Most of the widely known genres in the modern music are rock and heavy metal. While some may find it irritating to listen to, Japan is known to be popular in these genres. Japanese heavy metal bands began to rise in the late 1970’s and still continues to innovate the music they are passionate for. In 2014, a history had been made for the Metal genre. A bunch of new metal bands made their first appearance.
Japanese loves to listen to heavy metal music. But unlike the usual metal music, Japan metal has many facets of genres. For example, it can be incorporated into pop and rock. Moreover, Japanese heavy metal bands developed their own taste and style called "Visual Kei," wherein the artists wear fancy and elaborated hairstyles and costume usually paired up with androgynous aesthetics.
With hundreds of bands in this genre, we selected some Japanese metal bands that you should listen to, one band a day.
1. Loudness – Formed in 1981 in Tokyo, this traditional heavy metal band was the first Japanese heavy metal band signed to a major label in the United States. Loudness plays metal with a strong glam rock and power metal.
2. X-Japan – This band started in 1982. For 33 years, they have made their mark as one of the most successful rock bands in Japanese history. X-Japan plays heavy metal with influences of speed metal, power metal and symphonic metal and a Visual Kei style in their music and appearance.
3. Maximum the Hormone - A Japanese rock band from Hachiōji, Tokyo was formed in 1988. Maximum the Hormone is well recognized for their unconventional style of alternative metal music.
4. Sigh – In 1989, a Japanese extreme metal band from Tokyo known as Sigh was formed. They were considered as the first Japanese Black metal band. Sigh musical style is black metal and symphony black metal.
5. Dir en Grey – Started and originated in 1997, Dir en Grey jumped from one musical style to another. Between metal, hardcore and alternative, they are still generally considered as metal.
6. Blood Stain Child – In 2000, a Japanese metal band named Blood Stain Child was formed from Osaka. From its former name Visionquest, it was changed to Blood Stain Child. Their musical style revolves around melodic death metal and trance metal.
Prepare your headphones and headbang on with these J-Rock n’Metal Bands!
Photo by Georges Seguin (Okki). Licensed under Creative Commons. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.en)
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