Metal Vocalist Reacts - KOIAI - A New Picture (Official Live Video from "1st LIVE in JAPAN" Blu-ray)

[@Dead-EyeMetal]

I play 7-string guitar: I've been playing guitar for decades. Lisa and Hazuki scare the crap out of me. Even their dust is way ahead of me.

[@JeffreyAube-cb5tr]

Unlike a lot of folks who’ve commented, I quite like their poppy stuff. The two EPs they’ve make for great drive listening. Li-sa-X is one of the rare KZbin guitarists who genuinely aspires to a career in music and is willing to put the work in to make it happen. Plus she seems to be musically curious.

[@MaxMaidiac-h5y]

Japanese metal bands will do poppy if they please and the critics be damned = Metal as F*ck, imo.

[@hiawatha.g]

Great pick. Koiai are at the intersection of several threads in the J-rock world, in this case centering on Lisa-X. The word “prodigy” gets thrown around way too much, but in this case, it is fully deserved. Lisa-X has been posting music on youtube since she was seven, did credible covers of Dream Theater and Polyphia at 10, and has had her own band since she was 13. The core members of Lisa-X band were Lisa-X, Rina on vocals and Hazuki, formerly of Disqualia and now the lead guitarist for Nemophila, on co-lead guitar. Rina left the band in 2022 and they took a hiatus to rebuild. They re-emerged as Koiai, and can legitimately claim to be a supergroup. Kotono joined them after stints with various groups including Ironbunny. The big catch was Kanade Sato on drums. Sato is also a member of Muses and is in big demand as a session drummer. Wakazaemon has been appearing as a guest on bass. She frequently tours with Marty Friedman and is also a member of East of Eden. Here are some links worth checking out. The first one is Lisa’s 2017 appearance at the annual female rock festival organized by Show-Ya-she is up there with some of the best guitarists in the world and they clearly love sharing the stage with her. The third one is her collaboration with the even younger drum phenom, Yoyoka Soma, who is herself a force of nature. At NaonのYaon (age 12): kzbin.info/www/bejne/npPIiGqPqstgl5I With Hazuki: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3_CoH-nidCUbK8 With Yoyoka: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGqaeX6unJl2rc0 With Billy Sheehan (!) on bass: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqvWoqCkesZrb8U Here are some links to Koiai: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nV6tdoiNo7magLs kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIKymaCFbKaZaKs kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJ_NcptrbbR0Z5I (cover of Dirty Loops version) Overall, rock is not only in good hands, but arguably has been taken over by Japanese women. The future looks great!

[@paulread4886]

Even Pop is in good hands. One Way Or Another. Rina left. ... bad move Rina.

[@AngelLWJ]

hazuki🎸🔥🤘🏻 Actually this song is quite special in their music. Koiai is more pop oriented band

[@JannAsheNemophilaFan]

Incredible song. Lisa X and Hazuki incredible guitarists. Hanade on drums, Waka on bass. Very progressive, Liquid Tension Experiment , Dream Theater vibes.

[@Prophet12]

Great reaction John. Their music is really a mixed bag. This song deifinitely stands out. I think they are still finding their sound. If they settle on this, then we're off to the races. The other song released at the same time as this song is "One way or Another." 😃

[@schelin1447]

A super-band: Lisa-X, Hazuki, Kanade and on vocals Kotono...at least Lisa-X and Hazuki should be known by the western audience!. Great band!

[@DragonPhlyy]

Love this group and anything Hazuki (from NEMOPHILA!) or Lisa X is involved in!

[@baumi-metal9123]

Kanade Sato often is very underrated or overlooked, cuz she is such a relaxed drummer, but one of the best drummers there is in my oppinion. And what can I say about Lisa X and the rest? Just Mindblowing musicians!

[@davesheville2023]

Absolutely. Kanade is amazing!

[@RobinC63]

@@davesheville2023 yes. She came along in the shadow of Senri Kawaguchi so I think that’s why she flew under the radar for some people. Kanade is definitely an incredible drummer.

