Wagakki Band Recommended songs "千本桜" Senbonzakura MUSIC VIDEO - 130 million views, The most famous song. th-cam.com/video/K_xTet06SUo/w-d-xo.html "拍手喝采" Hakushu Kassai LIVE VIDEO - A song that clearly shows the band's ability. th-cam.com/video/5sJnveBvoLw/w-d-xo.html "日輪" MUSIC VIDEO (Sun Wheel) - Heavy metal + traditional Japanese playing th-cam.com/video/wr7oHjMXpgs/w-d-xo.html Synchronicity LIVE VIDEO - Swing jazz + traditional Japanese playing th-cam.com/video/wRYVPDKuqMk/w-d-xo.html
If you have an interest about wagakki band more traditional songs, this one song tittled Izana is a good reference to hear. 😃 th-cam.com/video/HyILP_x9quE/w-d-xo.html
Great reaction. Evanescence did a live stream with Cooper tire, where she sang "Bring me to life" without that froggy sound. The whole live performance was amazing. Despite that, I highly recommend "Lacrymosa" and "End of the dream" from the Synthesis tour.
If you take "Senbonzakura" their signature song. Instead, use this statemix, Sound from Dai Shinnenkai 2019. MV can be blocked by avex. th-cam.com/video/3DntD_D3hS4/w-d-xo.html
You have to give Wagakki Band a chance to do what they do best; their own thing! They are fabulous, original and just kick ass when they pull out all the stops! They have found the perfect mix of modern rock and traditional japanese music and style. I was totally blown away the first time I saw them and have been a devoted fan ever since. Their live performance are a piece of art form start to finish. 😍✌
I think you'd really enjoy "Sakura Rising" Wagakki Band featuring Amy Lee, Julia. Great tune. "Aria of Life" (aka the OP for MARSRED) and "Starlight" are also fantastic tunes. Yuko is a trained Poetry Singer, so she is very well versed in traditional folk sounds.
Thank you for reacting to Wagakki Band~ I hope you will react more to them so I can understand why I love this band so much from professional point of view. ❤️
Thank you for mentioning this. I touched on it a bit in my comment, but I was worried no one had said anything more on it and was regretting feeling lazy.
Machiya's vocals & guitar for this concert were mixed in a very 'polite' fashion (lots of low end cut as well possibly because of the orchestra), so I shared your frustration at the growls losing some power. Even when they played 'Ignite' without the orchestra(an original song from the heavier end of the WB catalogue, that features some moments of growling), there was less presence of both in the mix than in a normal WB concert or on the studio recording. He's mainly a cleaner vocals singer & mostly acts more a foil for Yuko, but the mix here was rather unflattering. As others have mentioned, to hear his regular singing 'Synchronicity' is a good place to start. The whole band are a little straight-jacketed by having to stay balanced with the orchestra as well, Beni (shamisen) & Daisuke (shakuhachi aka. bamboo flute) are more animated usually.
For me, it seemed rather subdued in the higher range as well. The net affect was like listening to a rather muffled track, like someone was holding a pillow over the microphones.
Also Wagakki band is visually stunning. Their early videos in particular are colour fests with stunning japanese silks and quite delightfful camera work. I can actually watch them without the sound on and still get blown away.
Wagakki Band did another song (Senbonzakura) with Amy I think for that same performance. Evanescence on the other hand, has been active. Many reactors watch the Synthesis live videos, Lacrymosa specifically, but I know that there’s more of them. There’s also music videos of their newest singles from their new album The Bitter Truth so there’s definitely plenty to pick from.
The guy growled is Machiya, and he's guitarist in Wagakki Band. He sometimes does back ground chorus as well. I think this is the first time he tried the growling but he did well for the first time😄
If you want more from Wagakki Band then Synchronicity will 100% be up your alley. There are a bunch of live versions, but I think the one from Hall Tour 2018 is the most fun.
but thats the most not usual song from them, it was more of an experiement tbh, something like strong fate, ikusa or senbonzakura would be more in their style to start.
Now Julia, time to react to original Wagakki Band stuff, hearing Yuko in her natural element will blow your mind ;) (not Homura though, nearly no singing there) Senbonzakura is one of my recomondations, specially the live versions :) Thanks for a great reaction :) Watching the best Aussie reactor doing her magic is always nice and relaxing (and one of the best reactor on the tube at that)
Welcome to the new obsession. Sakura Rising is a song they did together for the pandemic. Everything Yuko does is fantastic. Every member of the band is superb. Yuko's mastery of the vibrato will give you hours of study.
It will be exciting to hear what a vocal coach thinks about Yuko Suzuhana. Not that "Bring me to life" justifies Yuko's voice. For that, she has to listen to an original WGB song like "Qeen of the night" or "Izana" Both songs are what pure beauty sounds like.
@@aethernity8270 yes, this song was made for Amy and at this point it is her song, because of that Yuko is just singing along with Amy instead of doing her usual style, I get a very muted vibe from wagakki band on this song, just because they are basically catering to Amy instead of doing their own thing
my mom introduced me to Amy Lee and we had her playing throughout the house. years later I met my wife across the world. guess who her favorite singer is. At karaoke my wife with her power voice makes everyone else feel like "well damn". my mom and wife get along great. bring japanese and american music together.
Yay! I've been really looking forward for my favorite professional reactors to find this band! I hope we see more of them here. I'd recommend Sakura Rising if you want more Amy Lee colabs, but really, I just recommend their... everything... ;P
If you want to hear Yuko's vibrato at full effect, Akatsuki no Ito (preferably the Homura + Akatsuki no Ito live video) is a great song to go for next.
the male vocal & guitarist of WagakkiBand is Machiya. i will suggest these 2 songs for his vocal-- 1) Tsuioku (acoustic version) - th-cam.com/video/416Krbnbur8/w-d-xo.html 2) Kyoshu no Sora (acoustic version) - th-cam.com/video/V2jeCJ-uzUc/w-d-xo.html for more Yoku's voice? .. any song from WagakkiBand, BUT especially i will suggest 2 songs -- 1) Sabaku no Komuriuta- live - th-cam.com/video/Jxlwq27bX_8/w-d-xo.html 2) campanula - BILLBOARD LIVE - th-cam.com/video/t58W3Vbi9Z4/w-d-xo.html
As others have commented, Yuko was trained as a traditional "shigin" singer, a style which has an element of nasality, but also a very particular vibrato style. She has talked at length about the adaptations she has had to make to become a rock singer, in particular making more use of her lower register, and de- emphasising the vibrato. You can hear more of her traditional style singing on some of the TH-cam videos of Hanafugetsu, the 3 piece shakuhachi, koto and piano group that later expanded into the Wagakki Band, and on some of the Wagakki Band's more traditional sounding songs such as Fuurin no Utautai. Guitarist Machiya is a singer with a good, clean and quite powerful voice, albeit without the distinctive character of Yuko's vocals. He can be heard to good effect on the TH-cam live video of the song Episode Zero, or the acoustic version of Tsuioku.
Loved this reaction! Hope you gonna look more into Wagakki Band! I love them, hope I will be able to see them live some day. A good start with them would be: homura - akatsuki no ito.
Please, Julia, I am begging you. *Please* react to the "End of the Dream" video from "Evanescence Synthesis Live". This is my favorite Amy Lee live vocal performance. My favorite part of the opening (essentially) acapella section is pure raw emotion that has her clutching herself in pain as her voice breaks. Add in the full orchestra and it is a powerful rare gem that has to be heard to be believed. Brings me to tears every time. Meanwhile, SO looking forward to this video premier. I love this video! Wagakki Band is so different, fresh and original. This astounded me when I first saw it.
The Best vocal achievement for Amy,I'm crying for her..what an Honored and Great spirits of asian for Believing and make this concert for her.. so.. so Good, Iam as listener of evanescence all of my life. Make this the Best versions of Bring me to life. Thanks Amy,wakaggi, evanescence,all the Fans that always support her Carrier. Mother of Darkness.!
Thank you. I've liked both of these performers separately and hearing them together was a treat. Wagakki is such a remarkable group, 3 or 4 members of Wagakki are music instructors and have received recognition within their specific field. If you would like something 'different' check out Sokoninaru - Kyokugen ha setsuna. Enjoy!
