to create something aggressive, unique, and unmistakably INHALE.
Pan:
Honestly, I don’t overthink it too much, and I think that’s one reason it works.
People naturally focus on Hasshin’s solos, but I’d encourage everyone to listen closely to his rhythm guitar—that’s where the real magic happens.
When his rhythm playing locks in with Tatty’s bass and my drums, that’s what creates the signature INHALE feel.
We’ve played together for so many years that we’ve developed a level of trust that doesn’t need words. Even during the band’s hiatus, that connection never disappeared.
Sharing the same pulse and inspiring each other is far more important than simply playing everything perfectly.
Bands like Trivium, As I Lay Dying, Arch Enemy, and Testament are often mentioned alongside INHALE. How have those artists influenced BLUE MOMENT?
Hasshin:
Rather than saying we were directly influenced by those bands, I’d say we feel a strong connection with them.
Most of our biggest influences actually come from the classic hard rock and heavy metal bands we grew up listening to. Because of those shared roots, it felt natural to appreciate many modern melodic death metal bands while still developing our own identity.
I’ve always been drawn to bands with exceptionally tight riffing.
Some of my favorites include Testament, Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, Soilwork, and DGM. Even though they all represent different styles of metal, they’ve had a significant impact on my musical tastes.
Japan has a rich metal scene. Where do you think INHALE fits within today’s Japanese melodic metal landscape?
Hasshin:
I’ve never consciously tried to be different just for the sake of standing out.
I’ve always had a clear vision of the sound I wanted to create, and my focus has simply been on bringing that vision to life.
The Japanese metal scene has often been heavily influenced by overseas trends, but rather than chasing those movements, we’ve always stayed true to our own ideals.
Looking back, I think that commitment has become one of INHALE’s defining characteristics.
Our melodic sensibility, rooted in hard rock, combined with emotional guitar work is what truly represents who we are.
What was the biggest challenge during the making of BLUE MOMENT, and how did the band overcome it?
Hasshin:
Without question, it was the COVID-19 pandemic.
We actually recorded the drums in late 2019 and finished them in just three days. Then, just as we were preparing to move forward, everything came to a standstill.
Like so many others, we were affected financially and emotionally. Continuing as a band became incredibly difficult.
Rather than giving up, we chose to see it differently.
We told ourselves, “If there’s ever been a time to fully dedicate ourselves to this album, it’s now.”
Looking back, that decision made all the difference.
Because we had the time, we refined every song and every aspect of the production down to the smallest detail.
It was one of the hardest periods we’ve ever experienced, but it ultimately allowed us to finish this album exactly as we envisioned it—with absolutely no compromises.
For fans who have followed INHALE since the beginning, what will feel familiar on BLUE MOMENT, and what represents the band’s biggest evolution?
Hasshin:
I think longtime fans will immediately recognize this as INHALE.
Seventeen years have passed since our first album, and every member has grown tremendously as a musician. That experience has allowed us to express ourselves with much greater maturity.
At the same time, the essence of INHALE has never changed.
Our music has always aimed to be heavy without sacrificing accessibility—melodic, memorable, and powerful.
With BLUE MOMENT, I believe we’ve captured that identity more completely than ever before. Longtime fans will hear how far we’ve evolved, while new listeners will find it the perfect introduction to what INHALE is all about.
Finally, BLUE MOMENT is out now. What are your hopes for the album, and what’s next for INHALE?
Hasshin:
More than anything, I hope this album reaches as many metal fans as possible—not only in Japan but around the world.
BLUE MOMENT blends elements of both old-school and modern metal, so I hope listeners of every generation find something that resonates with them.
On stage, we want people to experience the atmosphere and energy of the album in its purest form. We’re preparing everything we can to deliver unforgettable live shows.
At the same time, this album is by no means the finish line.
We’ll continue bringing the unmistakable sound of INHALE to audiences both in Japan and overseas through live performances and future releases.
Thank you for your support, and we hope you’ll continue to be part of INHALE’s journey.
Closing
With BLUE MOMENT, INHALE hasn’t simply released another metal album—they’ve delivered a statement of resilience, passion, and artistic growth. Every riff, every soaring melody, and every crushing breakdown reflects nearly twenty years of dedication to a singular vision, proving that authenticity and perseverance can outlast any trend.
The album’s themes of hope emerging from darkness resonate far beyond its music, making BLUE MOMENT one of the band’s most personal and accomplished releases to date. Whether you’re a longtime follower who has been with INHALE since their earliest days or a newcomer discovering the band for the first time, this record offers the perfect entry point into their world.
BLUE MOMENT is available now on all major streaming platforms and in physical formats.
Fans can watch the official videos and subscribe on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/VCkCDZ9vUvY
Follow INHALE:
https://www.facebook.com/inhalejp
For fans of Trivium, As I Lay Dying, Arch Enemy, Testament, and anyone who appreciates melodic, guitar-driven metal with heart, BLUE MOMENT is an album that deserves your attention.
This version reads as a complete feature article, opening with an editorial introduction, flowing naturally into the interview, and closing with a magazine-style wrap-up that ties back to the themes of the album while incorporating the key information from the press release.