Must all good things come to and end?🎤|Wagakki Band ft. Amy Lee of Evanescence, Bring Me to Life

[@wanderleyjesus6772]

I was preoccupied that you were about to faint!!! Really beautiful arrangement.

[@ScalesAndTalesFigureReviews]

As someone who also grew up with this song, and still love it to this day, I think this is actually my favorite version of this song. Truly stunning arrangement. Great reaction and breakdown of this performance!

[@geromyre]

I'm glad you came back to Wagakki Band for a reaction vid! Please do more if you haven't heard some of their songs! Details of this performance I adore - Amy Lee's and Suzuhana Yuko's (singer) stage presence. Amy is all power stances, fists, punching the air, etc. Yuko will do similar moves to match her energy, but a lot of times she switches back to her open hand, sweeping motions, and big head movements. It's such a beautiful visual aspect to how different their performances are, and how well they sync up with each other. I was kinda excitedly waiting for you to get to the call-and-response bridge duet that is just stunningly wonderful. I love how the beginning in the original was the music box with a lot of wind effect (in the video anyway), and Wagakki Band were like "Oh, the intro is melancholic, sad, and mournful? No sweat," and just had the Koto (Ibukuro Kiyoshi) and Shakuhachi (Kaminaga Daisuke) blow it out of the water. The way the Shakuhachi chases the duet movements with quick progressions that dance around the melody. Moving into the final chorus there's this amazing depth to the sound. Then the video cuts to Kurona (Wadaiko) on the MASSIVE taiko drum creating this rumble that supports the entire song, and then Wasabi (rock drums) comes in on the cymbals as a counter point. (I dunno how great of a reaction video it would be, but you should look up the drum duets Kurona and Wasabi do in their lives. Sadly, half of the video is usually them trying to get the audience to do the wave.) A lot of people point out how cool Amy's outfit is. It's even better when you realize that the band's outfits are all western fabrics and aesthetics, sometimes with Japanese styling (Yuko's big, furisode sleeves reminiscent of a kimono); and then Amy's is the only one who has a Japanese motif outfit. Btw, their stylist, Yuka, has been doing their costumes and outfits for many years, and has her own instagram account. Follow her @yuka_fashioncreator If the comments in the original video didn't say yet: Amy Lee was a complete surprise for that concert. She and Yuko had been friends for years and Yuko wanted Amy to perform with them and they worked closely together to make this cover. She comes back for the final chorus of their encore song, Senbonzakura, in the same concert. And then the two actually did a collaboration for a new song written in the pandemic, Sakura Rising, which is about the promise of distantly separated friends to see each other again. Btw, one major reason for the hiatus is that Yuko and Kiyoshi got married last year and had a kid! While I believe most if not everyone in the band has at least one writing credit (Asa, the bassist, has quite a few, as does Machiya the guitarist), Yuko is the heart and soul of the band. Making a band fusing traditional Japanese music with modern music was her idea and she hunted down members who she wanted to work with. So if she's out so she can focus on raising her kid, that's gonna put the band on hold. And finally, I actually did get to see them live on their second US visit. They came to NYC, and one of my best friends and I saw them in the Playstation Theater in Times Square. As someone else already said in the comments: they are somehow even better live. They are the rare breed that remember not only that they are 'Performers' rather than 'musicians', they actually really ENJOY being performers. Their love and passion for their music is infectious and man, oh man, do you feel it at their concerts. I'm still hoping that I can catch one of their New Years Concerts live in the future. I know that admission to said concert is the same cost as a one-way ticket back to Japan, but hopefully one day.... Anyway, please do more Wagakki Band reacts!

[@agdtec]

I love seeing people who love music as much as I do, and to see you tearing up at the beauty of this performance your such an individual.

[@SLKRR]

A perfect collab in every way. Heavenly!

[@DrAcula-os1nz]

Yuko Suzuhana has, due to rumors that they are breaking up, stated that they are not disbanding, they are just taking a break and will come back to deliver new good music to the fans.

[@kicorse]

They put out a statement at the start of the year that they are going on indefinite hiatus to focus on solo activities for a while. That's often treated as a euphemism for breaking up (and usually rightly), but even their initial statement made it clear that they intended to get together again at some point in the future. Of course, this was all in Japanese, which makes misunderstanding by westerners more likely.

