Metal Vocalist First Time Reaction to - BABYMETAL - AKATSUKI「紅月アカツキ」BLACK NIGHT

[@scottgarland335]

"Su is just a freaking force". No truer words were ever spoken.

[@paulbenwell3560]

We jest not when we call her a goddess.

[@legitdeadly9162]

Akatsuki, the greatest of all BABYMETAL songs, a Su solo, and the complete proof of why BABYMETAL was formed around her. My favorite song. For a reason. Akatsuki unfinished, the piano and strings version without the metal, is one of the most beautiful performances Su has ever done. She gets ultra emotional. However, later versions of Akatsuki, especially at Dark Night Carnival and Budokan 2021 highlight just how much Su grows as a vocalist. She was great when young, the older she gets the more exquisite those vocals become. Unfortunately Budokan was the last time this song was ever performed, three years ago. Hopefully, it returns someday.

[@zackamania63]

There’s no such thing as THE greatest song, because they all are!

[@kitkat6407]

The clean, dignified and noble atmosphere that SU-METAL wears fascinates me. There is no one else like her.

[@i.shuuya3231]

There's an even better performance of No Rain No Rainbow (and whoever disagrees is objectively wrong /jk): the Legend S Baptism XX performance.

[@linko994]

Akatsuki has always been and still is my favorite BABYMETAL song. It's just Su-Metal performing to perfection.

[@yunametal344]

Your reactions are always great. Please continue listening to BABYMETAL. From the Japanese🤘🦊❤

[@fabioc.9404]

First song: “ No rain no rainbow”, by far the best Babymetal’s song!!!

[@reinhardvonlohengramm2659]

私はsuが歌ている間、YUIとMOAがステージの下で宿題をやっている話がとても好きです。

[@autohmae]

16 year old Suzuka/Su-metal is an amazing performer. Honestly maybe the best.

[@emmanuelagustinrodriguez7410]

25

[@igorrsaw]

@@emmanuelagustinrodriguez7410 in this video hes watching? 16

[@Tyyppl]

lol first thought you had uploaded a wrong video by accident since the reaction started with No Rain No Rainbow but luckily we got Akatsuki aswell.

[@JohnReavesLive]

lol yeah! I thought they flowed really well into each other

[@onigiri9964]

Yea, im thinking that too right now...This is No Rain no Rainbow.... 🤣🤣🤣 Havent got to Akatsuki yet...

[@Grington300]

Great double reaction. Budokan 2014 was right after the first album was released. 'No Rain, No Rainbow' was not on the first album - Su was not satisfied with her performance of the song (it debuted at Legend 1999 in June 2013) and she was not ready to record it then - she felt she was concentrating mostly on getting the lyrics right and hitting the right notes, not enough on the meaning and emotion of the song. It seems she saw tears among the audience (must have been here as this was only the second performance) and only then did she realise her voice could effect people in that way ... the song was on the second album. There have not been many live performances of the song, the definitive performance was at Legend S in 2017, although the Tokyo Dome and Budokan 2021 performances are also quite special in their own ways too. Both these songs pay homage to X Japan song - 'Endless Rain' and 'Kurenai' respectively. 'No Rain, No Rainbow' was the first (only? I'm not sure) song one of the Kami Band had a writing credit for - Leda Cygnus did the guitar arrangements.

[@yunametal344]

Great guide comment👍

[@JohnReavesLive]

For real thank you for this info!! Her voice is so epic in this whole part in the concert I loved it!

[@Grington300]

@@JohnReavesLive You're more than welcome - I'm off to watch your reaction to Black Night now (and I hope you will do Red Night some time as well since they were a pair and told a story over the two nights).

[@Grington300]

@@yunametal344 Thanks🦊

[@rickwagner-]

Yes, that's right. Leda was in the studio on guitar and bass for several BABYMETAL songs, but that's his only writing credit.

[@martinmetal7481]

What a treat thought it was just Akatsuki, but I got NRNR. I thought you screwed up at first, but I knew Akatsuki followed, so I just hoped that's what was going to happen. Miss the Su solos love Su just belting it out. How could you go wrong with that . We call her Queen for a good reason ❤😁🤘🏼🦊🤘🏼

[@Stuart.O]

no rain no rainbow has to be one of the top5 babymetal favorite songs Su at her best

[@zackamania63]

Make sure you have the tissues ready…

[@thenormalman3409]

I like both🦊🤘

[@jeffschreifels8651]

It's been a long time since I've seen a reaction to either of those songs. Thanks for that ! There is just something about the way Su sings that captures my heart.

