Japanese Rock & Metal

Generic Dreadhead · 15-08-2014 2:36pm #1

Deserves it's own thread maybe?

Granted a lot of the Rock is better than the Metal.
But seriously the amount of good bands they are putting out is crazy.
It's come up on a number of threads before so I just want to see if there's sufficient interest to warrant a discussion.
A lot of stuff from bands there is surpassing their European/American equivalents IMHO.
Plus the bands seem to hit the ground running and generally have a very cohesive sound by their 1st full album.

Is this down to culture?
Are asian kids learning violin at the age of 3 preparing them musically to compose good rock/metal when they hit adulthood?
Is there less of a binge drinking culture allowing bands to actually work and focus on music at weekends when we are all drunk/hungover.
Will there be much dishonour brought on their family if they preform badly at gigs?
Are they less resentful and more open to change/ideas so embrace cross-genre music more?
Are they ahead of the curve technology wise and have better home or professional studios?
..... something something small hands something easier guitar playing something

(joking)

Obviously these questions are somewhat tounge in cheek but is there a glimmer of truth maybe?

Generic Dreadhead · 15-08-2014 2:44pm

I'll kick things off with this gem

GLaDOS · 15-08-2014 2:49pm

Can't say I listen to much, but I love these guys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05uI1tjBlHU

gizmo · 15-08-2014 2:50pm

Since it was on this forum that I was first introduced to this lot, it's only fair I return the favour.

Generic Dreadhead · 15-08-2014 3:30pm

^^^ This.... This I like

Links234 · 15-08-2014 3:42pm

Cormac... wrote: »

Is this down to culture?

Japan just has an incredible rock and metal scene, and that's all it's down to. People don't seem to realize just how thriving it is, or how popular rock and metal music is in Japan, you'd need to see it to experience it. Some of the best nights of my life were hanging out in dingy rock bars in Osaka, or one time seeing The Sex Machineguns do an in store event at HMV, you kinda get a sense of how big the scene is, and just how incredibly vibrant it is. This is the country that took Marty Friedman, and gave him his own TV show, so yeah, let that sink in.

There's also a huge variety of genres and styles, so you'll have something very Japan-specific like Visual Kei, or more western influenced genres, like Death Metal and the Japanese just take it and do their own thing with it. You could be a fan of any kinda subgenre and you'd find there's Japanese bands will be doing it, and doing it extremely well.

Generic Dreadhead · 15-08-2014 3:49pm

Soooo, not just down to tiny hands and small servings of saki you say?

I wish i could afford to go -_-

Links234 · 15-08-2014 3:58pm

Anywho, one of my absolutely favouritest bands ever are D

If you've not listened to them, do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFRIhc8k5yU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvs6GcacLtU

The singer, Asagi, is one of my favourites too, mainly because of the diversity of styles he throws in, from clean vocals to more aggressive styles, and his sheer range, he goes from really deep to high in a moment, it's unreal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX_VZubr6Lo

Links234 · 15-08-2014 4:01pm

Cormac... wrote: »

Soooo, not just down to tiny hands and small servings of saki you say?

I wish i could afford to go -_-

No, not at all. Also, if you think the Japanese don't binge drink, you've never seen the salarymen staggering home, or being bunged into a taxi or being helped onto the train by mates. The corporate work culture is nuts over there, so when these guys go out, they go ****ing insane. Kinda strange if you don't expect to see these businessmen in nice tidy suits getting absolutely ****faced, but yeah... no bingedrinking culture my ass! :pac:

westernfrenzy · 15-08-2014 4:05pm

Links234 · 15-08-2014 4:09pm

By the way Cormac, as an aside from the other thread, if you enjoy bands who mix some electronic elements into their music, then seriously check these out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk22alvpfpQ

I saw Girugamesh live back in June and they were absolutely incredible, amazing live:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyRI1SCT-C8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xxmkj7JRcs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvphbOzspZY

Links234 · 15-08-2014 4:34pm

gizmo wrote: »

Since it was on this forum that I was first introduced to this lot, it's only fair I return the favour.

