#64: Japanese Folk Metal
An exhilaratingly epic fusion of Eastern and Western styles of folk metal — unusual but fresh.
Background Info (Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives):
Country of origin: Japan
Location: Tokyo / Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture
Status: Active
Formed in: 2018
Genre: Folk Metal
Themes: Japanese folklore, History, Alcohol, Humour
Current label: JFM Core
Years active: 2018-present
JFM is an interesting break in the chain in folk metal-dom where a band from a specific cultural group sticks to their own traditional music when it comes to fusion. The band, while being Japanese, largely draws from European folk metal in terms of polka-ish drum beats, accordion-based melodies, and themes that revolve around booze (some non-European bands actually get inspiration from European styles such as Adamanta from the Philippines).
Nevertheless, unlike other “outsiders-playing-insiders’-music” (or vice-versa), JFM made sure not to exclude their roots by including melodies and tones based from traditional Japanese instruments/actual instruments in the mix. Moreover, many of their songs are about Japanese culture.
Favorite Albums:
- Japanese Folk Metal 2 (2021)
Favorite Songs:
- Shiramine (Japanese Folk Metal 2)
- Urameshiya (Japanese Folk Metal 2)
- Nanakorobi Yakaze (Japanese Folk Metal 2)
- Suruga Onsen Monogatari (Single, 2022)
- Omatsuri Sawagi (Japanese Folk Metal 1, 2018)
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