It's interesting that they had a male singer doing the "save me" part, as on the original recording that was a record label demand and Amy is on record stating that she doesn't want to perform the song with a male voice anymore as it was never her intention. Awesome analysis and great choice to review! Cheers! ~Be Blessed
There's this haunting quality to Amy's voice which made the original song so powerful. It's still there but I do think her voice had changed just a little with age on some of the higher frequencies. I loved the way Yuko held the endings of phrases with straight tone for a long time then added in her wider vibrato right at the end at 8:11, 9:8 at the “are the light”, and from 11:37 - 11:47. Also loved Yuko's scoop at 8:34 on “bring MEE to life”. You're very right about her voice pinging through the mix like a knife through butter and she was actually holding back her usual piercing tone for this song and arrangement. The male singer (Machiya) doesn't do growl and actually has a pleasant treble-y voice and vibrato in other songs solo or duet with Yuko. There's also the language issue. I'm sure he was trying to sing the lines phonetically so he didn't accent at the right times or start with the energy in the right places (add on top of that having to growl those lyrics). But you did get a hint of his actual voice on the "save me" line. You need to hear more WaggakiBand.
Yuko aims to bring traditional Japanese singing to the band - Wagakki Band is a mix of traditional and rock in style as well as instruments. The male singer is the band's usual backing singer and is using a completely different sound in this song to his usual sound. Here's a more typical Wagakki Band song: th-cam.com/video/dnGUE84YPcg/w-d-xo.html (not that they're usually in 6/8 but I always like it!)
@7:00 where u said the change of tonality.. its quite profound in japanese folks style of singing which are known as Enka which also what this band Wagaki Band are known for.. combining japanse folk instrument and Enka style of singing with modern style music
Yuko is the definition of vibrato. Her skills in "Shigin" (accredited Master/Teacher and National award winner) bring a huge amount of diversity to her singing skills/abilities. The Wagakki band as a whole do not have a set genre of music they play. They bounce around from Folk to Metal to Rock to Jazz etc...No two songs are the same. Every person in the band is an accomplished artist in their own right. The male vocalist is Machiya...And he normally does background vocals. Growls and other extreme styles aren't really his thing. So I feel this may have been the first time for him doing so.
Oh...Yuko also likes to bring her swords out on stage from time to time as well. She is a trained sword/fan dancer as well. The complete and total Japanese Feudal Princess! She has all the skills!
@@yolandria I agree completely, Yuko is a true Renaissance Woman as respects all of her abilities, a peerless pianist, a wonderful composer and songwriter, a master of both the traditional singing/poetry of shigin and traditional dance, both fan (shi) and sword (ken) and an amazing vocalist right at the top of the heap globally. Her traditional aspects are really on display in the performance of Gobousei, where she and Kurona show dazzling routine that emphasizes their skills. And to top it off, she teaches those traditional arts at university. And Amy..........is just Amy, a true commanding presence and commanding voice like no other. Have you checked out the performance of Synchroncity from the 2022 Dai Shinnenkai concert ? It's just an amazing showing of musicianship and vocal perfection.
at this moment there are just 2 bands on my definately-must-see-live-at-least-once list ... one is Nightwish and the other is Wagakki Band. I knew this recording allready and since have enjoyed Wagakki Band greatly. I suggest Wagakki band "Queen of the night" for a future reaction. thx for the video :)
Wagakki Band is amazing. You can't go wrong with anything of theirs, except for avoiding their instrumentals just for the purposes of this channel, of course. I love the sounds of a lot of Japanese (and other east asian instruments), especially the shamisen. I love Amy Lee's vocals, but I was never really into Evanescence. I can't remember who it was, but there was some other band that came out around the same time as Evanescence, but never hit like the latter did. They were similar, only much more interesting to me. I really should comb through my old CDs and see if I can't figure out who that was again.
Yes, that's a flute. It's called a shakuhachi/shah-koo-hah-chee. You're able to really hear Yuko's melisma and the true color of the instruments in their own music. That twang, nasal placement, & melisma(kobushi) is what characterizes shigin singing(enka also). Yuko is a national shigin champion too. Been doing it since she was a kid. Shigin is the performance of traditional Japanese & Chinese poetry. I'm glad you brought up the part about pronunciation articulation. I agree with you there. Especially as someone with strong Japanese accents in my family. I do struggle with pronunciation in languages besides Japanese & English so I know how it is. There's a few Japanese bands whose members actually don't speak fluent English, but the vocalist does utilize #4 @19:26.
Amy looks cool in her kimono and of course sounds awesome. Wagakki Band are amazing. I am familiar with some of their other stuff. This is a very interesting and welcome collaboration. Cheers Julia.
You have a beautiful soul. Thank you for another great review. You and Chase should totally joint review Wagakki band. Chase would have a field day discussing all the inter-harmonies and just amazing blend of 8 master musicians creating perfection, while you can point out all the very interesting things about Yukos singing choices.
Seeing Julia almost apologetic about wanting the growls (needing the growls) for a couple of minutes straight made me giddy with excitement. I'm a classically trained violinist (my hobby, actually an engineer) and grew up with Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, etc. only. A reaction to The Hu popped up in my feed and got me hooked on them and reaction videos. Then I discovered this amazing channel. I really appreciate the technical analysis Julia does and how not over-the-top she is in her reaction. Some other reactions are way too dramatised for my personal taste. Now Julia is my go-to for reaction videos and I've been exposed to so many different genres and musicians. I've especially enjoyed the focus on more out-there bands. I've also come to appreciate the growls and other extended techniques. Thanks for facilitating my journey by sharing yours. You're awesome.
I'm not sure if you've listened to any Tesseract yet, but I'd love to hear you breakdown their song Of Matter. Ashe O'hara's vocals on it are amazing and unlike almost anything I've heard in metal.
Hello Julia-san from Tokyo! Thanks a lot for your brilliant reaction and analysis as always. I'm a big fan of Wagakki Band, your's too. Well, Official Music Video of ''Evanescence - BringMe To Life'' has gotten over 1 billion views today on 2.2.2022, Wow!!! Congratulations!!!!! And may I recommend you here Yuko's beautiful vocals in ballad songs? Overture+Okinotayuu (Albatross) th-cam.com/video/qX9l1CHkWeA/w-d-xo.html Yuko sang them on piano. These were the opening numbers of Premium Symphonic Night Vol.2 as same concert of 'Bring Me To Life' you reacted. English subtitles are available in this video.
This is how I found wagakki band. I then tried the recommend on TH-cam of 'Homura' reactions. I then listened to a a few of there albums. So if you want to here more, I'd also say try Homura live. They introduce each section of band individually so it's very good😊
