Wagakki Band - Homura + Akatsuki no Ito (Live) reaction | Metal Musician Reacts

[@thomashan4963]

*BROOO* Of all these reaction videos, you are the only one I've seen to acknowledge that guitarist tapping and singing at the same time. Nobody .. nobody seems to know how impossible it is. Subscribed! PLUS: I got myself a custom-made fretless acoustic guitar. It took me almost a year of practicing to finally learn that I still suck :D

[@claymore2of9]

The "violin thing""is a Japanese Shamisen and the good picks as it were start at around $2000 you should remember the instrument from Band Maids Secret Maiko Lips its the same as Misa was holding in the beginning

[@triquivijate]

Asa's bass tone is so delicious. Beni Shredding with the Shamisen is so rock-and-roll. So much talent in this band. Yuko has one of the best voices in Japan. I so desperately want to go to one of their gigs. it'll be one hell of a show. - This is a real grand finale show-stopper. Glad you liked it champ. :)

[@slapdaddyj]

I don't care how much the tickets cost, I'd sell a kidney to see them in concert and I know it would be worth every penny!

[@scouser052]

The pick she's using is called a "Bachi" traditionally made with an Ivory handle and Tortoise shell pick, the vocal style is based on "Shigin" an ancient form of poetry recital, the "vibrato" is created by manipulating the vocal chords

[@slapdaddyj]

I saw a doc on a Geisha school and they were talking about shamisen's and saw how the really good ones are 10k $ or more! I'm not keen knowing the front and back is made from dog or cat skin. But hey, different cultures and all. Not an easy instrument to learn how to play.

[@rudigerpawlik2623]

@@mimitan Bachi used for stringed instruments are actually picks. They are very distinct in form and use from Western-style picks, which are usually smaller in order to be held between or mounted to fingers. In shape, bachi are similar to an ice scraper or a putty knife.Bachi can be made of various materials and with varying levels of strength. Similarly to guitar picks, bachi were traditionally made of tortoise shell or ivory but these materials are rare and expensive , therefore making bachi in these materials highly expensive and impractical. Modern and more affordable variants are often made of acrylic, plastic or wood.Generally, bachi made of softer, more flexible materials are easier to play with for beginners, but harder materials produce a stronger sound and last longer.

[@howardbrown911]

I loved this reaction!!! You catch so many elements in this performance and knowing the words, or not, you make it interesting!

[@ralphboyer2538]

This is rapidly becoming one of my favorite bands. I love the fusion between traditional and modern. It's awesome that they honor their centuries old traditions, but then blend it with modern instruments and techniques. I don't know of any band that does this fusion so seamlessly. Can't get enough of them.

[@mojtabaamuzegar7190]

That instrument which Beni Ninagava plays is shamisen and for playing it, player uses a plectrum called bachi

[@JuanSan66]

Cool!. Excellent video Champ. Only in Japan! This is one of the bands on the waiting list to see it live. It must be amazing!

[@KebusuNiisan]

The thing is, all of them are master-level musicians, virtuosos in their own craft. The flute (Shakuhachi) guy is a teacher of the said instrument in universities across Japan, then the vocalist (Yuko Suzuhana) is a certified teacher of Shigin (Ancient Japanese way of reciting poems, which she also incorporates in her singing style). And some of them used to represent Japan on worldwide cultural exchange programs. The bassist, dude named Asa (Yeap, he's a dude) is also a producer for Vocaloid, which they also covered some of their songs during their first years as a band.

[@Thatdoginme_m3]

Trap character

[@ElfInflicted]

Beni is a virtuoso shamisen player, one of the best there is. Legend has it that when the band was forming, she got wind of it, informed them she was joining and they were like, 'k. Dunno if it's true but it's a great story.

[@ElfInflicted]

@@rapcoremanx She certainly is, and unfortunately we'd never have heard of her if she wasn't. It's a sad fact that for women, it doesn't matter how skilled you are, you won't get anywhere if you're not also attractive. :/

[@USCndaATL]

Beni approached Yuko after a show and told her that they were missing a shamisen player to complete their sound, and said she could play it. The band listened to her and then told her she was in.

[@jimpollock8303]

About the traditional drums ... they come in various sizes, up to 5 or 6 feet across, often played in ensembles, or Taiko. One of the first world-touring groups was the Kodo Drummers -- I remember seeing/hearing/feeling them at Toronto's Massey Hall, one of the last great wood-built orchestral spaces, and the entire building throbbed. There's a Kodo video from last year which shows many shapes & sizes of drums, and will rumble your blood. The U-tube title is "Zoku" Full Version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npbKnYl9bZimmaM

[@Ratchy]

Hi Champ!! at 9:45 the scale you are wondering... Believe it or not it is Pentatonic Scale (D minor pentatonic). You can find the exact note on the "pentatonic block shape" 10th fret on your guitar. Pentatonic scales are very often used in "Enka" or other Japanese traditional songs.

