BANDMAID MANNERS/BLACK HOLE - REQUEST GRANTED!! Ryan Mear Reacts

[@PaulEngineer]

Black Hole. Once you get too close, there's no going back.

[@CoolClearWaterNM]

This is definitely a Miku step-up piece. They are all growing and advancing. Perfect to pair this with Black Hole, which is the first time Kanami gets comfortable with pentatonic. They started out awesome. They are here now. I can not imagine where they will take us.

[@robertmcpeak2462]

I have been a professional bass player for 46 years, and I have to say, every time I hear Misa play it totally blows me away. She has the chops!!!!

[@RyanMear]

Yeah... she's insane

[@Slippy6582]

Band-Maid has no lead... No lead guitar, no lead vocalist, no lead bass... You can ALWAYS focus on one of the instruments or vocals and it will take you away! They are an BAND! Everyone is equal, everyone is important and everyone is just so freaking talented! In a lot of other bands they would be THE STAR of this band... Glad they all are combined in one band: BAND-MAID! Greetings from Germany, great reaction again, Ryan!

[@wave8359]

You're right!---they are ALL the "lead"

[@tmt7265]

Miku is a very talented Wizard. She dreamed of being the lead singer in a hard rock band. Then she added a lead singer, stepping aside from her dream knowing intuitively her voice wouldn't carry it. She pulled together a group of extremely talented musicians and creators to form what has become world known. Then she picks up a guitar and proceeds to learn it after they form. Her fingers had to bleed with the amount of time she put into learning. Add backup vocals and writing lyrics, well, she is my Hero.

[@yerayortiz7285]

The member I admire the most with Kanami's permission. Miku's determination and courage makes my inner will burn intensely. Can you believe some people hate on her because she's "the less talented" of the group? What those people don't understand is that there's a whole lotta different talents and Miku has several of them. Such an inspirational bird 🤘🕊️

[@sugoruyo]

@@yerayortiz7285 yeah, Miku is the most impressive because she went into this with a dream and no real musical training like the others. She's become what she is in this short amount of time through sheer force of will to be in a rock band. I'd wager that, if people who "hate" on Miku were in her position, they would've given up six times over by now.

[@wave8359]

@@yerayortiz7285 ,,...and I;m sure the magnanimous Kanami would indeed "give her permission" ! --I can only second your appreciation of her !!

[@SteveBalderrama]

The rhythm guitar on Black Hole is not trivial. The backing vocals are not trivial. Miku is doing both. Her growth as a musician is so much fun to see and so inspiring. God knows how many guitarists I've played with that would have difficulty with Kanami's syncopations and funky timings, much less singing vocal parts with the same issues lol.

[@YourMusicStore]

"The backing vocals are not trivial." I'd say they are a new species, even! She's doing never-before-heard harmonies on that one. When Saiki "it gets bigger" goes down, hers goes up, then again on the "hikiyose hikiyosete". On the part where is just guitar and drums (19:09 on this) she does "nakunai" an octave above Saiki the drops TWO WHOLE OCTAVES to say "deeply deeply". It's just, what? I get all sweaty listening to this song. I guess when they say "stop" they mean "making any sense". This song is a new thing that happened to reality.

[@bishopsteiner7134]

Miku is flat out James Hetfield style shredding at several points during Black Hole, so yeah dunno what was trivial?

[@YourMusicStore]

@@bishopsteiner7134 I did a spit take reading this! 🤣

[@RyanMear]

Nothing!

[@SteveBalderrama]

@@YourMusicStore nothing is trivial that was my point. :). Miku is more than just "competent" these days, shes very good. Maybe I'll send Kanami some links to Allman Brothers and Molly Hatchet so she can get inspired for some sweet twin lead lines.

[@jamesredman1263]

Kanami CAN shred like hell. She just does what works for the SONG, in concert with the others. A lot of shredders can do that one trick great, but are about as musical as a chimp banging pans together. Kanami composes and plays real and interesting songs.

[@AMetalheadsPerspective]

Dude I wanna watch, but I want to react ugh!!! I will come back I swear lol...

[@RyanMear]

Hahaaa!

[@enzoloveless132]

Miku is everything po~!

