Top 10 Best Japanese Metal Bands Of All Time

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We list some of the best Japanese metal bands of all time. Many of these bands draw their influence from a huge variety of styles including, but not limited to, psychedelic rock, punk rock, sludge metal, doom metal, drone metal, and heavy metal.

1. BABYMETAL

Tokyo’s BABYMETAL emerged in the early 2010s at the dawn of the kawaii metal movement (also known as kawaiicore or idol/cute metal). Helmed by producer Key Kobayashi, who operates under the pseudonym Kobametal, the group’s eponymous 2014 debut album was certified gold and found international success via the single “Gimme Chocolate,” which became a viral hit. According to Kobametal, Babymetal’s name came to him by revelation (as a “divine message”). Babymetal (ベビーメタル, “bebiimetaru”) is a play on the Japanese pronunciation of “heavy metal” (ヘヴィメタル, “heaviimetaru”). “Baby” may indicate cuteness and “metal” intensity.

The group have now made their entrance into the world of Japanese online casinos too. Some of the biggest software providers in the industry are bringing these huge stars to life with branded slots featuring footage of Babymetal on stage and other visuals inspired by their live performances.

Babymetal’s success both in terms of music and online gaming really goes to show how diverse genres can be combined to great effect. Their blend of hard rock and casino gaming has opened up a new type of entertainment that is accessible to all types of players out there – no matter what kind of music you prefer!

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2. Maximum the Hormone

Maximum the Hormone is a Japanese punk metal band which formed in 1998 in Tokyo. 2006 would hold breakout commercial success for the band, first with the release of their seventh maxi single “Koi no Megalover”, on July 5, 2006. The single became the band’s first Oricon top ten hit, reaching a peak of nine. This single would mark the band’s introduction to the mainstream media in Japan. Along with a string of successful singles, the band’s exposure increased with a performance at the international rock festival Summer Sonic 2006, featuring a number of prominent western bands. Their 2008 Frieza-inspired song “F” was used as the official theme for the 2015 film Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’.

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3. Band-Maid

Band-Maid are an all-female Japanese rock band with an image modeled on maid cafés, which are cosplay restaurants found primarily in Japan where waitstaff dress in French maid or anime costumes and treat customers as masters and mistresses; the group refer to their fans as “masters” and “princesses,” with their performances being billed as “servings.” The band’s hard-hitting sound runs the range from hard rock and metal to punk and pop. Since their formation, Band-Maid has regularly performed live at various venues around the Tokyo area. In May 2016 Band-Maid released their third mini-album (and first major label album) “Brand New Maid” and in October and November the band went on their first tour which took them to Mexico, Hong Kong, and six countries in Europe. The band was scheduled to appear at numerous festivals and had already announced a 2020 tour of Japan and an appearance at the Nippon Budokan in February 2021, but restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic lead to the cancellation of all live shows for over a year. In January 2021, Band-Maid released their fourth album, Unseen World.

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4. Galneryus

Galneryus was formed in early 2001 by guitarist Syu (formerly from Valkyr, Animetal, Aushvitz, and Masaki Project) along with vocalist Yama-B, frontman of AxBites, Rekion, River End and solo artist of Gunbridge. Both veterans of the Japanese metal scene they formed Galneryus with the intention to “express both of their musical tastes/ideas”. They play material inspired by metal legends Dream Theater, Stratovarius, and X Japan.

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5. Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake is a metalcore band from Tokyo, formed in 2002. On 5 July 2006, the band released their first studio album titled Dimension through Imperium Recordings. After the release of the album, they went on “Dimension Tour” in Japan. In February 2007, they performed at Metal Presentation with Australian band I Killed the Prom Queen and Hatebreed on “Hatebreed Japan Tour” in March. In November 2007, they played on Rockstar’s “Taste of Chaos” in Japan. The Japanese melodic metalcore group folds elements of progressive and nu metal into their hard-hitting sound.

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6. X Japan

X Japan were one of the first visual bands in Japan and also one of the most popular. They started in he mid-80’s with the union of school friends Yoshiki (drums and piano) and Toshi (lead vocals). In 1992, X was widely known in Japan, and they intended to start focusing in America. In US there was already a band called X, so they were forced to change their name to X JAPAN. Their sound started as Japanese rock speed metal, and later went toward alternative rock, but always with a huge emphasis in ballads. But after many years of mainstream success, they disbanded in 1997. However, they were later revived on October 22, 2007 and continue to have a successful run today. X Japan are considered one of the best Japanese metal bands of all time.

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7. The Gazette

Gazette formed from the remnants of bands Kar+te=zyAnose and Arita with Ruki on vocals, Uruha and Aoi on guitar, Reita on bass, and Yuune on drums. Specializing in alternative metal with a cinematic edge and a tendency for moderate stylistic experiments such as dabbling in jazz-rock, the quintet was formed in 2002. In 2004, they toured with fellow bands Kra and BIS. Their debut album, Disorder, was released in October and made it to the top 5 of the indies Oricon Daily Charts.

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8. Crossfaith

After forming in 2006, Crossfaith released their debut album The Artificial Theory For The Dramatic Beauty’ in 2009 followed by The Dream, The Space (2011), Apocalyze (2013), ‘Xeno’ (2015) and Ex Machina (2018). They have typically been considered as electronicore due to their blend of influences from metal, electronica, hardcore, metalcore, and industrial metal. Crossfaith also incorporates spoken word and whispers into their songs.

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9. Dir En Grey

Dir En Grey is a five-man visual kei metal band formed in 1997. Signed to Firewall Div, a sub-division of Dynamite Tommy’s Free-Will record label, the band has released multiple full-length studio albums. The band’s lineup has remained consistent since its formation, however, the band’s sound has become difficult to categorize due to various stylistic changes (though they are generally considered to be an experimental/progressive metal band).

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10. Boris

Boris is a Japanese experimental music band formed in 1992 in Tokyo and composed of drummer Atsuo, guitarist/bassist Takeshi, and guitarist/keyboardist Wata. All three members contribute vocals. Boris has released more than twenty studio albums on various labels around the world, as well as a wide variety of live albums, compilations, EPs, singles, and collaborative albums. They have collaborated with acts such as Sunn O))), Merzbow, Keiji Haino, and guitarist Michio Kurihara. Boris saw a huge increase in popularity between 2003 and 2006 when Southern Lord reissued some of their works in North America, garnering them critical acclaim and recognition in Western music press. Pink, originally released in 2005 in Japan via Diwphalanx, was reissued in 2006 by Southern Lord and met with a very positive reception in the US. Blender magazine and SPIN magazine both named it one of the year’s best albums.

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Honorable mentions

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