Fat chance of that happening here when one company owns 70% of all the radio stations and controls what is played and when and they're not known for playing overseas bands.
This heavy groove with thick guitar riffs it's also a tradition in Band Maid's music. Songs like FATE, Dragon Cries, Order, Before Yesterday or the great FREEZER. For me Chemical Reaction is one of these Heavy Great One contender.
Because it's BandMaid, it's easy to expect them to do something crazy and impressive on each song, but I actually like that they also put up songs like this where the primary purpose is to just turn it up and headbang for a couple minutes.
At the end of each chorus, Queen Saiki gives an order - You have no choice. Serve me. Love me. Give me more. You have no choice. Serve me. Love me. Give me all the time. You have no choice. Serve me. Love me. Give me all.
I harbor a suspicion that one reason Band-Maid hasn't blown up in Western counties the way we feel like they should is that they're often _just too good_ for the casual listener who needs simplicity and repetition to "find a way in" to a song. Champ makes a good point that this track could be a good entry point for those people.
I disagree. I think it all comes down to the type of sound, not the complexity. Nowadays rock is not as popular as it once used to be. Take for example Jacob Collier. He’s a jazz composer and does a ton of crazy complex music, many times involving layering and microtonal modulation. Yet he has 1.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify because he does a fair amount of pop music. Now, obviously it’s not fair to compare a British artist with a Japanese band, but my point is that ‘complexity’ doesn’t play as huge of a role as people think, because you can be as complex as you can and sound very catchy, or you could be both complex and not as listenable. Finally, Band-Maid does include consistent repetition in their songs, for example, you could even say that a rule of thumb for them is to repeat the chorus three times in every song (beginning, middle, and end). Of course, that’s not a bad thing at all, because it actually anchors the listeners down and gives them a feeling of familiarity with the song, since they usually change up the verses and add bridges and extra sections throughout each song
Love this song. Will be great in venues. Kanami is right there , in my favorite guitarists of all time. Her writing is so good. But i love this riff. I love the more basic approach.
While this is easily the "simplest" song on the album, overall its a great track. I love it. It appeals to the old school rocker in me. Its got great 80s glam/hair metal tones to it and Akane's driving beat is *chef's kiss*, especially that little bass drum/snare roll she does to accent the chorus and call. This song just makes me smile and release my inner hair metal rocker. I find myself just air drumming along to this. This song will SLAY live. You can clearly hear it was written with a live audience in mind. So bummed about Budokan, I had tickets and this song would have brought the house down from an audience participation perspective.
This might be that kind of song. I didn’t like endless story much initially but I almost teared up watching the finale of the shibuya concert. Some songs are meant to be appreciated live. It was the same for the dragon cries.
I am not a new Band-Maid fan, but I think this one is my favorite (so far), precisely because it is a more traditional straight-up (radio-friendly) rock song. I do enjoy the dynamics of what they usually do, but this is my favorite because of that guitar tone. That's just a very pleasing sound to me. But what hooked me is during the lead solo, MISA was also doing a bass solo at the same time. And I could hear both of them equally. That was really cool.
This is the calm before the storm.. The following 3 tracks gonna hit like a wrecking balls! Can't wait for your reaction and breakdown on those and also the newly released Warning MV!
I love it. In the context of the album, it's a break in the energy (it could have been a ballad but it's not, and I like that a lot). Also as has been said...that "hey hey hey" segment of the song is going to get massive audience participation.
I believe this song was actually written mainly by Misa. I mean she writes the bass lines for everything after their first album, but I think she wrote everything for Chemical Reaction except the solo and maybe lyrics.
Keeping up the tradition for this album... we’ve once again got people saying “this is my favourite song in the album” at the same time others are saying “this is my least favourite song on the album”, just like for every other track.
True. I listened to Unseen World on my way to work and Chemicaal Reaction was on LOUD as I drove into the parking lot. Probably my fav of the tracks. But I do agree, it's a song to get other people to listen to the band.
One thing they all said is the love to get the crowd involved is their shows and this song will get the audience up and stomping and singing along. It will for sure be crowd pleaser and they will probably expand this song with solos.
Somebody was complaining about their "who-whoa" audience sing-along parts, and I was thinking, Yeah, but those brief parts simple enough for 1000 non-musicians to join in on are literally 85-95% of every song by a lot of other, bigger groups. It's kinda gross, really, as if the way to get really popular is to sell the idea, "Yes, high-schooler with zero sense of rhythm let alone pitch, you too should be a big star just like me." It would explain a lot of the psychotically overconfident auditioners on American Idol, etc.
