Classic Japanese metal songs. Recommended popular tracks.
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!
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Masterpieces of Japanese metal. Recommended popular songs (11–20)
GraffitiLittle Lilith
A girls’ band drawing attention with their stylish metal sound, Little Lilith delivers a track whose lyrics—set to fierce guitar riffs and pounding rhythms—strikingly explore themes of fragility and despair.
Its call to break free from the constraints of reality is likely to resonate with younger listeners.
Included on the album “Graffiti,” released in July 2022, this song symbolizes a fresh start for the band.
Built on a djent foundation while incorporating progressive elements, its heavy, richly layered sound is sure to satisfy fans of loud rock.
Open The GateGARGOYLE
A track characterized by a sense of speed and a heavy sound, it feels like a distillation of Gargoyle’s musical essence.
Even while conveying loss, regret, and despair, the positive lyrics encourage walking one’s own path of belief, leaving a deep impression on the listener.
The torrent of sound woven by the ferocious guitar riffs and powerful drums is pure bliss for metal fans.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants to be captivated by a rich, heavyweight metal sound.
Emperor ~sumeragi~BLOOD STAIN CHILD
A track by BLOOD STAIN CHILD, known for their original sound that fuses elements of melodic death metal and trance metal.
Featured on the album Amateras, released in July 2019, this piece encompasses themes such as the cosmos, the loss of humanity, and the creation of a new order.
Its sound is marked by prominent electronic elements and a well-balanced blend of clean and screamed vocals.
The lyrics, which merge futuristic imagery with scientific motifs, spark the listener’s imagination.
It’s a recommended song for metal fans seeking something innovative.
destinyGALNERYUS
Formed around the globally renowned next-generation guitar hero SYU, the band saw Masatoshi Ono—famous for his clear, astonishingly high vocals—join as the vocalist in 2009, further elevating the band’s overall quality.
This track, Destiny, is an up-tempo number packed with excitement, featuring a thrilling duel between Ono’s vocals and SYU’s guitar.
Melody of a Small LoveKinniku Shoujo Tai
This work by Musume Shōjo-tai may seem like a simple love song at first glance, but it carries a profound message.
While depicting the fragility of youth and the process of growing up, it powerfully sings of overcoming life’s hardships.
It was also used as the opening theme for the anime EAT-MAN and captured the hearts of many.
Blending rock and pop, it combines the band’s characteristic humorous lyrics with energetic performance.
It’s a recommended track for those feeling lost in life or nostalgic for their youth.
Crazy NightsLOUDNESS
Let me introduce a song that embodies a frenzied night of rock.
Released in 1985, it is known as one of LOUDNESS’s signature tracks.
With Akira Takasaki’s razor-sharp guitar riffs and the powerful vocals of Minoru Niihara, this song captures the thrill of a live performance that sends audiences into a frenzy.
Issued as a single from the album Thunder in the East, it played a major role in the band’s breakthrough in the United States.
It’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to relive the excitement of a live show or discover the allure of Japan’s metal scene.
Classic Japanese metal tracks. Recommended popular songs (21–30)
XX JAPAN
It’s an indispensable presence when talking about the Japanese metal scene.
This is one of X JAPAN’s signature songs, a band with legendary popularity.
It’s included on the 1989 single “ENDLESS RAIN.” At live shows, fans do the “X Jump” in time with the song.