[@markmark6378]

You know, I have been a fan of Band-Maid for over three years now. I wasn't around from the beginning, but, I have heard everything they have done from then to now and it really is an amazing story, how this little crazy Japanese rock band has grown and matured from an almost Idol pop rock band to IMHO the best rock band in the last twenty or more years. They are no joke. You can tell from the early stuff that they were talented, but they were a bit innocent, or a bit lacking in knowledge and experience. But you could hear them working hard and growing every album on the way. They just got exponentially better and better. And when World Domination hit, I thought, "Man, this band is f-ing great!" And I would have swore that they could not get any better.... I was wrong. They are doing things that no other band in the world can do. How?? I suggest that it has a lot to do with the fact that they are Truly a Band. They know each others strengths and weaknesses and are not afraid to let their band mates do their thing, nay, they work to enhance their band mates thing. You can tell that they are working hard all the time to get better. They haven't decided that they can't be better. They don't believe that they have peaked. They don't sound like they have become bored and playing and writing cool music is still a passion for them. In short they are having FUN at what they are doing and loving every minute of it. I got to believe that it is killing them that they haven't been able to go on the road for such a long time and be in front of their fans live and in person!

[@Space_Ranger]

Well said! Never believe you can't get better or even change if you need to.

[@CAPTCHAZ]

I totally agree with you, I have been a Maidiac since 2014. In my opinion in the beginning the problem was their management company. They wouldn't let them have a say or put any of Kanami's music on any of their albums. They first let them put a song on an album in 2016, that was the song "Alone". They took off right after that, in my opinion. I have been a musician for 56 plus years and I have been listening to every hard rock that was out then. I have not heard music like this since LED Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Metallica and Jimmy Hendrix (Dragon Cries). I will support Band-Maid till the day I die. KEEP ROCKING 🤘🤘👍👍

[@sacluvsBM]

So well said.

[@markmark6378]

@@sacluvsBM Welcome back Robert, long time no see!

[@ronforeman2556]

@@CAPTCHAZ We old farts have some perspective because we've seen and heard 'em all and therefore have a strong basis by which to judge Band-Maid's dedication & musicianship. But we're also talking about a culture in which the subservient Geisha was the feminine ideal, and as in Shakespearian England only men were permitted to appear on stage: Even female characters were portrayed by men. Their "maid" schtick notwithstanding, Band-Maid represents a radical departure from what were once considered inviolate traditional roles. And they do so with style and grace ... and BALLS!

[@crapstirrer]

Yeah. Kanami's guitar rarely takes that prominence. I consider it due to her generosity.

[@SLKRR]

At the Day of Maid show, Black Hole was 21st out of 22 songs in the playlist... after playing almost the entire Unseen World earlier in the 2-hour+ set. Ordinary musicians would have collapsed from exhaustion during that track.

[@realdocloco]

Black Hole is their Bohemian Rhapsody - at 78rpm, on speed and after magic mushrooms.

[@snowdog5895]

You made a GREAT point about not understanding the lyrics. Back in the days before the internet, for those enough old enough to remember, you only had access to the lyrics IF the band included them with the album/CD. With the classic rock I grew up on half the time you didn't know what they were saying or what you thought they were saying was totally wrong. I didn't matter then and it still doesn't today. Quality music cuts through any barrier. 🎶🎸🥁🎸🎶🔥🙂

[@Bekka_Noyb]

However, I am glad they included the CC button!

[@gradyshmalady8284]

I listen to a ton of metal, yup can't understand a lick of it, doesn't matter still love it just like this. Actually love me some Band-Maid the most.

[@flashpeter625]

For years, I thought that there was a song called Nothing Else Mothers.

[@derekdangerfield187]

Just goes to show that music is indeed a universal language. 🙂

[@ricklarsen7189]

MISA and Akane could just groove for three hours and sell it as a double album. I would buy it and so would everyone else. I got up in the wee hours of the morning to watch this show. I loved every second of it. I guess the neighbors did too because nobody ever complained.

[@kazuman8332]

"Kanami is matching the vocals" at the end ... I never realized that, and I have already heard this song dozens of times. That's why I like to see your reactions, you point out the things that make me realize why I love Band Maid. Great reaction

[@wave8359]

i thought the same thing---never heard what you heard.

[@Racer-X-090]

When I was a kid, Def Leppard were like gods. They were the best band I had ever heard and my favorite for many years. But most songs, I could understand maybe half of what Joe Elliott was singing. 🤣

[@Medley3000]

Black Hole is their fastest song. 220 bpm at the end. Akane had a lot of trouble practicing and said to Kanami at the beginning, "I can't do it". Answer, "You can!". Now Kanami wants to compose a song with 230 bpm. We'll see. That would be faster than any DragonForce song.