[@OtobokeGaijin6218]

The statement, dated 7 January 2024, was in English as well as Japanese. The expression used in the English--"indefinite pause of activities"--is a literal rendering of the Japanese. No misunderstanding.

[@DrAcula-os1nz]

@@OtobokeGaijin6218 Well... it was five months ago and was only in English, and was on Yuko's YT channel. Here's what she writes "For some reason, rumors are spreading abroad that Wagakki Band has disbanded, but we are still active!!! We have been active as a band for 10 years without a break, but from next year, each member will make time for themselves and further strengthen their individual strengths. We will take a break from band activities for a while, but please wait for us. We are not over."

[@961リノ]

@@kicorse Their activity has come to a definitive end!

[@kicorse]

Since there has been some incorrect information in the replies to this correct original comment (and my correct original reply), I'll repeat that their initial statement made it clear that they intended to get together at some point in the future. The original statement was in Japanese. A subsequent statement in English was released which included the statement: "The conclusion reached by the eight members was that they should take a break from their activities as WagakkiBand, concentrate on their individual projects and improve themselves individually as artists and musicians. Then, when the eight of them take to the stage again, they will be able to share even better WagakkiBand music with the world."

[@flozbi4401]

Thank you NittPicc. Your reviews are always on point. You see and feel things others don’t. Finally someone gets it. ❤

[@arthurwilliams7511]

Yuko has one of my favorite voices. One of the most beautiful singing voices I’ve heard in my opinion.

[@galencox1531]

Match made in heaven was my first thought when i heard it the first time. 11/10. Absolutely perfect and happy that they wil come back after their pause. Yuko and Amy are so next level together.

[@mikeat2637]

I was waiting for you to react to this at some point. I feel it's the best arranged version of the song hands-down. And you are correct, the addition of the traditional instruments as well as the full orchestra makes this a performance for the ages. It is truly a Grammy-worthy rendition of a timeless song. The vocal harmony between Yuko and Amy is just perfection. You might want to react to the other collaboration of Yuko and Amy, a covid-inspired song named "Sakura Rising". I'm pretty sure the arrangement was done by Shin Ohmura a/k/a Machiya, Wagakki Band's guitarist, who is an excellent composer and lyricist in his own right. Yuko was the founder of the group and she implicitly trusted him with the arrangements of all their songs, including her own compositions. And he always knocks it out of the park. I was very sad to see that they were going on hiatus, but I understand completely. Yuko and her husband Kiyoshi (koto) were married in 2020 and their daughter recently turned two years old, in November I believe, so I'm sure they are looking forward to a lot more family time. I never got a chance to see them live because I was unable to get tickets to see them when they were in the US in 2019. There is no doubt in my mind that they have been the world's reigning supergroup for the last 10 years. I also think you owe it to yourself to watch this entire concert, as it is one of the finest I have ever seen. It is called the Premium Live Symphonic Night Vol. 2 from 202 at Osaka-Jo Hall, and excellent venue for this type of show. There is a playlist of 16 videos from the show that are just beyond words. You should react to each one in sequence, it will be a singular opportunity to see the melding of classic orchestra, traditional Japanese and modern rock/pop. If you enjoy the traditional Japanese style, you should look into the project Yuko had before forming Wagakki Band, a group called Hanafugetsu, where she worked with her husband Kiyoshi and shakuhachi player extraordinaire Daisuke Kaminaga. Yuko has also done some side projects, such as "Cradle of Eternity", with members of the Kami Band, and "Campanula", a wonderful song that kind of foresees her future as a mom. Yuko Suzuhana, in my strictly amateur opinion, is the finest vocalist out there today and probably the finest frontperson on the planet. You just have to watch her performances at live shows, especially their annual Dai Shinnenkai concerts, which usually happen in January or February. A person would have to be blind and deaf not to notice it. Some other artists in the Asian traditional genre you might want to look into are, Moyun, a young lady who plays the guhzeng, the ancestor of the koto. There is also Jingxuan, who also plays the guhzeng in open air performances in Europe. Lastly, there is Ni Ni Music, a young lady from Taiwan who specializes in traditional stringed instruments and lives in the US now. She has done many excellent covers, including an amazing cover of "Bridge Over Troubled Waters". She was on America's Got Talent this year and acquitted herself quite nicely. I can't wait to see your next Wagakki Band reaction. And I love the way your passion comes forth during your reactions.

