Metal Guitarist Reacts: DOLL$BOXX - "LOUD TWIN STARS"

[@DavidKAnderson]

This song has a sort of overarching musical theme: not only are the vocals "twinned" (Fuki and Hana sing the entire lead vocal part in harmony), but the guitar (Tomo-Zo) and keys (Oreoreona) "twin lead" the solo. And yes, they absolutely nail it live (this song is their opener...as a gigging musician, I'm sure you recognize how crazy it is to do that right out of the gate). I've seen them twice, and the Roppongi show in Dec 2017 was the best live set I've ever seen, out of literally thousands...seriously. They certainly have a strong pop influence, but there's a ton of prog in the mix, too. This song, and the rest from Doll's Apartment (2013) are definitely a bit more lighthearted and poppy than the much denser, more prog-metal sound of 2017's High$pec. The former record was also a bit of a commentary on the idol scene and the place of women in Japanese music/entertainment industry in general...a pretty bold thing from any Japanese band on a big label. High$pec is more "serious business," and the live set reflected that, too...fiercer. Hana Sano, the drummer, is indeed an amazing, charismatic musician. Seriously talented, too: she's the primary music composer for this band and Gacharic Spin (the main project of everyone here but vocalist Fuki). She sings lead for Gacharic Spin and plays second guitar these days (used to drum in that band, but they added a drummer, Yuri, and Hana came out front). She's way more than competent on both instruments (particularly drums) and also plays keyboards and several wind instruments. Musical polymath... The other members are technically excellent, too. Bassist Michiko "F Chopper" Koga is superb, with a reputation as the "Japanese Flea." She has some great bass instruction videos. Reona Suzuki ("Oreoreona") is a kind of underrated keyboardist...on the rare occasions when she really steps out, she's got legit chops. Tomoko "Tomo-Zo" Midorikawa is a fantastic guitarist. I don't think I realized _how_ fantastic until that Roppongi show, where I was standing not far out of arm's reach. Among other things, she fired off a superb note-for-note "Eruption." And of course Fuki is one of the very best female vocalists in metal: check out her original band, Light Bringer and especially her main project these days, Unlucky Morpheus. Damn, this comment turned into a novel! But Doll$Boxx are my favorite band in the world (and I really wish it weren't a side project), so I just had to! ;)

[@celluz4156]

A week of them? I'm ready! :D

[@NewAeonWarlord]

Absolutely!

[@TimotatoReacts]

We might end up doing that! haha

[@glenkelley6799]

Great reaction and yes the DOLL$BOXX project with Fuki and Gacharic Spin is one of those collaborations that just works. You might also like Gacharic Spin. They started around 2009 with the drummer Hana (Hana Sano - blue hair - she is also the main singer) and the bassist F Chopper Koga (Michiko Koga), guitarist Tomo-zo (Tomoko Midorikawa) and keyboards Oreo Reona. Three of the girls were born in 1986 and the keyboardist in 1988. These four are exceptionally talented musicians. The guitarist and bassist are considered some of the best players in Japan. Gacharic Spin 2010 - this is (I believe) their first video (about 4 minutes) with a singer (Armmy) that left in 2012 due to health issues (she later passed away in 2015) - kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2LShquqa7dqkNk Gacharic Spin 2013 - this is a live performance (2:17:45) at 1:08:00 there is a drum solo by Hana, the blue haired drummer - kzbin.info/www/bejne/o33RcmV9iLCmkLc Gacheric Spin 2014 - My own Cinderella - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZDXY3Z7mJ6EoM0

[@lisadad954]

glen kelley It’s a little bit wrong. Hana and Koga were born in 1986 and high school classmate, Reona(Reona Suzuki) was born in 1987, Tomo-zo was born in 1988. BTW, Reona and Tomo-zo debuted from major label with former band EU-PHORIA when they were 19 and 18. The band was operated by big production company in Japan. Reona joined the band when she was 15. Tomo-zo was 16. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3vIZIqdfdeMaJY You can see young Reona and Tomo-zo in this video.