[@markbaker8255]

Miku can scream at me anytime she wants!!!!! 😍😍😍 and MISA is a cold blooded assassin on that bass...GODDESS!

[@thunderchild7137]

Every member of Band Maid puts their mark on every song especially Manners. There truly are five pillars to this band and it wouldn't be the same band without any of them.

[@CHRISCONTEPSS]

Definitely Miku is becoming one of the best multifaceted musicians around. Singing perfect harmonies, writing lyrics, becoming incredibly skilled as a rhythm player . . she is truly the driving force behind this band. Without any of them, the chemistry would be remarkably different.

[@wave8359]

agreed !---if there could be a "best" it would be magical Miku !

[@foong171183]

I swear to God! If I see them live, I will sing "Ah...ah...ah..", "La... La.. La" and "Ra... Ta... Ta..." Along with them🤟🤟🤟🤟

[@DavidMISAMISAMISACook]

you will you will trust me (all the singalong repetitive parts I used to hate from Bands) I was singing along with in LA 2019

[@foong171183]

@@DavidMISAMISAMISACook I did! Sing along with them when watching the video. Ended up my neighbour called police and arrested them.... Lol

[@DavidMISAMISAMISACook]

@@foong171183 ROFL

[@foong171183]

@@DavidMISAMISAMISACook BTW, how badass it will be if they do online okyuji in Olympic Tokyo for closing ceremony! I think the stadium will be collapse

[@DavidMISAMISAMISACook]

@@foong171183 did Wagakki Band do the opening ?? Hate the Modern Olympics (originally it was for Amateur athletes) overpaid professional spoiled kids, so have no comment other that it would give them exposure.

[@JuanSan66]

That combination between groove and speed and between complexity and catchiness is absolutely unbeatable. Band Maid doing Band Maid things in their own league.

[@2abug]

Great reaction Ryan! I agree with you, we can clearly hear Miku's backing vocals in those livestreams. I noticed things that I didn't notice on the studio version before. And now when I'm coming back to the studio version of the song, I know how to separate every detail of this beautiful chaos. That's what I love about BAND-MAID. You never get bored listening to them because you always stumble on a detail you never heard before

[@PinD-PANIC]

Leave it to BAND MAID to take something GREAT and make it even better. Can't believe you never heard BLACK HOLE. The intro with Saiki talking is one of my favorites. You even get a little vocal fry from her in MANNERS. If they turn the bass up anymore it will be like listening to PRIMUS :p . As far as MISA (MISA MISA) I don't think she is constrained by what a typical bass player would do. Bass typically plods along, just carrying a beat and a chord. I know she has listened to a lot of music, studied a lot of music ... but she really plays the bass more like a lead guitar. I think her approach to playing bass is quite radical and that is what makes her special. Lastly, the amount of work MIKU puts in on BOTH of these songs makes me wonder it that was not at least part of the motivation for releasing them together. The rhythm guitar really stands out on BLACK HOLE.

[@gregs_music_corner]

You were raving about band maid while listening to Manners, and how they changed your perception of music. Me knowing that Black Hole was up next.. "Dude.. Just wait... You don't know how much awesomeness is ahead of you :) "" Black hole is a mind fuck when you try to analyse it. every single member of the band is going completely ham, doing insanely complex stuff at like 22BPM... But somehow, it STILL SOUNDS CATCHY!

[@glenkelley6799]

Someone kicked over a bees nest at the end of black hole.

[@billb.5183]

It's a shame that they didn't show too much of Akane during Black Hole. This song is one of her standout songs on Unseen World. Her kick drum is lost in the mix as well, which is criminal.

[@RyanMear]

Yes! I forgot to mention that!

[@drogonr9318]

Yeah, if I recall correctly, the entire performance was a little marred for me by this, as well as Kanami's guitar being too far back...again. I actually think the studio version sounds better because of this, altho you lose the-fun-as-hell-to-watch of the live. Wish they'd return to the guitar heavier mixes they used for their 2017 and 18 lives.

[@briangield8912]

Blame the editor, not the camera person. At the exact point you were talking about not being able to see Akane, she was pulling faces at the camera. It was incredible and we saw this moment in the last two concerts. Unbelievable they didn’t show that here. Seriously, she was playing 200 bpm, and as she smashes the cymbal, she leans towards the camera and makes a slightly silly face. Such confidence

[@GeographRick]

Makes you wonder why they chose different cameras vs live stream. But still love it.

