Recommended hard rock and heavy metal

Japanese metal bands. From classic to unique, popular bands in Japan’s metal scene.

Music writer / guitarist / Certified web writing practitionerHoshino Takashi
Drawing on over 30 years of experience with guitars and bands since my high school days, I specialize in music-related articles and have handled many feature pieces to date. While my tastes lean toward genres like hard rock and heavy metal since I first picked up the guitar, I make a point of listening to a wide range of styles, both Japanese and Western, on a daily basis. I began working as a freelance writer in 2018. I hold a Web Writing Practical Certification, and in addition to writing, I’m also studying video editing. In my private life, I’m raising an elementary school child and stay active while supporting their extracurriculars, such as parkour and dance.

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!

Japanese metal bands: from classic to unique, popular bands in Japan’s metal scene (51–60)

Forgotten CemeteryCOFFINS

COFFINS – Forgotten Cemetery (Official Audio)

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.

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A Witch Named AspilcuettaABIGAIL

ABIGAIL – A Witch Named Aspilcuetta

A Witch Named AspilcuettaABIGAIL

ABIGAIL is a black metal band formed in 1992.

As one of Japan’s veteran black metal bands, their sound—rich with an underground vibe—connects to the earliest wave of black metal built on a thrash metal foundation, and has earned high praise overseas.

They are highly active internationally, undertaking overseas tours and headlining foreign metal festivals, and are one of those Japanese metal bands that might actually be more well-known abroad than at home.

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OSWALDCazqui’s Brutal Orchestra

OSWALD

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.

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With My IzunaEthereal Sin

Ethereal Sin – With My Izuna [ Official Video Clip ]

With My IzunaEthereal Sin

Ethereal Sin is a symphonic black metal band formed around vocalist Yama Darkblaze, continuing its activities despite numerous lineup changes.

While shifting its band concept depending on the timing of each release, the track that became their first official music video showcases a Japanese-inspired black metal style they dub “Japanese Mystic.” In 2015, they also performed at Wacken Open Air in Germany, one of the world’s largest metal festivals.

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Japanese metal bands. From the mainstream to the unique, popular bands in Japan’s metal scene (61–70)

IDEALNAZARE

NAZARE – IDEAL(MV FULL)

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.

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TerrorismUZUMAKI

Uzumaki – Terroism

TerrorismUZUMAKI

UZUMAKI is a band I’d recommend not only to fans of heavy metal but also to those who like hip-hop.

They’re pioneers of rap metal, delivering solid, hard-hitting rap over the raw power of heavy metal.

You can also sense death metal elements, such as the inclusion of shouts.

In any case, their sound is incredibly intense, so I suggest starting by listening to their tracks.

If you go through their albums in order, you’ll also get a feel for the band’s history.

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Je l’aimeMoi dix Mois

Moi dix Mois – Je l’aime

Je l'aimeMoi dix Mois

Moi dix Mois, the driving force of Japan’s gothic metal scene.

They are a solo gothic metal sound project formed around guitarist Mana.

It’s a subtle point, but while they are widely recognized as a band, the official stance is that it’s a solo project.

Be that as it may, their appeal lies in a style that incorporates a variety of genres and motifs.

I hope you’ll enjoy their chaotic world.

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