[@fenris7769]

Every member of that band are considered masters of the instruments especially the traditional ones and of Yuko with her singing

[@mamehakase]

Yes!! You've touched on the genius of the guitarist/backing vocalist Machiya. Very few reviewers have actually pointed out that he's tapping and singing harmony at the same time. Another thing about him and his genius: count how many frets he's got on his guitar. The fact that his guitar is longer than the standard guitar and uses his customized capo.... That should be patented. Maybe it is.

[@hiawatha.g]

By the way, they are barely known in the U.S. but in Japan they are as big as Babymetal.

[@ohcomeongetoutofhere]

"Homura" is from the guitarist Machiya' solo album, before the forming of the band. The original starts slow and doesn't contain shamisen solo. They play both versions along with many more instrumentals. Every major tour/ live show they introduce new instrument combination. They did anime, movies, series, games music too. Other acts combining traditional instruments: Yoshida brothers (probably the most famous one, shamisen duo) Hanafugetsu (pre-Wagakki band, that is still active. Founder of both bands Yuko (vo. and piano), koto player Kiyoshi and shakuhachi player Daisuke) Rin' (disbanned sadly, but very good) GYZE (metal band that uses some traditional insrtuments, not regularly i think) CrowXclass (visual kei, side band of the wadaiko player Kurona, along with shakuhachi and koto player of Wagakki band, and a shamisen player that would be in Wagakki now, if Beni (current shakuhachi player) didn't show up) Kagrra (visual kei band) Sakura men There could be more, but i can honestly say that Wagakiband are the best, certainly the most versatile one. They also top the pop charts, even though being too rock and too traditional for that.

[@falagar4567]

Homura (焔) means Flame. You don't need me to explain to you how much "fire" that instrumental half was. This has nothing to do with Demon Slayer's Homura (炎) which also means flame.

[@ShikataGaNai100]

Both Beni and Yuko have their own channels. Yuko does piano and vocal tutorials and Beni mostly does stuff about food. Beni has done everything from cooking to bungee jumping. Yuko is a brilliant musician, not "just" a vocalist.

[@leonmichaels2773]

Actually there are markers on the edge of the Shamisen neck instead of frets for the player to key on for sound. It's one reason Beni is almost always looking down. I have read that Machiya, the guitarist wrote Humora before the band formed for a different project.

[@jonasw3945]

Great reaction But this has nothing to do with Lisa's Homura deamon slayer song lol, this one is their own original song, Homura is a live instrumental song, Akatsuki no Ito is a song part of their 2015 album "Yasou emaki"

[@rollingjunkie]

They are unique on their own. There have been many attempts to combine traditional music with western music of course but not many are successful.

[@turmat01]

So that second drum set is the first traditionnal instrument you hear here, it's called Taiko. The sound of these drums is incredible, I was lucky enough to attend a live, private Taiko concert for my friend's wedding, the sound litterally punches you in the chest, it is incredible. The japanese guitar (banjo-like) is called the Shamisen (The player, Beni, is not the singer). What she holds in her right hand is the pick, called a Bachi. Historically they played with a fan, but with time they developped a fan-shapped pick. fun fact: a Bachi is EXCESSIVELY expensive. Like... it's insane... As in... this is the sole reason why I don't own a Shamisen... The horizontal harp is a Koto The bamboo flute is a Shakuhachi The signers's (Yuko) type of singing is called Shigin, and is a traditionnal way of reciting poetry.

[@RudiTheMan]

Those drums, they rumble, for those standing there in front of the stage, they don't just listen, they feel it hits,

[@ShikataGaNai100]

Shakuhachi = 8-hole flute. Shigin = Japanese/Chinese poem recitation, set to music. Wagakki = Traditional Japanese instruments.

[@scipiocorculum]

Wagakki Band is one of the best and most unique bands you will ever hear. Also, it is impossible not to fall in love with Yuko Suzuhana's singing. She is the best female Japanese vocalist I have listened to, and I have listened to a lot of them. No other can quite match the beauty of her voice, combined with her power, range, and total control over it.

[@JokMetal]

I fell in love with this band, as soon as Beni started her shamisen solo.🥰😍🥰

[@jamesredman1263]

The "off kilter" notes between the notes are an inherent part of the Japanese (and I believe Asian in general) musical scale. They have twice the notes in an octave as western scales do. Occasionally I hear passages in some Japanese rock tunes where they bend notes unusually precisely to land exactly... there. And it lends a touch of traditional Japanese flavor to an otherwise western sounding song. Subtle.

