Ag (e) ing Front Cover

Ag (e) ing

BATI-HOLIC

Track List

  • Play music
  • Play music
  • Play music
  • Play music
  • Play music

Release Date: 2026/09/05

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BATI-HOLIC, the one-of-a-kind Japanese rock band renowned for its distinctive fusion of "taiko drums" and "sangen guitar" (a custom-modified shamisen) , will release its new EP, "Ag(e)ing", on September 5, 2026.

Despite occupying a niche within the global music scene, BATI-HOLIC has built a dedicated international following through its unmistakable style. Their previous releases, "BATI-HOLIC II" and "What a SUSHI", both charted on the Apple Music Rock Top Albums chart in Vietnam, with "What a SUSHI" reaching No. 16. Their single "Welcome to the club GENROKU feat. Tsubasa Hori" also entered the iTunes Store World Top Songs chart in Japan, peaking at No. 20.

Many of the tracks on "Ag(e)ing" are centered around "traditional Japanese festival chants and calls" ("kakegoe"), reflecting the communal spirit of Japanese festivals where participants respond to one another through vocal interaction. The songs were composed with live performance in mind, inviting audiences to join in and create a shared sense of energy and unity.

Drawing inspiration from Japanese folk culture while embracing catchy songwriting and rock-driven arrangements, "Ag(e)ing" boldly reinterprets tradition through the lens of ethnic instruments. The result is a fresh musical statement that redefines "timelessness for the modern age," presenting a uniquely contemporary take on Japan's cultural heritage.

Artist Profile

  • BATI-HOLIC

    BATI-HOLIC is a Taiko Drum Rock Band based in Kyoto, Japan, built around Japanese taiko drums and the Sangen Guitar, a unique three-stringed instrument derived from the shamisen. Formed in Kyoto in 2004, the band draws inspiration from traditional folk performing arts from across Japan. Rather than simply combining traditional Japanese instruments with rock, BATI-HOLIC transforms the communal energy and spirit of Japanese matsuri into a contemporary live rock experience. Led by Nakajima Hiroyuki (vocals, Sangen Guitar), the band delivers music and performances that are catchy and danceable, yet at times lyrical and evocative. Driven by the physical and sonic impact of taiko and an audience-engaging performance style, their shows invite people to clap, move and become part of the experience, creating a sense of collective excitement and unity that transcends language and cultural boundaries. Having grown within Kyoto's independent live-house culture, BATI-HOLIC has expanded its activities internationally, performing in 25 cities across Europe, East Asia and Southeast Asia, including France, Italy, the Netherlands, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Cambodia. In May 2024, BATI-HOLIC celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special one-man show, [ULTRA KIMONO ROCK PARTY] at Taku Taku, one of Kyoto's most historic live music venues. In March 2025, the band toured Vietnam at the invitation of the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam. Their headline shows at the Youth Theatre in Hanoi and the Ben Thanh Theatre in Ho Chi Minh City both played to full houses. Both of their original albums also entered the Apple Music Rock Albums chart in Vietnam, reaching as high as No. 16. In July 2026, the digital single [Welcome to the club GENROKU feat. TSUBASA HORI], featuring former Kodo member Tsubasa Hori as a guest musician, entered the World Top Songs chart on the Japanese iTunes Store, peaking at No. 20. From Kyoto, BATI-HOLIC continues to pursue a contemporary form of Japanese rock that brings together the power of taiko, the distinctive sound and style of the Sangen Guitar, and the energy of a rock band.

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