[@falagar4567]

Yeah, I wish they kept that part in, it was awesome.

[@RyanMear]

True true... editor, director... SHAME!

[@SPERanger]

Ok thanks I thought I was going crazy cuz I thought I remember at the concert the camera was on her while she was doing her drum roll and she ended it with a flourish and a goofy face right at the camera

[@estherbrowne2017]

@@SPERanger yup i did remember that part..Akane's goofy face while keep on blast her kits..roll bum2 here and there in "Black hole"..darn editor director 🤣

[@785boats]

When MISA gets her groove on, she really is something special. It's impossible to have a favorite with these women. They are just such a brilliant band. But MISA has a special place for me.

[@陳建仁-l7l]

I'm glad you like . nice reaction .

[@madsstavang]

That's Unseen World for you. Manners and Black Hole on the same album. It is going to be your catchphrase when listening to the rest of the album: "I wasn't expecting THAT".

[@roubador]

Everyone should pay attention to Saiki during Black Hole. Her face is so intense and angry! It's a very strong performance. You can really see that she is all the way in on this song. That was the main thing I took away from this video. I love this band!

[@Mikupigeon]

She was possessed.... it's that good....

[@DavidMISAMISAMISACook]

Crazed not angry but yea intense and ooohhh so Good

[@glenkelley6799]

Her voice and Akane's drums was the only things keeping them from crossing the event horizon.

[@DavidMISAMISAMISACook]

@@glenkelley6799 and Miku showing us the way back with her sweet response vocals

[@geraldgetskow3420]

I didn't realize that Miku chug like that at the beginning of Black Hole. Then Kanami starts dropping lead riffs from all over the place.

[@_DriveTime]

This two pack seems to be sending a message. Pick any genre and we're better at it than whoever you are listening to.

[@joshi_new_wave]

The discord was popping off all night about all kinds of Band-Maid stuff. Then around 3ish my time, it died down and you came in with “anyone want to fill me in” and like fifteen minutes later this dropped lol. I was about to finally get some sleep and band-maid was like, nah you can be up for another hour geeking out in discord with the homies. I wonder if Akane did the trumpets for the backing track in manners 🤔.

[@auzdoz]

Each musicians part, guitars, bass, drums and vocals, fold over each other to create a beautiful Origami masterpiece. Keep Rocking amigo!!!✌🏻🤘🏻👍🏻

[@clivematthews5296]

Jesus ! Black Hole. What a tour de force. Amazing.

[@ViiOlet810]

Not gonna lie, I've been waiting for your reaction the entire day 🖤🤘and I'm ready to enjoy these songs again with you. Thanks Po! 🕊️ Rock on! 😎

[@COTTERO]

Miku really shines here ... she has worked a lot creating this weird, eccentric alter ego, but every time she takes her Zemaitis and goes on stage, she is the most genuine person in the world.❤🎸❤

[@Leon-yg5gm]

holy syncopation overload batman. it sounds like everyone's playing their own song slightly offset from each other but it somehow sounds like it belongs together. IDK my brain is melted after that.

[@alanscarfe6753]

I agree about the guitar levels, but it was nice to hear Miku so well for a change !

[@darkchiron]

Figured you'd have to pause a bit more for Black Hole. Song's really intense. They were asked about it and they said they were a little worried to play it live because at the BPM of the song if someone screws up then they're just going to be lost. I really enjoy it because it's so prog metal and seems like a song where they were really trying to push themselves creatively to see what they could get away with. Of course to be Band-Maid, when they made a prog metal song they decided to take the usual 10 minute song and just cram it into 3 minutes. You were right about how good the vocals are here. I actually do like them more than on the album. Although the album lets you hear Kanami better as you mentioned.

[@joshi_new_wave]

It’s a catchy prog-metal song at that. Which, is very rare. Not saying it doesn’t happen, but it’s not the norm.

[@geraldgetskow3420]

when manners ends I always wish I had a lighter so I light up the darkness in tribute to a great song.

[@hawbo9869]

Black Hole is what i call for "Controlled Chaos" in music.

[@TomClark-Futoura]

It's great to hear Miku playing the guitar intro on Black Hole! And her singing parts are so unique that are an important part of the Band-Maid sound.

[@federerfanatic]

Kanami is always trying to support her band mates which may account for the reduced mix of her guitar.

[@DeanF_MIDI]

Next time you play it, turn on CC.... the lyrics on Black Hole could've been written by Neil Peart in 1977.