Thanks Julia. I'm so glad you finally got to Wagakki Band and that you actually liked them. I love this band. Every song I have seen (and I've seen a few) is amazing (except for the recent release, 'Starlight', which is a bit bland for WB compared to their other stuff, but it's a theme song for a TV show, so I guess they had restrictions). Their older stuff under their Avex label seems to have a lot of copyright restrictions, but more recent stuff from 2019 onwards, under their Universal label seems to have less, so the later live shows, where they still perform their more popular, older songs, like 'Senbonzakura', are safer. There is also a live version now of the 'Sakura Rising' single that Amy and WB recorded together. 'Sakura Rising' (Cherry Blossoms Rising) (Animated Music Video, Duet with Amy Lee from Evanescence): th-cam.com/video/cyFskO6iB2E/w-d-xo.html 'Sakura Rising' (Cherry Blossoms Rising) (Live - 2021, Japan Tokyo Singing Tour. Duet with Amy Lee from Evanescence): th-cam.com/video/9fZvg9DLcEM/w-d-xo.html . My favourite song is 'Ignite' - rapid staccato rap vocals from Yuko and Machiya (lead guitar), with traditional and shigin style vocals from Yuko in the chorus, but it's not a great showcase of Yuko's vocals. The song was written by Machiya, and he apparently does most of their more rock-style songs, but their compositions and arrangements are done communally, with each member arranging their own parts. 'Synchronicity' is my next favourite - jazz / swing style duet with Yuko and Machiya, telling a story of a couple who are body swapped due to a lightning strike. The shigin-style vocals are a traditional Japanese poetry recital style (in which Yuko has professional training) and the style is designed to cut through the more metallic sounds of the traditional instruments, like the koto and shamisen, as you observed. 'Ignite' (Yuko and Machiya on vocals and rap, Music Video): th-cam.com/video/_uxpHq3inUA/w-d-xo.html 'Ignite' (Yuko and Machiya on vocals and rap, Live - 2020, Yokohama Arena, Manatsu no Dai Shinnenkai concert): th-cam.com/video/M93OQkPTOXI/w-d-xo.html 'Synchronicity' (Music video - Full version) (longer story intro, so the video makes more sense - body swap): th-cam.com/video/nwXtiTxtiHs/w-d-xo.html 'Synchronicity' (Live - 2020, Yokohama Arena, Manatsu no Dai Shinnenkai concert): th-cam.com/video/UzYOb5KGGj8/w-d-xo.html Yuko writes most of the ballads, so they tend to showcase her voice more. These are just a few: 'Okinotayuu' (Albatross) (Music video): th-cam.com/video/WSUGASFlypY/w-d-xo.html 'Okinotayuu' (Albatross) (Live - 2020, Premium Symphonic Night Vol. 2 concert, with orchestra): th-cam.com/video/dMK27ngwR_I/w-d-xo.html ‘Fuurin no Utautai’ (Sing the Wind Chimes Song) (Live - 2017, Heian Jingu): th-cam.com/video/XbYWOsdAn2c/w-d-xo.html 'Sabaku no komoriuta' (Desert Lullaby) (Music Video): th-cam.com/video/2tvW0V2wHS4/w-d-xo.html 'Sabaku no komoriuta' (Desert Lullaby) (Live - 2020, Premium Symphonic Night Vol. 2 concert, with orchestra): th-cam.com/video/ynFg7-gqJqc/w-d-xo.html 'Izana' (Powerful Woman) (Live - 2020, Premium Symphonic Night Vol. 2 concert, with orchestra): th-cam.com/video/_WD0hhmGrog/w-d-xo.html 'Izana' (Powerful Woman) (Live - 2020, Yokohama Arena, Manatsu no Dai Shinnenkai concert): th-cam.com/video/mFCF74P4paU/w-d-xo.html 'Queen Of The Night' (Music Video): th-cam.com/video/AoY5f979VtM/w-d-xo.html More high energy tracks which show how Yuko can nail her shigin-style vocals whilst running around, dancing on stage with fans, parasols and swords (she is professionally trained in all of these as well): ‘Hangekai no Yaiba’ (Counterattack Sword) (Music Video, full version): th-cam.com/video/OtgyLqEBoFI/w-d-xo.html ‘Hangekai no Yaiba’ (Counterattack Sword) (Live, 2017, Dai Shinnenkai, Sakura no Utake concert): th-cam.com/video/zfRYOT9nqOc/w-d-xo.html 'Akatsuki no Ito' (Dawn's Thread) (Unofficial anthem, Music Video, with CGI dragon sounds): th-cam.com/video/fcucbhJ-Orc/w-d-xo.html 'Akatsuki no Ito' (Dawn's Thread) (Unofficial anthem, Live - 2020, Yokohama Arena, Manatsu no Dai Shinnenkai concert): th-cam.com/video/_oMJc8qi97c/w-d-xo.html 'Tengaku' (Music of the Heavens) (Vocaloid cover, Music video): th-cam.com/video/Q2meWkWqc-I/w-d-xo.html 'Tengaku' (Music of the Heavens) (Vocaloid cover, Live - 2015, 1st Japan Tour, Hibiya Yagai Ongakudo concert): th-cam.com/video/aQgzbaRJsxw/w-d-xo.html 'Senbonzakura' (Thousand Cherry Blossoms) (Vocaloid cover, Music Video): th-cam.com/video/K_xTet06SUo/w-d-xo.html 'Senbonzakura' (Thousand Cherry Blossoms) (Vocaloid cover, Live - 2020, Yokohama Arena, Manatsu no Dai Shinnenkai concert): th-cam.com/video/Xjwe9WyO8Qs/w-d-xo.html 'Senbonzakura' (Thousand Cherry Blossoms) (Vocaloid cover, Live - with Amy Lee from Evanescence, 2020, Premium Symphonic Night Vol. 2 concert, with orchestra): th-cam.com/video/izYrlI2zqA8/w-d-xo.html 'Valkyrie' (Anime theme, Music video): th-cam.com/video/81xOowkrs3E/w-d-xo.html 'Valkyrie' (Anime theme, Live - 2020, Yokohama Arena, Manatsu no Dai Shinnenkai concert): th-cam.com/video/T7UtnSETgJY/w-d-xo.html 'Rokuchounen to Ichiya Monogatari' (A Tale of Six Trillion Years And A Night) (Vocaloid cover, Music Video): th-cam.com/video/T4RHuXd5pMg/w-d-xo.html&start_radio=1 'Rokuchounen to Ichiya Monogatari' (A Tale of Six Trillion Years And A Night) (Vocaloid cover, Live - 2018, Dai Shinnenkai, Ashita e no Koukai concert): th-cam.com/video/90QRPSZDzsA/w-d-xo.html 'Ikusa' (War / Battlefield) (Music video): th-cam.com/video/Y5zj3dwNxJw/w-d-xo.html 'Ikusa' (War / Battlefield) (Live - 2020, Premium Symphonic Night Vol. 2 concert, with orchestra): th-cam.com/video/oexJ335kGao/w-d-xo.html There are so many more awesome songs, 'Strong Fate' is also very distinctive and has a great music video. 'Yoshiwara Lament' was written by their gender-fluid bassist Asa, who does a duet with Yuko, but has also performed it with other artists. Asa is apparently best at writing pop songs. A lot of people like 'Sunwheel', but it's very heavy on the instruments, so vocals don't shine. 'Strong Fate' (Music Video): th-cam.com/video/UyuzfQkUlyY/w-d-xo.html 'Strong Fate' (Live - 2019, Japan 'React' Tour concert): th-cam.com/video/6JCEeSV0fIQ/w-d-xo.html 'Yoshiwara Lament' (from a Vocaloid written by bassist, Asa, Live duet with Yuko - 2020, Premium Symphonic Night Vol. 2 concert, with orchestra): th-cam.com/video/81vG0rX8QoQ/w-d-xo.html 'Yoshiwara Lament' (Live, Light-hearted acoustic duet with Yuko and Asa on TV show): th-cam.com/video/2-cQRWdw8cs/w-d-xo.html Just to finish, you also have to check out 'Noushou Sakuretsu Girl' (Brain Fluid Explosion Girl - yep, I'm sure), whether you do a reaction or not, just because it's insane and magnificent. (Yuko and Machiya on vocals and rap, Studio version, lyric video): th-cam.com/video/QEPm2e3-tXA/w-d-xo.html 'Noushou Sakuretsu Girl' (Brain Fluid Explosion Girl) (Yuko and Machiya on vocals and rap, Live - 2015, 1st Japan Tour concert): th-cam.com/video/G2_yDqKkWqw/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for another great reaction. I really enjoyed you detailed explanation of different singing techniques and eye for the deatil how all come together in the song Wagakki band has many great performances, but many are acutally instrumentals, like Homura being one of their most famous. But since you focus mostly on singing I would recommend these two songs: 1. Tsuioku - th-cam.com/video/416Krbnbur8/w-d-xo.html - magical acoustic piece where the guitar player (Machiya) is the main vocal followed by Asa the bass player. 2. Sabaku no komoriuta - th-cam.com/video/ynFg7-gqJqc/w-d-xo.html - beautiful balad where Yuko has shown all her talent, capabilities and mastery of shigin style of singing. In both cases be ready for goosebumps and some tears. Both pieces will take your to a magical place form another world and I hope you'll enjoy it 😉
For power ballads, please watch Izana, Sabaku no Komoriuta (Desert Lullaby) or Doppo. If you want something heavier, may I suggest Ignite, Strong Fate, Tengaku, Valkyrie, Haturabi, and the list goes on. This is really a one stop shop band. Their repertoire spans many genres, and their musicianship is masterful. On top of that, they have a very cool vibe on stage, and look awesome!
Wow. It's 85 F (29.4 C) in my house and I have chills. It may not be fair to compare the almost 2 decades old original to this performance, but this just might be better. Thank you for introducing me to yet another band that I need to hear more of.
Always enjoy duets with Amy Lee because not only is her voice amazing, obviously, but she knows how to work with other singers really well. I know she's been doing it for a long time but sometimes it seems like some singers have a hard time letting the other person's voice shine over theirs. I've noticed Amy seems to be really good at trading off the baton, so to speak, and giving the spotlight over while matching her duet partner.
It’s literally IMPOSSIBLE to mistake Amy’s voice for any other … and vice versa. Amy is on a whole other level! One of the most beautiful voices in any genre of music. Allison Krause is another.
Bare in mind, that Japaneese mixers (engineers) tend to "leave behind" bass Frequencies, their music is always leaning to mid and high frequencies . Usually records for their market is mixed extra. Is their sound perception, thats why i think growls werent so much in the mix.
That’s actually so interesting. I wasn’t aware of that. I found it a little off that his killer belt came through so clear but the growls were lost but that would certainly help explain some of it :)
In a word that mere mortal would understand. Be it recording or audio products, 99% that's coming from Japan sounds really bright with little to no low end.
"Queen of the Night" is a good place to start getting a feel for Yuko's vocals, apart from just being a beautiful song in its own right - th-cam.com/video/qsewsLfZ6qg/w-d-xo.html
Yuko Suzuhana is a master of Shigin. Shigin is a performing art that began in Japan about 200 years ago, in which Japanese poems and Chinese poetry are recited in Japanese, with a unique melody added to express the poetic sentiment. Shigin(also Enka and Min'yō) singers often use "kobushi" (a technique of expression similar to melisma, in which a vibrato moves up and down within a semitone range in a regular and continuous manner, whereas a kobushi moves up and down on the scale for a moment without any regularity) in their singing.
