THIS WAS FIRE!!!! MY REACTION to: "The Dragon Cries" by BAND-MAID

[@nussekuddenxxx6564]

If I got it right, the dragon in Asian mythology is the protector of mankind or protector of the Earth, or even a metaphor for the Earth itself.

[@russellpotter7294]

This was a collaboration with famous fan and music producer Tony Visconti, who worked with David Bowie and T. Rex etc. Saiki and Miku recorded the vocals at his studio in New York, while the rest of the band recorded the instrumentals in Tokyo. Tony Visconti also turned up at one of the US concerts last year with the most expensive of guitars. Miku posed with it but looked terrified of doing any damage. World Peace and the usual heavy handed visuals that the real culprits ignore while we are told to save water while brushing our teeth tends to over shadow what is actually a really nice song.

[@britwill72jp]

Kanami have done a great job of reviving the psychedelic rock sound of the late 60s and early 70s. This musical diversity is truly Band-Maid's greatest appeal. Can you believe that the same lady wrote the catchy 'Domination', the chaotic 'Blackhole' and the instrumental 'Onset', which is truly 'textbook' level of perfection? Terrific.

[@ralphboyer2538]

Every time I hear this song, I'm reminded of Jimi Hendrix!

[@Amiekinz4ever]

I love hendrix

[@マイク-q2m]

I love this song, first time I heard it I said the same thing, reminds me of Hendrix.

[@ErwanKerivel]

I'm so happy you react to this exceptionnal song, a very few reactions exist 🤘

[@davidornberg]

A bit of an advise. When it comes to Asian bands you have to stop thinking in Christian metaphors. The Dragon is the "Guardian" of Mother Earth. I made the same mistake and I am still learning....

[@785boats]

Absolutely!

[@DAVID-io9nj]

Sorry, Asian dragons are not "Guardian" of Mother Earth. Mother Earth is not even a concept in Asian cultures. Remember that the lyrics was NOT written by the band, but an associate of Visconti.

[@davidornberg]

@@DAVID-io9nj Okey but Googled this and in a Christian way it is to protect Mother Earth and humans... Sort of: All in all, Japanese dragons are revered as the benefactors and protectors of mankind; powerful and wise guardians that shield us from universal dangers, and impart their wisdom. A symbol of good fortune and wealth, they bring us happiness, offering us strength and courage at each important turning point in our lives

[@DAVID-io9nj]

@@davidornberg Firstly, even in Western civilization, dragons were MONSTERS. ST. George and the Dragon, eating virgins, burning towns, sound familiar? Yes Japanese dragons have positive connotations. I doubt it is to the extent of being guardians.Japanese would be more likely to pray to Kannon, Goddess of Mercy, for protection and relief.

[@davidornberg]

@@DAVID-io9nj Yes agree!

[@Kevin6059]

As Space Ranger says, the dragon is not evil but good and representing the earth. That's why it's crying. But at the end, there is a lyric "the Phoenix Flies" - because no Band-Maid song leaves you without hope - a la white snake as you said.

[@Amiekinz4ever]

😊😊😊

[@TomClark-Futoura]

Dragons, a poignant commentary of the sad, self-inflicted current state of the world, is a great plunge into the bluesy rock style given to us by Hendrix and others. Heard live (and without the overly compressed mix), the song jumps from the souls of the members and into our minds as a warning. Let's all heed that warning and support each other and our home planet! Thx, Amiekinz!

[@Amiekinz4ever]

Thank you

[@HG-kr5dc]

日本から。 The song was offered to BAND-MAID by legendary producer TONY VISCONTI and recorded at his New York studio. TONY also came to see BAND-MAID's concert in New York in 2022 on their U.S. tour. He also showed off his Zemaitis 12-string guitar, one of only two in the world. The other one is owned by George Harrison. They are still close friends.

[@realdocloco]

It's not the song that was offered, but its production. Only vocals were recorded in Visconti's NYC studio (where Bowie recorded his last album Blackstar a few years before) - all the instruments were recorded in Japan. Visconti's 12-strings Zemaitis is actually unique (Harrison get in touch with Zemaitis at the same time than Visconti, but for a different model at the contrary of what has been said).

[@HG-kr5dc]

@@realdocloco Thank you for pointing this out. I am not fluent in English, so I am using the Google Translate function. I understand your point of view. It is difficult to translate Japanese and it is not always easy to do so as I would like. Perhaps small mistranslations may occur, so please take this into consideration and forgive me.

[@realdocloco]

​@@HG-kr5dc I totally understand the "lost in translation" concept, don't worry. I often use translation tools (DeepL) for translating in japanese, and I'm sure the result is often far from perfection 😀 ロスト・イン・トランスレーション」のコンセプトはよく理解しています。私も日本語の翻訳に翻訳ツール（DeepL）をよく使いますが、その結果は完璧とは言い難いことがよくあります。

[@HG-kr5dc]

@@realdocloco Thank you so much. It is quite difficult to express in English and Japanese, since the two languages have quite different ways of expression. The Zemaitis thing was mentioned by TONY himself in the BAND-MAID Blu-ray documentary. I am inexperienced, but thank you for your cooperation.😅🙏

[@realdocloco]

@@HG-kr5dc yes, I know about what Tony said on the bluray, that's why I made some research later about it (I'm a huge Zemaitis fan!). Georges Harrison had several Zemaitis guitars, including a 12-strings ... but acoustic. So maybe that's what Tony Visconti was saying: Zemaitis only made two 12-strings guitars: an electric for himself, and an acoustic for Georges Harrison.

[@Space_Ranger]

In Asian culture the dragon is opposite. It's a very powerful nature spirit that's tied to the world. Sometimes a god (small g). Usually associated with rain but also floods. Christianity only partially made it's way into Japan and like all over the world, the culture it's in changed it a bit. This song was produced by Tony Viscontii of Bowie fame. Saiki and Miku went to New York to work with him on the vocals.

[@Amiekinz4ever]

Thank you

[@bartyslattfast]

Over protectionists fans hate this song cause "its not bandmaid" like they were held at gun point while recording it. They themselves said they learned while recording this. Listen to "flying high" and you will see the influence but improved by them.

[@Amiekinz4ever]

I love this song

[@Space_Ranger]

Perfectionists always loose out on great songs! This is a fantastic song that shows off how they can do just about ANY rock genre.

[@starocean62]

Very thing you speculated about this video was wrong sorry you were the snake is the dragon in Japanese lore dragons are serpentine hope this helped but BM didnt write it it was a collaboration

[@Amiekinz4ever]

I can't get them all correct. Much love ❤️

[@realdocloco]

Great song (and I said it from the start), great Visconti's production but awfull mastering (not his!), clumsy MV (they should have kept the church images only). That song sounds great live!

[@785boats]

But man. Those images are exactly what the Dragon is crying about. They totally belong in the video. Churches have nothing to do with it. The dragon was here to protect & oversee the Earth & life. It cries because of what mankind is doing to itself and the Creation.

[@realdocloco]

@@785boats Of course I understand the purpose of these images, but I find their use clumsy and lacking in talent and finesse. The snake/dragon symbolism is good for me, but the images seem to have been taken at random from a database. The production is poor, if not non-existent for this part of the video. A more subtle and profound video would have been much more effective (and consistent with Band-Maid) in my opinion.

[@785boats]

@@realdocloco Fair enough. Each to their own.