[@glenkelley6799]

I was actually thinking that Stephen Hawking returned from his private black hole to help write the lyrics

[@bartyslattfast]

Miku is an amazing writer.

[@hiawatha.g]

Thank you for featuring more Band-Maid and pointing out some of the special stuff they do. Having grown up in the Beatles era, and heard a heck of a lot of stuff between then and now, I think Band-Maid are on track to be the best rock band since the Beatles. A couple more years at this rate of quantity and quality, and they are there.

[@wave8359]

Bandmaid -----are about a gazillion times better than any of the other stuff.............

[@wave8359]

Sorry----the Beatles were never even in the same league as Bandmaid . Quaint but frumpy Brits.

[@AntonioMellor]

Another great reaction! One of the things that struck me about the songs on "Unseen World" is just how much Miku contributes to the songs with vocal additions. It's not really backup vocals but they are integral to the song. I'll admit that when I first heard some of the more "progressive" songs from "Unseen World" i.e. Giovani, No God and HGK, I wasn't sure I liked them. I realize that my ears were not used to such complex music so It sounded chaotic. Now they are some of my favorite songs by BAND-MAID. I love "Manners" because it feeds my bluesy rock soul.

[@Muzicman-ut3jr]

One of the best times of your life Ryan is when you see Band-Maid live! They’re so electrifying live!! No opening band just them kicking ass

[@GaryHolloway-810]

Ryan you can read about what me & B-M got up to behind the scenes here in my book "Fifty Shades of Gary". Available at all good fictional bookstores :)

[@brandydynamite5877]

Hahaha....like it Mr Maidiac ! 🤣

[@GaryHolloway-810]

@@brandydynamite5877 Thx Brandy. Say "Hi" to Haruna for me.👍

[@DavidMISAMISAMISACook]

@@brandydynamite5877 MISA MISA MISA!

[@glenkelley6799]

I found it in the coloring book section

[@GaryHolloway-810]

@@glenkelley6799 Lol. I told staff to hide them there cos i know how your dirty mind works so i didn't want to make it easy for you ;)

[@nogarddragonkin]

with this live miku...i mean currupo opened for them and i think it was over half was in befor they lowered mikus guitar and mic... Saiki noticed early and just started belting louded lol

[@parisiennemoonlight6650]

Even famous and distinguished bands like RHCP can't play Live this good.

[@jimcarmer1685]

I have to say Ryan these Beautiful Ladies Musicianship never seizes to amaze me. Every time I hear their songs I hear something different I didn't hear before. I'm a 61 years young Maidiac Such a Phenomenal Band. And their songs live are So great to listen to. Keep Rockin Man.

[@CHRISCONTEPSS]

They usually pan Kanami almost all the way right and Miku far left . Kanami's dominant parts get lost. They need to give the lead more space in the mix. Live domination/ Freedom/ . . etc. Moratorium is the only live mix where the guitars are correctly balanced. Love this band! Hope they get enough comments to fix it moving forward. ;)

[@billmcleangunsmith]

I hope they release the version of "Play" they did during that show. The intro is beyond awesome and their interactions and playfulness are on full display.

[@CHRISCONTEPSS]

Great reaction man. Appreciated!

[@fredminier8547]

Assassin and the gorilla!!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥best rythm team on earth!!!❤❤❤❤ thanks 👍👍👍👍👍

[@dimitristhomazos-musiclyri7149]

BAND MAID is a marvellous band from Japan. They have perfect synchronization and harmony when they play music. Saiki and Miku complement and fit perfectly as voices. Saiki sings... direct from the lungs ... she have unique abilities ... and range in her voice. She is fantastic . Miku , successfully gives color to the vocals of the group with her voice , playing excellent rhythm guitar and ... she is the soul of the band. Kanami plays the guitar and her whole body is involved in this playing. She really enjoys it with her mind ...her body...and her soul. She is one of the best guitarist that I have ever seen . Akane enchants us when she plays drums. Each of its limbs (arms and legs) has a separate role ... as if they were 4 different people in one body, with one mind. Misa ... she is a pleasant and timid giant who... when she holds the bass in her hands ...she is transformed to a hurricane and is unrestrained. A hurricane that sweeps away everything in its path. All 5 girls work together as one body ... as one mind ... giving us wonderful songs. They have the talent .... they have the skills ... they are so cute and dynamic .... they have excellent communication with their audience ..... What else to ask for !!!!!! I hope ... BAND MAID will continue to exist ... for many, many more years Because they have created a unique sound ... with character ... and personality. Their own personality. That's all I had to say about this amazing band. Keep walking BAND MAID ... KEEP dreaming. by Dimitris Thomazos Music Lyricist

[@wave8359]

well said !--can only agree !