[@TheSeeking2know]

Woah! So Creadle of Life was done with *the* Kami Band, of Babymetal!?! Yuko is a beautiful and immensely skilled vocalist! She has created a one-in-a-million music group with other complete experts!

[@richardn8866]

I was lucky enough to see them in November. They sound and look more impressive live. One thing that struck me was we didn’t clap & cheer for an encore, WE SANG!!!! I had never experienced that before, it just shows the love and respect the audience has for them. I hope I’ll be able to see them again. Thanks for doing this.

[@ericifune5543]

Yes, it's done for Wagakki Band. I've never seen it for any other band. The entire crowd sings together. It's a beautiful thing. And they have far and away the most diverse crowd you can imagine. Small kids up to aged grandmas.

[@lordvorador5735]

Yay you've finally done it! I knew this one would blow your mind. 😊 Best version ever of Bring Me To Life, & I say this as a huge fan of the original.

[@waynebenedict4609]

A delightful collaboration of talent! Amy and Yuko mesh so well! I think this version is every bit as good or better than the original!

[@armitagehawkshaw]

The song "Sabaku no komoriuta" from this same concert is an emotional stunner - it gives even more chills and goosebumps; if you can find the version with english / spanish subtitles it brings the Japanese lyrics home (the original Japanese is almost more touching to me for what it leaves out rather than what it overtly says).

[@mikeat2637]

I agree. "Sabaku no komoriuta" is the most beautiful song I have ever heard, with "Hana Ichi Monme" and "Queen of the Night" close behind.

[@gitsnak777]

Haha, great facial reaction. Pretty damn awesome

[@eaglez1901]

Ya, they'll be back. Not gone for good. Taking family time, which is important

[@imuza.h9324]

Japanese bands have traditionally performed with orchestras if they were popular. Band-maid Kanami recently said in an interview that there are several songs she wrote with this in mind. I'm looking forward to seeing it come true.😊

[@dancingcat-lr9yk]

Wagakki Band - A Letter with no name "my favorite song of them ✨🐱

[@Langenschwerte]

This reaction was like a Hallmark movie. I just watched NittPicc fall in love. No shade on the other members of Evanescence, but personally, I think I love this version even more than the original.

[@hazardouswaste08]

this rendition of the song always gets me right in the feels. cant watch it in public or people will get the wrong idea.😆

[@stevebradley6275]

There is another song from the same concert where Amy Lee joins near the end of the song "Senbonzakura" and sings a little in Japanese.

[@EpcotScott]

It's awesome to see someone else think this is next level

[@missandei8371]

I have been waiting for you to react to this song. I am so happy now. ☺

[@mightydegu]

There was a time when, on any given day, I may have called Wagakki Band my favorite band (it was between them and Band-Maid). Obviously Band-Maid pulled way ahead, but I still love early Wagakki Band and regret never seeing them in concert. I hope they get back together in the future fully recharged and recapture that magic they had on their early albums.

[@Gary-Ellis]

I haven't heard this in a few years. An amazing live performance.

[@srudine]

Love this! I just listened to this song a few weeks ago after hearing a Band Maid (Maiko?) song (I think...or was it Babymetal?) that reminded me of it so having your reaction coming now is perfect timing.

[@emeryharrison9325]

Wagakkiband is the first Japanese band I had ever heard, thanks to Amy Lee. Amy appeared on an Wagakkiband track called "Sakura Rising " which Amy put in one of her curated playlists in her Spotify profile, and then I checked out Wagakkiband and my musical life has not been the same. About 80% of my current listening are Japanese bands.

[@gham5586]

Yuko Suzuhana is amazing! Check out their mv. “Queen of the Night”, with subtitles,a beautiful and haunting song ❤!

