Japanese Heavy Metal Bands

The land of the Rising Sun is known for many things like kabuki theater and high-tech electronics. It is less known for its heavy metal girl bands but they are making great waves and making themselves known both in Japan and in the world.

Band-Maid five members are Akane, Miku, Saiki, Kanami, and Misa. The group was created by Miku, who was previously an employee in a Japanese maid cafe. This also gave her an idea about costumes for the band. The standard uniform for maids was then adjusted to suit each member. They call their fans "masters" and "princesses" and refer to their concerts as "servings." The band has caught the attention of international metal fans. They have been very successful with their music and have won the Best Musical Act Award by Neo Awards in 2020. Among their albums are Brand New Maid, World Domination, and Conqueror and best songs YOLO, Glory, and Endless Story.

Bridear is one of Japan's premier heavy metal bands that came together in Fukuoka, Japan in 2012. The five members of the band are Misaki, Haru, Kimi, Ayumi, and Natsumi. They got diverse influences from German metal legends Halloween to British prog-pop pioneers Muse. This powerful all-female quintet masterfully combines power metal, progressive rock, and the melodic hooks of J-pop to create a sound that is very much their own. They recently completed a European tour. Bridear keeps focusing on experimentation both with their sound and their image. Their first EP is Overturn the Doom and popular hit single and music video "Light In the Dark."

Aldious is a kick-ass five-person band with members Toki, Sawa, Marina, Rami, and Gemie. They formed the band in 2008 and have released a four-song mini-album Dear Slave that was self-recorded and released on CD-Rs. The album was quickly sold out. Since 2010 they've been a regular on the festival scene and rock everything from ballads to powerful metal riffs. They're best known for their glamorous outfits and their powerful prescence onstage. Aldious have released six albums among them Deep Exceed, Radiant A, Unlimited Diffusion, and District Zero. Among their top songs are "Other World" and "Defended Desire."

Lovebites is a band that communicates empowering messages about realizing your destiny and achieving your goals. The five band members are Asami, Miyako, Midori, Haruna, and Miho, who has since left the band. They formed in Tokyo, Japan in 2016. They are a power metal band influenced by legends like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest. The band members wear all white and their speed metal riffing and the powerful, operatic voice of Asami stand out. Some of their best songs include "Holy War" and "Thunder Vengence." The lyrics to the songs are English even though the members are not fluent in the language but are seeking international fame.

Mary's Blood was named after the popular cocktail Bloody Mary formed in 2009 with members Saki, Mari, Eye, and Rio. They have come out with five albums with their sixth being ReAnimator. They have headlined Metal Matsuri in London, England. Band member Saki has been seen on the international scene starting the band Amahiru, featuring former DragonForce bassist Frederic Laciercq and has appeared in an IronBunny music video. Among their songs are "World's End," "Last Game" and "Save the Queen."

New comers to the Japanese heavy metal scene are Nemophila who came together in 2019. The band was formed by vocalist Mayu joining forces with ladies from other metal bands among them guitarist Saki from Mary's Blood. The three band members are Mayu, Saki, Hazuki, Haraguchi-san, and Murata Tamu. Their song "Dissension" is dynamic with shrieks. Nemophila prefers doing covers of songs like "Detroit Rock City" by KISS and "20th Century Boy" by T-Rex.

Doll$Boxx came together in 2012 with lead vocalist Fuki who was formerly with power metal band Light Bringer. The members are Fuki, Tomo-Zo, F Chopper Koga, Hana, and Oreo Reona. Their sound is a mix of electronic, pop, and metal influences creating dynamic tracks. They have released music videos for almost all of their songs. Among their music videos you'll find "Loud Twin Stars," "Take My Chance," and "Fragrance" among many others.

Fate Gear formed in 2015 in Tokyo, Japan by guitarist Mina has become one of the more unique acts in Japan. The members of the band are Mina, Niana, Haruka, Yuri, and Nino. The band has an interesting way of dressing in the swashbuckling fashion of pirates. Their music reflects on pirate metal. They have released three albums and an EP Headless Goddess. Their latest offering is their fourth album The Sky Prison and EP Scars In My Life released in 2021. Among songs to listen to are "MEGABULLETS" and "Scars In My Life."

Gacharic Spin was formed in 2009 with five band members F Chopper Koga, Hana, Tomo Zo, Angelina Yuri, and Oreo Reona. Four of these band members are also part of Doll$Boxx. The band has performed overseas at Anime Matsuri in the US state of Texas and at Tekko in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They have also performed as part of the Japan Expo in France and had concerts in South Korea. The band also has an alter ego band called Metallic Spin that covers classic heavy metal songs. The band has released seven studio albums. Among their singles to listen to are "Hunting Summer" and "Lock On!"