[@jakemuller8626]

_Akatsuki daaaa!_ 🦊🤘🔥 Mah man so cool to see you with this double reaction back to back. The first one, NRNR was a hard rock ballad, the power ballad was the next one "Akatsuki". A lot of things to say of these two great SuMetal solos, but the main important thing is both are X-Japan tribute, NRNR to Endless Rain and Akatsuki to "Kurenai", of course highly suggested if you wanna check it out. Fun fact NRNR was already live premiere at Legend 1999 in 2013, there's a proshot version but the sound and guitar mixing wasn't so good, the first album was released in 2014 but with only Rondo Of Nightmare and Akatsuki, either way SuMetal didn't feel ready to deliver this song and the album version came out later at Metal Resistance in 2016. We always recommend the live version at Legend S Baptism XX SuMetal 20th Birthday 2017 but it's heavily blocked, so try to enjoy it in your free time, you should really not miss that version. Oh btw, did you saw when SuMetal raise her pinky finger? That's our neverending promise of love, don't tell anyone 🙈❤ Have a nice weekend John. Kitsune up!🦊🤘🔥

[@tonygriffin_]

Me watching the first 7 minutes "But...but this isn't Akatsuki, this is No Rain, No Rainbow!" Me for the rest of the video "Ohh, a double bill! Thanks John!" 🦊🤘🤘🦊

[@Unibear419]

ya man😂 i feel weird too Is NO RAIN NO RAINBOW

[@darkside-metal4457]

I always look forward to BABYMETAL's reactions. Thank you for focusing on SU-METAL's solo this time, No Rain, No Rainbow and Akatsuki are both my favorite songs. There are several other versions of NRNR, but this 2014 Budokan concert is my favorite version. I can't help but cry every time I listen to it because of SU-METAL's still young expression on her face. I heard that SU-METAL had not yet received formal voice training at that time. I believe that her voice was a gift from the fox gods, containing vibrations that appeal directly to the hearts of those who listen to her.

[@kevinhiggins7838]

BABYMETAL never half-asses anything.

[@CN-zi4gs]

Thank you for sharing a fun fact that while Su was singing her solo, Yui and Moa were busy doing their homework at backstage 😂

[@robertg9719]

Queen Su in the spotlight, where she belongs. Make way for the Queen!

[@emb5091]

Great reaction! It's easy to forget that Su was only SIXTEEN years old and is a tiny 5ft-1in (155cm) singing goddess in this video! This is one of my most favorite BABYMETAL songs and performances because it is the most badass yet touching songs I have ever heard: "Going over thousands of nights, some love shall survive. So, until my body perishes, until my life disappears, I shall keep on cherishing this love." 🤘🦊🤘

[@tanewoodley9806]

If Headbanger wasn't such a perfect song, this would be my favourite Babymetal song, it's so good.

[@Dragon-Believer]

Su is average height for a Japanese woman. She's taller than my daughter and I'm American.

[@kruz76]

akatsuki is my number 1 favourite song

[@dave4reel188]

No rain No rainbow?!?....my absolute favorite Su solo song. The Hiroshima Green Arena version is an absolute emotional performance (for me) because it's the first performance without Yui and last performance with Mikio before his passing. I swear she's about to cry at one point.

[@dave4reel188]

Oh, and Dark Night Carnival Akatsuki is easily in my top 3 Su performances

[@TheHenrymontemayor]

Plus it was in her hometown and we the the history there

[@noelsan6369]

You should check out akatsuki 10 budokan version

[@Ganimal83]

Just watched your Budokan Black Night concert reaction on patreon, where this came from. Epic as usual! Loved your commentaries on vocals as well, learned something new!!

[@mtascp05]

Akutsuki was my first BM video I saw. Down the foxhole I went...

[@JMxx6204]

Su-metal. Absolute star. Amazing talent.

