After a year that took LOVEBITES to Nippon Budokan, Wacken Open Air and out on tour with Outstanding Power, the Japanese band will step away from live performances throughout 2027. The group announced the decision on October 9 and said it expects to return to the stage in 2028. In the meantime, it will keep writing songs and preparing releases, while all five members continue with their individual projects.
In their message to fans, the musicians reflected on celebrating ten years together and thanked audiences for their support at this year’s shows. They also explained that their social media channels will remain active, allowing them to share news throughout the coming year. Releases and other projects are in the works, although the band has yet to reveal what they involve or when they will arrive.
LOVEBITES did not explain what prompted the decision to spend a year away from live shows. Its statement focuses on the work that will continue and the prospect of seeing fans again in 2028. No dates, cities or venues have been announced for that return. The band looks forward to sharing live performances with audiences around the world again, but has not yet unveiled a new tour.
The news follows several months devoted to Outstanding Power, released in Japan on February 18. “The Castaway” introduced the record as its first single, complete with a music video. The album also began the quintet’s relationship with Napalm Records, which released its edition on May 8 and welcomed the Japanese musicians to its roster during their tenth-anniversary year. lovebites.jp
Between those two releases came the March 29 concert at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan. For Asami, Midori, Miyako, Fami and Haruna, playing there had been one of the band’s biggest ambitions. When announcing the performance, they described it as a dream that also belonged to the fans who had supported them along the way. Months later, they singled it out again among the events that had defined their anniversary.
The show was also streamed for fans unable to travel to Japan. Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Colombia were among the countries where viewers could watch, alongside the United States and other European and Asian territories. The broadcast gave audiences outside Japan access to a performance that held a prominent place in the band’s 2026 celebrations. lovebites.jp
Since forming in 2016, LOVEBITES has taken its power metal to festivals including Hellfest, Download, Bloodstock and Graspop Metal Meeting. The current lineup features Asami on vocals, Midori and Miyako on guitars, Fami on bass and Haruna on drums: the five musicians who will spend the coming year continuing their creative work and individual projects. label.napalmrecords.com
There are still shows ahead before the break. The band is booked for October 24 at Full Metal Japan 2026, taking place at Pia Arena MM with support from Wacken Open Air. The festival runs across October 24 and 25, with Loudness among the artists appearing on its second day.
