Author Topic: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)  (Read 25635 times)

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Offline Shadow2222

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #70 on: June 14, 2012, 08:09:58 AM »
Since the thread has been revived, I must also mention X Japan again  :)

Song Recommendations:

Jade
I.V.
Silent Jealousy
Art of Life
Blue Blood
Kurenai
Endless Rain
Tears
"A pitch black night unfolds with the morning star as its only light... and thus the saga... begins" - Shenhua (Shenmue series)

Offline Zantera

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #71 on: June 14, 2012, 08:10:44 AM »
It is quite different, but they've always had heavy aspects, and it has been a pretty gradual transition. The change between Withering and Marrow is pretty abrupt though  :lol

May I ask how long you've been a fan of them? Just curious, would be interesting to hear someone's view on the transition if they loved Dir En Grey since before Marrow and then heard it when it came out.  :lol

Offline Super Dude

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #72 on: June 14, 2012, 08:11:53 AM »
What's a nice, accessible (read: poppy) album of theirs?
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Offline Genowyn

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #73 on: June 14, 2012, 08:28:46 AM »
It is quite different, but they've always had heavy aspects, and it has been a pretty gradual transition. The change between Withering and Marrow is pretty abrupt though  :lol

May I ask how long you've been a fan of them? Just curious, would be interesting to hear someone's view on the transition if they loved Dir En Grey since before Marrow and then heard it when it came out.  :lol

I've been a fan since Withering to Death came out, and at the time I wasn't really for the heavier output they would have on Marrow. I still love a lot of songs on it (Ryoujoku no Ame is one of my favorites), however after Marrow came out I did sorta stop listening to Dir en grey for a few years, to give you an idea of how jarring it was :p

What's a nice, accessible (read: poppy) album of theirs?

Gauze, Kisou, or Withering to Death should be pretty accessible. They all have poppy elements and heavy ones.

...my name is Araragi.

Offline Zantera

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #74 on: June 14, 2012, 08:42:04 AM »
Personally I think the mixture between light and dark is perfectly balanced on Uroboros and Dum Spiro Spero, and a big reason why I love those albums. Marrow is pretty heavy, but I feel like it has too little soft stuff and that the "extra dimension" so to speak disappears. I also feel like Marrow is more straight forward, less experimental and lots of almost Deathcore-sounding songs. But yeah, the album still has some good songs, it's just a bit harder for me to listen to it than the other two, probably due to being more allround heavy than a mixture of soft/heavy.
It kinda makes me wonder what I will think of the early ones, if they're more soft and less heavy it might turn around the other way. But I'll still keep checking the catalogue out backwards, and I feel positive about it. :)

Offline Genowyn

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #75 on: June 14, 2012, 08:51:08 AM »
There is still the mix of heavy and and not-heavy stuff, just the heavy stuff is less so.
For example:

From Withering to Death, Saku: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBEQzxqZFiA
From Kisou, Pink Killer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-dlMqX5GOs

These are probably the heaviest songs on the albums they come from.

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Offline Super Dude

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #76 on: June 14, 2012, 05:30:16 PM »
Whoa! That's certainly not like any J-rock I've ever heard. :lol

I'm more used to/interested in stuff that sounds like ABS and Girugamesh, and maybe even a little more mainstream than that. I'd even go as far as saying I might check out some Johnny & Associates acts if you guys can gimme some good recommendations.
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Offline Genowyn

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #77 on: June 15, 2012, 12:41:06 AM »
Whoa! That's certainly not like any J-rock I've ever heard. :lol

I'm more used to/interested in stuff that sounds like ABS and Girugamesh, and maybe even a little more mainstream than that. I'd even go as far as saying I might check out some Johnny & Associates acts if you guys can gimme some good recommendations.

If you want mainstream J-Rock/J-Pop...

I have SOOOOOOOO many awesome OPs/EDs I could recommend :lol

...my name is Araragi.