[@nanach6276]

You def would enjoy Gyze. I read somewhere Japan is the new town for heavy metal

[@nanach6276]

Also read One Piece. It's something "new" "special" if you know what I mean

[@DrAcula-os1nz]

Yuko Suzuhana The founder of the band uses an ancient singing technique called Shigin, used to tell poems and short stories. Beni at the Shamisen said in an interview that she did not like playing Homura, because she has to play so fast that her arm gets numb. Machiya The guitarist is responsible for arrangements and writes at least 50% of the songs. Check out "Hotarubi" from Premium Symphonic Night Vol.2

[@ShikataGaNai100]

...and then, Beni steps up with her tsugaru shamisen and everything changes. Imagine playing a 3-string banjo with a cake spatula for your pick. LOL

[@markneishi9348]

They were all studio musicians in Japan that the lead singer got together.

[@DavidMISAMISAMISACook]

Beni Beni Beni!

[@4thArmoredVet]

Is she not the most beautiful woman in the galaxy?

[@tedmaire1599]

The guitar in Homura at the start reminds me a bit of Eric Johnson and Cliffs of Dover.

[@aethernity8270]

u can hear those giant drums in recorded song

[@billb.5183]

It's a shamisen. It's like a banjo. It only has three strings. The plectrum is called a bachi. To me it looks like a windshield scraper. =)

[@PurpleDracos]

There is a group the sakura men that do a similar thing with the traditional instruments. They do a good cover of X-Japan's Kurenai.

[@__Razer]

1:54 damn this guy has a good pair of ears. He heard the shamisen before Beni appeared.

[@charleslatora5750]

Flutes in rock. Jethro Tull. Wagakki Band. Any others?

[@glenkelley6799]

Canned Heat - Going Up The Country

[@charleslatora5750]

@@glenkelley6799 yes.

[@realdocloco]

Golden Earring! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmnXc4trdrJ9gc0

[@jamesredman1263]

Marshall Tucker Band

[@outwest1014]

Beni is an acknowledged master of the Shamisen. She will have at least 4 of them for a concert each in a different tune. She is supported by a "tech" who will retune the Shamisen as needed. Yuko (singer) was the catalyst for forming the band, their purpose is to create an interest by the young Japanese in the traditional music and instruments of their culture.

[@kawaii-japan3457]

Akatsuki no Ito 　　↓　It is a part of the lyrics ↓ We sing to the sky Beyond the clouds Cross the sea and cross the rainbow May this song reach you ... ......Apparently it arrived! 暁ノ糸 (Akatsuki no Ito) 　　　↓　歌詞の一部です　↓ 私たちは歌う空へ 雲の向こうへ 海を越えて虹を渡って この歌があなたに届くように・・ ・・・どうやら、届いたようですね！

[@jonathanlane2579]

I think we can agree that Yuko's traditional singing is awesome - but it doesn't end there. Her modern-style singing is magnificent too, IMHO. And, of course, no surprise: she also plays traditional string instruments and piano (that I know of). And, speaks excellent English. She hasn't cured cancer yet, but that's probably coming. Here she is covering a song that I think has been covered in Japan as often as "Hallelujah" in the West: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWSyf6lsZa2ZgpI Here she is playing the Sanshin (not the same as the Shamisen that her bandmate Beni plays) kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKHMdZpvo6p4f6M - I think the singing style & song here are from Okinawa.

[@vivianhsiao1947]

Wagakki band use modern instrument & traditional instrument combine, the member are graduate in professional instruments musician. The band was traditional & pop or rock music? I love this band vocalist she is very talented too, she's the traditional or pop singer & she's pianist musician. I love Japanese traditional song they're very elegant & solf music, ready I love all their song they are a powerful band groups ever.

[@Bloosee]

And the costumes... Wow!

[@latestpoter]

Wagakki is "和樂器" - it's mean traditional Japan instrumental Band is coming from west instrumental band This band mix them together. That's why they named this band "Wagakki Band".

[@dennismacpherson7777]

Check out the video of the guitarist ( Macheya) slap playing..... bloke's a genius

[@shihin8856]

Waggaki Band...they arent just musician but they are Gods and Goddess and engineers of their own musical instruments... Suzuhana Yuko - Vocals fan and sword dance Machiya - Guitar vocals Asa - Bass Wasabi - Drums Beni Ninagawa - Tsugari Shamisen (traditional 3 string guitar) Kurona - Wadaiko ( traditional drums) Kiyoshi - Koto ( traditional harp) Daisuke - Sakuhachi ( traditional flute) ...madame i recommend to please do comment to their other songs.. -Ignite -Sunwheel -Valkyrie -Okinotayuu -Zenbonsakura -Perfect Blue ( live ) -Subaku no Komoruita -Tengaku - Seime no Aria - Sycnhrocity - Ikusa - Bring me Back to Life with AMY LEE - Homura + Akatsuki no Ito live and still more. im not a japanese.....I one of their Fan... Im a Filipino... Thank You