I've known Wagakki Band for about four years and they're brilliant. But I didn't know they'd made this version of such a nostalgic song... with the original singer herself. I'm impressed Next step: react to another Japanese band called Lovebites. I can't say which of the five members I like the most, they're all awesome. To begin with them, you should check one of their latest songs, "Glory To The World"
OK then... let the Alchemist of Coral Capers help you out. 1-1/2 shots of gin, you can substitute with vodka. 1-1/2 shots of cherry grenadine. Fill the rest of the 1 cup glass with ginger ale. Add 2 cherries. Squeeze and add 3 slices of a blood orange, you can substitute with any orange but use less slices if it is a larger fruit. If you have a waterproof light up ice cube, set it to red and throw it in. My friend is getting married and I am making a drink list for their Star Wars themed wedding. I call it the Sith Holocron and it is based off of a Shirley Temple. I normally call it a Squirrelly Temple.
@@nickwest932 that sounds delicious. I will try it or at least, give it to my bartender buddy 😅 but I really thought it would be named like "suprised Julia" or " venomous Voiceteacher"
I had the pleasure of seeing Amy Lee and Evanescence live back in 2007 during Download Festival. I wish I remembered more, but I love her regardless of my memory. I saw this version with Wgakki a little while back and really liked it. Great song, great rendition, and Amy is still rocking on strong!
This was the best reaction by far I have seen. Some people have called themselves a vocal coach but you were the best. Several reactors to the video have talked about the male vocals and have said the same thing you did which was great that was the microphone turned down or was he not powerful. I think being Japanese and they performed with Amy in LA where she was the headliner they probably focused on her. At times I think Yuko deferred to her in the sense she was a guest and a celebrity so she lays back a little. Yuko did a live performance with the Tokyo University orchestra last year and sitting down sang several songs. Her best vocals were "Threads of Dawn" and "Like a bird". It might be something you may want to check our for yourself but are not that popular so they would not be great for a reaction. They have some videos which are quite elaborate such as "Queen of the Night" and "Sebonzukara". Those would be better reactions. "Homura" is a video that has the most reactions but the first song is instrumental and the second is vocal but the 8 minute video has a great mix of the instruments.
How did I not know this existed?! I'm a big Amy Lee and Evanescence fan, but I have never heard of Wagakki Band, and this blending is simply astounding! Thank you Julia!!
I have read that Amy Lee’s first live performance may have been singing a Meatloaf song, possibly “I Would Do Anything For Love” at some type of camp when she was a youth. When I read that I thought, it was only a hint of things to come.
Yuko has professionally trained on japanese traditional Shigin singing, so she is very good on vibrato try more songs from Wagakki band, they are fun to listen to
Julia, I'd really like to see you react to the German "a cappella" metal band, Van Canto! I put quote markers on a cappella because technically they have a drummer playing on drums rather than having a beatboxer. They ultimately went with real drums because they couldn't find any beatboxer with the necessary stamina required for metal drumming. I think the band even said that a few beatboxers came close to "passing out" during their auditions. Anyway, they recently released an album last month, and they're sounding better than ever. I recommend reacting to their recent song, "Faith Focus Finish." It's definitely one of my favorite songs on the album (To the Power of Eight). And on that same album they have a very well done cover of Iron Maiden's "Run to the Hills." I especially like the cover because they take a fast tempo and the precision of the singers on the guitar parts blows my mind each second I hear them. Alas, there is no music video for "Run to the Hills," so "Faith Focus Finish" would be the more reaction-friendly song to cover and analyze. Cheers!
So many memories from that time... Even 18 years later, the song hasn't lost any of its 'charm'. And with this arrangement, the boys and girls of WB have given this song what I consider a really beautiful version of it. 【 'Our rock never dies ever. Forever!' - Band-Maid 】🕊️
You should definitely check out Between Sea and Sky by Kardashev! Great progressive death metal with beautiful clean vocals and extremely brutal distorted screams and growls! The vocalist is also a vocal coach for extreme vocals and has a TH-cam channel about explaining the techniques behind it all! I'd love to see your reaction on that song!
I think we didn't get much of a growl since Machi (the guitarist/male vocalist) isn't a growler. That said, he is actually a great singer. They have some live performances wherein he leads the vocals. You might like him better once you see those. 😊
I think this is one of the best versions of this song out there. Wagakki Band also did a song with Amy called Sakura Rising which is pretty good. If you haven't already, you should check out Amy Lee and Lindsay Stirling 'Wasted on You'. The original band recording is amazing, but the strings version with Lindsay has so much more emotion.
Woah, gotta agree with you, love that nostalgia hit combined with the fresh arrangement. Lovely!! May I make a suggestion for something to react to? A favourite band of mine is Poets of the Fall, they have a very cool rock vibe, lovely lyrics, and the singer Marko had a warm voice. Sounds like a hug or something. A good song to start with is Carnival of Rust (Live in Moscow) Cheers!
whew! well this was quite the experience. Let me know which Wagakki Band or Evanescence songs you'd like me to check out below.
Wagakki Band Recommended songs
"千本桜" Senbonzakura MUSIC VIDEO - 130 million views, The most famous song.
th-cam.com/video/K_xTet06SUo/w-d-xo.html
"拍手喝采" Hakushu Kassai LIVE VIDEO - A song that clearly shows the band's ability.
th-cam.com/video/5sJnveBvoLw/w-d-xo.html
"日輪" MUSIC VIDEO (Sun Wheel) - Heavy metal + traditional Japanese playing
th-cam.com/video/wr7oHjMXpgs/w-d-xo.html
Synchronicity LIVE VIDEO - Swing jazz + traditional Japanese playing
th-cam.com/video/wRYVPDKuqMk/w-d-xo.html
If you have an interest about wagakki band more traditional songs, this one song tittled Izana is a good reference to hear. 😃
th-cam.com/video/HyILP_x9quE/w-d-xo.html
Great reaction. Evanescence did a live stream with Cooper tire, where she sang "Bring me to life" without that froggy sound. The whole live performance was amazing. Despite that, I highly recommend "Lacrymosa" and "End of the dream" from the Synthesis tour.
If you take "Senbonzakura" their signature song.
Instead, use this statemix, Sound from Dai Shinnenkai 2019.
MV can be blocked by avex.
th-cam.com/video/3DntD_D3hS4/w-d-xo.html
'Sabaku no Komoriuta' is good choice from Wagakki Band!
"I would have liked a bit more growl." We've done it, boys-n-girls, she's a metalhead! 🤘
Alex Terrible has entered the chat:
@@evi1ways okay yeah, let's not immediately alienate her
Muhahaha... 😃
Once you go metal... lol.
Yeeessss ! \m/\m/
I love Wagakki band and love Evanescence, but I somehow missed that this existed. Thank you for reacting to this and for opening my eyes to it.
There is also a video from the same show of Senbonzakura, and an original collaboration between Amy and Wagakki Band, called Sakura Rising.
OMG Amy Lee still gives me chills all these years later.
You have to give Wagakki Band a chance to do what they do best; their own thing! They are fabulous, original and just kick ass when they pull out all the stops! They have found the perfect mix of modern rock and traditional japanese music and style. I was totally blown away the first time I saw them and have been a devoted fan ever since. Their live performance are a piece of art form start to finish. 😍✌
I think you'd really enjoy "Sakura Rising" Wagakki Band featuring Amy Lee, Julia. Great tune. "Aria of Life" (aka the OP for MARSRED) and "Starlight" are also fantastic tunes. Yuko is a trained Poetry Singer, so she is very well versed in traditional folk sounds.
Yuko is very grounded in trad japanese vocals hence the inclusion of vibrato gymnastics. She has a powerful and quite lovely voice.
Thank you for reacting to Wagakki Band~ I hope you will react more to them so I can understand why I love this band so much from professional point of view. ❤️
Yuko uses a style of vocals called “Shigin” used for reciting poems that dates back to first millennium China and 5th Century Japan
Thank you. This is the cultural background that gives so much more context to these performances
It fantastic.
Thank you for mentioning this. I touched on it a bit in my comment, but I was worried no one had said anything more on it and was regretting feeling lazy.
yes. its really Shigin(詩吟)like singing.
