Wagakki Band is one of the best Japanese groups out there. They combine traditional Japanese instruments and vocal styles with modern rock, metal, jazz, and more. All eight members are master level musicians, and their lead singer, the very elegant Yuko Suzuhana, may be the best female Japanese vocalist I have heard. Do not judge her singing from this particular song. Some first-time reactors find the full-blown traditional Japanese style of singing in this a bit off-putting, just like some people get freaked out the first time listening to BabyMetal's Gimme Chocolate. Trust me, Yuko is a great singer, with a lot of range and power, and a truly beautiful voice. Wagakki Band is the only other Japanese group that comes anywhere close to BabyMetal in international popularity. The video for their song Senbonzakura has more views than Gimme Chocolate. Wagakki Band is even better live, as their stage shows are musical extravaganzas that rival the very best BabyMetal concerts.
I'd add Band-Maid to that list of internationally popular Japanese bands, without taking away from the others, but true, BabyMetal and Wagakki Band have the most epic live shows.
Hi Alex, Thanks for reacting to Wagakki Band - the "orgasm of sounds" - great phrase. The lead (female) singer, Yuko, conceived and founded the band to showcase traditional japanese instruments and culture (wagakki). The vocal style in this track is called 'shigin', which is used for traditional Japanese poetry recital and is designed to be able to cut through the metallic twang of the traditional Japanese instruments - koto and shamisen - so the words can be heard clearly over the music. It's more incisive than typical western singing for that reason. You get used to it and then you can appreciate how good a vocalist Yuko actually is. 'Akatsuki no Ito' (Dawn's Thread) is one of their older tracks, something like an unofficial anthem, so Yuko is using a stronger shigin style. Yuko sings and raps in a more conventional style on other tracks, especially the more recent ones. She still uses the traditional, slow vibrato quite often on sustained notes, but not always. The lead guitarist, Machiya, was wearing a mask from traditional Japanese Noh theatre. He used to wear it a lot and his identity was a secret (like Kiss or Slipknot), but now he just wears it for instrumental introductions or when they do older tracks where he used to wear it and he isn't singing. Noh theatre is the oldest form of theatre in the world that is still performed. Each mask represents a specific character from the traditional plays. There are 400 different masks. Machiya's movements are also how the mask's Noh character is performed in the plays. These are all iconic, traditional, Japanese cultural features, which was the whole point of the band - to mix modern and traditional culture in order to preserve traditional Japanese culture. For their most recent EP, they stated that they are now going to start moving away from strict tradition and start evolving these traditional elements into a more, modern, global sound and image. Check out 'Synchronicity' (jazz / swing) and 'Ignite' (almost punk rock / rap) for different vocal and performance styles. They don't stick to one genre.
Your reaction to Bene is similar to many reactors. Always a great WTF moment. She is a master of her instrument and beautiful. The Wagakiki Band is more popular in Japan than Babymetal! They have toured in the US plus there are US interviews. The Yuko Sukuhana (singer) is the catalyst for the forming of the band. A prime purpose for the band is to generate interest in traditional Japanese musical instruments among young Japanese.
