Japanese Rock Music Videos to Check Out

If you’re a fan of Japanese rock music, then you’ll want to check out these videos! Featuring some of the best bands in the genre, these videos are sure to get you pumped up and ready to rock out!

Introduction

If you love fast-paced, high-energy rock music, then you’ll definitely want to check out some Japanese rock music videos. Often referred to as “J-Rock,” this genre of music is characterized by its heavy use of electric guitars, powerful drumming, and catchy melodies. While J-Rock is not as widely known as other Japanese musical styles such as J-Pop or J- Hip Hop, it has a growing cult following both in Japan and abroad.

There are many great J-Rock bands out there, but if you’re just getting started, here are five videos you should definitely check out:

1. “Hello World” by Bump of Chicken

2. “Gimme Chocolate!!” by Babymetal

3. “The Hero” by ONE OK ROCK

4. “making of a Cyclone” by Dir en grey

5. “BURN” by Crossfaith

The early days of Japanese rock

Rock music in Japan has a long and storied history, with the genre first becoming popular in the country during the 1950s. While early Japanese rock wasn’t particularly influential on the global stage, the scene would eventually give birth to some of the most iconic bands of all time, including X Japan, Luna Sea, and Dir en grey.

If you’re interested in exploring the origins of Japanese rock, there are plenty of great videos out there to check out. Here are just a few of our favorites:

– “Devil’s on TV” by The Blue Hearts: One of the definitive Japanese punk bands of the 1980s, The Blue Hearts were known for their catchy, straightforward songs. “Devil’s on TV” is a perfect example of their style, with its simple but effective melody and unapologetic lyrics.

– “Ichibu to Zenbu” by B’z: One of the most successful rock bands in Japanese history, B’z have been releasing hit records for over three decades. “Ichibu to Zenbu” is an early gem from their career, showcasing their signature blend of hard rock and pop sensibilities.

– “Matsuri” by Glay: Glay was one of the leading lights of the Japanese visual kei scene in the 1990s, and “Matsuri” is a prime example of their over-the-top musicianship and style. If you’re looking for a taste of what visual kei is all about, this is a great place to start.

The rise of Visual kei

As the world increasingly turned to digital media in the early 21st century, the Japanese music scene was no exception. Visual kei, a subgenre of rock music characterized by elaborate costumes and makeup, emerged in the early 2000s and soon gained a large following both in Japan and abroad.

While there are many different artists within the Visual kei scene, some of the most popular include Dir en grey, Malice Mizer, Mucc, and Versailles. These bands are known not only for their music, but also for their visually stunning music videos.

If you’re looking for some great Visual kei videos to check out, here are a few of our favorites:

-Dir en grey – “Obscure”
-Malice Mizer – “Belair”
-Mucc – ” Spells”
-Versailles – ” iPhone (Nageki no Mori)”

The Golden Age of Japanese rock

In the late 80s and early 90s, Japanese rock was in a golden age. Some of the best music videos were being produced during this time, by artists such as X Japan, Glay, and L’Arc~en~Ciel. If you’re a fan of Japanese rock, or just curious to check out some classic videos, here are a few that you should definitely check out.

X Japan – “Kurenai”
One of the most popular and influential bands of the era, X Japan was known for their dynamic mix of heavy metal and melodic pop. “Kurenai” is one of their most well-known songs, and the music video is a perfect example of their signature style.

Glay – “Winter, Again”
Glay was another hugely popular band during the golden age of Japanese rock. They were known for their catchy pop-rock tunes and stylish visuals. “Winter, Again” is a great example of their sound and style.

L’Arc~en~Ciel – “Hurry Xmas”
L’Arc~en~Ciel was one of the most successful bands of the era, with a string of hit singles and albums. They were known for their high-energy live shows and elaborate stage productions. “Hurry Xmas” is a fun and festive song that perfectly captures their unique style.

The modern era of Japanese rock

The late ’90s and early 2000s saw the rise of a new wave of Japanese rock bands that updated the sounds and aesthetic of the country’s rock music scene for the modern era. These groups took cues from a variety of international acts, resulting in a sound that was simultaneously retro and contemporary.

One of the most successful bands to emerge from this period was L’Arc-en-Ciel, who blended elements of British pop and American hard rock to create a sound that was distinctly their own. The band’s fourth album, True, was their breakthrough release, spawning several hit singles and selling over two million copies.