[@maximushaughton2404]

I wouldn't say underrated, just that well known out side of drumming circles. When she was 14, Kanade was ranked in the top 10 female drummers in the world, it may also be that she plays a lot of jazz fusion. I 1st saw her play when she was 16, in London, with a band now called Muses.

[@Kanimfortaas]

Yes, Kanade Sato is grandiose, Lisa X and Hazuki are grandiose, the band is grandiose. But I have a little problem with this comment - or rather with one enigmatic word (and I find it far too often in the YT): There are those people who know what Kanade is capable of, what level she is playing at, many are watching, some are commenting (the only relevant data available). And then there are all others who simply have no clue, no idea of the artist, no idea of what quality drumming is about, who are sort of ignorant So I actually don't know who could be the ones underrating (!) her. Meanwhile I have scanned many comments and reflections (some online magazine stuff) on the phenomenon Kanade Sato and I never came across that very term or a similar idea. Indeed, this would be a strange and incomprehensible verdict - if you knew what she has already done to build up a solid artistic reputation (finally she is an extremely reliable drummer and a highly gifted musician, what she is not is a monodimensional icon of the pop music industry): The great Minoru Mukaiya recognised her talent very early; at the age of 10 she was introduced to Chick Corea (at the Tokyo Jazz Festival). She won the "Hit like a Girl" competition for females in the under 18 age group when she was 11 (and Senri Kawaguchi was part of the jury - Kanade already played with Senri when she was 9 and Senri was 15; their cooperation culminated in the "instrumental summit" at Blue Mood in 2023, both playing in Rie's temporary combo). Kanade participated in Maati Baani's Michael Jackson tribute video production, performed live with fusion keyboarder Kiyomi Otaka when she was 12, played there that part of a song that a certain Dave Weckl had recorded for the respective studio version. She worked in Rei Narita's marvellous Ear Candy Jazz Factory (starting at the age of 14 - latest release in 2023), participated in some of guitarist Rie's album productions until she joined the Muses project, did also some occasional recordings with Almondot. But what finally brought Kanade into the top league were her interpretations of Dave Weckl, The Brecker Brothers, Bob James, Casiopea, finally her demonstration videos for Roland - a paragon of perfection. Soon the "princess" impressed the professional drummer scene (I already mentioned that in another comment): 2020 a drum fest was initiated in Los Angeles, U. S. of A., which was held as an online event due to Corona restrictions. The line-up reads like a wish list, the amount of musical competence was downright intimidating. Only two women were invited: Senri Kawaguchi and Kanade Sato, 18 years old at that time. (Senri and Kanade - two different approaches to drumming, two different personalities. - I know of many musicians who simply want to do their job, no matter how admired they are. There even are people who claim that Kanade might not really know how good she is. It's obviously normal for her to have a sublime aptitude and to work as hard as possible.) Once again: As I notice, Kanade is hugely appreciated by nearly everyone who has experienced her (she is well known in her native culture and even appeared as drummer girl Lunetta in the cleverly produced NHK edutainment TV serial "Musica Piccolino") and it means something when professional drummer veterans state that they are driven to tears when they watch Kanade play (ECJF's "Tailwind" promo video from 2017 intensely illustrates all those musical and emotional aspects of Kanade's way of performing). - Probably the most important factor of her career is her father, Masanori Sato, a drummer himself, a wonderful composer, arranger and producer (as well as an obviously cautious educator and teacher), who writes instrumentals that seem tailor-made for his daughter's musical needs - and it's an abundant pleasure to see and feel her passion when she is contributing to the tunes her dad has created (e. g. "Blow Away" - playthrough and Muses combo version, "Return to CC" ). - Having in mind all her musical activities it seems to me that meanwhile Kanade has a proper answer to each and every musical challenge she faces. In this current case she delivers what Lisa demands - as you can hear, the synergy in Koiai works fine. And I hope it will pay off one day - in every imaginable way. Links (It's not AI, it's KS...): 2014: Kanade Sato - Drops (Masanori Sato) (playthrough) kzbin.info/www/bejne/jorTd39mbdJonLM 2014: Kjyomi Otaka - Departure (Kiyomi Otaka) (live performance) kzbin.info/www/bejne/qajZkmBtodJ1ibs 2016: Maati Baani - Heal the World (Michael Jackson) (multiple sources internet production) kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmfHZ4ylaKmqjKs 2017: Ear Candy Jazz Factory - Tailwind (Rei Narita) (promo video) kzbin.info/www/bejne/oquklIN8Zq2Feac 2020: Kanade Sato - Festival de Ritmo (Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver) (playthrough) kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5unh42Gr8uGZ8U 2021: Kanade Sato - Meet the V-Drums (Roland) (playthrough) kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGrOonx5l76LndU 2021: Kanade Sato - Blow Away (Masanori Sato) (playthrough) kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5e7pp6LiLJ4gK8 2022: Muses - Blow Away (Masanori Sato) / Scramble to Space (Rie) (live performance) kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3ObY2uHZ5mCgKM 2023: Kanade Sato - Return to CC (Masanori Sato) (playthrough) kzbin.info/www/bejne/qF6ciX5jZ9h4bK8 2023: Rie - Urban Highway (Rie) / Summer Carnival (Rie) (live performance) kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYPHknmZedNmqc0 Supplement: 2023: Masahiro Higuchi - "Rock Fusion Night" excerpts (live performance) (From second no. 101 on you'll experience some of the most satanic fusion notes ever drummed and played.) kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHbOpa2GeplgeZI

