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.
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.
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.
Classic Japanese metal tracks. Recommended popular songs (61–70)
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.
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.