ZILQY – Misfit Toys
Japanese post-melodic nu-metal band ZILQY, who released their debut full-length album Birth of Riot on 7th October and are currently touring Japan in support of the record, have unveiled the official lyric video for ‘Misfit Toys’, one of the album’s standout live tracks that has been generating an especially enthusiastic response from audiences
Originally conceived by drummer Kano, ‘Misfit Toys’ combines instantly memorable melodies with the aggression of modern metal. The track contrasts crushing guitar riffs and powerful breakdowns with an uplifting, infectious chorus, while the “Hello, hello” call-and-response has become a moment of unity between the band and their audience during live performances. Capturing the exhilaration of ZILQY’s live shows, the song embodies the band’s signature approach to balancing heaviness with universal appeal.
Lyrically, ‘Misfit Toys’ tells the story of those who have been labeled misfits and cast aside by society, portraying their struggles through the metaphor of broken and discarded toys. Even when rejected by others and treated as worthless, their true value remains intact. Rooted in a spirit of defiance, the song delivers a message of self-acceptance and empowerment, encouraging listeners to embrace who they are and forge their own path forward.
The newly released lyric video brings this concept to life through the imagery of defective and discarded toys, translating the song’s vibrant, catchy energy into a visually striking world. Colourful, playful imagery is intertwined with peculiar, slightly unsettling character designs and elements of dark fantasy, creating a distinctive aesthetic where charm and imperfection coexist. Rather than presenting a simply bright and cheerful fantasy, the video celebrates imperfection as a form of individuality, transforming even the most unusual and distorted qualities into something beautiful. In doing so, it visually reinforces the song’s central message of embracing one’s true self without being defined by the expectations of others.
The video was created by Bowne, a Nagoya-based DJ, trackmaker, and VJ whose creative activities span bass music and various forms of subculture. For this project, Bowne combines the song’s playful, pop-oriented energy with the unconventional beauty of its imperfect characters, constructing a unique visual universe that is simultaneously whimsical, eerie, and endearing.
Released on 7th October, ZILQY’s debut full-length album Birth of Riot features ten tracks, including ‘Misfit Toys’. Built around the concept of balancing heaviness with universal appeal, the album combines the crushing guitar riffs and breakdowns of contemporary modern metal with distinctive synthesiser textures and catchy melodies, creating powerful musical hooks without compromising its heaviness. By bringing together the aggression of modern metal and a universal emotional appeal that resonates with a broad audience, ZILQY continue to develop their distinctive musical identity, which they define as “post-melodic nu-metal.”
ZILQY’s international recognition is also continuing to grow. ‘RUN’, a track from the album, reached No. 19 on The Kerrang! Chart published by Kerrang!, one of the UK’s most prominent rock music publications. The band has also received recognition from Metal Hammer, with one of their songs selected among the magazine’s Tracks of the Week upon its release. With their sights set on expanding their activities internationally in
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