Kazumoto Endo is a legendary figure in the Japanese harsh noise scene, renowned globally as a master of the “cut-up” technique. Since his emergence in the mid-1990s, he has redefined the boundaries of experimental music, transitioning from his early moniker Killer Bug to releasing definitive works under his birth name. His 1999 landmark album, While You Were Out, remains a cornerstone of the genre, celebrated for its frantic editing, extreme density, and unparalleled sense of sensory overload. What sets Endo apart is his surgical precision. His sound is a volatile explosion of abrasive textures, characterized by sudden, razor-sharp shifts and rhythmic bursts of silence that keep the listener in a state of constant tension. This unique approach to “controlled chaos” has influenced generations of noise artists and secured his status as a pioneer of the Japanoise movement. With a prolific career spanning over three decades, Endo has toured internationally and collaborated with various icons of the underground. His 2024 album, At The Controls, demonstrates that he remains at the forefront of the scene, continuing to evolve his meticulously structured soundscapes. Witness the raw intensity of a true noise visionary whose work is as much about silence as it is about total distortion.
Killer Bug is a legendary solo project by Tokyo-based noise artist Kazumoto Endo. Since its formation in 1994, Killer Bug has established a firm position in the “Japanoise” scene, known for a unique style that blends intense noise with “dead-stop” cut-up editing. This high-speed approach, characterized by sudden shifts and explosions of sonic violence, has influenced experimental musicians worldwide. Throughout the 1990s, the project released influential works on pioneering labels such as Self Abuse and Troniks. In 2024, a “best of” compilation CD was reissued by Total Black, proving the project’s enduring acclaim. Although Endo transitioned to performing under his own name after 1997 and has rarely performed as Killer Bug since, he will play a special Killer Bug set for this festival.
Kazumoto Endo headlines Day 1 and Killer Bug headlines Day 2. Tickets are on sale!
