Does anyone here listen to any Japanese metal bands?

Sigh

Abigail

Gotsu Totsu Kotsu

Dir En Grey

Boris

Those are some of my favourite Japanese bands.

Cool. I like the GazettE, Deathgaze, X Japan, Dir En Grey, Nocturnal Bloodlust, Coldrain, SiM, Darrell, RagDollz, and Dexcore.

I also know Gazette and X Japan, but I'm not familiar with the others.

The only song from X-Japan I've heard is that huge epic 25 minute song or whatever called Art of Life I think. Although its incredibly sappy and over the top, I do like some of that type of stuff being a fan of melodic power metal. I'll have to give them more of a look.

I think Nocturnal Bloodlust has only been around for a few years. RagDollz released their first single last year sometime, I think. Darrell and Dexcore are both bands from former members of Deathgaze. They went on an indefinite hiatus in 2014.

I haven't heard the whole song, only parts of it from their documentary. But I love their music. I think they are awesome. I'd recommend checking out their documentary We Are X.

Try Maximum the Hormone as well for something metalcore.

Swedish death metal, how could you possibly go wrong?!?

Can't think of many Japanese bands I've listened to. Was into Sigh for a bit about five years ago. Mary's Blood and Lovebites nowadays, but only every now and then. Also caught a band called Gyze supporting Battle Beast last year. Pretty good melodeath band.

It's a great song but man is it a lot to absorb. There's like 12 minutes of just a piano solo heh.

Nice, I'll have to give that a watch - being a fan of both metal and documentaries. They seem like the kind of band I'd be into. May have to check out some of those other bands you mentioned too. I assume you've probably heard of these but just in case - Blood Stain Child and Babymetal are pretty sweet too (from the handful of songs I've heard from them anyway). They both kind of have an industrial, almost techno vibe to them so not sure if that's your thing, but I like some trance music in addition to metal so it definitely appeals to me.

I didn't even know metal had much of a presence at all in Japan until watching Sam Dunn's Global Metal. Was surprised to see that it's actually somewhat popular there.