#39: Wagakki Band (和楽器バンド)
In terms of diversity of ethnic instruments, this powerful band stands on the summit of Japanese folk metal.
Background Info (consolidated from different websites)
Country of origin: Japan
Location: Mito
Status: Active
Formed in: 2013
Genre: folk rock, J-pop, heavy metal, thrash/power metal
Lyrical themes: Vocaloid covers, Japanese culture and history, various
Current label: Universal Sigma
Years active: 2013-present
Years ago, searching for Japanese folk metal bands online was like panning for gold in a muddy river. Then, I hit the jackpot when I came across Wagakki Band. Their music is actually diverse, and covers a wide area in the J-rock “spectrum”. However, they do have lots of epic material that is based on heavy metal and thrash/power metal. They meld this so perfectly well with Japanese folk music that it seems that the two musical genres were indeed meant for each other.
The band tremendously stands out from all other not only because of the permanent koto, taiko, shamisen, shakuhachi, and the outstanding folk-style vocals (based on shigin chanting), but because of the electric and uplifting effect of their fast-paced songs. Their slow tracks are quite dramatic also. Their stage/performance imagery, which i think is Visual Kei-influenced, is also inspired by Japanese folk culture, thereby completing the entire package.
Favorite Albums:
- Yasou Emaki / 八奏絵巻 (2015)
- Shikisai / 四季彩 (2017)
- Tokyo Singing (2020)
Favorite Songs:
- Guren (“Crimson Lotus”) / 紅蓮 (Otonoe / オトノエ, 2018)
- Hagane (“Steel”) / 鋼 (Yasou Emaki/八奏絵巻)
- Shiro Madara (“White Rash”) / 白斑 (Yasou Emaki/八奏絵巻)
- Senbonzakura (“A Thousand Sakura) / 千本桜 (Yasou Emaki/八奏絵巻)
- Nichirin (“Sun Wheel”) / 日輪 (Tokyo Singing)
