BAND-MAID "Freedom" // Audio Engineer & Musician Reacts

Fun, upbeat, feel-good song. Not crazy metal and heavy, but good!
What's up, everyone! I'm Jeremy, a professional audio engineer & musician; and in this video, you get my first time reaction to BAND-MAID "Freedom". I don't like to stop mid-song (you miss so much and it's a pet peeve when I watch reactors!), so stick around for the commentary to hear my thoughts on the song. Timestamps below:
0:00 Welcome! / Intro
2:10 Reaction / I don't stop mid-song ;-)
6:47 Commentary
// Check out ‪@BANDMAID‬ "Freedom" original video: • BAND-MAID / FREEDOM (O...
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#musicreaction #bandmaid #freedom
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// DISCLAIMERS:
🎧 This is a non-commercial video; a genuine reaction for entertainment.
All rights go to the official owners.
🎧 Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

[@otobokegaijin6218]

On the pop end of their spectrum. Their label at the time brought in several songwriters to work with them. The guy who wrote this song was known for writing catchy melodies for girl-groups and he did his job.

[@jeffersoncosgrove1910]

I wouldn't call this pop at all. Just "radio rock." That main riff screams Whitesnake all day long. It might not be an album deepcut, but you're seldom gonna get a track with music video promotion that is. 👍

[@otobokegaijin6218]

IIrc one of the band members called it "poppish". I've seen it described as "soft rock", "hard pop"', "pop rock". "Radio rock" sound fine.

[@mikesmith3342]

Nice reaction, you totally get it :-) Like others have said: "No God" live next, please. You won't regret it. I guarantee. It even features your "little gangster" bassist.

[@danjoseph7515]

BAND-MAID'S Freedom = Happy Pills in Musical Form! Thanks again! 🤘🤩🤘

[@kennogawa6638]

The Maids are back in the US this August as part of their 10th anniversary tour finishing in Mexico City.

[@barrycounts490]

Band-Maid winning over another reactor with a smile =) and a hell of a drum solo ! Thanks Jeremy Have a Happy 4th ✌🤘

[@surfingasongwave]

They like to play this one because it gets the crowd hyped and involved. You should take a look at a double-feature from them (a live-stream from during the covid shutdowns) of *"Manners"/"Black Hole."* There's a nice drums and bass intro to "Manners" and "Black Hole" might adjust your opinion of the band's genre. MISA is a fabulous bassist, and she and Akane are so in sync with each other ...

[@ralphboyer2538]

They have to be the most fun band out there right now. They are all a little quirky when you see them in interviews, and to me, that adds to their charm. I tend to like the metal style of Lovebites and Nemophila a little better, but they're still in my top 4 or 5 bands at the moment. I also know that they do watch reactions to their songs on KZbin. Very down to earth band that takes their music very seriously, but don't take themselves too seriously. Take care!

[@neilcam]

Band-Maid are simply the best band on the planet at the moment. And I'm extremely envious of people in the US & Japan having chances to see them live. I so want them to tour Australia.

[@zabriabubakar5982]

The Best Hard Rock Band in the World is BAND-MAID... The Best Heavy Metal Band in the World is LOVEBITES... The Best Rock Metal&Cover Band in the World is NEMOPHILA... The Best three piece Metal Band in the World is ASTERISM...

[@kyles5513]

@@zabriabubakar5982 And the best BAND in general: King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard. (Australia)

[@PaulEngineer]

Definitely one of the Maids' happiest feel good songs.

[@sixtofive]

Band Maid will be back touring through the US again in August. Definitely worth checking them out live if you can.

[@deafnewt6361]

Do see them live. They are so fun. I saw them in STL. Saiki is even more beautiful in person.

[@JuanSan66]

Happiest band on Earth!! ❤

[@stand.and.deliver.5]

Here my list of bands from other countries: Jinjer from Ukraine - Groovy Metal Core (sometimes mixed with some jazzy elements or even reggae) The Warning from Mexico - Hard Rock sometimes with a bit of Grunge/Punk attitude (fanbase overlaps with Band-Maid fanbase) Voice of Baceprot from Indonesia - Metal with a groovy attitude (kind of Rage Against the Machine)

[@musikbyjh]

Awesome! Thanks for this list. I’m def pretty in tune with Jinjer already. Love them. Maybe if they come out with a new song, I can do that…but I’ve already heard a lot of their catalog. The others though…never heard of them.

