Read the name backwards, in two halves. BRI-DEAR becomes DEAR BRIDE. The band came together in Fukuoka in 2012 (one source says 2011) and moved its base to Tokyo around 2017.

The founding pair, according to the label avex, were the vocalist KIMI and the bassist HARU. HARU has said the band prefers to be called a metal band rather than a “girls’ band.”

A Long List of Records

The early releases came steadily:

  • Overturn The Doom, mini-album, December 2013
  • “Light In The Dark / NO SALVATION,” single, October 2014
  • BARYTE, the first album, March 2016
  • HELIX, mini-album, April 2018, on Universal

The next two albums came out on avex trax. Expose Your Emotions, in December 2019, was presented by avex as a fusion of metal, rock and J-pop. Bloody Bride, in April 2021, was also released outside Japan through the UK label Setsuzoku Records. AEGIS OF ATHENA followed in April 2022 and placed fifth on Metal Hammer’s annual list of power metal albums.

Sweden

For Born Again, released on 28 June 2024, BRIDEAR went to Sweden. The album was produced by Fredrik Nordström, the Swedish producer whose credits include In Flames and At the Gates, and features a guest appearance by Nick Night of Dream Evil.

In April 2025 came Reborn 2013-2016, a mini-album of new recordings of songs from the band’s first years.

On the Road

BRIDEAR played METAL MATSURI in London in October 2019. In September 2022 it toured eight shows in five countries as the “Decide to Survive” tour, and by 2023 it had made six European tours.

At home it played NAON’S YAON and SUMMER SONIC in 2022, and LOUD PARK in March 2023.

Not every trip happened. A European tour planned for 19 March to 12 April 2025 was cancelled so that KIMI could have throat treatment.

The Lineup

KIMI and HARU have been there from the start. AYUMI joined on guitar in January 2019, and MOE, from Fukuoka, joined on guitar in 2022, playing a first show at SUMMER SONIC on 20 August that year.

The drum seat has changed more than once. NATSUMI joined in 2019; the departure was announced on 28 December 2025, and the last show was on 10 May 2026.

On 26 October 2026 BRIDEAR plays Shinjuku ANTIKNOCK’s 41st-anniversary show, GOLD EXPERIENCE, with GUNGIRE and Art’emïus on the bill.

Why It Matters

Japanese power metal has a well-worn road to Europe, and LOVEBITES is the best-known band on it. BRIDEAR had toured Europe six times by 2023, and then went to Sweden to make an album.

Start with “Bloody Bride,” then Born Again.