[@edwardallen4051]

Misa is frigging awesome but Arkane's drumming is also a thing of beauty, together they are my favourite rhythm section since Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker, nuts I know.

[@RyanMear]

At first, I thought it a bit daft to compare this band to the greats I've known my whole life.... then I came to my senses. They are just that good.

[@packerjip9665]

I don't know if I posted this before, but this is one of the best reviews from you I have seen. I really enjoyed the opinions during the middle of the review.

[@RyanMear]

Thanks, this was one of my favorites I've ever done!

[@paulread4886]

Every one of these girls are improving individually at what they do, and it is ending up a total mind-fuck of a sound. This is another of their songs that requires many listens to comprehend what is going on. Another work of genius from the girls. Astonishing ! As a musician, I am completely in awe of these 5 girls.

[@ranger_a6953]

I've always treated vocals an an instrument rather than words. Even if in english, it makes no difference to me. I don't even bother looking them up lol. Misa's bass style reminds me of Roger Glover (Deep Purple). He was one of those inventive, add to the song bassists. He liked the attack of a pick as well. But Band-Maid is my favourite band of the last decade or more, no question.

[@wave8359]

I hear vocals the same way !

[@CAPTCHAZ]

I always love your professional reactions. Black Hole is my new favorite of Band-Maid. I think I heard Akane say it was about 220 bpm. 👍👍🤘🤘

[@falagar4567]

Was it worth it to be missing out on this for the reaction? That's for you to figure out. I'm always impressed by the people who are actual fans and are able to resist binging their entire discography.

[@CHRISCONTEPSS]

Akane has really been working her foot speed. Really nice BD work at the end of Black hole!

[@zer0tzer0]

It's true! BAND-MAID are a genre, and they're the only ones in it.

[@wave8359]

ha!-----It couldn't be put better !!!---just amazingly TRUE.

[@avader5]

I will tell you a funny story about understanding the lyrics. For many years when I listened to Hotel California I used to think the line "Please bring me my wine", was "Please bring me my wife". As you can imagine this totally changed the meaning of the song to me I thought it was really cool that his wife's spirit had not been seen since 1969 and that he was stuck in this hotel in some sort of spiritual prison. Oh well I guess I was overthinking it!!

[@SagaciousTwo]

In Manners after a gazillion times listening to it I begin hering more and more. Kanami gets kind of lost until you realize that she is harmonizing with the vocals on guitar.

[@rambe_bk2018]

The most anticipated song from their latest album 'Black Hole' 🤟 dangggg it sound amaaaazing live...No God done..Black Hole done....waiting for HGK 🤞thanks Ryan 🙏🏿 Akane rules !!! 🤟👏👍🏿🥰

[@schelin1447]

MISA is so damn cool! Black Hole is like progrock on speed!

[@ShikataGaNai100]

The most innovative band on the planet now...maybe ever.

[@nem447]

Yeah I noticed too that often Kanami's guitar is to low in the mix. I wonder if it's YT compression. Some footage of this particular on-line concert sounds fine e.g- _'Thrill & Warning'_ I know the whole _World domination tour at Line Cube Shibuya_ has that issue. But if you go on _bilibili_ and listen to their Live at _The Zepp Tokyo or Studio Coast_ performance the mix sounds mean azz!!!!

[@_DriveTime]

FYI This was from May 10. Thrill and Warning! live are from Feb. 14.

[@nem447]

@@_DriveTime ah ok thanks

[@SLKRR]

The February 2021 show sounds good (what's on the DVD has been remixed from what was streamed, which had the drums too low), while Zepp and Studio Coast are phenomenally mixed - the Band-Maid Gold Standard. Line Cube Shibuya is the only one that I would say has a really bad mix. The Splendour XR 6-song set from this past weekend is the best mix of all the online lives so far, but just too short. Among the full-length online lives, the December 2020 one had the best sound, IMHO.

[@lordvorador5735]

@@_DriveTime *Feb 11

[@neilwoodley530]

Don't let anyone tell you that Miku is not a guitar player. In Black Hole she repeats her opening phrase 22 times (by my count). I f****d up after 5. And I have been playing guitar since before she was born. Also, check out Saiki's eyes...