[@timgove5337]

They’ve made a video for all 14 of their originals (2012 album & 2017 EP), covered a song of the musicians’ band (Gacharic Spin), and another band (only on live dvd). Fuki Commune [band of ringers from Syu’s band Galneryus, Unlucky Morpheus, Lovebites/Mardelas/Mary’sBlood/Lightbringer studio keyboardist, BabyMetal 8-string guitarist...] has covered 2 Doll$Boxx songs, and there are 2tracks ripped from the live dvd easily available, incl this song, on which the user put the translation lyricstranslate.com/en/loud-twin-stars-loud-twin-stars.html Blue haired drummer Hana is a legit musical genius, writes most, arranges all their music, been signed in some band or another since age 13, sings lead anytime, has played bass, and is now back to guitar, and most likely programmed any synth (backing) tracks, while keyboardist Oreo-Leona plays any piano or Keith Emerson/Jon Lord parts, and bassist Koga pulled the musicians together, & guitar TomoZo, signed by 16, played with, then introduced by, Leona, having to fill their first guitarist’s shoes (Eita), who was basically the first pro shred woman in japan... Know you’re getting to why people pause during vids, put overlapping logos on the original vid space, used to be that changing speed worked... You can try an edit on Reason, just cut audio hear and there, or clip out a tenth of a second. Not a KZbinr, so don’t know what works, but a programmer who can imagine what types of things they might be looking for (for you to target fooling them...) Here are playlists to all Doll$Boxx official vids. Doll$ Apartment 2012. Loosely tells story in order of getting band, signed, abused by fans (you saw Take My Chance), big ego, break up, back together, abused by industry, gratefulness... kzbin.info/aero/PLg-c7IsvlJa66zFkEUxk2mkTfHJnY_OgI High $pec 2017. All good, Last is my fav kzbin.info/aero/PLLpQXyviUUrwO5tnSdtumlhywFr16eDww I’d love to hear reaction to newest Gacharic Spin “Gold Dash”, new album commissioned?/sponsored? for Paralympic Athletes. Listen for the prog, it’s in the rhythms, but well hidden in a Rush sort of way kzbin.info/www/bejne/omnLdmqOobeei6M

[@brandydynamite5877]

Pop-rock, but to a very high standard. Check out 'Sub-Liminal'.

[@Deato9000]

The rest of the band Gacharic Spin are also fantastic, definitely check out their new song/video Gold Dash

[@Socrates_1775]

For a live performance, search Gacharic Spin drum solo. The video begins with a somewhat unique drum solo from Hana, then Fuki comes out, sings with them and kills it! 🤘😁🤘

[@geraldgetskow3420]

Black Survival is my fave Gacharic Spin song to hear live. There is so much organized chaos in that song.

[@Socrates_1775]

Monopoly is another fun song of theirs 😊

[@Deato9000]

Some more fun songs from them are Monopoly, Merrily High Go Round and Dragonet 👍

[@geraldgetskow3420]

The best part of the song is the solo as both the guitar and the keybords are playing the same thing note for freaking note. These young ladies are simply BADASS!

[@jimshort9266]

I don’t know if you noticed but since the drummer was harmonizing the whole time, the keyboard player took over on the growls. The drummer did them on Take My Chance. I don’t know if there is a song where they both do it at the same time. I think I would like that.

[@rickychau7687]

You really should check out and react to Gacharic Spin which is the same band without Fuki on lead vocals. Check out the live performances from their 10th anniversary concert.

[@TimotatoReacts]

I can do that! Is there a song in particular?

[@rickychau7687]

@@TimotatoReacts If you want to see two drum sets going at the same time then try this version of 'Next Step'. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6CVpKWke5KEnK8

[@Socrates_1775]

Search Gacharic Spin drum solo. The video that pops up is from one of thei concerts where Fuki guest sings and kills it 🤘

[@rickychau7687]

Another interesting choice is the instrumental son "Nicorinsei no Tsukin Rush" kzbin.info/www/bejne/jImkc2tpp5WfmLM

[@VGVindaloo]

@@TimotatoReacts and for pure live insanity: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4e3oWaJeritprs

[@RexDexter]

KZbin COULD Become A MAJOR Entertainment Alternative, Now That Cable TV Is Taking An Extended Shit...It'll Just Have To Get American Corporate Music's Flaccid Dick Out Of Its Mouth, Remember It's Storied Purpose, Stand Up Straight And Soldier On Like It WANTS To Remain SOMETHING That Historically AND Creatively MATTERS! #RicFromBelmond

[@SarahCharles92]

DOLL$BOXX are my favourite band to come out of Japan from the early 2010s MONOPOLY is another great track. More recently, Sokoninaru have been tearing it up. I would love to see you react to Sokoninaru - Tenohira De Odoru

[@NanaMediacollector]

