Zsasz
Zsasz
Zsasz in August 2023
Background information
Genres
J-pop・Metal・Idol・Nu metal
Years active
2019-2023
Members
Zsasz was a Japanese metal idol group from Tokyo produced by Utsu-P. Formed in 2019, they recorded two studio albums, four extended plays, 12 singles, and 7 music videos.
They have toured across Japan. As of May 2025, the group has 2,089 monthly listeners on spotify with their 2021 album, Percontation Point, as their most streamed album with 370,000 spotify streams.
On August 10th 2023, during their one-man live Nixe, they announced their disbandment. They played their last asylum live concert on November 4th, 2023. Throughout their activity, their lineup remained unchanged, never losing or gaining any members.
History
Formation and debut EP (2017-2020)
In 2017, Utsu-P and manager Kayano Youhei began work and planning on forming an idol project. Utsu-P put the public call and announcement out in June 2019 for members to apply via LINE or email, during this time they were under the tentative name of Kanbangirls. In September, the group's name, Zsasz, and it's members, Tim Vincent, Rom, Nagase Ritsu, Shuugetsu Shino, and Saku were unveiled. In October, Zsasz released their debut single, Peter Peter and performed their debut live concert Hello,World.
Zsasz released a self-titled EP digitally in 2020. At this point, the band was performing idol taibans where they performed the five songs off their EP as well as previous Utsu-P songs Living Ghost Is Alive and JIGOKU STATION CENTRAL GATE.
Percontation Point (2020-2021)
Shortly after the release of their debut EP, Zsasz' performance schedule slowed to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in some livestreamed and smaller shows throughout the year. The group released their second single Sometimes Shining in September of 2020. During the group's first anniversary live performance, they announced an upcoming album would be released. Leading up to the release, the group got new red and black uniforms and each member put together spotify playlists of songs they like to help advertise their upcoming release. The group's debut album, Percontation Point, was released in March 2021. The group began to perform in idol taibans as COVID-19 restrictions began to ease.
Otaku's Song (2021)
Following their debut album, Percontation Point, the single Otaku's Song was released in the latter half of 2021 with three songs: “Otaku's Song”, “Team Zsasz”, and “Absolute Music Dance” (an Utsu-P cover) along with an accompanying music video for the title track. In the week of the EP's release, Tower records in Shibuya displayed the Otaku's Song music video in full at random intervals.
Dark Hero (2022)
The group performed a special live performance titled decadence where they performed every song of theirs up to that point and announced their upcoming EP titled Dark Hero. The songs on the EP were released one by one on streaming services leading up to the full EP's release. The EP contains a new version of Utsu-P's “Striped Melody” and the physical version includes Zsasz' version of JIGOKU STATION CENTRAL GATE which they had been performing live at nearly every concert for two and a half years at that point.
Ultra Heroine, There Does Not Exist, and disbandment (2023)
The Group released their fourth EP, Ultra Heroine and music video for the title track, in early 2023. The physical version of this release contained instrumental versions of all the tracks. They embarked on an Ultra Heroine release tour where they generally focused on playing more fan favorite songs.
They performed alongside The Ohayogozaimas for the first time during their second Kikiki series show where the members were invited on stage to sing MIMIZU IN THE DANCEFLOOR and perform Corona.
Zsasz announced their one-man live Nixe to take place in August. They also released one single per month from June to August. Introvert Of The Dead, It's So good!, and Here Is The Answer.
The group announced their impending disbandment, final concert, and final album during their Nixe one-man live.
Their final album, There Does Not Exist was released in October and they performed their final last asylum live concert in November 2023.
Musical style
Zsasz' music can be described as being heavy, melodic, and generally upbeat. Compared to Utsu-P's regular sound, it leans heavier on his J-pop sound that he occasionally experimented with in the past. The group's original material blends Utsu-P's heavy downtuned guitar lines with the member's individual vocals strengths.
Discography
- Zsasz (2019)
- Percontation Point (2021)
- Otaku's Song (2021)
- Dark Hero (2022)
- Ultra Heroine (2023)
- There Does Not Exist (2023)