Heavy Metal Music in Japan: What You Need to Know

If you’re a fan of heavy metal music, then you’ll want to know about the scene in Japan. Here’s what you need to know about heavy metal music in Japan.

The History of Heavy Metal in Japan

Heavy metal music in Japan has a long and storied history, dating back to the 1960s when bands such as Blue Cheer and Cream were popular in the country. The 1970s saw the birth of the Japanese heavy metal scene, with bands like Loudness and Earthshaker gaining notoriety. In the 1980s and 1990s, heavy metal in Japan continued to grow in popularity, with bands like X Japan and Dir En Grey becoming household names.

Early beginnings

The history of heavy metal in Japan began in the late 1960s and early 1970s with bands such as Flower Travellin’ Band, which released its first album, Satori in 1971. The genre then saw something of a boom in the late 1970s and early 1980s with the rise of bands such as X Japan and Loudness. However, metal’s popularity would decline in the early 1990s, coinciding with the grunge movement, but would make a comeback in the mid-2000s.

One of the earliest Japanese heavy metal bands was Flower Travellin’ Band, which formed in 1967. The band’s debut album, Satori, was released in 1971 and is often considered to be one of the first heavy metal albums ever released. The album featured a blend of psychedelic rock and hard rock, with elements of blues and jazz thrown in for good measure.

Another early Japanese heavy metal band was Bow Wow, which formed in 1974. The band’s debut album, Warning From Stardust, was released in 1976 and is often cited as being one of the first power metal albums ever released. The album featured a mix of hard rock and progressive rock, with elements of classical music thrown in for good measure.

One of the most successful Japanese heavy metal bands of all time is X Japan, which formed in 1982. The band’s debut album, Vanishing Vision, was released in 1988 and is often considered to be one of the finest examples of power metal ever recorded. The album featured a mix of speed metal and melodic death metal, with elements of classical music thrown in for good measure.

Loudness is another highly successful Japanese heavy metal band, which formed in 1981. The band’s debut album, Thunderbolt, was released in 1985 and is often considered to be one of the best examples of speed metal ever recorded. The album featured a mix of thrash metal and power metal, with elements of classical music thrown in for good measure.

The influence of Western metal

Heavy metal music first appeared in Japan in the late 1960s, with bands such as Cream and Led Zeppelin becoming popular among Japanese audiences. In the 1970s, Judy and Mary, a Japanese pop-rock band, began incorporating heavy metal elements into their music. This fusion of heavy metal and pop-rock would come to be known as “visual kei” (“visual style”), a term that would later be used to describe the look and fashion of many Japanese heavy metal bands.

In the 1980s, Western heavy metal bands such as Def Leppard and Bon Jovi became popular in Japan, helping to spur the growth of the heavy metal scene in the country. Additionally, many Japanese heavy metal bands began to emerge during this time period, including Loudness, X Japan, and Babymetal.

Today, there is a thriving heavy metal scene in Japan, with numerous bands and festivals dedicated to the genre. Though Western influence remains strong, Japanese heavy metal bands have developed their own unique sound and style that sets them apart from their overseas counterparts.

The rise of Japanese metal

Japanese metal bands started to gain popularity in the early 1980s, with bands such as Loudness and Earthshaker leading the way. Heavy metal music was seen as a way for young people to rebel against the traditional values of Japanese society.

In the 1990s, Japanese metal bands started to gain international attention, with bands such as X Japan and Dir en grey becoming popular in the West. Japanese metal bands continue to be successful both in Japan and overseas, with new bands such as Babymetal gaining popularity in recent years.

The Current Scene

The state of the music industry

The state of the music industry in Japan is quite different from that in the West. In Japan, the music industry is dominated by a handful of major labels, and there is very little independent scene. This means that most metal bands in Japan are signed to major labels and have relatively large budgets. As a result, the quality of production on Japanese metal albums is often quite high.

However, this also means that the metal scene in Japan is quite insular. There are very few Japanese metal bands that have broken through to a wider audience, and most Japanese metal fans are content to listen to music made by their fellow countrymen. This can make it difficult for Westerners to find information about Japanese metal bands, as most of the relevant websites and magazines are in Japanese.

Fortunately, there are a few English-language sources of information about the Japanese metal scene. MetalSucks has been covering Japanese metal for several years, and we recently launched a dedicated Japanese metal column called “Noise fromJapan”. In addition, Invisible Oranges also has a regular column devoted to coverage of the Japanese metal scene.

The popularity of metal

Metal music is having a moment in Japan. In the past few years, the genre has gained mainstream attention, with festivals like Japan’s Knotfest drawing massive crowds. And it’s not just the older generation of metalheads that are getting in on the action – there’s a new wave of younger fans, too.

But while metal might be more popular than ever, it’s still very much a niche genre in Japan. If you’re thinking of getting into metal, or you’re already a fan looking to connect with other like-minded people, here’s what you need to know about the current scene.

There are a handful of Japanese metal bands that have been around for decades and are world-renowned, such as X Japan, Dir en grey and Loudness. But if you’re just starting to get into metal, you might be wondering where to begin.

