Onmyouza

Onmyouza (陰陽座)

If you like Kurosawa-Movie,You should check this Japanese heavy band called Onmyouza.(ON-MYOU-ZA)

The Lead vocal of Onmyouza is woman "KURONEKO". It's rare in this genre,you know. And it's rare to wearing the traditional Japanese cloth too.

Their music is based on 80's Heavy Metal and Japanese traditional folk.
This folk is older than Samurai Age's.There are lots of folk music in Japan, ex,using 3 strings guitar which called Shamisen ,using things like flute, singing music with the traditional Japanese scale.

And the lyric is unique too. Main theme of Onmyouza is from folk lore. Especially,from horror story about Yo-Kai(like Japanese monster or ghost). If you don't know Yo-Kai, Please check J-horror movies,The Juon or The Ring. It is easy to imagine it. And the lyric is used by old Japanese language. We are Japanese,but can't understand all, because of it's too old for present Japanese people.

Their lyric style is conceptual like Dream Theater and some album of Savatage.
Onmyouza is like storryteller of old old mysterias Japanese story. We want that you understand Onmyouza world, sorry it's not easy to translate thier lyric world. Anyone Help??

Onmyouza take part and shooter live video in No-Gakudo first-ever excluding "No"
( "No" is traditional Play. It is told first Japanese Play style. No-Gakudo is the place "No" play only)
Check this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWTdeGgpX58

Onmyouza 9th album "KONGOKYUBI" (Sep.2009)

http://www.onmyo-za.net/eng/index.html

for fans of : NIGHTWISH, DREAM THEATER, EVANESSENCE

for fans of JP band : kagra

MIYAVI

Before starting music,Miyavi wanted to be a Pro Succor player. But, unfortunately he was injured his leg, must have give up the dream. and he drop from high school, started play guitar.teached by friend. Then the friend was suddenly pass away, Miyavi went away from the very sad situation. when he noticed,he was in Tokyo.and met bad member in front of a live house,he decided to become musician.
At first his music carrier, he acted as guitarist in the band.After broke up the band,he stared as solo-musician.

He make up,and wear the unique fashion and hair style, and have deep lyric songs (not all songs).Oh yes,these are typical things that usual Visual-Kei musician has.
But,he has another style, because of it, he is very understanding in the Visual-Kei.

What is it?

It is his guitar playing style. it's very unique. The typical Visual-Kei's guitarist play based on Heavy Metal and Hard Rock style.but Miyavi has more music effect,played with Japanese traditional music or Human-Beat-Box or Tap-Dancer.
So, Miyavi can plays guitar percussive.Even acoustic guitar,he can play very aggressively.Because of his unique and originated style, he gets respect and over the genre of Visual-Kei.
Understand his play style?? NO?? Sorry my vocabulary is poor. So,Check this song " Are You Ready To Rock?"on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkjSDDH2nog

He have been touring to oversea many times.And He gets lots of audience in Europe,UK,South America.

MIYAVI majar 1st album "MIYAVIZM" (June.2005)
http://myv382tokyo.com/

http://www.myspace.com/miyavi
for fans of : Red Hod Chili Peppers,HOOBASTANK
for fans of JP band : HIDE,GACKT

Crossfaith

If you ask me,"Who is the brightest hope band in Japanes Heavy Music scene??",it is very easy to do it,the answer is CROSSFAITH.

CROSSFAUTH is post hardcore band,sometimes they are told "TRIVIUM meets ENTER SHIKARI"
The mebmer are Vocal,Guitar,Bass,Drum and progrum.And all member is young,the ages are around 20 years old and live in Osaka(2nd biggest city in Japan).

Crossfaith was formed in 2006.They played songs of STORY OF THE YEAR in High School festtival.
In 2008,They made EP(only 1000 limited copies).In 2009,they realesed 1st original album that called "The Artificial Theory for The Dramatic Beauty" from indies lebel.
This 1st album got very good reaction of young heavy music fan.and they played in LOUD PARK 2009(biggest loud music fes in JaPan).
The vocal was featured by Canadian mixture man MANAFEST,the song "No Plan B" in MANAFEST's laterst album.He show up music video in this song.

CROSSFAITH'S live performance is massive great!! They can beat other country's aoudienc!!
They have plaed as openning act of many great band,ex. HATEBREED,MACHINEHEAD,IN THIS MOMENT,BLEEDING THROUGH,THE USED,MEMPHIS MAY FIRE ect.

2nd album will be released in this summer.

CROSSFAITH

1st album "The Artificial theory for the Dramatic Beauty" (April,2009)
http://www.crossfaith.jp/main.html
http://www.myspace.com/thecrossfaith

for fans of : ENTER SHIKARI, THE DILLINGER EACAPE PLAN

for fans of JP band : FACT, MAXIMUM THE HORMONE