A couple of months ago i planned to order the Gacharic Spin Bluray for their 10th anniversary, but then i got fired before i did, haha. But life moves on and so do i. I prefer their 2017 EP, but their first Doll$boxx album is great, too. Btw 7Digital has the 2017 EP for 3,50$ as FLAC (Lossless) and MP3. us.7digital.com/artist/doll-boxx/release/high-pec-7135792?f=20%2C19%2C12%2C16%2C17%2C9%2C2 Oh, and some recommendations. Fern Planet (Rock): kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGmxlXewmseXeMk Dance for Philosophy (Jazz/RocknRoll): kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHayeWNjf5yBiNU Mary's Blood (Heavy Metal): kzbin.info/www/bejne/imHWlKZ7erpohdU Nana Mizuki (Pop): kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKamnKl9f8SIpJo Wagakki Band (Folk Metal): kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWPao2t_YpKNoKs Babymetal (Kawaii Metal): kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWaknXiXq8mcpqM Ai Higuchi (Pop): kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWrSZIprq7tprNU Superfly (60s/70s Rock): kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnXGZGuOqZ6keKc Ironbunny (Rock): kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnezfYCIrq-lhrs Aldious (Heavy Metal): kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmbUg6hoeLmSg5I Alisa Takigawa (Pop): kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYusZouHnZxrhMU Miwa (Pop-Rock): kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJmUYWCEhtihnZI Sayaka Yamamoto (Pop-Rock): kzbin.info/www/bejne/paPUhJmVr7xsjMk Bridear (Heavy Metal): kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5_Yo5uiiJVjjbc Anna Takeuchi (Pop): kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4XMpJh4odt1lcU World Order (Pop): kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHmToYZ-j7Smis0 Girlfriend (Pop-Rock): kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4uxnKSagcd_ptk Gacharic Spin (Pop-Rock): kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3a5q2ilnpKqnK8 Hagane (Heavy Metal): kzbin.info/www/bejne/fH3bmpWefNGHfbM Onmyou-Za (Heavy Metal): kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHfJhaWjfqtqiJY Heartbeat (RnB): kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmfQkpKOp8t3gpo D_Drive (Instrumental Rock): kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGG6YWRjrct2o5I Doll$boxx kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6KqfGh9odhqaNE Deadlift Lolita (This is wild, turn on the english subtitles for the great lyrics): kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZquTY6ljq71je9U

[@VGVindaloo]

If you enjoy guitar/keyboard battles, check out Metallic Spin, another project involving the Gacharic Spin girls. Here they are doing a cover of Rainbow's Spotlight kid: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3O6nIqboNN9mdE

[@timgove5337]

People have mentioned BabyMetal, huge influence, if only because their brand of crazy brought the world’s attention to Japanese rockers. That Metallic Spin link is fun, Japanese love Deep Purple (& kiss & Beatles, & Michael schenker), and the DB/GS musician’s cosplay as European metalheads a la Bill & Ted. Makes me think of this vid tho; no keyboards, but it’s Kami Band (BabyMetal without the girl singers) and GS (DB without Fuki) all onstage at once, covering Judas Priest. Few facts: Takayoshi Ohmura (one of a few “Japanese Yngvies”) has GS be the host band for this, his annual birthday concert, and Kami members to back himself. Blue haired singer Hana & GS bassist Koga went to HS with Kami drummer Hideki Aoyama. This was screen left guitarist Mikio Fujioka’s last performance, he was Ohmura’s teacher and had my fav tone, was in Holdsworth tributes etc, one of the best in the world. And bald headed 6string bassist Boh let GS FCKoga hold it down, so he plays lead/noodle bass the whole time. Again, it’s sort of fancam style, but you can hear em play, and see em having fun (pointing at each other, etc) kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZi3mWmtj8-nfac

[@dragonvert3633]

Opening and ending title of Dollsboxx' MV is imitating old Japanese Kamishibai. What Is Kamishibai? kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGe4g5abeteSsMU It seems that in some songs of Dollsboxx and Unlucky Morpheus, death growl vocals are almost completely used as an instrument. Very interesting in thinking of style of future music IMO

[@kiki_riscky]

❤🎉🤟🔥

[@itsarchie1261]

