The press release follows:
Media Release -- This June, Trivium vocalist and guitarist Matthew Kiichi Heafy, Z2 Comics, and illustrator Half Sumo will debut Ibaraki and Friends, a rhyming picture book featuring the myriad Japanese folktales and rich mythologies that inspired Heafy as a child. This vibrant guide, designed by Ashley Heafy, offers a new way for families to connect to Japanese culture and be enthralled by the monsters, heroes, and places that form its legacy.
"Ibaraki & Friends is a book full of the stories that I grew up with. That Japanese folklore lies at the very root of so many of the amazing stories we have today, whether they're in video games, anime, movies, or songs," Heafy explains.
Each spread of Ibaraki & Friends presents one of the many legendary tricksters, heroes, and mystical beings that occupied the classical Japanese stories Heafy's mother taught him growing up. These include the monkey/man/bird hybrid, Tengu; the eight-headed beast, Yamata no Orochi; and a nine-tailed celestial fox, all channeled with neon energy through Half Sumo's vivid illustrations.
"For years, I've researched as many Japanese stories as possible—gotten several of them tattooed on my body—and explored their themes in the songs of Trivium, Ibaraki, and now in Ibaraki & Friends," Heafy continues "It's our hope that in exploring these wonderful stories, that the readers will want to learn more about Japanese culture—then more cultures of the surrounding Asian countries, then spread that willingness to learn about stories from all over the world, inspiring curiosity in the many cultures we share around the planet."
In tandem, Heafy is also releasing The Ibaraki and Friends Lullaby CD, a musical compliment of the book that provides soothing, acoustic songs written and performed by Heafy to offer even more ways to experience these treasured tales.
Co-founding Trivium in 1999, Heafy has gone on to sell millions of records with the band, which was nominated for the Best Metal Performance Grammy in 2019. Heafy will also release the self-titled album of his black metal side project, Ibaraki, on May 6th, further exploring Japanese mythology with guest contributions from Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance, Ihsahn of Emperor, and Nergal of Behemoth.
Z2 Comics and Matthew Heafy present Ibaraki and Friends. Half Sumo provides cover and interior art. Deluxe editions include a temporary tattoo set, a Bento Box set, and an accompanying lullaby CD. Pre-order yours today.
About Matthew Kiichi Heafy:
Matthew Kiichi Heafy is a Japanese American musician, best known as the guitarist and lead vocalist for the Grammy-nominated heavy metal band Trivium. Heafy co-founded the band in 1999 when he was in 8th grade; the quartet has gone on to sell millions of records over the span of ten studio albums, culminating with In the Court of the Dragon, released last October. Trivium was nominated for the Best Metal Performance Grammy in 2019 for the song "Betrayer."
Heafy's solo project, Ibaraki, explores Japanese culture and mythology through black metal, and partially inspired his Ibaraki and Friends book with Z2 Comics. The Ibaraki self-titled record debuts on May 6th worldwide and includes guest contributions from Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance, Ihsahn of Emperor, and Nergal of Behemoth. Heafy also releases music under "Matthew K Heafy" and has collaborated with musicians including Mike Shinoda and Richard Marx.
Heafy is also an avid gamer, practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and food connoisseur. He streams daily on his Twitch channel "matthewkheafy," displaying the behind-the-scenes work it takes to stay in shape for guitars and vocals. Playing Trivium songs by request, every day is a new show made by the fans, for the fans.
Heafy has co-founded the Metal & Honey Foundation. The Metal & Honey Foundation supports the Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital For Children. One hundred percent of the proceeds directly benefit the music therapy program.
About Half Sumo:
Half Sumo Collective is an independent design collective and martial art brand forged, found and curated in New York. The City, fueled by never ending noise, dirty bodegas, hidden record shops, people of every race and belief. Half Sumo takes inspiration from all of them and everything that shapes their passion: Japanese ancient woodblock prints from the EDO period, graffiti art, street art, and of course martial arts. "We are independent, enthusiastic, and passionate."But the most important word that identifies HS is budo: budo is the martial arts way. Not just related to how much you train or how many pushups you can do, but the passion that moves you toward constant self-improvement in any aspect of your life. The Half Sumo community is a small tribe of people who truly understand the meaning of martial arts.
About Z2 Comics:
Recently dubbed the "Hottest brand in music" by Forbes, Z2 Comics has quickly become the premier destination for authentic graphic novels and collectibles, created in partnership with top-tier artists, musicians and pop-culture icons. Distributed globally via Simon & Schuster, Z2 has produced 50-plus unique graphic novel properties, collaborating with Gorillaz , Blondie, Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury, Balmain, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Jason Derulo, The Grateful Dead, Machine Gun Kelly, Sublime, Beethoven, RZA, Mötley Crüe, Vince Staples, Cheech & Chong, The Doors, Anthrax, Public Enemy, Ronnie James Dio, King Diamond, All Time Low, Ivan Moody, Yungblud, Cypress Hill, Babymetal, Major Lazer, RZA, Alter Bridge, Sturgill Simpson, Poppy, John Lee Hooker, and Charlie "Bird" Parker. Learn more at Z2comics.com, and follow us on Instagram (@z2comics) and Twitter (@z2comics).
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