Been listening to Band Maid for over a year now. And although I love everything that they do, I still gravitate to these songs. Manners and Chemical Reaction are not as technical or energetic, but the groove is downright nasty. Amazing how well they have come to know their fans. Also some very 70s groove rock feel.
Just watched the Limited Edition DVD/BR ( Like 10 times)of them playing instrumentals of No God, Giovanni, After Life and their new instrumental Without Holding Back ! Makes you realize even more how good they are ! Misa is into it on No God ! Without Holding Back is the new Onset with Kanami do some tapping ! The people at their first live concert after Covid are in for a real treat !!
I really like this song. It's not meant to be the fastest or melt your face off heavy. It's a perfect way to hook non-hardcore Band-Maid fans in. Saiki's vocals are really good in this. Chemical Reaction is one of the songs just made to play live. I also liked Kanami's riffs and Solo. Akane using the cowbell gave me some Queens of the Stone Age vibes.
If there is any song that is guaranteed to make me increase the volume, it's this one. Soooo chunky. Kanami has that right hand muting down to an art. Slam it down, release at exactly the right time, just powerful, percussive and awesome. And the way Saiki pronounces "reaction" is adorable. I love it when they do songs like this to add variety. I don't think I could take an entire album of total chaos songs. This song is like when they do a drop in the middle of a song. It makes the rest just that much more intense.
20years from now, 73yr old Will Ferrell will be playing the cowbell again for this song on SNL. Christopher Walken in a wheelchair yelling " This song needs more cowbell!!!!"
By their standarts it's a "simple rock song" indeed. Still, as you mentionned, there's a lot of smart transitions and lovely musical details - "smart" because they don't interfere with the song's huge efficiency. Masters in their art. Will be killer on stage.
Yeah, that´s the most "settled" song on this album... I like it, it´s nothing extraordinary or over the top, but just ROCKSOLID and a nice flow to it... Can´t wait for your reaction for the last song: Black Hole! That´s gonna be a FUN one
@@LiloDemon I saw the maid bands in concert a year ago, I was in the front row in front of the stage and I have to say it really looked like Akane wanted to destroy the drums or do some kind of survival test of the instrument.😆😆😆😆
The guitar Solo Saves the Song for me i really like it. Its chaotic like a small guitar Tornado. Maybe The Champ is right and the Song is supposed to be a breather. But never judge a Band Maid Song after the first listen. I mean i didnt like Daydreaming after the first listen and now its among my Top 10 Band Maid Song of all the Songs i know.
This was the song that I thought would not appeal to me at all after the preview trailer. But as a whole and not just a few seconds of it, just like you say, a solid rock song where Saiki's voice and way of singing can shine a bit more. I like it more than i first thought.
Misa stated in a recent interview that this is the only song she is using hers fingers and no pick. Ultimately, the goal she said, "I want everyone's fists to be fast (pumping)." Misa alluded that It's a pure Kanami arrangement.
I really like this song just for it's catchy groovyness. Some great riffs just let you vibe with it. With how energetic the rest of the album is this is a fantastic chill out song or just something to relax to.
Lot of opinions on this song and I'll throw in my 2 cents, i love this song. This and honkai are probably my favorite guitar solos on the whole album too. But yea, while this songs kinda simple, i have a thing for the very early 2000s rock feel that this song brings. Plus whenever they make these pure rock songs, it reminds me a lot of their older album "brand new maid" thats just pure rock. Personally i love this style out of them
MISA wrote a demo riff and the song was then composed and arranged by Kanami. Seems MISA is slowly getting her feet wet with more songwriting other than her bass parts.
ARIGATO for the nice reaction. I always enjoyed your reactions. Especially japanese bands. Recently "ANIME METAL" is very popular in japan. The typical band is "RAISE A SUILEN"(RAS). RAS is all female bands and so talented. RAS has many fans in japan, but unknown in the world. RAS played at the famous and huge place "BUDOKAN". Their sound looks like BABYMETAL and GACHARIC SPIN(DOLLS BOXX). RAYCHELL(vocal, bass 171cm ), NATSUME(drums 172cm ), RIKO(guitar 156cm ), REO(keyboard 152cm ), and RISA(DJ 162cm ) are the member. RAYCHELL is pure japanese woman. Her old stage name is RAY. Because she likes RAY CHARLES. RAYCHELL and NATSUME of the rhythm section are so powerful and so beautiful. RAS was born from "BANG DREAM ! ". This is the mix media project based on the same title anime. After the debut, The anime character movie of RAS was produced. Please react the next songs of "RAISE A SUILEN". "A DELCLARATION OF XXX"(LIVE), "EXPOSE BURN OUT"(LIVE), R.I.O.T(anime version)
Mine also, the way it just pulls you in at the start and then proceeds to "chug" you into a almost hypnotic trance. Very simple basics but with the Band-Maid flourishes and fills that make it shine.