Machiya's vocals & guitar for this concert were mixed in a very 'polite' fashion (lots of low end cut as well possibly because of the orchestra), so I shared your frustration at the growls losing some power. Even when they played 'Ignite' without the orchestra(an original song from the heavier end of the WB catalogue, that features some moments of growling), there was less presence of both in the mix than in a normal WB concert or on the studio recording. He's mainly a cleaner vocals singer & mostly acts more a foil for Yuko, but the mix here was rather unflattering. As others have mentioned, to hear his regular singing 'Synchronicity' is a good place to start. The whole band are a little straight-jacketed by having to stay balanced with the orchestra as well, Beni (shamisen) & Daisuke (shakuhachi aka. bamboo flute) are more animated usually.
Synchronicity Hall Tour 2018 Oto No Kairou would be awesome for a reaction for both of their vocals! great recommend :) also ignite is awesome!
For me, it seemed rather subdued in the higher range as well. The net affect was like listening to a rather muffled track, like someone was holding a pillow over the microphones.
Hats off to Yuko who holds that last note as long as Amy does, and with much more vibrato which uses up a lot more air.
Thoroughly enjoyed that especially with the traditional Japanese instruments. Made a really interesting difference. Loved it. Thanks Julia.
hi,
just a small comments from france
it's clear, all the songs of wagakki band are amazing!!! (with vocals, or just instrumentals)
Also Wagakki band is visually stunning. Their early videos in particular are colour fests with stunning japanese silks and quite delightfful camera work. I can actually watch them without the sound on and still get blown away.
Hi, Julia!
Oh, this will be fun! I'm really curious about your thoughts on Yuko Suzuhana's singing! Really looking forward to this!
Wagakki Band did another song (Senbonzakura) with Amy I think for that same performance.
Evanescence on the other hand, has been active. Many reactors watch the Synthesis live videos, Lacrymosa specifically, but I know that there’s more of them.
There’s also music videos of their newest singles from their new album The Bitter Truth so there’s definitely plenty to pick from.
I agree that Senbonzakura would be an excellent choice, with or without Amy Lee.
you mean sakura rising cause senbonzakura is the original song of them.
@@SuperStarkiller999 th-cam.com/video/izYrlI2zqA8/w-d-xo.html
The video says Senbonzakura
@@SuperStarkiller999 Amy jumped in on the end of Senbonzakura for the reprise in this concert.
@@SuperStarkiller999 senbonzakura is a hatsune miku/vocaloid song, not WB original
The guy growled is Machiya, and he's guitarist in Wagakki Band.
He sometimes does back ground chorus as well.
I think this is the first time he tried the growling but he did well for the first time😄
He also has his own band m:a.ture where he sings and plays guitar.
I love his singing voice!
Machiya did lead vocal in one of Wagakki concert and it was real nice!
If you want more from Wagakki Band then Synchronicity will 100% be up your alley. There are a bunch of live versions, but I think the one from Hall Tour 2018 is the most fun.
I love that version!
but thats the most not usual song from them, it was more of an experiement tbh, something like strong fate, ikusa or senbonzakura would be more in their style to start.
@@SuperStarkiller999 I was going for something I believe Julia would enjoy the most. Otherwise I would rather go with something like okinotayuu.
@@falagar4567 I mean if she is not enjoying their style then there is no hope to begin with^^
@@SuperStarkiller999 True. They are pretty great so there shouldn't be a problem no matter what she picks.
Excellent reaction! I had never heard of the Wagakki Band and now will look to see more of them. Thank you for the introduction to a new band.
i had been hoping and praying for a wagakki band reaction from you because you're simply my favorite!!!! thank you so much!!!
Now Julia, time to react to original Wagakki Band stuff, hearing Yuko in her natural element will blow your mind ;) (not Homura though, nearly no singing there)
Senbonzakura is one of my recomondations, specially the live versions :)
Thanks for a great reaction :) Watching the best Aussie reactor doing her magic is always nice and relaxing (and one of the best reactor on the tube at that)
If it's homura that transitions to akatsuki no ito, that would still be a good pick. The vocals there really shows off yukos shigin style of singing.
Welcome to the new obsession. Sakura Rising is a song they did together for the pandemic. Everything Yuko does is fantastic. Every member of the band is superb. Yuko's mastery of the vibrato will give you hours of study.
It will be exciting to hear what a vocal coach thinks about Yuko Suzuhana. Not that "Bring me to life" justifies Yuko's voice. For that, she has to listen to an original WGB song like "Qeen of the night" or "Izana" Both songs are what pure beauty sounds like.
True. "Bring me to Life" is Amy's song.
Agree bro this sing doesn't do just to yuko
@@aethernity8270 yes, this song was made for Amy and at this point it is her song, because of that Yuko is just singing along with Amy instead of doing her usual style, I get a very muted vibe from wagakki band on this song, just because they are basically catering to Amy instead of doing their own thing
"QUEEN of the night"and " Izana" "Sabaku no komoriuta" These songs are all written by Yuko San
my mom introduced me to Amy Lee and we had her playing throughout the house. years later I met my wife across the world. guess who her favorite singer is. At karaoke my wife with her power voice makes everyone else feel like "well damn". my mom and wife get along great. bring japanese and american music together.
Yay! I've been really looking forward for my favorite professional reactors to find this band! I hope we see more of them here. I'd recommend Sakura Rising if you want more Amy Lee colabs, but really, I just recommend their... everything... ;P
I hope you do original wagakki band songs next
If you want to hear Yuko's vibrato at full effect, Akatsuki no Ito (preferably the Homura + Akatsuki no Ito live video) is a great song to go for next.
Well, one of Yuko most powerful weapon is her contralto. Too bad she's rarely using it. Listen to Sabaku No Komoriuta live from this same concert.
the male vocal & guitarist of WagakkiBand is Machiya. i will suggest these 2 songs for his vocal--
1) Tsuioku (acoustic version) - th-cam.com/video/416Krbnbur8/w-d-xo.html
2) Kyoshu no Sora (acoustic version) - th-cam.com/video/V2jeCJ-uzUc/w-d-xo.html
for more Yoku's voice? .. any song from WagakkiBand, BUT especially i will suggest 2 songs --
1) Sabaku no Komuriuta- live - th-cam.com/video/Jxlwq27bX_8/w-d-xo.html
2) campanula - BILLBOARD LIVE - th-cam.com/video/t58W3Vbi9Z4/w-d-xo.html
I loved this! I hadn’t heard it before. Great analysis as usual Julia!
As others have commented, Yuko was trained as a traditional "shigin" singer, a style which has an element of nasality, but also a very particular vibrato style. She has talked at length about the adaptations she has had to make to become a rock singer, in particular making more use of her lower register, and de- emphasising the vibrato. You can hear more of her traditional style singing on some of the TH-cam videos of Hanafugetsu, the 3 piece shakuhachi, koto and piano group that later expanded into the Wagakki Band, and on some of the Wagakki Band's more traditional sounding songs such as Fuurin no Utautai.
Guitarist Machiya is a singer with a good, clean and quite powerful voice, albeit without the distinctive character of Yuko's vocals. He can be heard to good effect on the TH-cam live video of the song Episode Zero, or the acoustic version of Tsuioku.
Loved this reaction! Hope you gonna look more into Wagakki Band! I love them, hope I will be able to see them live some day. A good start with them would be: homura - akatsuki no ito.
I really liked Yukos vibrato in this live. Especially at the end, even when they had that last belt in the end she still had a strong vibrato
Please, Julia, I am begging you. *Please* react to the "End of the Dream" video from "Evanescence Synthesis Live".
This is my favorite Amy Lee live vocal performance. My favorite part of the opening (essentially) acapella section is pure raw emotion that has her clutching herself in pain as her voice breaks. Add in the full orchestra and it is a powerful rare gem that has to be heard to be believed. Brings me to tears every time.
Meanwhile, SO looking forward to this video premier. I love this video! Wagakki Band is so different, fresh and original. This astounded me when I first saw it.
The Best vocal achievement for Amy,I'm crying for her..what an Honored and Great spirits of asian for Believing and make this concert for her.. so.. so Good, Iam as listener of evanescence all of my life. Make this the Best versions of Bring me to life. Thanks Amy,wakaggi, evanescence,all the Fans that always support her Carrier. Mother of Darkness.!
I love it when you put a brick in that velvet glove and smack me so hard. Wonderful reaction and brilliant explanation of this song. Arigato Sensei.
Thank you. I've liked both of these performers separately and hearing them together was a treat. Wagakki is such a remarkable group, 3 or 4 members of Wagakki are music instructors and have received recognition within their specific field. If you would like something 'different' check out Sokoninaru - Kyokugen ha setsuna. Enjoy!
Amy Lee has the kind of voice where it's simply not possible NOT to feel something when you hear it. Goose bumps. Every. Time.
Yuko is one of the best singers of Japan.... She is amazing... 👌 👌Her Shigin vocal style is unique and amazing.