Thanks for checking this awesome track out! The rhythm in the middle 8 in this track before the solo is really interesting if you like figuring out weird compound bars! If you want to try another DOLL$BOXX track I'd suggest perhaps trying out Omacho No Heitai (Toy Soldier) - another fun pop rock song with electro elements and a short but incredibly sweet guitar solo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIitnGilerp_nJo If you're interested have a look at Gacharic Spin as well which is the instrumentalists from DOLL$BOXX's main band, they're brilliant live, I'd suggest checking out this video of two of their songs: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJLNf5SCe9F6pMU The first track is Jyoushiki Destroyer (Common-Sense Destroyer) and the second track is Ganbanba Dancer - really showing off how varied and unique their sound is. Unfortunately there's not much good quality live footage of DOLL$BOXX on KZbin, but there's a great version of Gacharic Spin and Fuki performing a speed metal track they collaborated on with Fuki outside of DOLL$BOXX called 'Black Survival' - you can check out the clip from their 2013 DVD here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6aYc42kicppsLM (Also includes bonus introductory drum solo) Regarding getting blocked on KZbin, that really depends on the label the music's from, DOLL$BOXX's label for their first album was KING RECORDS who are super chill about reactions, but other labels are stricter.

[@timgove5337]

I love comparing DB’s Toy Soldier with Fuki Commune’s ultra-pro cover kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3uym5awgdSYhpo Here’s KZbin DB DVD tracks (2 you’ve seen the original vid): Loud Twin Stars kzbin.info/www/bejne/ip2XgoGOo6pgjrc Take My Chance kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZq6hIpujtB1nNU Dragonet (my recommendation, with or without trailing drum solo) kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYjHZ31_fbKfoc0

[@Maidrox]

Hey man. check that olde geeses: NINGEN ISU / Heartless Scat（人間椅子 / 無情のスキャット）

[@hiawatha.g]

The $ is sounded, so it's pronounced "Dollsbox". Love this group; you should also check out Gacharic Spin without Fuki, they are really excellent on their own. Here is one of the first things they released, from 2010. Some of them were still in high school. The vocalist/keyboardist left the band in 2012 and died in 2015--sad story. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJfdeqdoZcSrjsk

[@timgove5337]

Fuki was going to be a replacement GS singer in 2012, but they signed with her as DB instead Since then, GS has always made sure to have what they call “17yr old power”, tho the rotating young dancer/MC/performers have had various skills and been aged 15 to 21. Current pink haired Angie came on at 17 about a year and a half ago, is on most recent album Gold Dash and last year’s 10th anniversary Blu-ray

[@TimotatoReacts]

Thank you for that. Had no idea! 👍

[@hardbros2021]

Dragonet, Next 🤘🤘

[@dtmuffinman]

Doll's Boxx first album was so good. They got back together and did another (I think mini) album, but Fuki didn't sing in the higher register that she did on the first one and I just didn't vibe the same way with that.

[@richaelastaley8131]

A place I go for a lot of my Japanese music lyrics is jpopasia.com If they have the lyrics to the song it should have the lyrics in Japanese, Romaji (which is the Japanese characters represented by English characters) and the Translation into English. I would also recommend searching out the basics of Japanese characters pronunciation. There's a lot of stuff to learn, but the basic structure of the sounds are very simple and can help if you're trying to sing along. Can you tell I too have gone down this rabbit hole, lol.

[@maximushaughton2404]

You want some J-pop death metal? Well I can give you 2, 1 is just bonkers. Yuzukingdom - Eyes Shut Tightly Broken By The Scream - KI・RA・I !! What a lot of others do is a link and sync, or another way is to upload a video here that lasts as long as the reaction video (so you get the time from YT) and upload it to another platform giving the link in the description, like reactor hub.

[@TimotatoReacts]

Ohhh, yes please lol adding to my list! 🤘🤘

[@christopherjohnferrer3771]

@@TimotatoReacts I second these bands but include PassCode too.

[@MaximusSkywlaker]

Blocking sucks man, maybe you could pause once or twice to avoid it? Oh, and please react to Fuki - Bloody Rain please please please xD

[@TimotatoReacts]

I could try that! When I started doing these I would pause but people were upset I was ruining the song lol I can't do anything right! 😄

[@christopherjohnferrer3771]

Whenever I see Fuki reaction I press like 👍 Please do checkout Fuki - Bloody Rain /,,/

[@damonbrown5424]

BTW, Syu is pronounced shuu, the same as "shoe". It's just a weird transliteration into English (Romaji).

[@TimotatoReacts]

I assumed I was severely butchering it. Thank you!! 👍

[@DaveKaiju]

The names is pronounced, Dolls Boxx..

[@Darth.Fluffy]

That music sounds like freaking Styx!