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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Masterpiece songs of Japanese metal. Recommended popular tracks (41–50)
shine onANTHEM
A veteran Japanese heavy metal band.
They’ve gone through many lineup changes; the vocalists, in particular, have alternated between Eizo Sakamoto and Yukio Morikawa, making for a complex rotation.
This song is from the 2014 Yukio Morikawa era and showcases Morikawa’s powerful vocals.
The exceptional stability that only veterans possess is truly impressive.
LAST STARDUSTBLOOD STAIN CHILD
BLOOD STAIN CHILD, whose musical style—combining metal music with electronic sounds—has received high acclaim.
“LAST STARDUST” is their major-label debut single, released in 2014.
Their raw impulse is tightly packed within its intensity.
freedomBLOOD STAIN CHILD
A band with a one-of-a-kind musical vision that fuses electro and heavy metal.
As they call themselves “trance metal,” their upbeat, heavy sound rides on melody lines leaning toward melodic death metal, making it a very satisfying listen.
StatementBORIS
From their broad musicality, BORIS is a band whose diverse musical roots—not just metal—come into view.
“Statement” was released as a single in 2008.
The noisy guitar solo is stirring.
Their unpretentious charm shines through.
survivor666CYCLE
A band formed by three former members of Sex Machineguns.
Their songs are built around instrumental sections, letting you enjoy highly advanced, technical playing.
This track features a speedy sound with sticky, gritty vocals weaving through it.
Panther’s rapid-fire shredding in the mid-song guitar solo is a must-hear.
Brother BishopChurch Of Misery
This is a song by Church Of Misery, a doom metal band from Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.
It’s included on the album “Thy Kingdom Scum,” released in 2013.
The heavily distorted guitar sound really unsettles the heart.
between life and deathConcerto Moon
A band formed around Norifumi Shima, often hailed as the Japanese Yngwie.
This track also clearly shows Yngwie’s influence.
In the guitar solo’s technical section, the rapid-fire playing interwoven with successive sweep picking is nothing short of impressive—an onslaught of tear-jerking high-speed phrases.