It's interesting that they had a male singer doing the "save me" part, as on the original recording that was a record label demand and Amy is on record stating that she doesn't want to perform the song with a male voice anymore as it was never her intention. Awesome analysis and great choice to review! Cheers! ~Be Blessed
YES! I've been waiting for this one
There's this haunting quality to Amy's voice which made the original song so powerful. It's still there but I do think her voice had changed just a little with age on some of the higher frequencies.
I loved the way Yuko held the endings of phrases with straight tone for a long time then added in her wider vibrato right at the end at 8:11, 9:8 at the “are the light”, and from 11:37 - 11:47.
Also loved Yuko's scoop at 8:34 on “bring MEE to life”. You're very right about her voice pinging through the mix like a knife through butter and she was actually holding back her usual piercing tone for this song and arrangement.
The male singer (Machiya) doesn't do growl and actually has a pleasant treble-y voice and vibrato in other songs solo or duet with Yuko.
There's also the language issue. I'm sure he was trying to sing the lines phonetically so he didn't accent at the right times or start with the energy in the right places (add on top of that having to growl those lyrics). But you did get a hint of his actual voice on the "save me" line.
You need to hear more WaggakiBand.
Yuko aims to bring traditional Japanese singing to the band - Wagakki Band is a mix of traditional and rock in style as well as instruments.
The male singer is the band's usual backing singer and is using a completely different sound in this song to his usual sound.
Here's a more typical Wagakki Band song: th-cam.com/video/dnGUE84YPcg/w-d-xo.html (not that they're usually in 6/8 but I always like it!)
I hadn't seen that one before. Thanks for that. It was awesome.
Machiya (male singer) has his own band and he is lead singer for the band.
So happy you did this video, I have been requesting it on a lot of the reactors that I follow. You made my day! 😊😍😁
Evanescence released a new album in March (The Bitter Truth). You should check it out!
@7:00 where u said the change of tonality.. its quite profound in japanese folks style of singing which are known as Enka which also what this band Wagaki Band are known for.. combining japanse folk instrument and Enka style of singing with modern style music
This is hardly Enka though.
Yuko is the definition of vibrato. Her skills in "Shigin" (accredited Master/Teacher and National award winner) bring a huge amount of diversity to her singing skills/abilities. The Wagakki band as a whole do not have a set genre of music they play. They bounce around from Folk to Metal to Rock to Jazz etc...No two songs are the same. Every person in the band is an accomplished artist in their own right. The male vocalist is Machiya...And he normally does background vocals. Growls and other extreme styles aren't really his thing. So I feel this may have been the first time for him doing so.
Oh...Yuko also likes to bring her swords out on stage from time to time as well. She is a trained sword/fan dancer as well. The complete and total Japanese Feudal Princess! She has all the skills!
@@yolandria I agree completely, Yuko is a true Renaissance Woman as respects all of her abilities, a peerless pianist, a wonderful composer and songwriter, a master of both the traditional singing/poetry of shigin and traditional dance, both fan (shi) and sword (ken) and an amazing vocalist right at the top of the heap globally. Her traditional aspects are really on display in the performance of Gobousei, where she and Kurona show dazzling routine that emphasizes their skills. And to top it off, she teaches those traditional arts at university. And Amy..........is just Amy, a true commanding presence and commanding voice like no other. Have you checked out the performance of Synchroncity from the 2022 Dai Shinnenkai concert ? It's just an amazing showing of musicianship and vocal perfection.
at this moment there are just 2 bands on my definately-must-see-live-at-least-once list ... one is Nightwish and the other is Wagakki Band. I knew this recording allready and since have enjoyed Wagakki Band greatly. I suggest Wagakki band "Queen of the night" for a future reaction. thx for the video :)
Wagakki Band is amazing. You can't go wrong with anything of theirs, except for avoiding their instrumentals just for the purposes of this channel, of course. I love the sounds of a lot of Japanese (and other east asian instruments), especially the shamisen.
I love Amy Lee's vocals, but I was never really into Evanescence. I can't remember who it was, but there was some other band that came out around the same time as Evanescence, but never hit like the latter did. They were similar, only much more interesting to me. I really should comb through my old CDs and see if I can't figure out who that was again.
Yes, that's a flute. It's called a shakuhachi/shah-koo-hah-chee.
You're able to really hear Yuko's melisma and the true color of the instruments in their own music. That twang, nasal placement, & melisma(kobushi) is what characterizes shigin singing(enka also). Yuko is a national shigin champion too. Been doing it since she was a kid. Shigin is the performance of traditional Japanese & Chinese poetry.
I'm glad you brought up the part about pronunciation articulation. I agree with you there. Especially as someone with strong Japanese accents in my family. I do struggle with pronunciation in languages besides Japanese & English so I know how it is. There's a few Japanese bands whose members actually don't speak fluent English, but the vocalist does utilize #4 @19:26.
Amy looks cool in her kimono and of course sounds awesome. Wagakki Band are amazing. I am familiar with some of their other stuff. This is a very interesting and welcome collaboration. Cheers Julia.
You have a beautiful soul. Thank you for another great review. You and Chase should totally joint review Wagakki band. Chase would have a field day discussing all the inter-harmonies and just amazing blend of 8 master musicians creating perfection, while you can point out all the very interesting things about Yukos singing choices.
Seeing Julia almost apologetic about wanting the growls (needing the growls) for a couple of minutes straight made me giddy with excitement. I'm a classically trained violinist (my hobby, actually an engineer) and grew up with Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, etc. only. A reaction to The Hu popped up in my feed and got me hooked on them and reaction videos. Then I discovered this amazing channel. I really appreciate the technical analysis Julia does and how not over-the-top she is in her reaction. Some other reactions are way too dramatised for my personal taste. Now Julia is my go-to for reaction videos and I've been exposed to so many different genres and musicians. I've especially enjoyed the focus on more out-there bands. I've also come to appreciate the growls and other extended techniques. Thanks for facilitating my journey by sharing yours. You're awesome.
I'm not sure if you've listened to any Tesseract yet, but I'd love to hear you breakdown their song Of Matter. Ashe O'hara's vocals on it are amazing and unlike almost anything I've heard in metal.
Tesseract are pretty underrated for being arguably the most important prog metal band of the decade.
Hello Julia-san from Tokyo!
Thanks a lot for your brilliant reaction and analysis as always.
I'm a big fan of Wagakki Band, your's too.
Well, Official Music Video of ''Evanescence - BringMe To Life'' has gotten over 1 billion views today on 2.2.2022, Wow!!!
Congratulations!!!!!
And may I recommend you here Yuko's beautiful vocals in ballad songs?
Overture+Okinotayuu (Albatross)
th-cam.com/video/qX9l1CHkWeA/w-d-xo.html
Yuko sang them on piano.
These were the opening numbers of Premium Symphonic Night Vol.2 as same concert of 'Bring Me To Life' you reacted.
English subtitles are available in this video.
WAGAKKI is definitely a great band to check out.🤘🤘
Evanescence released an album earlier this year is all I’m sayin‘ 😉
This is how I found wagakki band. I then tried the recommend on TH-cam of 'Homura' reactions. I then listened to a a few of there albums. So if you want to here more, I'd also say try Homura live. They introduce each section of band individually so it's very good😊
I am so pumped for this. This is the combination of two of my favorite bands with two of my fav favorite vocalists. 🤘😁🤘🤯
Thanks Julia. I'm so glad you finally got to Wagakki Band and that you actually liked them. I love this band. Every song I have seen (and I've seen a few) is amazing (except for the recent release, 'Starlight', which is a bit bland for WB compared to their other stuff, but it's a theme song for a TV show, so I guess they had restrictions). Their older stuff under their Avex label seems to have a lot of copyright restrictions, but more recent stuff from 2019 onwards, under their Universal label seems to have less, so the later live shows, where they still perform their more popular, older songs, like 'Senbonzakura', are safer. There is also a live version now of the 'Sakura Rising' single that Amy and WB recorded together.
'Sakura Rising' (Cherry Blossoms Rising) (Animated Music Video, Duet with Amy Lee from Evanescence):
th-cam.com/video/cyFskO6iB2E/w-d-xo.html
'Sakura Rising' (Cherry Blossoms Rising) (Live - 2021, Japan Tokyo Singing Tour. Duet with Amy Lee from Evanescence):
th-cam.com/video/9fZvg9DLcEM/w-d-xo.html .
My favourite song is 'Ignite' - rapid staccato rap vocals from Yuko and Machiya (lead guitar), with traditional and shigin style vocals from Yuko in the chorus, but it's not a great showcase of Yuko's vocals. The song was written by Machiya, and he apparently does most of their more rock-style songs, but their compositions and arrangements are done communally, with each member arranging their own parts. 'Synchronicity' is my next favourite - jazz / swing style duet with Yuko and Machiya, telling a story of a couple who are body swapped due to a lightning strike.