[@rickwagner-]

⚡ / ☂ 🌈 / 🔴 🌙 That must have been quite a night. Three solo songs from Su. 'No Rain, No Rainbow', followed by 'Akatsuki'. Then 'Rondo of Nightmare' later the same night.

[@IAMisLove]

👍👍😇😇Breathtaking💯!! 🦊 🖖❤

[@starlightmm]

we got bonus of no rain no rainbow then

[@necromontys.]

always amazing ❤❤❤❤

[@Icipher353]

These more gentle solo songs where she doesn't have to really do choreo and her voice can just shrine through are so great because she gets to just flex her full vocal skills without distraction and it sounds amazing. Amazing when you consider she was only 16 years old at the time; such a mature, confident performance. Also, these performances really make me miss the days when the Kami Band got to be a prominent part of the show.

[@Stuart.O]

oh my god what a beautiful voice fricking love this song

[@mikeat2637]

Suzuka Nakamoto is what I would term a generational talent. She could do anything she wanted to in any genre at any time and in any place and succeed wildly. In a way it's sad that she is not able to use her talent in other types of singing performances. I hate to use the term but it's like she's typecast into a certain genre despite Baby Metal's delving into other areas of music. No Rain, No Rainbow and the unfinished version of Akatsuki are excellent songs as they are and much more soulful. I would love to see her try her hand at jazz/funk, I think she could do wonderful thing in that and other styles which would give her a shot at a solo career at some point. You see that diversity of genre/style ability in another generational talent from Japan, Yuko Suzuhana of Wagakki Band, who is in my opinion is head and shoulders above everyone else in a general sense. She doesn't have the raw power of Su, but the versatility of being trained in the traditional art of Shigin as well as modern singing styles gives her an added benefit. Being a classically trained pianist and an excellent composer and lyricist doesn't hurt either And this is no denigration of Su at all. They are just different types of great singers. And Yuko is of course 10 years older and has had a lot more experience in the classical sense. After watching the end of No Rain, No Rainbow and then Akatsuki with the English subtitles, it made me think of another song that is similar, but different, if you know what I mean. It is a song called "Strong Fate" by Wagakki Band and Yuko is the vocalist. The tenor of the song and the story is so traditionally Japanese and the stunning visuals of the music video are something I never really experienced before. It took quite a while for it to grow on me, but it is a masterpiece when you get down to it. I'd like you to check it out and give us your thoughts. You've spent quite a bit of time in Japan and seem to understand things pretty well. I think you will be very impressed. Just put in Wagakki(Japanese Musical Instrument) Band / [Strong Fate] Full Size Music Video, it also has English subtitles.

[@Tabadi]

At the beginning I was like this is black night but doesn't sound like Akatsuki, still listen to the whole song, what a voice!!! thank god we got a double feature with No rain No rainbow.

[@zackamania63]

I don’t know what she’s saying, but the song makes me feel so good internally 🫶

[@road-runner]

Great double reaction, thanks! I admit that watching that show (Budokan Black Night) and specially Su's three solos, was what made me a die-hard fan. And "Akatsuki" is my favorite song of all time and this is still my favorite performance. 🤘🦊

[@nedvva]

First half is No Rain, No Rainbow

[@URangryX]

Suzaka is one of the BEST vocalists of our generation. Much respect to BABYMETAL! The entire production is amazing, the singing, the dancing, the lights, the musicianship on display....simply INCREDIBLE!

[@paulbenwell3560]

I look forward to you reviewing her later versions of No Rain, No Rainbow from Legend S which is so so much better than this. You can hear the maturity in her voice. This was a 16yo yo girl, in Legend S you hear the 20yo woman. Her stage craft and presence even at 16 is a masterclass. Every intonation, every hand movement is perfectly rehearsed. And watch as she plants her feet solidly and wide in Akatsuki and opens her arms to really get the power of her voice without ever straining. Oh and never once have I ever seen or heard her "phoning in" a performance. She gives 200% every single time she performs

[@emb5091]

The second video is the performance that made me a BABYMETAL fan years ago! I had seen clips of IINE, Doki Doki Morning, and of course Gimme Chocolate, but it was that song and performance where BABYMETAL took my soul deep into the foxhole! To this day, "Akatsuki" is still my #1 favorite BABYMETAL song!🤘🦊🤘

[@crimson0119]