This new album is selling really well in Japan, FINALLY! imo If world domination requires too much compromise and commercialisation, I think band-maid might get a bit boring in the end. I would personally want them to pursue their own style of music.
That opening riff sucks all the oxygen out of the room and fill every inch of space available. It's ridiculous how full that riff is. You know you love that cow bell too. ;)
Still think it reminds me of ZZ top in the 80s. - But since I wasn't that much into them, this sounds so-much better. Nice rocker for speeding along in the car with the top down.... evn if its a hard-top and -6 degrees outside! Really catchy after 3-4 times. Nice break to the overall album.
The thing is Chemical Reaction is very much that palate cleanser. A rocky poppy commercial fun song that will stand out from the hardness of the much of the rest of what it a great album. Loving the reactions.
I don't think Chemical Reaction is the best song in the album, but still catchy af so I still like it. Can't wait for the Giovanni reaction though, definitely one of my favorites. Great video as always!
Thanks for keeping them coming! Btw are you going to try to get your hands on the 2 other tracks on the album that only come with separate physical copies? They are “Youth” and another killer instrumental “Without Holding Back”.
Tame version of Band Maid that is a a perfect description of this Song it could ve fit on their like 2 nd or 3 rd Album. Its just weird when all the other Songs so far blew you away.
I'm with you on your comments about it Champ. The song's pretty standard and sounds more like something anyone could do compared to everything else on the album. It's a very good song, but it's on the bottom of my list for songs off this album. But hey, being the lowest on a list of masterpiece music is no slouch.
Best stomper I've heard from them since Fate. Just from my point of view if this song had come out in the early seventies it would have been the biggest song on the planet. I can see drinking a bottle of tequila and catching this somewhere. Sorry, it was a much more fun and relaxed time.
Somehow I missed this reaction…hmmm…perhaps I heard untrue things 😂. Well, yes, it’s mostly a straightforward rock song but damn does Band-Maid do straightforward as good or better than anyone! Like the perfection of Manners, Chemical Reaction is a great track to have as a bit of a breather in the utter madness that are many of the Unseen World songs. Pure 🔥 🤘🏼🎶🎸🤷🏻♂️😀✌🏼
Great reaction as usual, Champ. Since you are a musician I'm sure you will be blown away by a less known instrumental Band-Maid song 'without holding back'. The musicianship that they show here is absolutely ridiculous. If you do you should definately look for the official video (bit hard to find). There are some cellphone vids but they are of poor quality. Keep up the good work!
I'm glad you do these close analyses of the songs.. it makes me listen closer to them. Those pinched harmonics dives through the pre-chorus are sweet colours. Am I the only one who giggles at them pulling something out of the bag as soon as you say you have some mixed feelings about a song?
Maybe this song will get the FREEDOM treatment with extended bridge/solos for live shows. FREEDOM is a pretty mediocre album song by Band-Maid standards, but seems to be a staple in their live set list that everyone loves. Both songs give the band a break from the intensity where they can interact with one another, but keep the crowd engaged with a catchy easy to follow beat for some "hey hey"' chants. That the least impressive song on the album is still a head nodding rocker with a good solo speaks to how great Unseen World is. Every member of the band pushed past their limits in some way.
Chemical Reaction is not my favorite on UW either, but I never skip over it because 1) it does have some cool and interesting things going on in it; and 2) it's a solid track that gives you time to just rock out between the fast and dense songs. Edit: about CR, MISA said "I want to see everyone's fists up in the air." (trans. /u/nair0n/)
I have to disagree with you Champ. I've been listening to Band-Maid for a long time. I am 68 years old. My parents exposed me to all types of music while I was growing up. No, this song doesn't jump between genres like a lot of their songs do, but Kanami has masterfully blended the great song writing and arrangements of the 60's, with a bit of the Indian influences of the late 60's, with the psychedelia of the 70's, and the hard rock of the 80's, into one masterpiece of a song. I listen to Chemical Reaction at least 3 times a day if not more. MISA's bass line during Kanami;s solo is amazing. And the cow bell that Kanami insisted on using really adds another element to the song. This song brings back a lot of great memories of my youth
I’ll be honest, this was at the bottom of my list when I first listened to the album and now that I’ve lost count of the times I went through it again, this track still hasn’t moved up yet. It isn’t bad though, just a bit bland compared to the rest. A 7/10 in my books.