Offline Super Dude

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #78 on: June 15, 2012, 04:59:03 AM »
Lay 'em on me, man! I've been waiting for this. :D
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Offline Genowyn

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #79 on: June 15, 2012, 07:50:08 AM »
Okay...as I mentioned before, Kalafina is awesome. I posted a few songs to check out earlier.

Other than that, some of my favorites:

Asian Kung-Fu Generation - Rewrite
Asian Kung-Fu Generation - Maigoinu to Ame no Beat
Claris - Connect
Claris - Irony
Claris - Naisho no Hanashi
Coaltar of the Deepers - Dear Future
Etsuko Yakushimaru - Nornir
Etsuko Yakushimaru - Boys, Come Back To Me
Eiko Shimamiya - Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni
Eiko Shimamiya - Naraku no Hana
Eiko Shimamiya - Superscription of Data
Faylan - Dead End
FictionJunction - Stone Cold
Galneryus - Alsatia
Galneryus - Cause Disarray
Iori Nomizu - Ma-Ka-Se-Te Tonight
Kanako Itou - Hacking to the Gate
Kanako Itou - F.D.D.
Kanako Itou - Find the Blue
Kana Hanazawa - Ren'ai Circulation
Lisa - Oath Sign
Mami Kawada - PSI-Missing
Mami Kawada - Masterpiece
Mami Kawada - No Buts!
Mami Kawada - See Visions
NICO Touches the Walls - Hologram
NICO Touches the Walls - Matryoshka
Kenji Ootsuki - Hito Toshite Jiku ga Bureteiru
Kenji Ootsuki - Kuusou Rumba
Kenji Ootsuki - Ringo Mogire Beam
Kenji Ootsuki - Zetsubou Yuugi
Rookiez is Punk'd - Complication
Rookiez is Punk'd - In My World
School Food Punishment - How to Go
Shihoko Hirata - Key Plus Words
Shoko Nakagawa - Sorairo Days
SID - Rain
supercell - Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari
Sachi Tainaka - Disillusion
Theatre Brook - Uragiri no Yuuyake
UVERworld - Core Pride
Yousei Teikoku - Kuusou Mesorogiwi
Yousei Teikoku - Filament
Yui Horie - Sugar Sweet Nightmare

There you go plenty of music to look into  :lol

...my name is Araragi.

Offline Super Dude

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #80 on: January 07, 2013, 10:32:11 PM »
*Obligatory revival of this thread*

Genowyn, this stuff is awesome. Thank you.
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Offline MrBoom_shack-a-lack

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #81 on: June 12, 2014, 06:40:32 PM »
Badabump

Metal version of PONPONPON

Catchy as hell!  :metal
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Offline Sacul

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #82 on: December 15, 2014, 10:31:53 AM »
Listening to Kashiwa Daisuke's Program Music I, I realized how amazing japanese musicians are. In almost every genre there's a great artist. Say, post-rock (Mono), metal/drone (Boris), soundtrack (Koji Kondo) or electronic (Daisuke). I need more japanese music in my life.

Offline TioJorge

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #83 on: December 15, 2014, 11:15:09 AM »
Very talented musicians.

Check out ALL of the soundtracks to the Shin Megami Tensei series, including the Persona offshoots. Shoji Meguro (and even his 'replacement' for SMT IV, Kazuma Kaneko) is a genius in techno-pop, techno-rock, and more. He even does the more ambiance-driven piano pieces and the more calming, ethereal music well. Great stuff. Love the Japanese culture and how it bleeds through in their music.

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Offline Sacul

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #84 on: December 15, 2014, 11:22:41 AM »
Love the Japanese culture and how it bleeds through in their music.
Yeah, specially in video games with that sweet classic folk sound, like Okami. Will check that stuff :tup .