[@michaelthain4488]

Was going to commrnent that they are not beaking up permanently but a couple of commentators beat me to it already. Good news as really like this band

[@pohojisan1287]

和楽器Wagakki※ Band Members Yuko Suzuhana (鈴華ゆう子) - vocals, piano Machiya (町屋) - guitar, vocals Beni Ninagawa (蜷川べに) - 津軽三味線tsugaru shamisen※ Kiyoshi Ibukuro (いぶくろ聖志) - 琴koto※ Asa (亜沙) - bass Daisuke Kaminaga (神永大輔) - 尺八shakuhachi※ Wasabi (山葵) - drums Kurona (黒流) - 和太鼓wadaiko※ ※ The wagakki is traditional Japanese musical instruments 鈴華ゆう子 Yuko Suzuhana (vorcal) is a 師範 Shihan＝Qualified instructor of 詩吟Shigin＝the recitation of the poem (a traditional Japanese performing art), and her singing is based on the vocal method of Shigin. Additionally, she has also studied 剣詩舞 (Kenshibu＝Dance with a sword & fan to 詩吟Shigin) since she was a child. She also studied piano at the Tokyo College of Music, and is a very experienced and talented songwriter. Beni Ninagawa (蜷川べに) - 津軽三 味線tsugaru shamisen＝The shamisen is a three-stringed Japanese instrument played by striking the strings with a plectrum, known as 撥bachi. Tsugaru-shamisen refers to both the Japanese genre of shamisen music originating from Tsugaru Peninsula in present-day Aomori Prefecture and the instrument it is performed with. Tsugaru-shamisen is characterized by fast and furious playing, which sets it apart from the usual traditional shamisen music, but it also goes well with rock and metal music, so it is not uncommon for Tsugaru-shamisen to perform and compete with those fields. The koto is known as “Japanese harp”, traditional Japanese stringed instrument similar to a zither. The shakuhachi is a traditional Japanese longitudinal, end-blown flute that is made of bamboo. The wadaiko is Japanese drum. ※ And, Waggaki Band entered a period of inactivity on December 10 this year, the band's 10th anniversary.

[@deacon45]

Loved watching your face…

[@竹内朔]

I want to hear more your reactions to WGB, because you know about Japanese traditional instruments well and react very vividly on point. By the way, the most played traditional Koto has 13 strings, but the big one Kiyoshi Ibukuro plays has 25.

[@Cheezzepuff]

Amy Lee did a colab song with them, it's called "Sakura Rising." It's actually a banger.

[@ericifune5543]

I was at the finale show at Tokyo Garden Theater. Lots of tears. This was their 10 year anniversary tour. Yuko said that she founded the band to bring awareness back to the traditional arts and music. Based on their popularity and the number of students they get, they succeeded. They all are involved in music education. Yuko, the vocalist, and Kiyoshi, the koto player, have a child under two years old. I think they want some time for parenting. Hopefully in a few years the band will get back together.

[@OtobokeGaijin6218]

I know they told select fanclub members who were at a reception before the finale that they will definitely be back.

[@mechanicat23]

I need to find all performances they have on DVD

[@961リノ]

The band has definitely split up announcing it in the final concert held in TAIWAN, their last concert was touching and at the same time full of immense gratitude for these extraordinary artists, all of them will remain in the world of music but in what role is unknown, the fact remains that their exit from the scene will be impossible to replace, Yuuko, Kurona, Machiya, Asa, Kaminaga, Benina, Wasabi, Ibukuro will remain in our hearts forever, perhaps much more for those who had the honor of seeing them, when they left the stage I cried like a child, I never thought I would be so sad for a band that leaves the scene, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING MAGICAL BAND!

[@TheSeeking2know]

Yuko has said both on her channel and also in other channels that the group is not breaking up.

[@961リノ]

@@TheSeeking2know Yes, they declared it, but things have changed, at the Ariake Garden Theater in Taiwan all the members made their farewell declarations and their feelings towards their fans and towards the fans of the band, from Benina to Kurona, from Yuuko to Machiya, unfortunately things are like this and they cannot be remedied, at the beginning the possibility of a temporary stop was taken into consideration, but then the final decision was to disband definitively, the one in Taiwan was absolutely the last concert!

[@TheSeeking2know]

@@961リノ Oh my goodness...

[@961リノ]

@@TheSeeking2know Already!

[@961リノ]

@@TheSeeking2know One thing I forgot to say, Yuuko, Kaminaga and Ibukuro, form the band Hanafugetsu, this band, unlike Wagakki, remains and continues to make music, this is because as a band it is less demanding, it does not have world tours to do because it is more for the Japanese and Asian market.

