This week, PassCode unleash their riveting music video Liberator on YouTube. Additionally, it opens the dark fantasy anime ROLL OVER AND DIE with explosive energy.
From the start, Liberator hits with death growls over heavy bass. The four idol members join sequentially, building to a pop-influenced chorus. The extreme contrast delivers epic, heavy vibes with savage breakdowns. Visually, PassCode stands defiant at the gates of Hell. It’s as if they flirt with doom metal energy, tempting the devil with their sound!
Interestingly, Liberator follows the style of their popular songs, such as last year’s DESTINEX, but strikes a darker, heavier tone—perhaps due to its role as the anime opener. The anime, according to Wikipedia, follows a peasant girl sold into slavery, left with only a cursed sword, who fights ghouls to survive.
Specifically, the anime is based on the 2018 novel and manga, officially titled ROLL OVER AND DIE: I Will Fight for an Ordinary Life with My Love and Cursed Sword! [「お前ごときが魔王に勝てると思うな」と勇者パ―ティを追放されたので、王都で気ままに暮らしたい]. Outside Japan, it debuted on Crunchyroll this January.
Regarding the new song, Liberator, is available in two physical formats: First Press Limited Edition and Regular Edition. Both have the same tracks. Only the Limited Edition includes a Blu-ray of PassCode’s YOKOHAMA BUNTAI 2025 “DESTINEX” live performance from last November. For international shipping, check for availability from CDJapan.
“Liberator” Single Release
Moreover, PassCode has spent a decade in the Kawaii metal genre. Clearly, at this point, they know what they are doing, and it works very well. Unlike the better-known BABYMETAL, they blend metalcore with EDM and J-pop for a more dance-friendly sound. On the other hand, BABYMETAL can induce headbanging fatigue and inspire mosh pit exhaustion runs! After seeing PassCode on their last U.S. tour, I enjoyed their energy and drive as much as I love BABYMETAL. So, if you like BABYMETAL, try PassCode as well, and Liberator is a powerful start!
About PassCode
Formed in 2013 in Osaka, PassCode is a Japanese metal idol group known for high-energy blends of electronicore, metalcore, EDM, and J-pop. Their “digital kawaii metal” style pairs aggressive screams and guitar riffs with infectious pop melodies and pulsating club beats.
The group began as a typical idol act but shifted toward heavier electronics and rock after lineup changes in 2014. Live, they feature guitar, bass, and drums, while members handle vocals and choreography. Current members: Nao Minami, Kaede Takashima, Hinako Ogami, and Emily Arima.
Notable milestones include their first solo concert at Nippon Budokan in 2022, a 2023 U.S. tour, and several anime tie-in songs. PassCode’s aggressive melodic sound, live shows, and unique idol-metal blend earned them a large following in Japan and overseas.