Hey Champ. Guess which Band-Maid music video just reached 200,000 views? That's right - this one - Chemical Reaction. You should listen to it again. You might finally hear what so many others have heard. No really, it's a great song.
Yeah, I LIKE THIS ONE! Well, I like 'em ALL, but this one has some extra "grab" to it. There was an early intimation of a searing lead tone that didn't carry through. I thought that was weird...and rather unfortunate, 'cause it would have worked great.
I'm surprised at how much love this song has gotten from fans, with a lot of comments saying they hope this gets a MV. IMO it's the weakest track on the album. It has a plodding beat where nothing exciting is really happening. BUT I still think it's a fine song. The weakest track on a BAND-MAID album is still a good track.
Call me crazy, but I'm getting some serious Type O Negative vibes from this song, especially Life is Killing Me era. Kinda strange considering the chances of Kanami hearing of Type O let alone influencing her writing are pretty slim.
This is my least favourite track on the album, which isn't saying a lot as it's probably my favour BM album, but it took me several plays to figure out what I don't like about it. I love the thing for the first minute. As Champ says, it's a great "thick" rock and roll song. But then the song title comes in. "Chemical Reaction". Then the words KEEP popping up and hooking in my brain and I forget all the other stuff in the track. Then hours later the thing earworms me and I'm singing or humming "Chemical Reaction" to myself over and over. But that's it, the only thing i don't like about it turns out to be the words of the title. If Saiki had sung whatever "Chemical Reaction" is in Japanese I'd be happy. Nuts I know but there you go.
Yeah this is prob my least favorite song on the album. Its catchy and I can have it playing in the background but im not really going to go out of my way to listen to it like every other song on the album. I still think manners would be a better introduction to this band over this song.
MISA made one chorus and sent to KANAMI. And KANAMI arranged it and made a full song.
Listen ppl. We need to get this song playing on the radio. World domination!
Fat chance of that happening here when one company owns 70% of all the radio stations and controls what is played and when and they're not known for playing overseas bands.
Totta haastelet Olli 👍
This heavy groove with thick guitar riffs it's also a tradition in Band Maid's music. Songs like FATE, Dragon Cries, Order, Before Yesterday or the great FREEZER. For me Chemical Reaction is one of these Heavy Great One contender.
Because it's BandMaid, it's easy to expect them to do something crazy and impressive on each song, but I actually like that they also put up songs like this where the primary purpose is to just turn it up and headbang for a couple minutes.
At the end of each chorus, Queen Saiki gives an order -
You have no choice. Serve me. Love me. Give me more.
You have no choice. Serve me. Love me. Give me all the time.
You have no choice. Serve me. Love me. Give me all.
I harbor a suspicion that one reason Band-Maid hasn't blown up in Western counties the way we feel like they should is that they're often _just too good_ for the casual listener who needs simplicity and repetition to "find a way in" to a song. Champ makes a good point that this track could be a good entry point for those people.
exactly what I though all this time. they should writing more song like this one if they want to be more popular than where they are right now
Wouldn't Thrill be it though? That was what hooked me in...
I disagree. I think it all comes down to the type of sound, not the complexity. Nowadays rock is not as popular as it once used to be.
Take for example Jacob Collier. He’s a jazz composer and does a ton of crazy complex music, many times involving layering and microtonal modulation. Yet he has 1.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify because he does a fair amount of pop music. Now, obviously it’s not fair to compare a British artist with a Japanese band, but my point is that ‘complexity’ doesn’t play as huge of a role as people think, because you can be as complex as you can and sound very catchy, or you could be both complex and not as listenable. Finally, Band-Maid does include consistent repetition in their songs, for example, you could even say that a rule of thumb for them is to repeat the chorus three times in every song (beginning, middle, and end). Of course, that’s not a bad thing at all, because it actually anchors the listeners down and gives them a feeling of familiarity with the song, since they usually change up the verses and add bridges and extra sections throughout each song
@@lonewolfnomadic3403 They should just do whatever they want.
But isn’t BAND MAID more popular in western countries than in Japan, ect ?
I think they’re doing just fine !
This song makes it into my top 3 on the album purely because it has cowbell. I don't regret my reasoning.
Kanami is the quietest of the maids. But put a guitar in her hands & she makes that PRS scream :)
She's actually the most opinionated, she just talks with her music. And those giggly claps she does in the interviews. Much like yourself, Gary. :-)
@@crabuki1273 Heeeey! How did you know about my giggly clapping?