'Wagakki Band' is a Super-Band. All are master of their craft and they have more talents (like other instruments, teaching, ...) 5 of the members leading their own band/projects in which 4 do also vocals in those. Also Yuko Suzuhana (the singer) teaches the Shigin singing (recite japanese poems). She won a national championship some years ago. 😉Funfact: She also does sword dance and back in the day Samurai had to learn those shigin (poem) It was part of their education. I can recommend WAGAKKIBAND - Bring Me To Life with Amy Lee (from Evanescence) from their Symphonic Night Vol. 2 concert. Just uploaded 4 weeks ago. Had goosebumps & chills. th-cam.com/video/hk1GtYK7BJM/w-d-xo.html or 'Senbonzakura' their most famous song th-cam.com/video/K_xTet06SUo/w-d-xo.html
The instrument she is playing is called shamisen and i believe the thing she uses to play it instead of a classic pick is called bachu and the other instrument guy is playing in the 2nd part i think it's called kato but may be wrong about that. Great band, another great performance by them worth checking is Chie no Kajitsu + Somosan Seppa (it's instrumental) and they also made cover of Bring me to life featuring Amy Lee of Evanescence
Beni plays a Tsugaru style Futozao (Thick Neck Size) Shamisen. The sharp, hard-striking tsugaru style is said to have originated on the streets by the bousama (blind musicians), who developed a livelier style to attract audience.In the early part of the 20th century, blind musicians, including Shirakawa Gunpachirō Takahashi Chikuzan , and sighted players such as Kida Rinshōei evolved a new style of playing, based on traditional folk songs ("min'yō") but involving much improvisation and flashy fingerwork. This style - now known as Tsugaru-jamisen, after the home region of this style in the north of Honshū - continues to be relatively popular in Japan. The virtuosic Tsugaru-jamisen style is sometimes compared to bluegrass banjo.The classic pick is called bachi,Kato is the name of Bruce Lee in Green Hornet:-)The koto is a Japanese plucked zither and the national instrument of Japan,
@@Lestat13 Hey Les, I'm a 66 year old rancher in the outback of the Gila (Heela) country of New Mexico. Wagakki Band was a strange to me as it is to you. I don't understand a lick, but I like it! If you give the vocals a chance they might just grow on ya. Funny thing about QUALITY , it shines through in any language, enjoy
The song is sang with a Japan traditional way in this song, understandable that not everyone like it. But they have some very diverse style of music. Recommend to try Synchronicity from them for a Jazz style music
Yeah. Same with you. 2 years ago, when I listen this band for the first time, I feel the instrument mix was very cool. But for the vocal I said: Nope, this singing style is not for me. But the more I listen this group and enjoy how they mix and blend modern and traditional japanese music, the more I love them. Yuko san, the vocalist have high range of vocal & unique singing style. I suggest you to hear and react another song: Senbonzakura. Nice reaction btw.
If you listen more to Wagakki Band you will know how great this band is from the vocals to the instruments. Try Senbonzakura music video or the live one and see. 💕
The vocal is singing in a very traditional way, same as Chinese Opera. It makes sense not everyone like it, but if you understand Japanese, you will appreciate with the layout and tone 🤓 And I am from Hong Kong
First time I heard this band. Sound liked Japanese instrument called SAMISEN. It's very interesting. Girl singing old Japanese singing style. You are reallly give earnest opinions. Good reaction 🤗
Ignite, Senbonzakura, tengaku n their newest stuff Sun Whell will blown you away man ! Its shows how heavy, unique, creative n amazing these guys 🔥🔥🔥 they are just Legendary 🤘 hope u can check out thier other songs man... u wont regret it
Once again, good reaction. You look so confused, same way when you reacted to Babymetal, Band Maid and now, Wagakki Band. It is really hard to explain, wrigth. It is a CLASH of too many things. You are going to freak out the moment you see Wagakki Band and Amy Lee from Evanescence. KEEP HAVING FUN.
Awesome reaction! ^_^ You have been reacting to a lot of bands that I absolutely love! This band are truly phenomenal, combining tradtional Japanese music with modern grenres flawlessly :) I love your reactions, keep em coming man! I can understand your view on the singing, it is a style derived from traditional Japanese singing, it can be very odd and harsh to listen to but (for me at least) it is just something that you get accustomed to after listening to it more often. A lot of the dislike is to do with the alien sound of it in comparison to the musicical styles we are accustomed with. You may get to like it, you may not! Wehther it is enjoyable or not, one thing to be noted is that she is an outstanding vocalist with brilliant control; which may be hard to appreciate if you are not used to this style of singing :)
This is a SUPER group! The vocals are form a classic style going back hundreds of years, she, the flute player and Koto player were their own group in 2012, they some how hooked with Benni on Shamisen the rock trio and the Taiko drummer. If that aint enough try this on for size: th-cam.com/video/Sfze7R1omRU/w-d-xo.html
The voice is a traditional Japanese style of singing. If you live in Japan, you accept the voice of whatever western band you listen to. In Asia there is a whole other system of musical notes. Since it is a Japanese band, they sing in the traditional musical system at times. Part of experiencing different cultures, is experiencing, and learning to appreciate it. In time, it grows on you. Don't turn away from it because it isn't your culture!
