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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Classic Japanese metal tracks. Recommended popular songs (21–30)
Ready to RockBAND-MAID
An irresistible track with a powerful hard rock sound! Released in April 2025 by BAND-MAID, it was chosen as the opening theme for the TV anime “Rock Is a Lady’s Refinement.” This energetic number fuses forceful guitar riffs with driving drum beats to create a stunning sonic experience.
You can also enjoy the synergy between the lyrics—centered on self-realization and passion—and the music.
In producing the anime, the band members themselves handled the motion capture, faithfully recreating realistic performance scenes, which became a hot topic.
Give it a listen when you want to recharge your energy or push forward toward a new goal!
IKIZAMAEast Of Eden
A powerful message that leads you toward a positive way of life resonates deeply.
It’s a track from East Of Eden’s first full album, “The First Eden – Seeds Of Hope,” released in March 2025.
Co-produced by MEG, known for writing songs for BABYMETAL, and Hayato Yamamoto, who has also worked on arrangements for DECO*27.
A bold venture into Japanese-style progressive metalcore! You’ll be drawn into its unique sound where guitar riffs intertwine with violin.
Highly recommended for anyone who wants to reconsider the importance of living true to themselves!
The Kouga Ninja ScrollsOnmyoza
This song became a hot topic after being chosen as the opening theme for the anime Basilisk: The Kouga Ninja Scrolls.
It was released as a single in 2005 by Onmyo-za, a band with a Japanese-style metal sound that enjoys strong popularity overseas.
The soaring vocals pierce the heart.
Next Is The Best!Seikima II
The heavy riffs and piercing vocals make you clench your fist without even thinking! This track by Seikima-II is a blast of heavy metal powered by a seven-string guitar, delivering an aggressive sound, and lyrics themed around confidence and challenge that give listeners a powerful push forward.
Demon Kakka’s commanding vocals and the band’s cohesion feel like a declaration of “This is Seikima-II!” The piece was released in June 2025.
If you’re looking for the courage to face difficulties, by the time it ends your spirit will surely be stirred.
el doradoSeikima II
Seikima-II, made famous in living rooms across Japan through Demon Kogure’s persona, is in fact a thoroughly orthodox metal band, quite different from that image.
On “el dorado,” the technical rhythm section interlocks with twin guitars, and Demon Kogure’s richly expressive vocals are a major highlight.
Even those who think they won’t like it should give it a listen.
Wax MuseumSeikima II
When people are asked about Japanese metal bands, many probably think of them.
The representative song of Seikima-II, led by His Excellency Demon, is “House of Wax.” The line “Shall I turn you into a wax doll too?!” is famous, and the song itself has a heavy, cool sound.
INSANEREACTION
This is a song that can be called both the origin and the very essence of REACTION, the band that made its name roar across the ’80s metal scene.
The raw shouts that hurl inward-swirling passion and the breathless drive of the performance pushed to its limits leave a fierce impression.
The storm-like, raging rhythm section fuses with razor-sharp guitar riffs to shake the listener’s emotions to the core.
This track appears on the indie classic INSANE, released in July 1985; some may know the anecdote that, despite being the label’s very first release, it sold over ten thousand copies.
When you’re seized by inescapable frustration or a sense of stagnation, this pure destructive impulse will blow away the murk in your heart.