Japanese Metal Scene

What’s up everybody, how are you all doing back in Singapore? If you are a regular reader of the JAC blog, you would have noticed the various genres of Japanese music that we have covered; from ever popular J-pop artistes like LiSA and Petit Milady to visual kei bands such as Versailles. Today, we are going to be introduced to a genre of music that may not be as well advertised or listened to by many of us back at home! Let’s bring the house down and rock our socks off because metal is here to take the stage!

Did you know that Japan has a thriving metal scene? Various famous bands such as Metallica, Megadeth and Lamb of God have all performed before in Japan, with rousing success. In fact, there are several bands which produce limited edition albums, just for Japan! Also, “Live In Japan” has become somewhat of a brand, with plenty of bands recording their live performances in various Japanese venues like Loud Park and producing them as “live” albums.

Popular UK power metal band, Dragonforce, produces Japan special editions for their entire discography
Picture credits to Dragonforce.com

Why then is metal so popular in Japan, as compared to other conservative countries like Singapore? That is because the Japanese culture emphasizes on technical skills; from elaborate Japanese tea ceremonies that represent good etiquette to tedious traditional sushi preparation that reflects one’s true skill in the culinary art. The precision required to perform those arts can be linked to the precision required to pull off fast and/or technical metal riffs on an electric guitar, or fast and/or intricate drum patterns on a kit. One such band which pulls off both at the same time is Galneryus, which hails from the Land of the Rising Sun.

Formed in 2001 by current guitarist Syu and then vocalist Yama-B, Galneryus prides itself as a power metal band with neo-classical influences. With Yama-B’s operatic, and sometimes harsh, vocals combined with Syu’s neo-classical, progressive riffs, songs were played in progressive fashion while maintaining power metal elements from the songs’ lyrics which focuses on fantasy and hope, amongst many other themes. In fact, most of Yama-B’s songs were sung in English, a plus for people outside Japan who wants to enjoy their music!

Silent Revelation from Advance to the Fall, their second album

After Yama-B left in 2008 due to the band’s growth and change, Sho took over with Galneryus taking a different direction in their music. While maintaining the writing style of the lyrics, the riffs are changed into a more classic power metal tone, characterized by a slow change in chords, fast picking and fast guitar/keyboard solos. There are also more Japanese tracks after Sho took over. These changes, however, did not affect Galneryus’ popularity. In fact, the band grew more and more popular with each album produced, with their eighth studio album, Angel Of Salvation (2012), being the most popular, reaching 17th in the Oricon Charts.

Hunting for Your Dream from Angel of Salvation. It is the second closing theme for the new Hunter x Hunter anime adaptation

For people looking to expand their music collection, metal is certainly a way to go for. It is by no means a new genre so few free to click on the various links I provided and surf Youtube to your heart’s content.You may have realized by now that I focused on Power Metal, which is just one sub-genre out of the many out there! From Concerto Moon (Heavy Metal) to Maximum the Hormone (Metalcore), there is so much to explore in the budding Japanese metal scene. Otherwise, feel free to explore the well-developed Western and European metal scene with famous bands such as Nightwish (Symphonic Metal) and Dream Theater (Progressive Metal)! I am only scratching the surface; there are so many bands out there, each with their unique musical styles that there is certainly something for everyone.

Signing off with Galneryus’ closing song in one of their performances, Angel of Salvation. 16 minutes of eargasm, enjoy! :D

Post by Jessel Eng (Thanks Jessel! For writing this post while on exchange)
Edited by Kai Yeat