Waggaki Band...they arent just musician but they are Gods and Goddess and engineers of their own musical instruments... Suzuhana Yuko - Vocals Machiya - Guitar Asa - Bass Wasabi - Drums Beni Ninagawa - Tsugari Shamisen (traditional 3 string guitar) Kurona - Wadaiko ( traditional drums) Kiyoshi - Koto ( traditional harp) Daisuke - Sakuhachi ( traditional flute) ...sir i recommend to please do comment to their other songs.. -Ignite -Sunwheel -Valkyrie -Okinotayuu -Zenbonsakura -Perfect Blue ( live ) -Subaku no Komoruita -Tengaku and still more.. I be following your reactions sir..... im not a japanese.....I one of their Fans.... Im a Filipino... Thank You and God bless..
My memory is so bad that i was sure that you checked them before... but it's nice that you get them :D their stuff is very good and there is a plenty to dig in, and the surprise every time the shamisen enter is a classic :D Surely this classic th-cam.com/video/wRaP6TmKTQE/w-d-xo.html or the collaboration with Evanescense singer and the incredible cover of Bring Me To Life th-cam.com/video/hk1GtYK7BJM/w-d-xo.html
You don't have to or you'd better not to hesitate to express your honest opinion. Everybody has his or her own taste. This is an opinion of a Japanese man.
Do you dislike this vocal style? If so, you should not listen to this band's music any more. Because her vocals are the greatest feature and beauty of this band.
Get over the mask Alex, Why are you shocked that their are little women in Japan that are better musicians than most pro bands here?...Band-Maid and these guys can blow most modern rock boring bands away...
Wagakki Band is one of the best Japanese groups out there. They combine traditional Japanese instruments and vocal styles with modern rock, metal, jazz, and more. All eight members are master level musicians, and their lead singer, the very elegant Yuko Suzuhana, may be the best female Japanese vocalist I have heard. Do not judge her singing from this particular song. Some first-time reactors find the full-blown traditional Japanese style of singing in this a bit off-putting, just like some people get freaked out the first time listening to BabyMetal's Gimme Chocolate. Trust me, Yuko is a great singer, with a lot of range and power, and a truly beautiful voice. Wagakki Band is the only other Japanese group that comes anywhere close to BabyMetal in international popularity. The video for their song Senbonzakura has more views than Gimme Chocolate. Wagakki Band is even better live, as their stage shows are musical extravaganzas that rival the very best BabyMetal concerts.
I'd add Band-Maid to that list of internationally popular Japanese bands, without taking away from the others, but true, BabyMetal and Wagakki Band have the most epic live shows.
Wagakki band with 8 members:
1. Yuko Suzuhana (Vocal)
2. Machiya (Guitar, vocal)
3. Asa (Bass)
4. Wasabi (Drum)
5. Kiyoshi Ibukuro (Koto, Harp-like instrument)
6. Daisuke Kaminaga (Shakuhachi, Japanese flute)
7. Beni Ninagawa (Tsugaru Shamisen, or simply shamisen, Japanese 3-string instrument)
8. Kurona (Wadaiko, Japanese traditional drum)
Hi Alex, Thanks for reacting to Wagakki Band - the "orgasm of sounds" - great phrase. The lead (female) singer, Yuko, conceived and founded the band to showcase traditional japanese instruments and culture (wagakki). The vocal style in this track is called 'shigin', which is used for traditional Japanese poetry recital and is designed to be able to cut through the metallic twang of the traditional Japanese instruments - koto and shamisen - so the words can be heard clearly over the music. It's more incisive than typical western singing for that reason. You get used to it and then you can appreciate how good a vocalist Yuko actually is.