L’Arc-en-Ciel would go on to enjoy even greater success in the years that followed, but they were by no means the only Japanese rock band worth check out. Here are three more videos from Japanese rock bands that are well worth your time.

Dir en grey – “Obscure”
The visual style of Dir en grey’s music videos is as unique as their sound, which blends death metal growls with soaring melodies and driving rhythms. “Obscure” is taken from the band’s fourth album, Withering to Death., which was released in 2005.

The Gazette – “Leech”
The Gazette are one of the leading lights of Japan’s visual kei scene, a musical movement characterized by elaborate stage shows and flamboyant fashion sense. “Leech” is taken from their 2007 album, Nadhamuni., which debuted at Number 1 on the Oricon chart.

ONE OK ROCK – “Clock Strikes”
ONE OK ROCK incorporate elements of punk, pop and metal into their music, resulting in a sound that is both catchy and aggressive. “Clock Strikes” is taken from their 2011 album, Zankyo Reference., which entered the Oricon chart at Number 2.

The best Japanese rock music videos of all time

There are a lot of great Japanese rock bands out there, and many of them have made some amazing music videos. If you’re a fan of Japanese rock, then you’ll definitely want to check out some of these videos.

1. “Guren” by Dir En Grey: This chilling video features the band performing in a desolate landscape, with only a few burning red torches to light the way. The video is intercut with shots of the band members struggling and fighting against unseen forces.

2. “Duality” by Slipknot: This intense video features the band performing in a dark, industrial setting, with flames and sparks flying all around them. The video is intercut with shots of the band members being pulled and dragged by invisible forces.

3. “Avalanche” by Crystal Lake: This epic video features the band performing in front of a huge wall of water that is slowly crashing down on them. The video is intercut with shots of the band members struggling to keep their footing as the water level rises.

4. “Headbanger’s Ball” by Maximum the Hormone: This wild video features the band performing in a packed nightclub, with people moshing and headbanging all around them. The video is intercut with shots of the band members crowd surfing and getting hauled off into the air by the crowd.

5. “The Crunge” by Led Zeppelin: This funky video features the band performing in front of a giant mirror, which reflects their movements in reverse. The video is intercut with shots of the band members dancing and playing instruments in strange, distorted ways.

The top Japanese rock music videos of the moment

Topping our list this week is the latest release from Bump of Chicken, a highly popular Japanese rock band. The music video for their song “Fiction” has been praised for its excellent production value and innovative storytelling.

Coming in at second place is the music video for “Siren” by Tokyo Jihen, a supergroup consisting of some of Japan’s top musicians. The black-and-white video features a sultry performance by lead singer Ringo Sheena, set against a backdrop of ethereal visuals.

Rounding out our top three is “Nageki no Mori” by SCANDAL, an all-female rock band whose energetic performances have earned them a large following both inside and outside of Japan. The music video for “Nageki no Mori” is a playful and colorful affair that perfectly captures the band’s fun-loving personality.

Other noteworthy Japanese rock music videos worth checking out include “Angel” by Dir en grey, “Kimi to Okami” by hide with Spread Beaver, and “Mizu no Naka no me” by Glay.

The future of Japanese rock

With a rich history in rock music, Japan has continued to produce bands that wow both local and international audiences. The country has given birth to a wide range of genres, from the early days of City Pop to the rise of Visual Kei. While Western rock music has certainly influenced the development of Japanese rock, there is no denying that the country has developed its own unique sound and identity.

In recent years, we have seen a new wave of Japanese rock bands making their mark on the international stage. Bands like BABYMETAL and Crossfaith are bringing a fresh sound to the world of heavy metal, while groups like existential pop-rockers Radwimps are gaining popularity with mainstream audiences.

What does the future hold for Japanese rock? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure — it is an exciting time to be a fan of Japanese music!

In conclusion

As you can see, there is a wide variety of Japanese rock music videos out there to check out. Hopefully this list has given you some ideas of what to look for. From classic bands like X Japan to newer groups like One Ok Rock, there is something for everyone. So get watching and enjoy!

Further reading

Here are some more great Japanese rock videos for you to enjoy!

-ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2014 | Dir en grey – LotUS
-L’Arc~en~Ciel NEW WORLD 2014.10.11 Zepp DiverCity TOKYO
-BABYMETAL – GIMME CHOCOLATE!! (OFFICIAL)
-B’z LIVE-GYM 2015 -EPIC NIGHT- at 国立代々木競技場第一体育館
-[Official Video] ONE OK ROCK: We are