[@donaldbohn3183]

Love this band! BAND-MAID just announced the 9/25 release of their new album "Epic Narratives" that includes their colab with The Warning!

[@ericnaylorguitar]

been seeing reaction videos to this song popping up, but because I don't trust youtube to suggest good music I hadn't clicked them. But thought I'd give it a chance I'm so glad I did this is totally the type of music I like 🤘👍 Thanks for reacting to it 😊

[@buccanero]

Sort of like an all-star band: Lisa-X on guitars Hazuki (Nemophila) on guitars Kaede (Muses) on drums Wakazaemon (East of Eden/Marty Friedman band) on bass Kotono (IronBunny) on vocals

[@rickwagner-]

That’s Kanade Sato on drums. Not “Kaede”.

[@buccanero]

@@rickwagner- you're right, I miss-spelled her name.

[@Vitericus1]

Hazuki x Li-sa-X = 🔥🔥🔥😲

[@Greish-esquire]

Hazuki and Lisa X ... Can't go wrong 🥰

[@fastskipper777]

Freaks on Guitars: Li-sa-X (genius) and Hazuki (Nemophila); Drums: Kanade Sato (genius); Bass: Wakazaemon (East of Eden; a freak on bass); Vocals: Kotono (ex-vocals Iron Bunny and backup dancer BabyMetal)

[@robertturner8040]

LIsa X and Hazuki two of the best on guitar any where goes to show how in Nemo Hazuki is holding back LOL .I hope that Koiai do more like this because it fantastic .

[@RobinC63]

Heard this when it came out and fell in love with it immediately. Whoever wrote it is a genius. It also has all the musicians I admire so much. The “oompah” parts, for lack of a better word, is a cabaret style and reminded me of Kaizers Orchestra, a Norwegian alternative rock group. I did my music degree with the Tuba as my major instrument so you guess why I liked it so much! 😅😅 John, I’m so glad you “get it.” I’ve seen other reaction vids where people are clueless. It’s like they want their music all wrapped in a neat little box! Bollucks to them! 😅

[@fastskipper777]

Li-sa wrote the song. She is a genius.

[@JL-sc3pi]

Hahaha, I was actually gonna suggest these gals to you… Their technical ability is astounding.

[@nancysmith3400]

🤗Mind blown……… tech skills off the chart, thanks, we needed that !!!

[@markmathewssgbcpenaltyboxs6389]

My favorite song of theirs. The heavy metal instrumental part with the guitarists riffing and shredding then a complete change of musical for the vocals. Amazing.

[@djbillutley]

They are a very diverse band. They are relatively new. Lisa X was a child prodigy on guitar. The other guitarist is Hazuki, her main band Nemophila is fucking AMAZING! I am completely obsessed with her. As for more music from KOIAI check out 'Make You Regret' it is more poppy, but good. I strongly recommend you check out Nemophila though.

