FIRST CONTACT
Interview by David Cirone
February 15, 2026
FIRST CONTACT is a new project bringing together RYU (Blood Stain Child), Sawa (Aldious), and vocalists MaoMao and TanTan. After a tempest of music video releases last year in support of theIR debut album PEACEMILLION, the band returns in March with their second album, EARTH NATION, released internationally by JPU Records.
In the band’s first English interview,, we talk about the power of epic music, how they make visual effects feel organic to their music, and the way global music influences their heavy, hard-rock sound.
Tell us about the origins of FIRST CONTACT.
RYU: I wanted to start a project where I wasn’t bound by anything, where I could freely do exactly what I wanted. I love “epic” music, the kind of grand, orchestral cinematic music, so I wanted to create something along those lines. It’s music that isn’t restricted by whether it has vocals or not. Blood Stain Child does have some epic-style songs, but fundamentally, we need to maintain the BSC style.
It’s a strong concept. How do you find the right people to join the band?
RYU: Around that time, I had many chances to meet with Sawa, who I’ve known for a while, so I casually asked her, “Why don’t we do something together?” She immediately agreed. I’ve also been friends with MaoMao for quite a long time. She’s appeared as a guest in BSC live shows and music videos, and I’d always hoped we could collaborate someday. I work as a lecturer at a music school, and TanTan is a former student of mine. She’s been helping me with my music work for a long time, and I knew she had outstanding ability, so I invited her to take part in this project. She has already participated as a guest vocalist on many BSC tracks and appeared in several of our music videos.
RYU, you’re the producer and driving force behind the band. Why did you feel this lineup was the perfect way to realize the vision of FIRST CONTACT?
RYU: It really feels like everything came together naturally. The biggest point for me is that I already knew everyone well, and we had established trust long before this project began. I understand each member’s personality and abilities very clearly, so I don’t expect conflicts or problems. Epic music also pairs extremely well with female vocals, and since this project isn’t bound by any fixed style, we have two vocalists, and there may even be more collaborators in the future. This isn’t a conventional “band” — it’s a new-style project that isn’t restricted by preconceived ideas. Whether there are multiple vocalists, percussion, brass instruments, or even no drummer at all. It’s all perfectly fine.
FIRST CONTACT – EARTH NATION Teaser
The music we’ve heard from PEACEMILLION has an epic fantasy/sci-fi vibe. It feels perfect for a cinematic video game or big budget film. Why is this style so attractive to you?
RYU: I love Hollywood sci-fi films like Marvel movies and Transformers. I’ve also been deeply influenced by epic music. I really love that uplifting, grand, and emotionally elevating atmosphere, especially like that found in Thor. I compose orchestral music for games as part of my work, and I love both orchestral music and band-oriented sounds. FIRST CONTACT’s music isn’t Epic Metal or Symphonic Metal — it’s a pure fusion of epic orchestral music and band sound.
FIRST CONTACT’s production is moving at a fast pace. Your first album PEACEMILLION was released in August 2025, and EARTH NATION is scheduled for March 2026. How are you able to move through songwriting, recording, and video shooting so quickly?
RYU: I can compose an album’s worth of songs in about a week. Both the first and second albums were created in roughly that time. The ideas just keep coming to me, even without trying. That’s probably the biggest reason. I also started my own label. When you’re signed to a traditional record company or production agency, budget constraints usually make it impossible to release albums that quickly. By creating my own label, I can release music at my own pace.
Some people seem to think I’m an alien, an AI, or actually several people working together. Just to be clear, I’m not using generative AI.
Labels also have limitations for music videos. It’s not easy to get even one into production, let alone several.
RYU: I produce the music videos myself, but since they’re heavily VFX-based, they actually take more time. On top of that, I handle the album artwork, photo editing, and release-related administrative work entirely on my own. Some people seem to think I’m an alien, an AI, or actually several people working together. Just to be clear, I’m not using generative AI.
How does this fast pace affect collaboration among the members?