💯🤙🏼 🙊 🎸🤲 🎢🔊🎶🎵🎶
@Gary Holloway A solid Song to bang your Head.. And i get a little bit of - Saicigasm..
@@tasminoben686 And you'd be right Ben :)
Love this song. Will be great in venues. Kanami is right there , in my favorite guitarists of all time. Her writing is so good. But i love this riff. I love the more basic approach.
This is a song I want to hear live really bad. I feel like the crowd singing along with this is going to have so much energy.
While this is easily the "simplest" song on the album, overall its a great track. I love it. It appeals to the old school rocker in me. Its got great 80s glam/hair metal tones to it and Akane's driving beat is *chef's kiss*, especially that little bass drum/snare roll she does to accent the chorus and call. This song just makes me smile and release my inner hair metal rocker. I find myself just air drumming along to this.
This song will SLAY live. You can clearly hear it was written with a live audience in mind. So bummed about Budokan, I had tickets and this song would have brought the house down from an audience participation perspective.
I think this is for the 'thrill' fans out there. Feels like a successor to that one.
Champ, I want to be in a stadium with 70,000 Maidiacs listening and singing this Band- Maid's anthem, that's it.
I think you're right. While this song isn't the best on the album I imagine the stadium playing of it would be insane.
This might be that kind of song. I didn’t like endless story much initially but I almost teared up watching the finale of the shibuya concert.
Some songs are meant to be appreciated live. It was the same for the dragon cries.
@@darkchiron maybe not the best or heaviest, but easily the catchiest
"Break a new fan in." Yes. I was thinking this is the song they send to the radio stations to play from the new album.
I am not a new Band-Maid fan, but I think this one is my favorite (so far), precisely because it is a more traditional straight-up (radio-friendly) rock song. I do enjoy the dynamics of what they usually do, but this is my favorite because of that guitar tone. That's just a very pleasing sound to me. But what hooked me is during the lead solo, MISA was also doing a bass solo at the same time. And I could hear both of them equally. That was really cool.
This is the calm before the storm.. The following 3 tracks gonna hit like a wrecking balls! Can't wait for your reaction and breakdown on those and also the newly released Warning MV!
This song is catchy. I like it.
I have the feeling that this song is going to be great live.
A+
One of the best things about Band-Maid is variety. But, even when they are simple, they are better than anybody else.
One of my favourites... love the older rock style and very catchy.
I love it. In the context of the album, it's a break in the energy (it could have been a ballad but it's not, and I like that a lot). Also as has been said...that "hey hey hey" segment of the song is going to get massive audience participation.
Pure arena rock. This is gonna play great live in a post-COVID world.
Kanami: "Sai-chan, I've got brand new riffs! Which one do you prefer?
Saiki: "Haï"
I believe this song was actually written mainly by Misa. I mean she writes the bass lines for everything after their first album, but I think she wrote everything for Chemical Reaction except the solo and maybe lyrics.
Including the drums.
I might be completely wrong about this, I don't remember where I read it.
Keeping up the tradition for this album... we’ve once again got people saying “this is my favourite song in the album” at the same time others are saying “this is my least favourite song on the album”, just like for every other track.
Honestly, in my opinion, that is a great testament to their song crafting skills. Writing songs that everyone agrees on is boring. :)
True. I listened to Unseen World on my way to work and Chemicaal Reaction was on LOUD as I drove into the parking lot. Probably my fav of the tracks. But I do agree, it's a song to get other people to listen to the band.
One thing they all said is the love to get the crowd involved is their shows and this song will get the audience up and stomping and singing along. It will for sure be crowd pleaser and they will probably expand this song with solos.
Somebody was complaining about their "who-whoa" audience sing-along parts, and I was thinking, Yeah, but those brief parts simple enough for 1000 non-musicians to join in on are literally 85-95% of every song by a lot of other, bigger groups.
It's kinda gross, really, as if the way to get really popular is to sell the idea, "Yes, high-schooler with zero sense of rhythm let alone pitch, you too should be a big star just like me." It would explain a lot of the psychotically overconfident auditioners on American Idol, etc.
Been listening to Band Maid for over a year now. And although I love everything that they do, I still gravitate to these songs. Manners and Chemical Reaction are not as technical or energetic, but the groove is downright nasty. Amazing how well they have come to know their fans. Also some very 70s groove rock feel.
Just watched the Limited Edition DVD/BR ( Like 10 times)of them playing instrumentals of No God, Giovanni, After Life and their new instrumental Without Holding Back ! Makes you realize even more how good they are ! Misa is into it on No God ! Without Holding Back is the new Onset with Kanami do some tapping ! The people at their first live concert after Covid are in for a real treat !!