[@TlanImass]

Mate, I think John knows NEMOPHILA already. He’s been to one of their show in Japan. I think he has interviewed them as well.

[@djbillutley]

@@TlanImass ok, how was I supposed to know that? He seemed to not know anything about them and asked for info.

[@mlm5150]

Man, I was expecting some hard core screaming and what not after that intro. lol I was blown away by this band!

[@JK-tz6kk]

They need to tour with Band Maid when they come back to the US. Side note: they already have an electronic billboard banner on The 10 freeway in Banning, CA. Waka-sama (she can handle 3 bands) needs to be a permanent party with Koiai (Coy-eye), which means either deep blue (Indigo) or Deep Love. With the E-board going, I suspect they will be in SoCal soon. Try "One way or Another" It sounds like an homage to ACa DaCa, Po! Btw, When you ask Prog Jazz/Fusion folks to play Prog Rock/Metal in Japan, you get this masterpiece! 🦍🍌

[@michaelfriedrich9417]

Ein Kunstwerk 👍👍🤟🎸🎸🎸🥁🎤

[@PANIC_aka_PinD]

I think we all knew ... at least those of us who watched it, simply seeing the little demo "KOIAI / "Take It or leave It" [short ver.]" on Lisa X's channel about a year and a half ago, that this was going to be a super-group. They have not disappointed us. I think Kotono the vocalist is not given a chance to shine here. I think once you find other songs you'll have an equal appreciation for her. She only has a supporting role here.

[@DragonPhlyy]

Ok we all get one free pass for not recognizing Hazuki from Nemophila, but thats it!

[@JohnReavesLive]

Bahahaha dude the wild thing is literally right after I did the reaction I was like… was that her?!? Full on forehead slap moment 😂🤦🏻‍♂️

[@DragonPhlyy]

@@JohnReavesLive lol you get a free pass!

[@goatqi]

I was kinda shocked he didn’t recognize her 😮

[@1972cd]

Hey John, glad you got to them! I messaged you about Koiai at one point. As far as subs, They are a very new band. They have another song from that concert out there called "One Way or Another".

[@DragonPhlyy]

BTW i highly suggest Lisa x waiting for you next!

[@ericandrews6827]

I know this is old. But I don't know how you could possibly not recognize Hazuki. Not just from seeing her, but her playing, especially her tapping . Hell just from her guitar. She has been working with Lisa X the entire time Nemophila has been together. Since 2019. First as the Lisa X band and now Koiai , which is basically Lisa X band with a new singer and regular official drummer and bassist. Most of their songs are more pop , but with the same phenomenal playing. Lisa X is a child prodigy who was on shows like amazing kids and posted a video of her covering Paul Gilbert's sacrifice when she was around 12. It brought her to the attention of Billy Sheehan who immediately contacted her wanting to work with her as well as Paul Gilbert himself among others. This concert was last summer I believe soon after she graduated highschool. Yes Lisa X had just graduated high school a short time before and was 18 years old. But dammit man, you have gone to Japan with seeing Nemophila a major part of the trip. You have zero excuse for not immediately recognizing Hazuki. Check out more Koiai and Lisa X band and you will understand why I say people shouldn't be surprised how easily Hazuki can step up with Saki gone. She also wasn't under utilized, the difference between her and Saki was style and basically method of writing. Saki was a shredder and wrote from the guitar and wanted to play as fast as she can. Hazuki writes from the piano and tends to approach more from a melodic angle Hazuki wrote Now I Here and If I remember right her and Haraguchi San wrote Zen. An example of Saki's approach would be Enten . They remind me of Midori and Miyako from Lovebites . Midori and Saki lean more towards shredding. Miyako and Hazuki both write on the piano which leads to being more melodic

[@amgerth]

Try "One Way or Another". It's 70's rock with ripping solos.