'Akatsuki no Ito' (Dawn's Thread) is one of their older tracks, something like an unofficial anthem, so Yuko is using a stronger shigin style. Yuko sings and raps in a more conventional style on other tracks, especially the more recent ones. She still uses the traditional, slow vibrato quite often on sustained notes, but not always.
The lead guitarist, Machiya, was wearing a mask from traditional Japanese Noh theatre. He used to wear it a lot and his identity was a secret (like Kiss or Slipknot), but now he just wears it for instrumental introductions or when they do older tracks where he used to wear it and he isn't singing. Noh theatre is the oldest form of theatre in the world that is still performed. Each mask represents a specific character from the traditional plays. There are 400 different masks. Machiya's movements are also how the mask's Noh character is performed in the plays.
These are all iconic, traditional, Japanese cultural features, which was the whole point of the band - to mix modern and traditional culture in order to preserve traditional Japanese culture. For their most recent EP, they stated that they are now going to start moving away from strict tradition and start evolving these traditional elements into a more, modern, global sound and image.
Check out 'Synchronicity' (jazz / swing) and 'Ignite' (almost punk rock / rap) for different vocal and performance styles. They don't stick to one genre.
arts, music, talents, craziness, i would say japan is a place for tons of surprises man! 🤘🤘
Your reaction to Bene is similar to many reactors. Always a great WTF moment. She is a master of her instrument and beautiful. The Wagakiki Band is more popular in Japan than Babymetal! They have toured in the US plus there are US interviews. The Yuko Sukuhana (singer) is the catalyst for the forming of the band. A prime purpose for the band is to generate interest in traditional Japanese musical instruments among young Japanese.
@Max Epstein The computer keeps helping me!
The combination of modern and traditional Japanese is absolutely awesome
'Wagakki Band' is a Super-Band. All are master of their craft and they have more talents (like other instruments, teaching, ...) 5 of the members leading their own band/projects in which 4 do also vocals in those. Also Yuko Suzuhana (the singer) teaches the Shigin singing (recite japanese poems). She won a national championship some years ago. 😉Funfact: She also does sword dance and back in the day Samurai had to learn those shigin (poem) It was part of their education.
I can recommend WAGAKKIBAND - Bring Me To Life with Amy Lee (from Evanescence) from their Symphonic Night Vol. 2 concert. Just uploaded 4 weeks ago. Had goosebumps & chills. th-cam.com/video/hk1GtYK7BJM/w-d-xo.html or 'Senbonzakura' their most famous song th-cam.com/video/K_xTet06SUo/w-d-xo.html
Shigin, yes! That's what I was trying to recall. Absolutely beautiful, she and her voice. She does sword dance on some live songs, just check 'em out!
The instrument she is playing is called shamisen and i believe the thing she uses to play it instead of a classic pick is called bachu and the other instrument guy is playing in the 2nd part i think it's called kato but may be wrong about that. Great band, another great performance by them worth checking is Chie no Kajitsu + Somosan Seppa (it's instrumental) and they also made cover of Bring me to life featuring Amy Lee of Evanescence
Beni plays a Tsugaru style Futozao (Thick Neck Size) Shamisen. The
sharp, hard-striking tsugaru style is said to have originated on the
streets by the bousama (blind musicians), who developed a livelier style
to attract audience.In the early part of the 20th century, blind musicians, including Shirakawa Gunpachirō
Takahashi Chikuzan , and sighted players
such as Kida Rinshōei evolved a new style of playing,
based on traditional folk songs ("min'yō") but involving much
improvisation and flashy fingerwork. This style - now known as Tsugaru-jamisen, after the home region
of this style in the north of Honshū - continues to be relatively popular
in Japan. The virtuosic Tsugaru-jamisen style is sometimes compared to bluegrass banjo.The classic pick is called bachi,Kato is the name of Bruce Lee in Green Hornet:-)The koto is a Japanese plucked zither and the national instrument of Japan,
@@Lestat13 Kato is KOTO
@@Lestat13 Hey Les, I'm a 66 year old rancher in the outback of the Gila (Heela) country of New Mexico. Wagakki
Band was a strange to me as it is to you. I don't understand a lick, but I like it! If you give the vocals a chance they might just grow on ya. Funny thing about QUALITY , it shines through in any language, enjoy
The song is sang with a Japan traditional way in this song, understandable that not everyone like it. But they have some very diverse style of music.