The shigin-style vocals are a traditional Japanese poetry recital style (in which Yuko has professional training) and the style is designed to cut through the more metallic sounds of the traditional instruments, like the koto and shamisen, as you observed.
'Ignite' (Yuko and Machiya on vocals and rap, Music Video):
th-cam.com/video/_uxpHq3inUA/w-d-xo.html
'Ignite' (Yuko and Machiya on vocals and rap, Live - 2020, Yokohama Arena, Manatsu no Dai Shinnenkai concert):
th-cam.com/video/M93OQkPTOXI/w-d-xo.html
'Synchronicity' (Music video - Full version) (longer story intro, so the video makes more sense - body swap):
th-cam.com/video/nwXtiTxtiHs/w-d-xo.html
'Synchronicity' (Live - 2020, Yokohama Arena, Manatsu no Dai Shinnenkai concert):
th-cam.com/video/UzYOb5KGGj8/w-d-xo.html
Yuko writes most of the ballads, so they tend to showcase her voice more. These are just a few:
'Okinotayuu' (Albatross) (Music video):
th-cam.com/video/WSUGASFlypY/w-d-xo.html
'Okinotayuu' (Albatross) (Live - 2020, Premium Symphonic Night Vol. 2 concert, with orchestra):
th-cam.com/video/dMK27ngwR_I/w-d-xo.html
‘Fuurin no Utautai’ (Sing the Wind Chimes Song) (Live - 2017, Heian Jingu):
th-cam.com/video/XbYWOsdAn2c/w-d-xo.html
'Sabaku no komoriuta' (Desert Lullaby) (Music Video):
th-cam.com/video/2tvW0V2wHS4/w-d-xo.html
'Sabaku no komoriuta' (Desert Lullaby) (Live - 2020, Premium Symphonic Night Vol. 2 concert, with orchestra):
th-cam.com/video/ynFg7-gqJqc/w-d-xo.html
'Izana' (Powerful Woman) (Live - 2020, Premium Symphonic Night Vol. 2 concert, with orchestra):
th-cam.com/video/_WD0hhmGrog/w-d-xo.html
'Izana' (Powerful Woman) (Live - 2020, Yokohama Arena, Manatsu no Dai Shinnenkai concert):
th-cam.com/video/mFCF74P4paU/w-d-xo.html
'Queen Of The Night' (Music Video):
th-cam.com/video/AoY5f979VtM/w-d-xo.html
More high energy tracks which show how Yuko can nail her shigin-style vocals whilst running around, dancing on stage with fans, parasols and swords (she is professionally trained in all of these as well):
‘Hangekai no Yaiba’ (Counterattack Sword) (Music Video, full version):
th-cam.com/video/OtgyLqEBoFI/w-d-xo.html
‘Hangekai no Yaiba’ (Counterattack Sword) (Live, 2017, Dai Shinnenkai, Sakura no Utake concert):
th-cam.com/video/zfRYOT9nqOc/w-d-xo.html
'Akatsuki no Ito' (Dawn's Thread) (Unofficial anthem, Music Video, with CGI dragon sounds):
th-cam.com/video/fcucbhJ-Orc/w-d-xo.html
'Akatsuki no Ito' (Dawn's Thread) (Unofficial anthem, Live - 2020, Yokohama Arena, Manatsu no Dai Shinnenkai concert):
th-cam.com/video/_oMJc8qi97c/w-d-xo.html
'Tengaku' (Music of the Heavens) (Vocaloid cover, Music video):
th-cam.com/video/Q2meWkWqc-I/w-d-xo.html
'Tengaku' (Music of the Heavens) (Vocaloid cover, Live - 2015, 1st Japan Tour, Hibiya Yagai Ongakudo concert):
th-cam.com/video/aQgzbaRJsxw/w-d-xo.html
'Senbonzakura' (Thousand Cherry Blossoms) (Vocaloid cover, Music Video):
th-cam.com/video/K_xTet06SUo/w-d-xo.html
'Senbonzakura' (Thousand Cherry Blossoms) (Vocaloid cover, Live - 2020, Yokohama Arena, Manatsu no Dai Shinnenkai concert):
th-cam.com/video/Xjwe9WyO8Qs/w-d-xo.html
'Senbonzakura' (Thousand Cherry Blossoms) (Vocaloid cover, Live - with Amy Lee from Evanescence, 2020, Premium Symphonic Night Vol. 2 concert, with orchestra):
th-cam.com/video/izYrlI2zqA8/w-d-xo.html
'Valkyrie' (Anime theme, Music video):
th-cam.com/video/81xOowkrs3E/w-d-xo.html
'Valkyrie' (Anime theme, Live - 2020, Yokohama Arena, Manatsu no Dai Shinnenkai concert):
th-cam.com/video/T7UtnSETgJY/w-d-xo.html
'Rokuchounen to Ichiya Monogatari' (A Tale of Six Trillion Years And A Night) (Vocaloid cover, Music Video):
th-cam.com/video/T4RHuXd5pMg/w-d-xo.html&start_radio=1
'Rokuchounen to Ichiya Monogatari' (A Tale of Six Trillion Years And A Night) (Vocaloid cover, Live - 2018, Dai Shinnenkai, Ashita e no Koukai concert):
th-cam.com/video/90QRPSZDzsA/w-d-xo.html
'Ikusa' (War / Battlefield) (Music video):
th-cam.com/video/Y5zj3dwNxJw/w-d-xo.html
'Ikusa' (War / Battlefield) (Live - 2020, Premium Symphonic Night Vol. 2 concert, with orchestra):
th-cam.com/video/oexJ335kGao/w-d-xo.html
There are so many more awesome songs, 'Strong Fate' is also very distinctive and has a great music video. 'Yoshiwara Lament' was written by their gender-fluid bassist Asa, who does a duet with Yuko, but has also performed it with other artists. Asa is apparently best at writing pop songs. A lot of people like 'Sunwheel', but it's very heavy on the instruments, so vocals don't shine.
'Strong Fate' (Music Video):
th-cam.com/video/UyuzfQkUlyY/w-d-xo.html
'Strong Fate' (Live - 2019, Japan 'React' Tour concert):
th-cam.com/video/6JCEeSV0fIQ/w-d-xo.html
'Yoshiwara Lament' (from a Vocaloid written by bassist, Asa, Live duet with Yuko - 2020, Premium Symphonic Night Vol. 2 concert, with orchestra):
th-cam.com/video/81vG0rX8QoQ/w-d-xo.html
'Yoshiwara Lament' (Live, Light-hearted acoustic duet with Yuko and Asa on TV show):
th-cam.com/video/2-cQRWdw8cs/w-d-xo.html
Just to finish, you also have to check out 'Noushou Sakuretsu Girl' (Brain Fluid Explosion Girl - yep, I'm sure), whether you do a reaction or not, just because it's insane and magnificent. (Yuko and Machiya on vocals and rap, Studio version, lyric video):
th-cam.com/video/QEPm2e3-tXA/w-d-xo.html
'Noushou Sakuretsu Girl' (Brain Fluid Explosion Girl) (Yuko and Machiya on vocals and rap, Live - 2015, 1st Japan Tour concert):
th-cam.com/video/G2_yDqKkWqw/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for another great reaction. I really enjoyed you detailed explanation of different singing techniques and eye for the deatil how all come together in the song
Wagakki band has many great performances, but many are acutally instrumentals, like Homura being one of their most famous. But since you focus mostly on singing I would recommend these two songs:
1. Tsuioku - th-cam.com/video/416Krbnbur8/w-d-xo.html - magical acoustic piece where the guitar player (Machiya) is the main vocal followed by Asa the bass player.
2. Sabaku no komoriuta - th-cam.com/video/ynFg7-gqJqc/w-d-xo.html - beautiful balad where Yuko has shown all her talent, capabilities and mastery of shigin style of singing.
In both cases be ready for goosebumps and some tears. Both pieces will take your to a magical place form another world and I hope you'll enjoy it 😉
For power ballads, please watch Izana, Sabaku no Komoriuta (Desert Lullaby) or Doppo. If you want something heavier, may I suggest Ignite, Strong Fate, Tengaku, Valkyrie, Haturabi, and the list goes on. This is really a one stop shop band. Their repertoire spans many genres, and their musicianship is masterful. On top of that, they have a very cool vibe on stage, and look awesome!
Wow. It's 85 F (29.4 C) in my house and I have chills. It may not be fair to compare the almost 2 decades old original to this performance, but this just might be better. Thank you for introducing me to yet another band that I need to hear more of.