RYU: I think it’s tough for the members, but they seem to be enjoying it. There’s no boredom or waiting around. Like the Japanese subway system, there’s always something arriving shortly. I feel that the members and staff are sharing creative time together and really becoming one. That said, I do think taking breaks is important sometimes, for me as well.
When PEACEMILLION came out, the band released four back-to-back music videos, one every week for a month. How do you choose which songs get music videos?
RYU: I try to balance the songs I personally like with the ones fans are likely to enjoy. Sometimes I also choose songs based on the visuals I want to create.
FIRST CONTACT – Anthem of the Earth (MV)
“Anthem of the Earth” brings in some traditional Celtic instruments. It’s not a sound that Japanese rock fans are used to hearing. What was your inspiration for this?
RYU: I enjoy not only rock, but also world music, orchestral music, EDM, and jazz. I often create music in those styles. “Anthem of the Earth” came together very naturally. Celtic elements felt like the perfect style for expressing the grandeur of the Earth, its importance, and the preciousness of animals.
RYU, you’ve said that “having the music and video created by the same person gives the work a more unified feel.” Do you create the concept for songs and MVs simultaneously, or does the songwriting come first?
I can actually see the scenery of the song unfolding in front of me, and the music becomes more and more immersive.
RYU: I start with composing the music, but at the same time, visual landscapes begin to appear in my mind. I can actually see the scenery of the song unfolding in front of me, and the music becomes more and more immersive. By composing music while seeing these visuals, I connect with the music more deeply on an emotional level. Because of this process, the overall mood of the music video is already mostly decided at the composition stage. Then, by creating the visuals myself, I can realize exactly what I imagined. Especially with VFX, outsourcing to production companies can be extremely expensive, and the result often differs from what I envisioned. In the end, the best way is to do what you want to do yourself.
FIRST CONTACT – Open My Heart (MV)
Sawa, on “Open My Heart”, you have a wicked bass solo and perform your signature “propeller headbang”. Why does this song get you so pumped up?
Sawa: In FIRST CONTACT, I’ve been able to challenge myself with styles I hadn’t experienced before. But “Open My Heart” is a straightforward, fast-paced rock song. It allows me to let loose and express my true self.
RYU, in the “Making of” documentary, we see you directing the members’ music video performances. How would you describe yourself as a director?
RYU: I’d say I’m more of a meticulous type. I create a detailed shooting schedule and follow it closely on the day of filming. It includes camera angles, performer positions, framing, and scene details. Because our music videos are heavily VFX-based, I film each member separately and then composite the footage so it looks like we’re all performing together. Since I’m the only one who knows what the final image will look like, filming on a green screen probably feels quite surreal for everyone else.
How do you avoid being too hard on yourself when directing and filming your own performance?
RYU: I try not to get overly detailed, while also staying fully focused. When filming other members, I’m in director mode, but when filming my own performance, I’m in player mode. So switching that mindset is crucial.
You’ve announced your first live tour Space Alliance starting in March in Osaka and Tokyo. How do you plan to bring the sci-fi vibe to a live stage?
RYU: We’re planning a hybrid live experience that combines music and visuals. I’d love
to create an immersive stage, like a theme park attraction. Above all, I want the audience to have the best time possible.
Your music videos have lots of comments from international fans, and the band is getting more attention with your global release on JPU Records. What should your fans expect from FIRST CONTACT as they watch your journey forward?
RYU: I’m incredibly happy about the response from overseas. FIRST CONTACT has only just begun, but I want to continue this project for a long time. If we can eventually perform live not only in Japan but also abroad, I think we’ll all be very happy.
Sawa: We’ve received so many warm and encouraging comments, and they truly give us energy. We hope people around the world will continue to watch and listen to FIRST
CONTACT, and someday, we’d love to make overseas live shows a reality.
Pre-save FIRST CONTACT’s new album EARTH NATION here: https://jpurecords.com/products/first-contact-earth-nation
PEACEMILLION – STREAM/DOWNLOAD (released internationally by JPU Records)
PEACEMILLION CD (Limited Edition)
