ASTERISM Drummer MIO Announces Temporary Hiatus for Health Reasons

Oct 7, 2026

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ASTERISM announced on September 2, 2026 that drummer MIO will take a temporary hiatus from the band. The band and MIO each published a statement the same day, and the two texts describe the break in different terms.

The band’s notice

The notice on ASTERISM’s official website says MIO will pause activities to focus on treatment and recovery. According to Japanese media reports on the Japanese-language version, including ORICON and Nikkan Sports, the notice states that MIO has been experiencing ongoing physical and mental health problems and that a doctor judged a period of rest and treatment to be necessary. The English version of the notice refers to “health issues.”

The band apologized to fans and everyone involved for any concern caused and asked for their understanding.

MIO’s statement

In a separate statement posted on Instagram on September 2, MIO said the decision was to take a break from band activities. MIO described the period as an opportunity to reflect and to better understand challenges faced in recent times, and asked fans to see the hiatus as taken in a “positive and forward-looking way.” MIO added the belief that, on returning, there would be something valuable to share through music and words, and asked fans for continued support.

The English version of the statement does not mention health. Nikkan Sports reported that the Japanese-language statement also refers to having struggled with the gap between the world and oneself.

Neither statement gives a diagnosis or a return date.

How ASTERISM is continuing

According to the notice, ASTERISM will continue its activities with a lineup centered on guitarist HAL-CA and bassist MIYU while MIO is away. The band said it would announce information about upcoming performances as soon as it is decided.

The official schedule lists the following upcoming dates: Next Rebel vol.5 (October 9), MINAMI WHEEL 2026 (October 10), Saga Saiko Fes Vol.11 (October 18) and Hangover (October 19). The band’s notice does not name a replacement drummer. Fuwawa, drummer of the three-piece all-female band Kakumei Meloic, is currently playing drums with ASTERISM.

About ASTERISM

ASTERISM is a three-piece instrumental heavy metal band from Japan, formed in 2014. The lineup consists of HAL-CA (guitar), MIYU (bass) and MIO (drums). The band made its major debut with SME Records in March 2023.

More coverage of the Japanese metal scene is available on the YouTube channel @venusgaijin.

Sources