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 songs. Recommended popular tracks (51–60)
Don’t Leave Me NowBOWWOW
This song, with its pleasing high-tone vocals, is by the band BOWWOW, which debuted in 1976.
It’s included on their 1987 album “V.” The dramatic synthesizer phrases are really electrifying.
SAVIOR NEVER CRYConcerto Moon
The high-speed guitar riffs and the weight of the double bass drums are quintessential metal.
This is the lead track from Concerto Moon’s ninth album, “SAVIOR NEVER CRY,” released in 2011.
The piercing high-tone vocals are utterly captivating.
rock the nationDED CHAPLIN
A band formed by Minoru Niihara after leaving LOUDNESS.
With the renowned fusion virtuoso and fretless bassist Toshimi Nagai, along with the “King of Fills” Kozo Suganuma—both masters of technical performance—their playing is absolutely overwhelming.
Enjoy the unrelenting flood of sound that leaves no room to relax from start to finish.
frontierDELUHI
A band formed by LEDA, who used to play bass in GALNERYUS.
They may look like a visual-kei group, but their songs are pure heavy metal.
The lineup is filled with members from metal backgrounds, and the performance level is very high.
The vocalist switches between growls and clean tones, which suits their melodic songs extremely well.
Classic Japanese metal tracks. Recommended popular songs (61–70)
LOTUSDIR EN GREY
Although they have a strong image as a visual kei band, their sound is pure metal music.
DIR EN GREY is a five-member band from Osaka Prefecture.
“LOTUS” was released in 2011 as their 26th single.
The sweet, whisper-like vocals are sultry and wonderful.
still can’t the deadDOOM
A hardcore metal band also known for having featured Kou Morota, who played a fretless bass with distinctive lines that reflected jazz and prog influences.
His bass work left a profound impact on later generations and is still spoken of as legendary today.
The band had ceased activity due to Morota’s sudden passing, but they made a comeback in 2014.
This track was recorded with the new lineup, and you can expect to savor some truly avant-garde metal.
ANGEL OF SALVATIONGALNERYUS
This piece features Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major, Op.
35.
It’s the title track from ANGEL OF SALVATION, an album released in 2012 by GALNERYUS, a metal band from Osaka Prefecture.
The song sings about the importance of believing in yourself.
It’s classic, straight-ahead metal.