Recommend to try Synchronicity from them for a Jazz style music
I never knew jazz could be played with Japanese traditional instruments until I heard it for myself!! Simply awesome!!
same reaction that i had when i knew this wanderfull group
I have known this band thanks to you, it's a beautiful mixture of tradicional japanese and "normal" instruments, I loved it. :D
Greetings from Spain.
Love this band.
You should check out the Senbonzakura mv next, it’s their most popular song, n their songs are pretty diverse from hard rock to upbeat and jazzy songs
Woah that was really cool. I’ll have to check them out.
Yeah. Same with you. 2 years ago, when I listen this band for the first time, I feel the instrument mix was very cool. But for the vocal I said: Nope, this singing style is not for me. But the more I listen this group and enjoy how they mix and blend modern and traditional japanese music, the more I love them. Yuko san, the vocalist have high range of vocal & unique singing style. I suggest you to hear and react another song: Senbonzakura.
Nice reaction btw.
10Q (thank you) for the content.
If you listen more to Wagakki Band you will know how great this band is from the vocals to the instruments. Try Senbonzakura music video or the live one and see. 💕
The vocal is singing in a very traditional way, same as Chinese Opera. It makes sense not everyone like it, but if you understand Japanese, you will appreciate with the layout and tone 🤓
And I am from Hong Kong
First time I heard this band. Sound liked Japanese instrument called SAMISEN. It's very interesting. Girl singing old Japanese singing style. You are reallly give earnest opinions. Good reaction 🤗
She also sing modern style too, it’s depends on the song, their catalogue is pretty diverse with many rock genres
Ignite, Senbonzakura, tengaku n their newest stuff Sun Whell will blown you away man ! Its shows how heavy, unique, creative n amazing these guys 🔥🔥🔥 they are just Legendary 🤘 hope u can check out thier other songs man... u wont regret it
Definitely my top 3 finds in 2020! One is Leaves' Eyes, and the thrid... Hmmm....
Once again, good reaction. You look so confused, same way when you reacted to Babymetal, Band Maid and now, Wagakki Band. It is really hard to explain, wrigth. It is a CLASH of too many things. You are going to freak out the moment you see Wagakki Band and Amy Lee from Evanescence. KEEP HAVING FUN.
The two stringed guitar thingy is called a Shamisen, and the big, fuck off drums are called Taiko.
Bene, the girl playing shamisen, 3 string Japanese folk instrument.
This is probably their all star band.
Awesome reaction! ^_^ You have been reacting to a lot of bands that I absolutely love! This band are truly phenomenal, combining tradtional Japanese music with modern grenres flawlessly :) I love your reactions, keep em coming man!
I can understand your view on the singing, it is a style derived from traditional Japanese singing, it can be very odd and harsh to listen to but (for me at least) it is just something that you get accustomed to after listening to it more often. A lot of the dislike is to do with the alien sound of it in comparison to the musicical styles we are accustomed with. You may get to like it, you may not! Wehther it is enjoyable or not, one thing to be noted is that she is an outstanding vocalist with brilliant control; which may be hard to appreciate if you are not used to this style of singing :)
This is a SUPER group! The vocals are form a classic style going back hundreds of years, she, the flute player and Koto player were their own group in 2012, they some how hooked with Benni on Shamisen the rock trio and the Taiko drummer. If that aint enough try this on for size: th-cam.com/video/Sfze7R1omRU/w-d-xo.html
I'm sure now that we have same taste of music bro, nice to see that.. 😊😁
The voice is a traditional Japanese style of singing. If you live in Japan, you accept the voice of whatever western band you listen to. In Asia there is a whole other system of musical notes. Since it is a Japanese band, they sing in the traditional musical system at times. Part of experiencing different cultures, is experiencing, and learning to appreciate it. In time, it grows on you. Don't turn away from it because it isn't your culture!