[@michaelthain4488]

Love it. Tried to get their Bluray but sold out.Rarely seem to restock in Japan

[@markhayes9004]

They have a few songs on their KOIAI KZbin channel, all with Kotono as the lead vocalist. You can find some more of Lisa X on her Lisa X Band channel on KZbin, which will have Hazuki playing with her on all of the songs there. The Lisa X Band originally had Rina singing lead vocals until she left the band, and then Kotono took over as lead vocalist. They did a cover of a Polyphia song a while back, with Kotono, and they recently did a cover of a Dirty Loops song. "Looking Up To You" would be a great example of their music with Rina as lead vocalist. Take care John, I hope you have an amazing week.

[@joebarrera9741]

IM I. LOVE WITH THIS BAND

[@dave4reel188]

Not sure how i missed this reaction, and a little surprised you never mentioned Hazuki. But then again, she's in her alter ego/kindergarten teacher mode....while shredding. And don't get me started about Lisa-X literally slaying as an 18/19 year old

[@michelm.6033]

Hello John. I met you at Nemophila’s Budokan show. Hazuki invited Lisa-X to that performance and I’m sad I didn’t see her around the venue. Hazuki and Lisa-X have been working together for around 7 years. Note: Lisa is only 19 years old. Kotono, vocalist, replaced Rina about 2-3 years ago. Kanade Santo on drums was officially added around 10 months ago. Wakazaemon on bass was a guest musician. This is a fabulous band and I see you have suggestions already. Now make amends and react to another. ;)

[@andreaspedersen3952]

The bassplayer here is probably one of the most sought after session players. When recording, I believe the bring in Li-Sa-Xs little brother, who also is a very good musician. In this live recording they brought in Wakazaemon, who is most known as member as East Of Eden and collabs with Senri Kawaguchi and former Megadeth member Marty Friedman. This has become some sort of brainworm last months. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJ_NcptrbbR0Z5Isi=3QLbL7NKV7HJrcjS It's a cover of a cover... Though it's more of jazzrock, it's catchy as fudge!

[@russellward4624]

The guitar leads are very Jason Becker Perpetual Burn. Love that. Not sure if you know Lisa X, shes one of the fuitar players and is a famous youtube guitar player sheding Racer X at like 8 years old.

[@paulread4886]

A new genre..... Shock - Prog ? Love it. They do cross-over to Pop as well. See "One Way or Another," and it is perfect for that genre too. WT F?

[@jimhammitt6102]

The only thing wrong with this song is that it is just too short. Love it!

[@goatqi]

I miss me some Ironbunny and Kanade is my favorite drummer 💀

[@curtisi4403]

As we speak I heard they are working on their next release.

[@rkk578]

They should really employ a piano player as keyboards are really important in their music. I find it odd how people talk about how Japanese bands playing live, while they have as many backing tracks as real instruments on stage.

[@ericifune5543]

Check out the few songs of Lisa X band. Not too many because she was still in high school at the time.

[@アクセスインフォメーション]

😊

[@norbertgroll7113]

I saw a funny interview with Hazuki about the formation of KOIAI and she said Lisa-X didn't even asked her if she wanted to join, she had no say in it 🙂

[@ericifune5543]

Well, she is like Lisa X's sister.

[@rkk578]

Who wouldn't want a technically proficient guitarist with songwriting skills who has zero desire to become a lead guitarist?

[@moscatodasti1]

Great band, it's sort of a super band made up of members from other bands. The vocalist use to be in Ironbunny

[@MaxMaidiac-h5y]

I wonder if Kaneda brings a lot of jazz influence?

[@fastskipper777]

Well, she is mainly a Fusion Jazz drummer. But, she can play any genre.

[@CaffeineNightOwl]

supergroup

[@blindlemonpye5706]

See if you can go 30 seconds without screaming oh my god .

[@sebastienlangonnet8852]

nearly 3 minutes in and you haven't spot Hazuki yet ...

[@MegaHogzilla]

This is their best song, hands down. A lot of their other stuff is pop oriented and feels like watching someone drive a Ferrari around while strictly obeying the speed limit. YOU HAVE A DAMN FERRARI, FLOOR THAT THING!!! They need to focus their sound in this direction and explore some uncharted territory.

[@vipman3150]

They have the talent to play musical instruments, but they don't know the direction of their music. I think it would be better to have an American producer write the music.