Offline Cyclopssss

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #85 on: October 18, 2017, 01:55:31 AM »
So after getting hooked to Babymetal (yes) I slowly started to feel my way around into the whole J Rock scene and found that there is an INCREDDIBLE amount of fantastic bands coming out with outstanding albums. Partically the female fronted rock and metal bands are just mind boggling. It confirms to me that the east is where it's happening at the moment.

For instance, check out Band-Maid's Real Existance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TkHpvaO09c

Another great band is Bridear:
Light in the dark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxSrOqAxaKw

There's Destrose:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o7fktsBwQg

Mary's Blood:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLM2unV0kwU

Aldious: (which has Terry Bozzio's granddaughter on drums).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZuJjY3dlxo

But the band that will blow them all away will be LOVEBITES:
Shadowmaker:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3wyUbfl6TY

Don't bite the dust:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq-JZ6deYwM

And there might be 20 or 30 more fantastic bands out there.
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Offline SoundscapeMN

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #86 on: October 18, 2017, 09:26:41 PM »
weird to read this topic now, per I got into Tokyo Jihen and some of Shiina Ringo's stuff not too long after I replied in 2010.

As for Dir En Grey, they are a bit chaotic for more me now, but I do remember receiving a tape of some of their stuff like 15 years ago that was quite good, but not all that heavy or chaotic. Although the same tape had some X-Japan and and Malice Mizer on it.

The other thing I always associate Dir En Grey with is the 1st time I saw Fair to Midland in 2007, FtM opened for Dir En Grey, and the FtM fans were obsessed with Dir En Grey and a lot of J-Rock, which I actually might describe as J-Metal or J-Core at times with Dir En Grey,

Offline Anguyen92

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #87 on: October 18, 2017, 10:14:36 PM »
I do like me some Japanese rock/pop, especially those that feel like it's an epic anime intro.  Lately, I've been liking these songs from the Yakuza 0 game.

24 Hour Cinderella this is mainly a pop song

Judgement This is a rock song.

I really want to find some similar songs to these.  Where can I start looking?


Offline SoundscapeMN

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #89 on: May 27, 2018, 12:02:52 PM »
bump.

Shiina Ringo - Life is Full of Dreams  :tup

midway through when the instrumentation comes in, it's pretty sweet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDnLHd2Ei3Y

Offline PetFish

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #90 on: August 21, 2018, 10:37:01 PM »
Like many, BABYMETAL was my first introduction, other than Art of Life by X-Japan, which is pretty common I think, but wasn't enough to get me to check out other bands, either male, female, or a combination.

I started getting Youtube recommendations for similar bands but not really paying much attention to them.  I like BABYMETAL, I just hate how the band is basically ignored even though they are amazing, and I get exhausted just seeing the three girls dance around constantly.  I figured other bands would be similar.

Boy, was I wrong.

I decided to click on a recommendation for Aldious and I was completely mesmerized.  Not only were they all playing instruments they were KILLING them, especially the drummer(s).  Most chicks playing drums just seem to keep the beat but these chicks are beating the hell out of them (Check out Dominator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZuJjY3dlxo).  They have some heavy shit and some poppy shit (my toddler loves Die For You: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgH8-npq86Y).  Their live show is so much fun and they all have great stage presence.  It's amazing how seeing a band animated can really enhance the live experience *cough*.

Then I found Band Maid who I'm just figuring out but Choose Me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZIJ2vFxu9Y is awesome.

Just this week I found Lovebites and they are the most proggy/shreddy out of the bunch by far.  There's no bullshitting with the guitars with these guys and I give you Shadowmaker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3wyUbfl6TY as evidence.  Start at about 3:25 if you want to skip to the shredding and the drums throughout are intense.


Yeah, I don't know what they're saying, but it's still awesome.  Actually, that's not entirely true, since a lot of the songs have English titles and English words mixed in, and some are even all English.

Sadly, I don't think any of these guys will ever make it to North America other than maybe a novelty spot on a talk show like BABYMETAL did on Colbert.  It's sad how we are force-fed rap and hip-hop over here.  I'm fine with all genres but to only have popular access to one is cruel.