[@stand.and.deliver.5]

@@musikbyjh both have killer female bassists most time wearing black 😉

[@darkz3741]

Aliz Band from Thai RAS from Japan The Gazette from Japan

[@tonygriffin_]

Great reaction again! Akane is the happiest drummer in the world. Although Band-Maid do include Metal elements in some of their songs (as well as Blues, Jazz, Punk, etc...) they're primarily a Hard Rock band - but then you mentioned that yourself so I guess you know already! I'm glad you see the fun they have, even when the music is complex or technical, as it's something I love seeing after 50 years of watching grimacing concentration on the faces of soloists (presumably in case one didn't realise how difficult the piece was!). MISA is known as "The Barefoot Assassin" - she certainly kills it on bass!

[@4ndy17]

Found it!!! Now that my shift started, I can watch this... Much love to you too!

[@kawliga4845]

Great reaction Jeremy. You ask for them there you go haha. Awesome song. Nemophila my fav Japan band but Band-Maid not far behind. Such a fun band and great song. They do play heavier stuff. They are not usually shredding metal but hell of a rock band. Anything they do you cant help but to smile and tap your feet. Never seen them live but met many that said they are phenomenal.

[@musikbyjh]

Thank you again for the coffee request, @kawliga4845 !! This was fun! ✌🏽

[@chakouyang2545]

They put a smile to everyone

[@edwardallen4051]

No God live - Misa in the spotlight

[@redj59]

Recent “Hate”, Misa(bassist) and Kanami have a duel which is EPIC. And I’m a 64 yr old metal head.

[@jeremydawkins8814]

What was that you say? International BAND-MAID day. I'm in for that.😬😬. Ah we have that already.The day of maid.

[@britwill72jp]

The thing I like most about this group is the positive energy they bring. They take me back to when I was a kid enjoying both 80's LA metal and 70's hard rock. Pure joy.

[@andrewwiggin]

They are gonna be back in the US in August. I hope you can catch a show. I have seen them twice (NYC and Detroit) and they were incredible shows. Everyone has a great time. I was skeptical of omajinai (spelling?) time but I ended up loving it. The band has an incredible connection with the audience.

[@grahamreed8774]

In the begeinning they all had maid outfits, but almost immediately Saiki (Vocals) and Misa (Bass) started to change their look by going more goth-ish but still really stylish.

[@michaelpeck6746]

Yes you have to see them live they really put on a fun and awesome show they include the fans as part of there show and you will like magic spell time just do as the pigeon's says po😂😊

[@gordowg1wg145]

Been looking over your reaction videos - and been very impressed with the range of genres and srtists you've been checking out! Going to do the Heilung next! 👍😎😊

[@musikbyjh]

Thank you so much! Been loving seeing all these different artists! Next Saturday is the start of International Shred-urday…where we’ll do 4 or 5 songs from metal or rock bands around the world. Love seeing stuff from all over the place.

[@makmiskell3733]

Thanks Jeremy! Great song and reaction! Band-Maid Rocks!

[@mjelks4227]

Love the ladies of Band Maid. Hmm. Other international acts? You have Bloodywood from India. Kinda a throwback nu-metal but brutal. Voice of Baceprot from Indonesia. Surely more, obviously, but they jumped to the fore.

[@Jordan-Ramses]

The Warning. The Hu. Cthonic?(Taiwan), Rammstein obv. Is Europe disqualified? I really like Otyken they're tribal Siberian traditional dance. Kinda like the Waggaki Band where it's a mix of tribal and modern. But definitely not metal. There is some cool Chinese Nanocore. But also not metal.