[@neilcam]

WRT not understanding the language - I always draw the parallel with opera where the voice is also an instrument as much as it is a way of conveying the words. Saiki and Miku's voices are wonderful expressive instruments.

[@wave8359]

yup !

[@rolandkarlsson7072]

In Black Hole they all five of them are doing different things. Two singers? A bass going nuts and a drummer going nuts squared. And Kanami playing whatever she feels for. This is anarchy and chaos. And then - la la la la la la la la la? I disliked it at first, but it is growing on me. But this version of Manners is probably the coolest they have made so far.

[@markmathewssgbcpenaltyboxs6389]

Love Manners!! Great opening with Akane and Misa! Thank you for reacting to this video.

[@jonasw3945]

The only complaint is they didn't show much of Akane, she was doing a LOT in the black hole song

[@neilyamashita2426]

I would love it if bandmaid puts a camera on akane's feet!

[@trfatman]

Great reaction vid! Love your channel. Akane said Black Hole is their fastest song, coming in at 220 beats per minute. She said she was practicing hard to be able to perform it live.... And here we are!!! Kanami found out that Dragon Force has a song at 225 bpm, so she is writing a new song to up Akane's game to match it.

[@glenkelley6799]

I thought she said she was going to write one that's faster than DF

[@madsstavang]

@@glenkelley6799 definitely going to be faster. You wouldn't guess it by her demeanor, but Kanami is highly competitive. She plays to win.

[@glenkelley6799]

@@madsstavang You can sometimes see the demon peeking out when she's playing

[@wave8359]

@@glenkelley6799 haha!---yes!

[@JoeSmith-ey2xp]

They are the legit the best band in the last 10 years. Amazing musicians with amazing vocals.

[@neilyamashita2426]

Ryan your the 10th reactor I've watched so far to this online vid to bandmaid and your by far the best reaction and sound quality! These ladies are amazing!👍❤🤘🤘🤘

[@RyanMear]

Awesome, thanks!

[@tippmann2455]

black hole is my favorite track off the new album and top 5 overall

[@packerjip9665]

Band Maid is so special in their live performances.

[@lartranslation6929]

how exactly did miku go from using the guitar as aprop to opening up a song like this with a beautiful precision metal lick, thats insane dedication

[@RyanMear]

You answered it!

[@wave8359]

Indeeeeed !!!!

[@rockandrollrockandrollrock6930]

I was so happy and yet so mad that this was the third track of the Charlette show. I told my buddy before they came on "they are gunna open with domination and I'm not gunna be ready for it, I really hope they don't play any other top 5 songs of mine too early cause I'm still gunna be in shock." That riff kicked in at the start of song three and I about fainted lol.

[@70soperator16]

Ok....this is my way of seeing Band Maid....I see them as a beautiful painting.....Miku💕 is the canvas on which the others are displayed, Misa💕, Akane💕 and Kanami💕 are the primary colors from which ALL colors are possible through mixing, Saiki is of course the beautiful frame that surrounds and contains it all.....without ANY one of them, the finished product is not possible....❤

[@wave8359]

good comparison !-----except the "frame" would be the heart of the masterpiece perhaps !

[@bigbrutalbassbeer410]

Miku’s mic IS ON!!😁💪🏻🤘🏻

[@prutgardin666]

I was one of the 21 people who watched your live-stream live ;) hehe As a big fan of her old custom-made Black Cloud, I must say that MISA's new Black Smoker Jazz Bass is an absolute beast :D Also, I think this is the PRS that Paul Reed Smith personally made for Kanami :D

[@wave8359]

Miku's idea of singing "back-up" is to wrap her pretty voice around the other vocals like gift-wrapping, like glitter, like purest gold !----and never to compete/ never to smother/ always to add something magical to something already excellent ! Miku's duets are the rarest treasures ! O-majinai ?---she wasn't kidding !

[@wave8359]

Anyone still think utube suspecters are "conspiracy theorists?? Their censors kill my likes every time ---ha !

