Recommended hard rock and heavy metal

Classic Japanese metal songs. Recommended popular tracks.

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.

When you hear the word “metal,” what kind of image comes to mind?

If you don’t usually listen to it, you might think it’s “noisy” or “scary,” and maybe even feel that it’s “hard to listen to.”

Of course, metal does have those aspects in its musical style and themes—but that’s not all there is to it.

From beautifully composed songs with clear classical influences to tracks with comedic lyrics, there’s a wide variety of music, especially in Japan.

So this time, we’d like to introduce some classic masterpieces of Japanese metal!

Classic J-metal masterpieces. Recommended popular songs (81–90)

San FranciscoKinniku Shoujo Tai

Muscle Girl Band – San Francisco

San FranciscoKinniku Shoujo Tai

A heavy metal band led by Kenji Otsuki, who’s well known for his activities outside the band.

Coming from Nagomu Records, they generally occupy something of a novelty/oddity position, but this song is a masterpiece where you can fully savor Fumihiko Kitsutaka’s soulful, weeping guitar and Satoshi Mishiba’s keyboards.

Be sure to listen closely to Kenji Otsuki’s profound lyrics as well.

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wild anthemANTHEM

WILD ANTHEM

wild anthemANTHEM

This is a song by ANTHEM, a band that has been active since the early 1980s.

It’s included on their first album, “ANTHEM — Power Metal Martial Law,” released in 1985.

Since the song bears the band’s name, you can immediately get a sense of what kind of band they are.

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Mortuary In DarknessCOFFINS

Coffins “Mortuary in darkness” Full album 2005

Mortuary In DarknessCOFFINS

It’s a dark piece that starts with death growls.

It’s a track by COFFINS, a metal band active since 1996.

It was included on their 2005 album “Mortuary in Darkness.” Highly recommended for fans of doom styles.

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DEAD SONGGASTUNK

Gastunk – Dead Song

DEAD SONGGASTUNK

With their melodic musicality and visual-kei fashion, GASTUNK had a major influence on bands that would go on to make their mark.

“DEAD SONG” is the title track from their first album, released in 1985.

The sweet, heartrending vocals cut to the bone.

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Dead AngleYokosuka Saberutaigā

Yokosuka SAVER TIGER / DEAD ANGLE [LIVE]

Dead AngleYokosuka Saberutaigā

Yokosuka Saber Tiger is a metal band formed primarily by HIDE, the guitarist of X JAPAN.

Dead Angle is included on the 1986 compilation album Devil Must Be Driven Out with Devil.

The unison guitar solo is nothing short of beautiful.

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In conclusion

This time, we introduced some classic masterpieces of Japanese metal.

It’s a recommended selection not only for metal fans but also for listeners who haven’t explored metal before, so why not take this opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of metal music?