Akatsuki Unfinished is a tear jerker for me, No Rain No Rainbow from Legend S is a close second...two performances you should checkout, since you've seen the other OG version of one, and Su's younger performance of the other..... Lots of singers have got range and power like Floor or Tarja, but Su can put so much emotion into the way she sings.... WHEN you checkout Akatsuki Unfinished and No Rain No Rainbow from Legend S, keep a close look at her facial expressions and overall performance..... 😁😁😁🤘🦊🤘

[@birdbranch]

This song is so beautiful. SU can sing emotions. ❤❤❤

[@suprekamnesia9028]

Try reaction Babymetal Road of Resistance live in japan please

[@poohbear4702]

I feel like Su is mostly a no-frills vocalist. And I love that. Frills are mostly to make up for lack of talent. She's just a straightforward, old-school sounding vocalist. And I'm all for that.

[@celluz4156]

I miss the Babymetal of that time 🥲love the "recent one" but my best Live where the ones with the first album for sure :D and i really miss that time when the Kami band wasn't an "anonymous" background on stage...

[@brutalshow3364]

🤘🇺🇦❤️🦊

[@メタ太郎-g5f]

Thank you always JOHN-METAL😄🇯🇵🤘🦊

[@josephdoo]

😎😎😁🤘🤘🤘

[@spaceboy1433]

Great reaction John like always, I’ve seen all the concerts on DVD and I love them all can’t get enough of the Beautiful Babymetal. And I’ve been Chat with XPdunk he look well

[@kaieasthammer8243]

Nice just hope U get a chance to see the baptism xx live version of No Rain no Rainbow, Su metals vocals are amazing and so full of emotion. My favourite Su metal performance 😮.

[@jackpatterson7110]

I'm speechless every single time I hear them perform despite not having attended any of their concerts... Have you reacted to Babymetal's Shanti Shanti Shanti? The live version (not glastonbury) might be my favourite from them :)

[@dhiaksaputra]

Late to watch... But man... Akatsuki is one of my fav from them.. especially live version ! Su is queen !!!

[@bradmenpes809]

Thanks for playing both songs back to back. BabyMetal fans know what an incredible vocalist Su is, but many occasional viewers may not. She sings with power, precision and incredible emotion for well over an hour in BabyMetal shows, all the while spinning, jumping and dancing. There's no doubt that she absolutely loves performing live. And she *performs* in the true sense of that word. Many A-list acts could learn a lot from her, imho.

[@renon936]

Tears of my eyes filled out with this very beautiful song. Hard HeaveyMetal and gentleness are fusing into some warm feeling

[@actuallynotsteve]

Imagine being sixteen, saying you're going to be the best female rock vocalist ever, and doing it immediately and being right. This song in particular kind hits different than the rest of their stuff.

[@oneofmanyCBA]

I wrote out a long story and went to fix a typo then it all disappeared... short version: I just saw them in Seattle not too long ago. Couple months. what happened to the other two girls? Anyway the band is super tight. I'm really looking forward to seeing them again !

[@chrisjackman3259]

I think i get it. Life is so hard to stay in the game. And when im with babymetal all the disparities just disapear. And i let the pain drift away. And tears of joy pour from my face. Its magical

[@NateyCat]

If you haven’t yet. Check out Atsauki “piano live” And the first song is “no rain no rainbow” ❤ u

[@uwek-metal]

No Rain No Rainbow! 😂. Nice reaction!

[@garywilliams1948]

My favourite female vocalist !

[@glenkelley6799]

Every hero deserves a great cape (rumor has it she beat down Dracula and took his cape).

[@Wagoo]

No need.. vampires just crumble into dust in the death rays of SU-METAL’s glare 🦊

[@annatarus4396]

👏👏👏👍🎤 БРАВО!!!❤️🪷🪷🪷🇹🇩

[@Sherman1fan]

Please add NRNR to the title!

[@Yukichi.D.A.]