I really like this song. It's not meant to be the fastest or melt your face off heavy. It's a perfect way to hook non-hardcore Band-Maid fans in. Saiki's vocals are really good in this. Chemical Reaction is one of the songs just made to play live.
I also liked Kanami's riffs and Solo. Akane using the cowbell gave me some Queens of the Stone Age vibes.
If there is any song that is guaranteed to make me increase the volume, it's this one. Soooo chunky. Kanami has that right hand muting down to an art. Slam it down, release at exactly the right time, just powerful, percussive and awesome. And the way Saiki pronounces "reaction" is adorable. I love it when they do songs like this to add variety. I don't think I could take an entire album of total chaos songs. This song is like when they do a drop in the middle of a song. It makes the rest just that much more intense.
Cowbell 🔔🔔🔔🔔
Somebody had a fever. And it wasn't covid.
20years from now, 73yr old Will Ferrell will be playing the cowbell again for this song on SNL. Christopher Walken in a wheelchair yelling " This song needs more cowbell!!!!"
By their standarts it's a "simple rock song" indeed. Still, as you mentionned, there's a lot of smart transitions and lovely musical details - "smart" because they don't interfere with the song's huge efficiency. Masters in their art. Will be killer on stage.
Yeah, that´s the most "settled" song on this album... I like it, it´s nothing extraordinary or over the top, but just ROCKSOLID and a nice flow to it...
Can´t wait for your reaction for the last song: Black Hole! That´s gonna be a FUN one
Me too. He is gonna feel sorry for Akane's drum kit hehehe.
@@LiloDemon I saw the maid bands in concert a year ago, I was in the front row in front of the stage and I have to say it really looked like Akane wanted to destroy the drums or do some kind of survival test of the instrument.😆😆😆😆
The guitar Solo Saves the Song for me i really like it. Its chaotic like a small guitar Tornado. Maybe The Champ is right and the Song is supposed to be a breather.
But never judge a Band Maid Song after the first listen. I mean i didnt like Daydreaming after the first listen and now its among my Top 10 Band Maid Song of all the Songs i know.
This was the song that I thought would not appeal to me at all after the preview trailer. But as a whole and not just a few seconds of it, just like you say, a solid rock song where Saiki's voice and way of singing can shine a bit more. I like it more than i first thought.
My only disappointment with this song is that there wasn't enough Cowbell lol
Needs more cowbell.
Misa stated in a recent interview that this is the only song she is using hers fingers and no pick. Ultimately, the goal she said, "I want everyone's fists to be fast (pumping)." Misa alluded that It's a pure Kanami arrangement.
I really like this song just for it's catchy groovyness. Some great riffs just let you vibe with it. With how energetic the rest of the album is this is a fantastic chill out song or just something to relax to.
Lot of opinions on this song and I'll throw in my 2 cents, i love this song. This and honkai are probably my favorite guitar solos on the whole album too. But yea, while this songs kinda simple, i have a thing for the very early 2000s rock feel that this song brings. Plus whenever they make these pure rock songs, it reminds me a lot of their older album "brand new maid" thats just pure rock. Personally i love this style out of them
MISA wrote a demo riff and the song was then composed and arranged by Kanami. Seems MISA is slowly getting her feet wet with more songwriting other than her bass parts.
Something to always keep in mind, Band-Maid has a tendency to take a song that is "ok" on the alum and knock it out of the park live.
A song for the North American sensibility: Simple and Catchy but with a little flavouring.
My favorite parts are the pre-chorus parts with Saiki
And MISA working magic.
New Band Maid video is out! =D
MISA MISA MISA! the Cowbell Dude the Cowbell it's all about the Cowbell, no seriously Love this probably for it's simplicity Cowbell
Sounds like stadium rock. Thought I wouldn’t really listen to it much, but that damn cowbell is addicting
ARIGATO for the nice reaction. I always enjoyed your reactions. Especially japanese bands.
Recently "ANIME METAL" is very popular in japan. The typical band is "RAISE A SUILEN"(RAS).
RAS is all female bands and so talented. RAS has many fans in japan, but unknown in the world.
RAS played at the famous and huge place "BUDOKAN".
Their sound looks like BABYMETAL and GACHARIC SPIN(DOLLS BOXX).
RAYCHELL(vocal, bass 171cm ), NATSUME(drums 172cm ), RIKO(guitar 156cm ), REO(keyboard 152cm ), and RISA(DJ 162cm ) are the member.