I'm actually embarrassed at how much win Japan has in their music industry.  You'd never see anything like this in North America right now.  Sure, we have a plethora of female singers in front of male instruments (hehe) but that's about it.

TL;DR - I'm addicted to J-Metal all-chick bands.
« Last Edit: August 22, 2018, 11:45:02 PM by PetFish »

Offline Train of Naught

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #91 on: August 22, 2018, 02:53:18 AM »
Lovebites is touring Europe (I believe this fall) dude, I wouldn't rule them out for an eventual American tour!
people on this board are actual music fans who developed taste in music and not casual listeners who are following current fashion trends and listening to only current commercial hits.

Offline Cyclopssss

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #92 on: August 22, 2018, 05:02:20 AM »
Band-Maid's touring as well and they're playing two gigs in the US.

Yes, there's a LOT to explore. 
From the ocean comes the notion that the realise lies in rhythm. The rhythm of vision is dancer, and when you dance you´re always on the one. From the looking comes to see, wondrous realise real eyes....

Offline PetFish

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #93 on: August 22, 2018, 11:46:19 PM »
Well, there's hope, but I'll need a Seattle date cuz most bands skip Vancouver entirely these days... unless you're an over-hyped-and-promoted hip-hop act.

Offline PetFish

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #94 on: October 26, 2018, 05:58:48 PM »
Must. Learn. Japanese.

Offline Anguyen92

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #95 on: October 26, 2018, 06:52:12 PM »
Oh good, this thread got bumped.  So over the last few weeks, I was listening to Aimer.  She was the one that sang this song called "Brave Shine" which was a theme song for this anime called Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works.  Never have I wanted to listen to a track on repeat more than this song.  Listened to some of her albums on Youtube.  It's good stuff.  I just wish her albums in full are on Spotify though.  Is there any other songs or artists that has songs that similar to something like "Brave Shine"?

Also, I concur.  I must learn Japanese.  That tool will help me a lot when it comes to watching anime (sans subs), going to Japan and try to get tickets for either a wrestling show or a concert, etc.

Offline PetFish

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #96 on: October 27, 2018, 10:58:22 PM »
I checked out a bunch of Aimer songs and they're cool.  Much more chill but awesome nonetheless.

Offline Heavy Metal Hippie

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #97 on: October 28, 2018, 06:18:35 AM »
I love J-rock. So many cool bands. They all can play. Never heard a weak production. While the west is jaded, the japs are still playful and adventurous. My favorite act is LiSA. She has an unbelievable voice and an excellent band with very good songwriting and production.

Blue Moon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOIVHsaLbaM

Offline PetFish

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #98 on: November 11, 2018, 10:53:47 PM »
New Aldious track "Monster":  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H09FUhfiOiw

Lots of English in this one.  I didn't love it at first but now it rocks.  It's got a really strange "robotic/industrial" sound effect throughout that takes getting used to but it works.

I'm really not liking Yoshi's lead sound... she's got the tone knob turned all the way down and it just sounds weak AF but that's been her sound for the last 3-ish albums so I don't expect it to change.

Am I crazy or does Re:NO look like a Japanese Jessica Alba?

Am I crazy or are these super quick video edits driving anyone else crazy?  The only person we really get to see long enough is vocals whereas everyone else gets 12-frame snapshots.

 :facepalm:  :facepalm:  :facepalm:  :facepalm:  :facepalm:


Blue Moon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOIVHsaLbaM

Sorry, bro, this artist isn't doing anything for me.  I tried.

 :(  :(  :(  :(  :(

Offline Anguyen92

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #99 on: November 11, 2018, 11:04:31 PM »
Funny thing about LiSA.  While I was browsing my usual outlets, I stumbled upon this song from her called Träumerei.  Yep, just like Aimer's Brave Shine, I've been having it on repeat.  Probably will listen to LiSA's entire catalog at some point in time and probably will like it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pukIKP5uZ04

Offline Heavy Metal Hippie

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #100 on: November 12, 2018, 05:41:12 AM »
Träumerei totally rocks.