この頃のBABYMETALは感動したよ。神バンドと10代の女の子が世界に向けて頑張ってたからね。今見ても涙が出るよ。今はlovebitesにハマってるけどw。

[@gonsfx1792]

Awesome reaction, as usual. Thanks! I assume you're typically only taking suggestions from your Patreon, but I will still try: Alien Weaponry - Kai Tangata Bloodywood - Aaj Bloodywood - Dana Dan Knorkator - Absolution (LIVE @ Summer Breeze Open Air 2015) Igorrr - Downgrade Desert Maximum the Hormone - Hungry Pride Maximum the Hormone - Yoshū Fukushū Ningen Isu - Heartless Scat Voice of Baceprot - School Revolution Electric Callboy - Parasite Electric Callboy - Pump it With mouch love from Germany, enjoy!

[@Wombatmetal]

No Rain No Rainbow, did not expect that. You said she was a good vocalist, Su-metal felt she did not do justice to the emotions of the song. And she didn't sing No Rain No Rainbow again for some years. She did not phone it in, but it wasn't up to her standards.

[@birdbranch]

Queen SU ❤❤❤

[@jorge33484]

Su is amazing i love her

[@いぶし銀-t6x]

VERYnice

[@birdbranch]

The EPIC death stare ❤❤❤❤

[@riokun2240]

This no rain no rainbow 🗿

[@seregamolodets5286]

🍅💀🍅 🤘🏼🦊🤘🏼 All of them are Force.

[@marienickell3912]

You should react to Ft. Island mv.pray, wind and any other mv. Also, The Rose mv Sorry. Both are Korean bands. Awesomeness! Sending good energy your way!

[@ayah1262]

You should react to megitsune it’s another baby metal song and it’s really good and she was really young when it came out

[@Kokolojis]

Babymetal headbanger pa pa ya and megitsune live please

[@herryhubert2706]

When I first heard Babymetal some 10 years ago I already liked it. Eventho it was obvios this was not a band started by a few friends making music. It was all a commercial setup. But so what? Here in the Netherlands commercial music is so bad, it makes me ashamed of being dutch. Luckily I grew up in another subculture: punk/metal. Another thing was that it kinda was suspicious to say you liked a band with three cute little girls fronting the stage. So most of my mates kinda ignored this band. I just played their music every once in a while. Cos I did like the perfect switching from metal to J-pop, like in Doki Doki Morning, or the eardrum battering backing vocals in Gimme Chocolate. Recently my son (20) re-discovered them, and plays them along with other japanese bands (mostly from anime's). When I heard their new songs, like the one above, I was mesmerized. Su has developed so much and she is much more than a puppet on a string of a commercial businessman. She CAN sing. And I am so glad I now have tickets for their show this summer.

[@RelaxingMusicstudio-o3d]

could you hear the song wuji is was wrote by lin hai but it was sing by Xiao Zhan and his friend Wang yibo

[@legolaslane2931]

Dude, these girls are good, but, I want to hear a sample of your voice.

[@JohnReavesLive]

Might be working on a big project with another reactors you might know as well!

[@dave4reel188]

@JohnReavesLive is that what Alan was hinting to??? You doing some vocals for Dicodec?!?!?

[@legolaslane2931]

@@JohnReavesLive Why can I suddenly picture you with Dan Vasc?

[@AK-tv6bo]

NO RAIN．．この曲は原爆の悲惨なHIROSIMAやNAGASAKIへのhommageなのです、

[@guitar-hirochannel]

This song isn't "AKATSUKI" This song is "No Rain, No Rainbow".

[@Milvus23]

Er, no rain, no rainbow ? Not Akatsuki?

[@Grington300]

Both songs

[@Milvus23]

True, just the labelling

[@Grington300]

@@Milvus23 👍🦊

[@KimmyGibson]

John, have you heard 15 year old singer Emma Kok....I don't see her in your videos. Please give a listen of her singing (in French) with Adrea Rieu, Maastricht.....promise you won't be disappointed. ty

[@黒い扇子]

🤘🦊🤘 表題の曲名が不足してます。 ２曲目は確かにAkatsukiですが最初の映像はAmoreです。 Amoreも表記するべきでは？ 初めてBABYMETALを見た人が誤認しませんか？

[@Killem911]

Those performances bring always some tears into my eyes (no idea where those onion cutting ninjas are coming from). There is just something very special about Su’s voice that pierces right into your soul and heart. ❤️ What I always found fascinating in their early shows is how much she struggled with her IEMs due to the unique shape of her ears and still managed to deliver such amazing performances. That’s why she is the queen! 🤘🔥🦊