Singing like that is ancient and very old singing style that not so many can do anymore.
AMAZING
Welcome and hope ya listen to more of them.
Waggaki Band...they arent just musician but they are Gods and Goddess and engineers of their own musical instruments...
Suzuhana Yuko - Vocals
Machiya - Guitar
Asa - Bass
Wasabi - Drums
Beni Ninagawa - Tsugari Shamisen
(traditional 3 string guitar)
Kurona - Wadaiko ( traditional drums)
Kiyoshi - Koto ( traditional harp)
Daisuke - Sakuhachi ( traditional flute)
...sir i recommend to please do comment to their other songs..
-Ignite
-Sunwheel
-Valkyrie
-Okinotayuu
-Zenbonsakura
-Perfect Blue ( live )
-Subaku no Komoruita
-Tengaku
and still more..
I be following your reactions sir.....
im not a japanese.....I one of their Fans.... Im a Filipino...
Thank You and God bless..
and please do react also
-Ame nochi kajouron
- yuki kage boushi
- sasameyuki
in sure you will enjoy all those suggestions i did...
I think you should react to yoshiwara lament too
Only in Japan. Where in the World people risk trying new things?. Nowhere. Probably the most astonishing original folk rock band right now.
I actually liked the singing. Not the first part of it, but the rest sounded good imo.
My memory is so bad that i was sure that you checked them before... but it's nice that you get them :D their stuff is very good and there is a plenty to dig in, and the surprise every time the shamisen enter is a classic :D
Surely this classic th-cam.com/video/wRaP6TmKTQE/w-d-xo.html or the collaboration with Evanescense singer and the incredible cover of Bring Me To Life th-cam.com/video/hk1GtYK7BJM/w-d-xo.html
wagakki band Shamisen player 「beni ninagawa」
Recommended video
th-cam.com/video/4jtaY9y0bT0/w-d-xo.html
It is a Shamin..think of it as a 3 string banjo played with a putty knife
Shamisen (三味線)
わお！
Welcome to WANOKUNI. Welcome to Japan.
This is it!!
Impact of BENI's Shamisen is very BIG!
Try X Japan --Kuranai -- WITH VIOLIN AND PIANO INTRO. With intro because I know you are a violin and piano fan. Thanks.
Hei... Can u reaction to VERSAILLES "masquerade" they are visual kei band
Jesus, fuckin’ Christ, man! No words. :-)
I love Beni 😍
You don't have to or you'd better not to hesitate to express your honest opinion. Everybody has his or her own taste. This is an opinion of a Japanese man.
their best song is senbonzakura , hehehe try to react that song
Do you dislike this vocal style?
If so, you should not listen to this band's music any more.
Because her vocals are the greatest feature and beauty of this band.
This could have been Manowar
How do you not like Yuko' singing.....? She's a Shigan Champion for crying out loud, Miss Nico 2011.... Uncultured....
Get over the mask Alex, Why are you shocked that their are little women in Japan that are better musicians than most pro bands here?...Band-Maid and these guys can blow most modern rock boring bands away...
In this her voice not so good, i'm agree.. Listen their Yoshiwara Lament or Hotaribu....
Sorry man but you can't really say you appreciate the song if you're not into the voice...
you don't like the singing part? that's a thumbs down
wagakki band Shamisen player 「beni ninagawa」
Recommended video
th-cam.com/video/4jtaY9y0bT0/w-d-xo.html