It can be bizarre. It can also be off-putting. But it’s an entirely new realm of the sub-genre that can afford some great new bands and masterpieces to listeners. The power metal scene has really blossomed since the arrival of X Japan in the ’80s, and since then it’s been taken to new heights and limits.

I’ve found myself getting dragged deeper and deeper into Japan’s power metal scene over the past year, and I can honestly say that its best attribute is its daringness. As Marty Friedman put it so well, “In Japan, taboos are off”. While so many people believe power metal is stagnant in the western hemisphere (which I disagree with, anyway), Japan has been experimenting all along with different sounds, interesting visuals, and pushing the boundaries of the genre, all while maintaining a flavor of the European power metal and speed metal that we all love.

The biggest distinction one could find about Japan’s power metal is two simple words: visual kei. In its simplest definition, it’s Japan’s interpretation of glam metal’s visual element and fashion trends. Musically, however, it can vary anywhere from pop music to melodic death metal and metalcore. While some bands nowadays denounce the self-indulgence of visual kei, Japanese power metal undeniably traces its roots back to the innovators of visual kei: X Japan. Several bands continue the visual kei trend to this day, but most have moved on with slightly less focus to their imagery.

Another important aspect is most bands’ insistence on singing in their native language. Several bands do incorporate the occasional English lyrics into their music or entire English songs, but almost no bands have dedicated their music entirely to the English language. Unfortunately, some of the English pronunciation can be poor at times, but much like Europe’s questionable grasp on the English language, it can lend itself to become an endearing element of the music.

So to help introduce people to the world of Japanese power metal, I thought I’d highlight several noteworthy bands, in my opinion, give them a rundown, and list some important songs of theirs. I’ll be dividing this list into two portions: male-fronted and female-fronted.

Male-fronted

X Japan

As innovators of visual kei and power metal in Japan, X Japan is without a doubt the most vital band to the development of all sub-genres of metal in Japan. Having achieved mainstream success with Blue Blood and shattering records with Jealousy, as well as having constructed a 30 minute masterpiece, Art of Life, it’s easy to see why they are held in such a high regard. Following their disband, guitarist, hide, took his life, and it took until 2007 for all the side projects to subside and the band to reunite, but not without paying homage to their late guitarist by dedicating their new song, “I.V.” to his memory.

Fan-favorite tracks:

1. “Kurenai”

2. “Art of Life”

3. “Endless Rain”

Galneryus

As one of the most well-known Japanese metal bands of the current millennium, Galneryus have popularized their own brand of neoclassically-tinged power metal in the past decade. Having been kickstarted by Japanese metal veterans, Syu and Yama-B, the band has since undergone numerous lineup changes with songwriter and guitarist, Syu, being the only constant. Their most recent release, Angel of Salvation, has seen them receive worldwide acclaim from critics and fans alike heavily in part to the majestic orchestrations and solos employed. In contrast to X Japan, Galneryus has been relatively free of visual kei imagery and outfits and are easily the most famous power metal band to achieve their level of success without the visual kei connection.

Fan-favorite tracks:

1. “Angel of Salvation”

2. “Destiny”

3. “Hunting For Your Dream”

Versailles

With lavish Baroque-era outfits, a dark symphonic power metal sound, and cross-dressing guitarists, it’s hard to not be stunned by the looks of Versailles. Having skyrocketed in popularity since their debut, Noble, the band continued with consistent masterpieces of the genre until the band’s mutual hiatus in late 2012. Since then, singer, Kamijo, has carved for himself a successful solo career with a vampire obsession, and the remaining members of Versailles, in addition to singer, Zin, formed the neoclassical power metal band, Jupiter. Both side projects carry on the Versailles spirit fantastically and are recommended to any fans of the genre.

Fan-favorite tracks:

1. “The Revenant Choir”

2. “Princess”

3. “Masquerade”

Sex Machineguns

As an obvious pun on the Sex Pistols’ band name, Sex Machineguns are probably one of the most prolific metal bands in all of Japan and definitely the most prolific power metal band in Japan. Having embraced the visual kei movement in their heyday in the early ‘00s, the band has slowly shifted away from the flamboyant clothes, but their music has been constant the whole time: a vibrant and humorous mix of thrash and speed and power to create the energetic amalgamation they are. Singer and guitarists, Anchang, remains the only original member of the band, and with a new single out this year SMG seems to be making a comeback of sorts.