A good place to start is with Babymetal. The band formed in 2010 and consists of three teenage girls – Su-metal, Moa-metal and Yuimetal – who sing and dance while a group of backing musicians play heavy metal instruments. Babymetal have been credited with helping to bring metal to a wider audience in Japan, and their unique style has made them one of the most popular bands in the genre both at home and abroad.

Another band that’s worth checking out is Crossfaith. Formed in 2006, Crossfaith combine elements of metalcore, EDM and hip hop to create an explosive sound that has won them fans all over the world. The band recently released their fifth album ‘Ex_Machina’, which entered the Japanese Billboard charts at number two – proof that they’re one of the biggest names in Japanese metal right now.

Of course, if you’re already a fan of metal, you’ll know that there’s more to the genre than just these two bands. There are plenty of other great Japanese metal bands out there waiting to be discovered – so get exploring!

The future of metal in Japan

The current state of metal in Japan is strong and shows no signs of slowing down. While the Japanese metal scene has always been small compared to Western scenes, it has a dedicated and passionate following. The popularity of metal music in Japan has been on the rise in recent years, with more and more fans getting involved.

One of the most promising aspects of the current Japanese metal scene is the number of young people getting involved. This is a good sign for the future of the scene, as it shows that there is interest from a new generation of fans. Additionally, many Japanese metal bands are now starting to gain international attention, which is helping to raise the profile of the scene as a whole.

With a solid foundation in place, it seems likely that the Japanese metal scene will continue to grow in popularity in the years to come. This growth will likely lead to more opportunities for bands to gain international recognition, which will in turn help to further increase interest in metal music in Japan.

Japanese Metal Bands You Need to Know

If you’re a fan of heavy metal music, then you’ve probably heard of Japan. Japanese metal bands are some of the most talented and well-known in the world. But what you might not know is that there’s a lot more to Japanese metal than just the big names. In this article, we’ll introduce you to some of the best Japanese metal bands that you may not have heard of.

Dir en grey

Dir en grey is a Japanese heavy metal band formed in 1997 and currently signed to Firewall Div., a sub-label of Sony Music Entertainment Japan. The band has released nine studio albums, three EPs, and nineteen singles. Their seventh album The Unraveling debuted at number two on the Oricon Albums Chart, selling over 100,000 copies in its first week of release. Dir en grey was originally affiliated with the now-defunct independent label Leverage, before signing on to Sony Music Japan’s label fire wall Division in 2002.

The band achieved mainstream success with the release of their fourth album Vulgar in 2003. Commercially successful since Vulgar’s release, Dir en grey is one of the most popular Japanese metal core bands both in and outside Japan. Dir en grey is also notable for being one of the first Japanese acts to achieve widespread popularity despite having little promotion from their record label outside of Asia. The band’s music videos and live performances have sparked controversy among Western audiences, owing to their on-stage antics which include self-mutilation and pyrotechnics.

Crossfaith

Formed in 2006, Crossfaith is a five-piece metalcore band from Osaka, Japan. The band is known for their high-energy live shows and their fusion of electronic music with metal. Crossfaith has released five studio albums, with their most recent, Xeno, coming out in 2018.

Babymetal

Formed in 2010, Babymetal is a Japanese metal band that combines elements of heavy metal music with J-pop. The band is composed of three teenage girls: Suzuka Nakamoto (“Su-metal”) Yui Mizuno (“Yuimetal”), and Moa Kikuchi (“Moametal”). Babymetal has released two studio albums, Babymetal (2014) and Metal Resistance (2016). The band has toured extensively, performing shows in Europe, North America, Asia, and Oceania.

Babymetal’s music has been well-received by both metal and non-metal fans. The band has been praised for their catchy hooks and entertaining live shows. Babymetal has been nominated for several awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.

Where to Start if You’re Interested in Japanese Metal

Heavy metal music is popular all over the world, but it has a particularly strong following in Japan. Japanese metal is often characterized by its focus on melody and emotion, as well as its use of traditional instruments. If you’re interested in getting into Japanese metal, there are a few things you should know. In this article, we’ll introduce you to the world of Japanese metal and give you some tips on where to start.

Recommended albums

If you’re new to Japanese metal, then these are some essential albums to get you started.

-Babymetal – Babymetal
-Bump of Chicken – Jupiter
-Crossfaith – Xeno
-Dir En Grey – Uroboros
-Maximum the Hormone – Buiikikaesu
-One OK Rock – Ambitions
-SikTh – The Trees Are Dead and Dried Out, Wait for Something Wild

Recommended websites and resources

If you’re interested in exploring Japanese metal further, there are a few key websites and resources that can be really helpful. Metalforu.com is a great starting point, as it’s a forum-based site where users can discuss all things metal in Japan. You can also find English-language articles about the scene on Metal Asia and Japanator.

In terms of music, there are a few key albums that are essential listening for anyone getting into Japanese metal. Babymetal’s self-titled debut album is probably the most well-known and accessible entry point, but if you’re looking for something a little heavier, try bands like Crossfaith, One Ok Rock or Dir en grey. For an even deeper dive, look into some of the older pioneers of the genre like X Japan or Loudness.