RAYCHELL is pure japanese woman. Her old stage name is RAY. Because she likes RAY CHARLES.
RAYCHELL and NATSUME of the rhythm section are so powerful and so beautiful.
RAS was born from "BANG DREAM ! ". This is the mix media project based on the same title anime.
After the debut, The anime character movie of RAS was produced.
Please react the next songs of "RAISE A SUILEN".
"A DELCLARATION OF XXX"(LIVE), "EXPOSE BURN OUT"(LIVE), R.I.O.T(anime version)
I think live this will be a killer sing along song.
So far my favorite from this album.
Another banger! Imaging the people on the "servings".
My favorite from the album ^^/
Mine also, the way it just pulls you in at the start and then proceeds to "chug" you into a almost hypnotic trance. Very simple basics but with the Band-Maid flourishes and fills that make it shine.
Think of this at concert, the crowd throwing their fists up and screaming along with all their might.
This new album is selling really well in Japan, FINALLY!
imo If world domination requires too much compromise and commercialisation, I think band-maid might get a bit boring in the end.
I would personally want them to pursue their own style of music.
That opening riff sucks all the oxygen out of the room and fill every inch of space available. It's ridiculous how full that riff is. You know you love that cow bell too. ;)
Great old-style rock song, with Band-Maid "touch"👍👍👍👍😎😎😎👍👍👍👍
Still think it reminds me of ZZ top in the 80s. - But since I wasn't that much into them, this sounds so-much better. Nice rocker for speeding along in the car with the top down.... evn if its a hard-top and -6 degrees outside! Really catchy after 3-4 times. Nice break to the overall album.
The thing is Chemical Reaction is very much that palate cleanser. A rocky poppy commercial fun song that will stand out from the hardness of the much of the rest of what it a great album. Loving the reactions.
Very radio-friendly, unlike most of the album. Got a chuggy early 70s rocky-pop feel to it. Not super technical just an easy listening enjoyable song.
Best, and prettiest, band on the planet!
I don't think Chemical Reaction is the best song in the album, but still catchy af so I still like it. Can't wait for the Giovanni reaction though, definitely one of my favorites. Great video as always!
Tell Akane, Bruce Dickinson want his cowbell back. He said he had enough cowbell.. 🤣🤣
So has Akane added a cow bell to her kit? I don't think I've ever heard a cow bell before.
Thanks for keeping them coming!
Btw are you going to try to get your hands on the 2 other tracks on the album that only come with separate physical copies? They are “Youth” and another killer instrumental “Without Holding Back”.
def
You do realize that when one searches Band Maid Chemical Reaction, this video is Third behind the official audio and their live version...
Tame version of Band Maid that is a a perfect description of this Song it could ve fit on their like 2 nd or 3 rd Album.
Its just weird when all the other Songs so far blew you away.
I'm with you on your comments about it Champ. The song's pretty standard and sounds more like something anyone could do compared to everything else on the album. It's a very good song, but it's on the bottom of my list for songs off this album. But hey, being the lowest on a list of masterpiece music is no slouch.
Yeah, some Rob Zombie vibes, but also if fits for Soundgarden and the "old and good Nickelback".
It has cowbell!!
I can tell that you are already being spolied after listening Band Maid for some time ☺
This song will be awesome live as well for sure.
MISA!!!! MISA!!!! MISA!!!! 🥃🥃🥃
More Cowbell!!
Best stomper I've heard from them since Fate. Just from my point of view if this song had come out in the early seventies it would have been the biggest song on the planet. I can see drinking a bottle of tequila and catching this somewhere. Sorry, it was a much more fun and relaxed time.
Bottle of rum also fine
Somehow I missed this reaction…hmmm…perhaps I heard untrue things 😂. Well, yes, it’s mostly a straightforward rock song but damn does Band-Maid do straightforward as good or better than anyone! Like the perfection of Manners, Chemical Reaction is a great track to have as a bit of a breather in the utter madness that are many of the Unseen World songs. Pure 🔥 🤘🏼🎶🎸🤷🏻♂️😀✌🏼
Great reaction as usual, Champ. Since you are a musician I'm sure you will be blown away by a less known instrumental Band-Maid song 'without holding back'. The musicianship that they show here is absolutely ridiculous. If you do you should definately look for the official video (bit hard to find). There are some cellphone vids but they are of poor quality. Keep up the good work!
I made a demo phrase (MISA comments).
I'm glad you do these close analyses of the songs.. it makes me listen closer to them. Those pinched harmonics dives through the pre-chorus are sweet colours. Am I the only one who giggles at them pulling something out of the bag as soon as you say you have some mixed feelings about a song?