You missed out on the video for Alien, which NEEDS to be seen the whole way through! Absolutely incredible video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdwT5JlH8gM

Generic Dreadhead · 15-08-2014 4:41pm

WTF did I just watch :pac:

Links234 · 15-08-2014 4:50pm

Cormac... wrote: »

WTF did I just watch :pac:

I don't know, what did you just watch?

Also, one of the most ****ed up vids I've ever seen, NSFW:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpuYs1DE97k

spiritcrusher · 15-08-2014 8:48pm

Japanese metal? There can be only one...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQHhcEjtpp4

The two European guys are just live musicians.

Links234 · 16-08-2014 1:31am

****ing love this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu2z4Uf9Tgc

Dublin Red Devil · 16-08-2014 5:12pm

How dare you start a Japanese Rock/Metal thread and not Headline with

BABYMETAL
Btkvqe3CAAANHaT.jpg:large

Blasphemy!

Links234 · 16-08-2014 5:16pm

Dublin Red Devil wrote: »

How dare you start a Japanese Rock/Metal thread and not Headline with

Because there is so much more than just Babymetal, so very very much more.

SilverScreen · 16-08-2014 5:35pm

Boris obviously

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbw62iCsS34

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ocS6IGaaT8

Dublin Red Devil · 16-08-2014 6:16pm

Links234 wrote: »

Because there is so much more than just Babymetal, so very very much more.

Just go see them man. They come back to London in November. They are absolutely ****ing unreal, You will be blown away.

Reiketsu · 16-08-2014 6:52pm

I think Dir en grey are the best band in the world and everyone who thinks otherwise is wrong :pac:. All jokes aside though, Japan produces some amazing stuff. I'm off to see Sukekiyo next month and I have no doubt it'll be great

. I also really like Nocturnal Bloodlust, Boris, D'espairsRay. I like MUCC's older stuff too.

Grayditch · 16-08-2014 6:59pm

This will become a one man Babymetal thread by next week

Links234 · 16-08-2014 7:23pm

Reiketsu wrote: »

I think Dir en grey are the best band in the world and everyone who thinks otherwise is wrong :pac:. All jokes aside though, Japan produces some amazing stuff. I'm off to see Sukekiyo next month and I have no doubt it'll be great . I also really like Nocturnal Bloodlust, Boris, D'espairsRay. I like MUCC's older stuff too.

Still gotta check out Sukekiyo myself, but enjoy yourself!

Gotta share the Nocturnal Bloodlust love!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9pdYssTH74

But yeah, some of the best metal bands by far are coming from Japan these days! Love me some X-Japan, Versailles, Deluhi, Sadie, Nightmare, Lynch., exist†trace, Blood Stain Child, Gyze, Sigh, Jupiter, and so much more!

Links234 · 16-08-2014 7:36pm

Grayditch wrote: »

This will become a one man Babymetal thread by next week

Not if I can help it

There's too much awesome music from Japan, and I'll keep posting different bands for folks to check out

Here, try Imperial Circus Dead Decadence

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD3baPUqa2E

Not your thing? Maybe try Intestine Baalism

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS1CAdCwDHw

How about something thrashier?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bngeWVxWC7A

Grayditch · 16-08-2014 7:44pm

Mong Hang

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfzMRWCWRKY

Links234 · 16-08-2014 7:58pm

Grayditch wrote: »

Mong Hang

...

I got nothing

Grayditch · 16-08-2014 8:04pm

They toured with Tub Ring years ago, heard of them through listening to them guys.

Always put a smile on my face.

Links234 · 16-08-2014 8:19pm

Wouldn't quite be my thing Grayditch, but they're damned interesting!

Actually, another band I absolutely love but forgot to mention earlier is Matenrou Opera, and I'm posting this song in particular because it shows off something that I find very unique to Japanese metal, that amazing vibrato the singer has, it's just one of those things that draws me to a lot of Japanese music in general.