Wagakki band Senbonzakura or Strong fate , you will be blown away
Always enjoy duets with Amy Lee because not only is her voice amazing, obviously, but she knows how to work with other singers really well. I know she's been doing it for a long time but sometimes it seems like some singers have a hard time letting the other person's voice shine over theirs. I've noticed Amy seems to be really good at trading off the baton, so to speak, and giving the spotlight over while matching her duet partner.
It’s literally IMPOSSIBLE to mistake Amy’s voice for any other … and vice versa. Amy is on a whole other level! One of the most beautiful voices in any genre of music. Allison Krause is another.
Definitely react to more of Wagakki. It's amazing
The style Yuko uses if I am not mistaken is called Enka. Mizuki Nana (voice of Hinata Hyuga from Naruto) also uses this singing style in her songs.
Nice shout! I’m a fan of Nana Mizuki’s music, i think a good chunk really have a similar style like Wagakki Band.
Man your reactions are Gold ! Thanks again 😀
Bare in mind, that Japaneese mixers (engineers) tend to "leave behind" bass Frequencies, their music is always leaning to mid and high frequencies . Usually records for their market is mixed extra. Is their sound perception, thats why i think growls werent so much in the mix.
That’s actually so interesting. I wasn’t aware of that. I found it a little off that his killer belt came through so clear but the growls were lost but that would certainly help explain some of it :)
In a word that mere mortal would understand. Be it recording or audio products, 99% that's coming from Japan sounds really bright with little to no low end.
Whoever is mixing Band Maid is getting it right, though.
"Queen of the Night" is a good place to start getting a feel for Yuko's vocals, apart from just being a beautiful song in its own right - th-cam.com/video/qsewsLfZ6qg/w-d-xo.html
Just for clarity, this link isn't Mozart.
Yuko Suzuhana is a master of Shigin. Shigin is a performing art that began in Japan about 200 years ago, in which Japanese poems and Chinese poetry are recited in Japanese, with a unique melody added to express the poetic sentiment. Shigin(also Enka and Min'yō) singers often use "kobushi" (a technique of expression similar to melisma, in which a vibrato moves up and down within a semitone range in a regular and continuous manner, whereas a kobushi moves up and down on the scale for a moment without any regularity) in their singing.
Good and genuine reaction.
And the reactor has beautiful eyes. And hair. And voice.
Thanks.
I've known Wagakki Band for about four years and they're brilliant. But I didn't know they'd made this version of such a nostalgic song... with the original singer herself. I'm impressed
Next step: react to another Japanese band called Lovebites. I can't say which of the five members I like the most, they're all awesome. To begin with them, you should check one of their latest songs, "Glory To The World"
Love your channel. Great breakdown and pointing out special moments people miss. And by the way you are gorgeous! 🔥🔥🔥🙏☘️
You should DEFINITELY check out WagakkiBand originals - Yuko is a shigin (where that wacky vibrato comes from) singer, and she is pretty amazing.
This Thumbnail is totally me after trying my friends "new cocktail creation"
OK then... let the Alchemist of Coral Capers help you out.
1-1/2 shots of gin, you can substitute with vodka. 1-1/2 shots of cherry grenadine. Fill the rest of the 1 cup glass with ginger ale. Add 2 cherries. Squeeze and add 3 slices of a blood orange, you can substitute with any orange but use less slices if it is a larger fruit. If you have a waterproof light up ice cube, set it to red and throw it in.
My friend is getting married and I am making a drink list for their Star Wars themed wedding. I call it the Sith Holocron and it is based off of a Shirley Temple. I normally call it a Squirrelly Temple.
@@nickwest932 that sounds delicious. I will try it or at least, give it to my bartender buddy 😅 but I really thought it would be named like "suprised Julia" or " venomous Voiceteacher"
Yuko is a top Japanese poetry singer (Shigin). She's taken that ability and masterfully incorporated it into all her other musical endeavors.
React to more Amy Lee performances
和楽器バンドは世界唯一無二で、ゆう子ちゃんの声の伸びは半端なく癒しの声。
I have always Loved this Song and Amy's Epic Voice. This Version is far more INTENSE than the Original Version!!!!! The Band is Great too.
F your goose bumps - I have water in my eyes!
Honestly, thank you for showing that awesome expirience.
I had the pleasure of seeing Amy Lee and Evanescence live back in 2007 during Download Festival. I wish I remembered more, but I love her regardless of my memory. I saw this version with Wgakki a little while back and really liked it. Great song, great rendition, and Amy is still rocking on strong!
This a epic combination of talent!
This was the best reaction by far I have seen. Some people have called themselves a vocal coach but you were the best. Several reactors to the video have talked about the male vocals and have said the same thing you did which was great that was the microphone turned down or was he not powerful. I think being Japanese and they performed with Amy in LA where she was the headliner they probably focused on her. At times I think Yuko deferred to her in the sense she was a guest and a celebrity so she lays back a little. Yuko did a live performance with the Tokyo University orchestra last year and sitting down sang several songs. Her best vocals were "Threads of Dawn" and "Like a bird". It might be something you may want to check our for yourself but are not that popular so they would not be great for a reaction. They have some videos which are quite elaborate such as "Queen of the Night" and "Sebonzukara". Those would be better reactions. "Homura" is a video that has the most reactions but the first song is instrumental and the second is vocal but the 8 minute video has a great mix of the instruments.
This was Wagakki Band Premium Symphonic Night 2 at Osaka-Jo Hall in Japan. I agree Yuko is deferring quite a bit but it's to be polite to their guest.
How did I not know this existed?! I'm a big Amy Lee and Evanescence fan, but I have never heard of Wagakki Band, and this blending is simply astounding! Thank you Julia!!
I have read that Amy Lee’s first live performance may have been singing a Meatloaf song, possibly “I Would Do Anything For Love” at some type of camp when she was a youth. When I read that I thought, it was only a hint of things to come.
I would love see you breakdown either Manners or About Us from Band-Maid!
Manners is my favourite
@@craigcolduck2077 When I first heard Manners I was blown away with how good Saiki's vocals are in that song!
Such a good cover.
Yuko has professionally trained on japanese traditional Shigin singing, so she is very good on vibrato
try more songs from Wagakki band, they are fun to listen to
Julia, I'd really like to see you react to the German "a cappella" metal band, Van Canto! I put quote markers on a cappella because technically they have a drummer playing on drums rather than having a beatboxer. They ultimately went with real drums because they couldn't find any beatboxer with the necessary stamina required for metal drumming. I think the band even said that a few beatboxers came close to "passing out" during their auditions. Anyway, they recently released an album last month, and they're sounding better than ever. I recommend reacting to their recent song, "Faith Focus Finish." It's definitely one of my favorite songs on the album (To the Power of Eight).
And on that same album they have a very well done cover of Iron Maiden's "Run to the Hills." I especially like the cover because they take a fast tempo and the precision of the singers on the guitar parts blows my mind each second I hear them. Alas, there is no music video for "Run to the Hills," so "Faith Focus Finish" would be the more reaction-friendly song to cover and analyze.
Cheers!
So many memories from that time... Even 18 years later, the song hasn't lost any of its 'charm'. And with this arrangement, the boys and girls of WB have given this song what I consider a really beautiful version of it.
【 'Our rock never dies ever. Forever!' - Band-Maid 】🕊️
You should definitely check out Between Sea and Sky by Kardashev! Great progressive death metal with beautiful clean vocals and extremely brutal distorted screams and growls! The vocalist is also a vocal coach for extreme vocals and has a TH-cam channel about explaining the techniques behind it all! I'd love to see your reaction on that song!
Now that you have already know Wagakki Band, how about you react to Homura + Akatsuki no Ito..?
I think we didn't get much of a growl since Machi (the guitarist/male vocalist) isn't a growler.
That said, he is actually a great singer. They have some live performances wherein he leads the vocals. You might like him better once you see those. 😊
yes please more reviews on evanescence, I love your intro and bubly personality
Im so excited for this! ☺️
I think this is one of the best versions of this song out there. Wagakki Band also did a song with Amy called Sakura Rising which is pretty good. If you haven't already, you should check out Amy Lee and Lindsay Stirling 'Wasted on You'. The original band recording is amazing, but the strings version with Lindsay has so much more emotion.
Woah, gotta agree with you, love that nostalgia hit combined with the fresh arrangement. Lovely!!
May I make a suggestion for something to react to? A favourite band of mine is Poets of the Fall, they have a very cool rock vibe, lovely lyrics, and the singer Marko had a warm voice. Sounds like a hug or something. A good song to start with is Carnival of Rust (Live in Moscow)
Cheers!
There's a TH-cam video on the making of this worth a look.
Love the Wagakki band, try reacting to Homura.