[@zabriabubakar5982]

Snake Sabo(Skid Row) reacted to this BAND-MAID song and said "What! drum solo's in the middle of the song?" Snake Sabo(Skid Row) reacted to LOVEBITES and said "They played a very complicated Metal music" Snake Sabo(Skid Row) reacted to NEMOPHILA cover Skid Row song Youth Gone Wild he said "Hazuki's guitar solo's better then him"

[@Raiden-R]

FEEL GOOD！！！❤👍

[@maxvahling3832]

Misa's not getting a bass solo in this one but she does get her moments. Off the top of my head, the live version of Domination comes to mind. Also, Influencer. Something tells me you're gonna love that one.

[@garygnu2164]

No God!! Live version from a few months ago. Screaming! another good one. Your home girl rules No God.

[@L.A55]

Great audience participation song..More of a pop rock song..

[@JimboLana]

"gangster bass player" perfect said 🤝

[@TomClark-Futoura]

Even though Ichiro Iguchi from SCRAMBLES is credited with the arrangement of Freedom, there is no mention of him or the production company I could find on their official websites about any association with Band-Maid. He did bring the song to them and helped with the arrangement because he worked with Miku on the lyrics. When you create lyrics around an existing song, you will have to adjust the arrangement to make certain phrasings, etc. work. Ichiro was and should have been credited with a collaboration on the lyrics and for bringing them the song and helping on the arrangement. But I’m willing to bet, based on knowing how the Maids play and sing, that they had much to do with the sound, structure and individual parts of Freedom, and just didn’t copy verbatim Ichiro’s song. I think Freedom, most likely, took on a completely different feel over the original because the girls have too much originality, creativity and style chops to not put their unique stamp on it. And for that, they should have maybe shared in the arrangement (music) credits… but that wasn’t done. Thanks Jeremy, for covering one of Band-Maid's most played songs at their concerts!

[@TomClark-Futoura]

@@chrisbergsten1429 I think so, too!

[@otobokegaijin6218]

In Japanese sources such as the wiki on Iguchi this song is certainly mentioned in his discography. Some of the recording of B-M's albums of those days was done at the Scrambles studio because of its relationship with B-M's then label. B-M members have stated in several interviews that they did sometimes re-work the arrangements they were given and that occasionally there were creative differences.

[@TomClark-Futoura]

@@otobokegaijin6218 Thanks for the added info!

[@phaeron]

I find a short, soulful solo better than a minute-long shred fest with no soul at all. And if I get 2 of those, on different instruments, in one song, I can live with it perfectly! ✌🏻🙏🏻 _____________________ _"You think I'm laughing because I'm happy? Sometimes we laugh because we're sad or to hide our frustration"_ - from *Gacharic Spin* -「 I Wish I 」 🎶✨

[@haggaisimon7748]

If you react to one song only on Saturday, then Band Maid can be a year easily with a banger each week. So, no international reaction day:) for a year or even more.

[@musikbyjh]

Don't worry....International SHREDurday will be very J-Metal heavy for a while, but also start to include other amazing artists from around the world. Thanks for watching and hope to see you in the comments soon! ✌🏽

[@DaElfer]

hehehe do some bands from my island barbados!!! lol

[@musikbyjh]

I'd love to! What's a really good metal band I should react to?

[@785boats]

Misa isn't a gangster. Her correct title is 'The Barefoot Assassin'. The outfit is a maid Assassin's tunic. And she plays concerts in bare feet. Hence her name. Saiki's outfit is a European child maid, or governess maid style, with a Gothic twist. Apparently. If you want to see Misa shine in a couple of songs, have a look at the two for one video Manners/Black Hole. As brilliant a all the Maids are in those two songs, Misa owns both songs in my book. But be warned. Black Hole will upset your Musical engineering senses.

[@ShikataGaNai100]

At nearly 5'9", MISA is hardly little. 🙂

[@Sapphos_daughter]

A comment. 😜 🤘🏳‍⚧(⚵⚶⚴𓁴⚳⚢⚸)🏳‍🌈🦘

[@michaelpeck6746]

Yes you have to see them live they really put on a fun and awesome show they include the fans as part of there show and you will like magic spell time just do as the pigeon's says po😂😊