[@TheSeeking2know]

The PURE JOY on your face from the start was GOLDEN!!!

[@DavidMISAMISAMISACook]

Beni Beni Beni!

[@paulrowe006]

I didn't know I needed this.

[@mac3jp]

Please listen Wagakki Band song more! My recomedation are "Hana Furu Mai", "Sakura Rising" w/ Amy Lee, "Noushou Sakuretsu GIRL", "Synchronicity", "Kyoshu no Sora" 2018 and "Senbon Zakura".

[@COYO-T]

The song after this song Amy rejoins the band and is singing in Japanese

[@donaldbohn3183]

BAND-MAID were recently asked if they'd like to preform with an orchestra. It seemed like a novel idea to them, but it would seem they would given the right circumstances.

[@ahodori-dl5hz]

This live video is from the DVD that was included as an appendix to the CD "TOKYO SINGING" released in October 2020. This was their second collaboration with an orchestra, and the venue was Osaka Castle Hall, which has the perfect reverberation characteristics for orchestral performances. In fact, Wagakki Band was selected as the official ambassador for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and "TOKYO SINGING" was planned to be released with the Olympics in mind, but the pandemic made the holding of the Olympics itself uncertain, and all major events were canceled. Now, Amy Lee's interaction with them began in 2019 when Amy invited the members to her concert in the United States. They hit it off, and in return, Amy invited Amy to this concert as a surprise guest.

[@brujahduk6492]

Same reaction

[@kieranbuffini8632]

💙💙💙

[@willemkoekemoer5042]

As far as i know she and the Koto player had a son not to long ago and she wants time to raise him

[@COTTERO]

To hear the most beautiful duet of Yuko and Machiya please react to 'Doppo' live. Wagakki Band, 'Doppo' live: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3jRZZ9-d8h-q6ssi=jevORjSYpeibu70f To hear more Japanese rock accompanied by an orchestra please react to One OK Rock. One OK Rock, 'When I Was King' live: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKmmdoCvZZdletEsi=MJMdz13RCW6q-P0h One OK Rock 'Fight the Night' live: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpvSppSbYseqkLMsi=2hhOFObeCbC_BBJQ Don't make the same mistake and listen to them soon.😉... 😀😁

[@robertpalka1491]

Your reactions are always a treat 🙂 About orchestra and rock/metal music, noticed you haven't reacted to Galneryus "yet" :-) You'll no doubt love their vocalist, and the lead guitarist is considered one of if not the best guitarist in Japan. Their song "Angel of Salvation" has an orchestra playing in the song. Here is the studio version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKTMant7or-fb7s The live version is more than double the length, coming in at just under 17 minutes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnqoZnt3i8acp6s Enjoy! 😀

[@gatograto]

A Great review to a great music. The guitarist Machiya actually sings like John Denver. A duet with the Singer Yuko Doppo kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3jRZZ9-d8h-q6s. It is a piece of art.

[@mikeat2637]

Yuko and Machiya's duet in the same concert of the acoustic version of "Amenoche Kanjouron" is also a amazing. They are excellent matches for each other in duets and harmonies.

[@gatograto]

@@mikeat2637 Indeed, they are.

[@sawzarrashid5649]

👍👍

[@Ibu_bumi]

NEXT REACT ALFFY REV PERFORM WONDERLAND INDONESIA 2

[@tamashii6670]

Great reaction. :) I'm for the first time on your channel, just KZbin recommended me this video. I don't know if you're taking requests from comments, but I would like to recommend another amazing japanese band, something different, but... If you can, please react to band Luna Sea and their song "Until The Day I Die", there is one video that is 6:46 long and on thumbnail is guy with violin, in that video is included incredible intro on acoustic guitars and violin, and song is a ballad, you can turn on english subs there if you're interested. I hope you will react to this amazing performance. :)

[@shiranui2]

Yuko SUZUHANA (鈴華ゆう子) ; vocals, piano and Kiyoshi IBUKURO (いぶくろ聖志) ; koto player got married in 2022 ! And it is decided that this band is dissolved...

[@pohojisan1287]

Not dissolved, it is only a hiatus.

[@gedece]

I'm not a big fan of the song, but this version has so much more that it's great.

[@richardhead68]

check out nightwish, "ghost love score"