[@SilentChaos15]

Kanami's guitar has always been held back. I don't if it's by design so it doesn't cut everything out but it's been an ongoing thing in the mix. I like to believe since she plays all over, under and throughout the song her mix has to be lower to blend with the rhythm or vocals depending on where in the song she decides to play her magic

[@SteveBalderrama]

Re-listening to this and Warning and some other stuff I'm reminded how cool it is in Unseen World that they have taken vocals past just "lyrical" instruments and have incorporated them as another melodic or harmony instrument. It's often mixed back quite a bit but some of Miku's vocal lines as have been mentioned by Ryan and others in this discussion are not just "backing" Saiki but performing a different counter melody often without words, just vowel sounds or whatever. In Warning when the guitar solo is going off Saiki and Miku are providing harmony as if they were just another harmony instrument. It's cool stuff and Im not sure I've ever heard anything quite like that in a rock context. It's like they are pulling in some vocal tricks from Acapella and Jazz vocal groups.

[@wave8359]

That's the best appreciation I've heard of their vocals-as-instruments !----Yes, Miku is STILL an under-appreciated element. The "call-and-response" technique is also to be heard in early Babymetal stuff---a shame Babymetal were never free to exploit such subtlety enough, and just got buried under commercial heavy-metal obsession by dictatorial management.....Yui with Moa were brilliant together as "voice-instruments" . Miku takes it all a step farther,---not afraid of the narrow-minded metal freaks ! She has jazz and avant-garde in her veins....altogether a wider and deeper frame of musical reference than the good ol' boys of the rock "establishment" !! Dear, admirable Miku is an explorer and adventurer....she has more in common with captain Cook and Marco Polo than with heavy convention.....musical or otherwise.

[@falconsooner]

Epic reaction Ryan. It is amazing how they can have the crazy instrumentation of Black Hole and still make it catchy. Don't know if many bands can do that. I like your explanation on how BM changed how you listen to music. I know they have really broadened my horizons. Is there a cooler bassist than Misa?

[@DavidMISAMISAMISACook]

MISA MISA MISA! short answer NO

[@jan-ovepedersen5764]

NO, MISA MISA MISA, she's the only one

[@Rabbi_Rabbs]

I never cared for the studio recording of that song, but the live version, with that MISA/Akane opening, crazy good.

[@armynurseboy]

I'm glad you got over the "language barrier" hurdle. Once you get past that, the world of music available to you is much, much wider. As others have said, I tend to listen to the voice as just another instrument (started with that listening to opera). When you look at it that way, language doesn't matter.

[@jan-ovepedersen5764]

I'm from Norway and did not understand english much until the age of 12, still I only listened to English music growing up. Why is it that English speaking people have a language barrier when the rest of the world does not?

[@armynurseboy]

@@jan-ovepedersen5764 because, to put it bluntly, English is the current lingua franca for business, higher education and pop culture. If you know English as a primary language, you really don't need to learn another language, as in most places, people are trying to learn English. So it's a matter if complacency.

[@RyanMear]

I have to agree with armynurseboy. Also, maybe because the U.S is so big, we can travel thousands of miles and still not hear a different language. We're just not accustomed to it, I guess.

[@armynurseboy]

@@RyanMear That's a big part of it too. Europeans are not as hung up on language, especially those from the continent, as they are used to being around foreign languages all the time. In the US, unless you're an ethnic minority, you're typically not.

[@grantnealon5101]

Great reaction as usual Ryan.. Really like this slightly slower version of manners;; Bloody awesome!!!! agreed on the video, so much clearer than usual... Misa was going ballistic, like her new curled hair look too.. :) My wife was asking me how I can listen to people singing in Japanese? I said exactly to her what you just said.. Lol Its all about the music and the presence, and they rock both... Black hole is another very cool track. Goose bump city, so much happening, can't take it all in.. Love it.. Best wishes from France..

[@SLKRR]

Regarding the lyrics, you can turn on English subtitles. They never used to have these on their videos, but after switching to Pony Canyon last year, all their new releases have them.

[@kazucatsurf5553]

Should listen to the DICE.

[@TheJerm]

So...let me get this straight.... They take "Manners", maybe the PERFECT straight-up rock song and make it...BETTER. Then, because they're freakin' BAND-MAID, play a song which, when I first heard it, thought; "This is a filler tune. Some speed-demon-on-crack ditty to round out 'Unseen World'. They can't play this live. It's too fast...too chaotic". Um yeah....the ladies not only play it...they CRUSH IT! Obliterate it just as the "Black Hole" moniker implies. Absolutely (expletive deleted) ASTOUNDING!!!! Once again, thanks much Ryan!

[@RA57727]

I should probably just say, ditto, to everyone’s comments. These ladies are great, fun to listen to, and fun to see their interaction. Let’s bring back the concerts with; BAND- MAID leading everyone’s list of groups to see live.