This song has really strong Nickelback - Something in your mouth vibes, main riffs are pretty similar
So... get this.
They dropped the MV for Afterlife xD
Maybe this song will get the FREEDOM treatment with extended bridge/solos for live shows. FREEDOM is a pretty mediocre album song by Band-Maid standards, but seems to be a staple in their live set list that everyone loves. Both songs give the band a break from the intensity where they can interact with one another, but keep the crowd engaged with a catchy easy to follow beat for some "hey hey"' chants. That the least impressive song on the album is still a head nodding rocker with a good solo speaks to how great Unseen World is. Every member of the band pushed past their limits in some way.
Chemical Reaction is not my favorite on UW either, but I never skip over it because 1) it does have some cool and interesting things going on in it; and 2) it's a solid track that gives you time to just rock out between the fast and dense songs. Edit: about CR, MISA said "I want to see everyone's fists up in the air." (trans. /u/nair0n/)
I have to disagree with you Champ. I've been listening to Band-Maid for a long time. I am 68 years old. My parents exposed me to all types of music while I was growing up. No, this song doesn't jump between genres like a lot of their songs do, but Kanami has masterfully blended the great song writing and arrangements of the 60's, with a bit of the Indian influences of the late 60's, with the psychedelia of the 70's, and the hard rock of the 80's, into one masterpiece of a song. I listen to Chemical Reaction at least 3 times a day if not more. MISA's bass line during Kanami;s solo is amazing. And the cow bell that Kanami insisted on using really adds another element to the song. This song brings back a lot of great memories of my youth
EVERYONE disagrees with me on this one haha
I’ll be honest, this was at the bottom of my list when I first listened to the album and now that I’ve lost count of the times I went through it again, this track still hasn’t moved up yet. It isn’t bad though, just a bit bland compared to the rest. A 7/10 in my books.
@@ronjohnson2193 yeah exactly! 🤣
Hey Champ. Guess which Band-Maid music video just reached 200,000 views? That's right - this one - Chemical Reaction. You should listen to it again. You might finally hear what so many others have heard. No really, it's a great song.
#LeChamp #BandMaid #ROCKandROLL
Yeah, I LIKE THIS ONE! Well, I like 'em ALL, but this one has some extra "grab" to it. There was an early intimation of a searing lead tone that didn't carry through. I thought that was weird...and rather unfortunate, 'cause it would have worked great.
Yo Champ Band Maid just dropped a new Video for Afterlife 4 Minutes ago
cow bells? didn't know band-maid hired Milena (@sina-drums)
I'm surprised at how much love this song has gotten from fans, with a lot of comments saying they hope this gets a MV. IMO it's the weakest track on the album. It has a plodding beat where nothing exciting is really happening. BUT I still think it's a fine song. The weakest track on a BAND-MAID album is still a good track.
Many of us don’t like the chaotic metalish crap.
We much prefer the Rock and Roll Band-Maid we fell in love with.
2 and 1/2 minutes in so far i feel like its the song that impresses me the least.
Not every Song can be a Manners or a Warning i guess
More cowbell Please...!!!
Okay. I don't feel so bad now that I thought this was the weakest track on the new album. At least there's one person agrees haha
+1
It's only R&R, but I like it
1&2&3&4. this is different for band maid. ;)
Call me crazy, but I'm getting some serious Type O Negative vibes from this song, especially Life is Killing Me era. Kinda strange considering the chances of Kanami hearing of Type O let alone influencing her writing are pretty slim.
But is seams simple enough that people with lesser skills could learn to play it.
yeah this is one of the three songs on the album I don't have playlisted. It's ok but also a skip when listening to the album most times for me.
This is my least favourite track on the album, which isn't saying a lot as it's probably my favour BM album, but it took me several plays to figure out what I don't like about it. I love the thing for the first minute. As Champ says, it's a great "thick" rock and roll song.
But then the song title comes in. "Chemical Reaction". Then the words KEEP popping up and hooking in my brain and I forget all the other stuff in the track.
Then hours later the thing earworms me and I'm singing or humming "Chemical Reaction" to myself over and over. But that's it, the only thing i don't like about it turns out to be the words of the title. If Saiki had sung whatever "Chemical Reaction" is in Japanese I'd be happy. Nuts I know but there you go.
Yeah this is prob my least favorite song on the album. Its catchy and I can have it playing in the background but im not really going to go out of my way to listen to it like every other song on the album. I still think manners would be a better introduction to this band over this song.
A fantastic hard rock song .. but probably the weakest on the album. It just shows how good this band is.