Offline PetFish

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #101 on: November 16, 2018, 06:57:50 PM »
New video from Lovebites for "Rising":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3wtLfmTmXE

... from Clockwork Immortality out December 5th.

Offline PetFish

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #102 on: November 29, 2018, 10:50:21 PM »
Well, looks like Re:NO is really sick and has had to cancel shows:

I, Re:NO, was going to withdraw the 3 performance in December.
I am very sorry to hear that you have been able to make a sudden announcement, and everyone who is always rooting for you, and I am very sorry for your loss.
I would like to write a blog later for more details.

I decided to withdraw from Aldious with this 3 performances in December.
We are sorry for the inconvenience
caused to everyone involved, everyone who is supporting us always, due to sudden announcement.
For details, I'd like to write BLOG at a later date.



The scary thing is that it could jeopardize her career:

Everyone who always supports Aldious, I will present serious announcements today to all concerned parties.
Re: NO (Reno) who was active for about 6 years as Aldious's vocalist, by the Eustachian Open Disease (Jinzai)
With three additional performances in December 2018, I decided to withdraw from Aldious.
It became like I got sluggish during the tour, and based on the results of the doctor's diagnosis and his / her burden, it was judged that the music activity in the present form is difficult.
 
Aldious will continue to work as a group, but activities since the TSUTAYA O-EAST show in Tokyo on December 17 are currently undecided.
We will let you know at any time as planned for future activities as soon as we are decided.
 
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to all the stakeholders who have become a sudden announcement and always support.
 
Thank you for your consideration.
VAA



Now, she says "I decided to withdraw from Aldious", so does that mean she's actually left or just needing to get healthy?  The second quote sure sounds like she's gone but I hope not.

Sure, her vocals are definitely not on the power side, but they work perfectly and she's a great frontman with great crowd interaction and is so fun to watch perform.  The song credits are largely her as well, with probably 85% of the lyrics and 20% of the music.

Man, this sucks, I hope she gets better, I love these guys.

Offline Lowdz

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #103 on: November 30, 2018, 12:06:46 PM »
I’ve been working through my best albums 1980-84 and Vow Wow came on the other day, the granddaddy’s Of J Metal. Beat of Meatl Motion is a great album.

Offline Heavy Metal Hippie

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Re: Japanese rock and pop music (aka J-Rock/J-Pop)
« Reply #104 on: December 07, 2018, 04:43:12 PM »
Lovebites - Clockwork Immortality

First listen impression:

Perfect production. A rare thing these days. You can say a lot about the major labels of the 80s and 90s, but even if you didn't like the songs on an album, you almost always got a listenable product, without clipping, bass overkill, overcompression and loudness war. I dare to say, the quality standards in Japan are higher. I'm not saying the west can't produce top sounding metal albums, but I almost never heard a real bad production from Japan, while clipping monsters from major label bands like Metallica, Queensryche or Megadeth are no exception anymore.

So sound: 10/10

There are catchy chori, cool riffs and amazing lead passages (read: solo is only one instrument playing), but as a whole the material is a bit generic without ever being boring.   

Songs: 8/10

If I had to compare them to Babymetal, I'd say BM is more creative and wilder, while Lovebites is the more serious and stylistic band.


The instrumental part of Empty Daydream (from 2:20) !!
The riff of Mastermind ! Boy, does the song kick.
It doesn't get more dramatic than the chord progression in Epilogue. Nothing never heard, but executed with conviction.
I love the character of the lead singers voice and she really shines in Epilogue. You can actually understand what she's singing. I can't say that about every japanese act (given they're trying to sing in englisch to begin with).
I think the bass player is a cutie.