Top 11 Japanese Metal Bands of All Time

Japan has a very rich culture of music, we talk about the Top 11 Japanese Metal Bands. Japan’s first metal band was formed in the 1970s. After that, it became the most important music stream in Japan. The generations put this tradition forward.

Top 11 Japanese Metal Bands

In the list of 11 top Japanese Metal Bands these were included:

  1. x japan
  2. BABYMETAL
  3. Dir En Grey
  4. Loudness
  5. Maximum the Hormone
  6. Aldious
  7. Galneryus
  8. Boris
  9. Blood Stain Child
  10. Band-Maid
  11. the GazettE

Let’s talk about these Top 11 Japanese Metal bands in brief.

X Japan: X Japan is a Japanese rock band from Chiba, formed in 1982 by drummer and pianist Yoshiki and lead vocalist Toshi. The band had heavy metal instruments, the main genre of this band was progressive metal.

This band includes thirteen members, Heath, HIKARU, Yuji Izumisawa, Yoshiki, Tomo, Yoshiki, etc.

Here are songs by X Japan:

  • X
  • Silent Jealousy
  • Rusty Nail
  • Angel
  • ROSE OF PAIN
  • Say Anything Art of Life, etc.

BABYMETAL:
Babymetal is a Japanese kawaii metal band consisting of Suzuka Nakamoto as “Su-metal”, Moa Kikuchi as “Moametal” and Momoko Okazaki as “Momometal”. The band is produced by Kobametal from the Amuse Talent Agency.

The band includes four members: Suzuka Nakamoto, Momoko Okazaki, Yui Mizuno, and Moa Kikuchi.

Songs by BABYMETAL include:

  • GJ!
  • Doki Doki
  • Morning Megitsune
  • Road of Resistance
  • Headbangeeeeerrrrr!!!!!
  • KARATE
  • METALI!!, etc.

Dir En Grey: Dir En Grey is a Japanese heavy metal band formed in February 1997 and currently signed to Firewall Div., a sub-division of Free-Will. With a consistent lineup of guitarists Kaoru and Die, vocalist Kyo, drummer Shinya, and bassist Toshiya, they have released eleven full-length albums.

Songs by Dir En Grey include:

  • VINUSHKA
  • THE FINAL
  • DOZING GREEN
  • CHILD PREY
  • CLEVER SLEAZOID
  • LOTUS
  • Hageshisa to, Kono Mune No Naka De Karamitsuita Shakunetsu No Yami
  • GLASS SKIN, etc.

Also Read: Men In Black Soundtrack(1997)

Loudness: Loudness is a Japanese heavy metal band formed in 1981 by guitarist Akira Takasaki and drummer Munetaka Higuchi. They were the first Japanese metal act signed to a major label in the United States.

Songs by Loudness include:

  • You Shook Me
  • Crazy Night
  • Danger of Love
  • Take Me Home
  • Ashes in the Sky, etc.

Maximum the Hormone: Maximum the Hormone is a Japanese heavy metal/hardcore punk band from Hachiōji, Tokyo. Their lineup has consisted of vocalist Daisuke-han, drummer Nao, guitarist Maximum the Ryo-kun, and bassist Ue-chan since 1999.

Songs by Maximum the Hormone include:

  • What’s Up, People?!
  • ChuChu Lovely MuniMuni MuraMura PrinPrin Boron Nururu ReroRero
  • Bu-ikikaesu!!
  • Maximum the Hormone II -Let’s Talk about Menkata Cottelee-
  • KAMIGAMI
  • Shimi
  • ROLLING1000tOON, etc.

Aldious: Aldious is a Japanese heavy metal band from Osaka, formed in 2008 by guitarist Yoshi and vocalist Rami. After a few member changes, they released their debut EP Dear Slave the following year and soon after formed their own record label, Bright Star Records.

Members of Aldious include Rino, Rami, Gemie, Toki, Aruto, Ruki, Sawa, and Marina Bozzio.

Songs by Aldious include:

  • Sweet Temptation
  • Re: fire
  • Spirit Black
  • Spirit Black
  • Absolute
  • 夜桜
  • Utopia, etc.

Also Read: Dark Haven Soundtrack

Galneryus: Galneryus is a Japanese power metal band, formed in Osaka in 2001 by guitarist Syu and vocalist Yama-B.

Originally the only official members, the two utilized several support musicians until bassist Tsui, keyboardist Yuhki, and drummer Jun-ichi officially joined for the release of their debut album in 2003.

Members included in this band: Masatoshi Ono, Syu, Leda, JUNICHI, Tsui, TAKA, LEA, YAMA-B, and Yuhiki.

Songs by this band:

  • Hunting for your Dream
  • DestinyWings of Justice
  • SILENT REVELATION
  • Tear Off Your Chain
  • New Legend
  • Brutal Spiral of Emotions: I. Blinded by Anger 〜 II. Burning Within 〜 III. Soul Carried by the Wind
  • New Legend, etc.

Boris: Boris is a Japanese band formed in 1992 in Tokyo and composed of drummer Atsuo, guitarist/bassist Takeshi, and guitarist/keyboardist Wata. All three members contribute vocals.

Their work has drawn various styles such as sludge rock, drone, metal, noise, psychedelia, and minimalism.

Songs by Boris included:

  • Absolute. Dear
  • Pink. Pink
  • Akuma No Uta. Akuma No Uta
  • Farewell. Pink, etc.

Blood Stain Child: Blood Stain Child is a Japanese melodic death metal band from the city of Osaka. The band’s musical style combines melodic death metal with electronic and trance. The band formed under the name “Visionquest” in 1999, but changed their name to Blood Stain Child in 2000.

Songs by Blood Stain Child include:

  • STARGAZER
  • LAST STARDUST
  • MOON LIGHTWAVE
  • SIRIUS VI
  • Final Sky, etc.

Band-Maid: The band was formed in 2013, consisting of singer Saiki Atsumi, guitarist/singer Miku Kobato, lead guitarist Kanami Tōno, bassist Misa, and drummer Akane Hirose. The band combines a rock sound with a maid image modeled on Japanese maid cafés. They are currently signed to Pony Canyon.

Songs by Band-Maid include:

  • Domination
  • REAL EXISTENCE
  • Thrill
  • Don’t you tell ME
  • Blooming
  • Daydreaming, etc.

the GazettE: the Gazette, formerly known as Gazette, is a Japanese visual kei rock band, formed in Kanagawa in early 2002. The band is currently signed to Sony Music Records.

Songs by the Gazette include:

  • SHIVER
  • FILTH IN THE BEAUTY
  • PLEDGE
  • VORTEX
  • UGLY
  • BLINDING HOPE, etc.

Hope you liked the article, if you want to listen to these Top 11 Japanese Metal Band’s songs just check it Spotify, YouTube, etc.

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