Fan-favorite tracks:

1. “Heavy Metal Thunder”

2. “食べたいなめたい危険地帯” (Tabetai Nametai Kiken Chitai)

3. “Tekken II”

Balflare

Here’s the dark horse on the list. Balflare aren’t notable for flashy dresses, innovating the power metal genre in Japan, or just being prolific. I’m including them here due to their European style of power metal, a rare trait in most Japanese power metal bands. They’re probably one of the only examples of a band that writes lyrics exclusively in English, and they have a sound very reminiscent of Silence-era Sonata Arctica. If for nothing else, Balflare is a great way to transition to the Japanese metal stylings. Unfortunately, they tend to stay rather dormant in between albums with few live shows or even Facebook posts to tide fans over. Hell, I hadn’t even seen a picture of the band until I prepared this article.

Fan-favorite tracks:

1. “The Dunes”

2. “Waking in Silence”

3. “Before the Dawn”

Female-fronted

Aldious

Another element of Japan’s metal scene that you’ll soon start to notice is the prevalence of all-female metal bands, something that’s unheard of here in the USA (The Iron Maidens don’t count). And that’s where Aldious shines so well. Their music is incredibly good; so good in fact that you really should neglect referencing their genders. Re:NO’s voice is of a low timbre, a rare trait for any power metal singer, especially a female one, and the rest of the band play speedy power metal that accentuates Re:NO’s delivery perfectly. They’re definitely my most highly recommended band on this female-fronted side of things.

Fan-favorite tracks:

1. “Dominator”

2. “Spirit Black”

3. “Scrash”

Cyntia

As a complement to Aldious, Cyntia also does the “low-pitched female singer in an all-female band” thing, but Cyntia pulls it off with a bit more melody and a little less speed. Having established entirely new images for themselves with each album, their music has stayed consistently enjoyable. Its heavy/power metal hybrid lends itself well to Cyntia thanks to the teamwork between Saki and Ayano, singer and keyboardist, respectively.

Fan-favorite tracks:

1. “Run to the Future”

2. “閃光ストリングス” (Senkou Strings)

3. “深愛エゴイズム” (Shin Ai Egoism)

LIGHT BRINGER

Neoclassical and visual kei: those are probably the best adjectives to describe LIGHT BRINGER (caps necessary). With an even larger focus on keyboards than Cyntia, they are probably one of the happiest bands I’ve heard from Japan. Fuki, the lead singer, possesses an incredibly powerful voice that’s backed up by a male band who really know how to write a solo or two. What really makes LIGHT BRINGER stand out amongst all these other bands is the progressive elements they incorporate; at times, their music can be incredibly complex, jazzy, and/or technical. It’s a marvelous mixture of styles that have made these guys and gals one of the most exciting modern power metal bands.

Fan-favorite tracks:

1. “noah”

2. “Hyperion”

3. “ark”

Albion

Here are some newcomers to the power metal scene. Having only released their debut album, Campanula, this year to relatively no fanfare, it’s a wonder to me why more people haven’t taken note of them yet. It’s an album drenched in keyboards, with a relentless and liberal singer who belts out her vocal lines, and intense guitar-keyboard dueling solos that rival those of Sonata Arctica. With only the lone album underneath their belts, I’d definitely recommend a listen to them on Spotify at the very least.

Fan-favorite tracks:

1. “全てを知らせる鐘と迷宮に惑わされし者” (Subete o shiraseru kane to meikyū ni madowasareshi sha)

(I can’t find any more of their tracks online)

Mary’s Blood

Finally, we come full circle to Mary’s Blood, the closest thing to a female X Japan that there is. With their equal focus on speed and guitar-driven melodies, they’re also probably the closest thing to a traditional metal band on this list. After 5 years of teasing fans with singles and EP’s, Mary’s Blood has their debut album, Countdown to Evolution, coming out this August, and it looks to be a consistent display of their NWOBHM-tinged speed metal stylings.

Fan-favorite tracks:

1. “Burning Blaze”

2. “Save the Queen”

3. “Marionette”

Hopefully that provided you with some new listening material and some insight into the world of Japanese power metal. There are plenty of bands that I had to leave out of this guide to preserve my sanity, like Kamijo, Gauntlet, MinstreliX, Skywings, Destrose, and others, but maybe I can cover those later in a follow-up to this guide. I hope you enjoyed this guide and it was of some use to you.

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