Japanese metal bands. From classic to unique, popular bands in Japan’s metal scene.
Until a little while ago, Japanese metal bands sometimes carried a slightly odd image.
However, these days there’s a wide range: not only straight-ahead, traditional metal, but also metal fused with Japanese aesthetics or visual-kei, bands that thrill with jaw-dropping technique, and extreme metal outfits that earn high praise overseas.
So this time, we’re introducing indispensable Japanese metal bands you can’t skip when talking about metal in Japan.
We’ve selected everything from heavyweight bands that represent the nation to groups whose diverse musicality defies the boundaries of metal.
Be sure to check them out!
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Japanese metal bands: From mainstream to unique, popular bands in Japan’s metal scene (41–50)
exe♡cuteAmai dantōdai
Sweet Guillotine is a four-woman metal band.
Debuting in March 2023, they’ve been turning heads with a unique style that exquisitely fuses a heavy sound with cuteness.
With a bold concept of modern-day incarnations of executioners from the French Revolution, their tracks—blending symphonic and cool elements—are a must-hear.
Led by Minami Maria, who is also active in ALICETOPIA, they’re committed to self-production, which adds to their appeal.
Handling everything themselves—from management and recording to directing their music videos—their music is highly recommended for anyone seeking a distinctive metal sound.
Japanese metal bands: from classic to unique, popular bands in Japan’s metal scene (51–60)
Forgotten CemeteryCOFFINS
COFFINS is a band that delivers a unique brand of death metal by mixing elements of old-school death metal, hardcore, and doom-death, and they’re highly regarded overseas as well.
The fact that they released an album in 2013 on Relapse Records, a long-established American death metal label, shows how their reputation has grown.
The fast parts are truly fast, the heavy parts relentlessly heavy, and combined with a raw production, their muddy, heaving guitar riffs surge forward with a crushing sense of pressure.
They are one of the bands you absolutely cannot leave out when discussing Japan’s death metal scene.
SHOW MUST GO ONJUPITER
JUPITER is a band formed by the four instrumentalists who were members of the visual-kei metal band Versailles, joined by a new vocalist.
While undergoing some lineup changes, they have continued to pursue their own brand of V-kei metal, delivering modern, technically skilled Japanese metal that blends melodies evoking the atmosphere of 90s visual-kei with a lavish symphonic metal sound.
Some metal enthusiasts may feel that visual-kei isn’t quite their thing, but KUZE—the vocalist with a background in Concerto Moon—brings a passionate “Japa-metal” intensity to his singing.
OSWALDCazqui’s Brutal Orchestra
Cazqui’s Brutal Orchestra is the solo project of guitarist Cazqui, formerly of NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST and now active with Nekomansyu after his departure.
Swallowing modern extreme metal whole and packing in his uniquely sophisticated chord sensibilities, the progressive compositions brim with the allure of his music.
Originally launched as a one-night-only project, it has since been hinted that activities will continue, and further success is highly anticipated.
Asian ChaosGYZE
A Japanese melodic death metal band based in Sapporo, Hokkaido, centered on the Shinomoto brothers: Ryoji on vocals and guitar and Shuji on drums.
From early on, they pursued activities with an eye on overseas markets, and their 2013 debut album—produced by Ettore Rigotti of Disarmonia Mundi—was first released abroad.
It was released in Japan the following year, earning them recognition among a wide range of metal fans.
Incorporating Japanese elements such as gagaku, they continue to actively refine their unique style.
My beloved, be prepared to die.Shinkai (Onmyo-za)
The leader of Onmyo-za, a band known as a “yokai heavy metal” act.
He’s the command center, handling bass, vocals, and writing and composing nearly all of their songs.
While Onmyo-za often performs anime songs, hearing Matatabi’s voice will surely bring the phrase “anison rock” to mind! His voice is fantastic; his greatest weapon is a powerful, deep low register that contrasts with main vocalist Kuroneko’s high tones.
Despite its depth, his voice is very easy to understand.
Matatabi is also famous for never stopping once he starts talking on stage.
With passionate MCs, a compelling delivery, and staging that makes full use of his height, he draws the audience in and builds the band’s world.
IDEALNAZARE
When you hear “a combination of heavy, low-end guitars, death growls, and clean vocals straight out of the visual-kei lineage,” you might picture a certain kind of sound—but NAZARE’s music goes far beyond that.
Including their strikingly unconventional appearance, they may be a massive shock to anyone whose understanding of visual kei stopped in the ’90s.
Beyond the sheer polish of their songs, they’re a band whose Japanese lyrics and the worlds they weave deserve special attention.