[@yerayortiz7285]

Hey, the Demon Slayer/Kimetsu no Yaiba second season is coming on Sep 25th, you gotta hurry up! Btw that Homura is not the same Homura on the DS movie, they are different songs. This band is so unique. I still struggle a bit with the singer's Japanese vibrato but nontheless they are fantastic musicians. And also look like every Final Fantasy character ever, so that's a plus for me. This kind of rock/metal combined with Japanese instruments I've only heard in Band-Maiko and Naruto's soundtrack, very rare music but awesome when well done 🤘🕊️

[@tzu-haokuo1150]

14:55 The short answer is: yes, you can, but no one can really achieve this level. The band members were internet performers on the Nico Nico website (like Japanese youtube?), showing their impressive talents by covering the popular but insanely difficult Vocaloid songs, and finally forming a band. I mean they don't form a band to show this Japanese style. Their styles coalesce into the band's style.

[@War624]

1) Wagakki Band is amazing 2) I know you've checked out Unlucky Morpheus before, so you're somewhat familiar with the singer Fuki, so you should check out Doll$Boxx's "Take My Chance", at some point. It's her, plus the members of another JRock band called Gacharic Spin. I would also recommend Gacharic Spin, for their balls to the wall energy. They just released a new single called "MindSet", that's real funky.

[@MicukoFelton]

"The singer's out here" you probably realised it later but it wasn't the vocalist, it was the shamisen player. And thank you for the reaction. Can you also react to Hua Chenyu - I don't care.

[@Tacoricejp]

よく見つけましたね！　三味線にはフレッドがありません。相当のトレーニングが必要です。琴も同じです。

[@chan894ify]

Champ is slacking didn’t even notice the guitar neck is longer actually has 26 frets!

[@yolandria]

Actually according to his equipment board page pics, its 29 frets. But they were using stock factory pics. I believe he uses custom models from Sago and they come out to 32 frets.

[@yolandria]

In fact if you go to Machiya's Instagram page there is a pic with Daisuke holding one of his 32 fret brown guitars.

[@Toobeegort]

The string thing as you say is a Koto, I found this one is the easiest to remember because the name is simple, like the Ko-To is too-cool, that's how I remember it.

[@MrAchsas]

random question but does anyone know some good books about japanese mythology like shinto?

[@MrAchsas]

akatsuki means red moon im guessing thats from japanese mythology

[@tanaka2930]

クールな彼女の楽器は猫の革と鯨の髭で作られている。

[@wanderleyjesus6772]

comma (notes between the root notes (as you calll them)

[@sheldoncooper8199]

This really sounds like the Best Ryu or Chun Li Song they never got in Street Fighter V

[@phaeron]

A performance that can easily be called a work of art, with every single band member contributing. 🔥🤘🏻 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 「 'Our rock never dies ever. Forever!' 」- from BAND-MAID 'Manners' 🕊️

[@Tacoricejp]

日本に来てね！　最先端と伝統を融合してるので日本に来たら分かると思います。新しい発見があるといいですね。

[@nunopinto837]

Hi man only saw this video now that I've discovered this amazing band but just wanted to point out that this Homura Song is not the same as the demon slayer one, just the same name ahah keep up :)

[@saint0427]

i recommend synchronicity live by wagakki band next, its more of a jazz feel and gives a different vibe, heres a link to it live: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYO8h4N6gNqkg80

[@arvindprasadthakur895]

lisa's homura and this one are two different songs from what i know

[@flashpeter625]

Music theorists would call the singing "microtonal".

[@glenkelley6799]

Great reaction, traditional meets new. That stringed instrument laying horizontal is called the Koto. The traditional Japanese drums are all called "tama" - from what I've seen they come in many different sizes from small to super huge (like 10' diameter).

[@竹内昌彦-d4n]

Would you please listen to “Ignite” by wagaki band?

[@tinaaikaa77]

Noted to request list 👍

[@竹内昌彦-d4n]

@@tinaaikaa77 kzbin.info/www/bejne/labboXunaM6hi6M kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYiupoBopbdna6c

[@ismeahlim]

folk metal you meant.... ermm.... eluveitie - King?

[@saikii69]

band maiko if they have extra member..........

[@sheldoncooper8199]

I dont know What it is but Traditional Japanese music always sounds Soo Super sad to me.

[@kingkong4902]

한국밴드는 명함도 못 꺼네겟다. 얼마나 연습한거야? 난 머리 나빠서 다 기역 못함

[@くろいの]

あの……。 大変申し訳ないんだけど………。 変なタイミングで、曲を止めて喋り出さないでね…。

[@wanderleyjesus6772]

the way she sings is called vocaloid

[@4thArmoredVet]

Vocaloid is a singing voice synthesizer software. The vocal style Yuko uses in some of her performances is known as Shigin

[@wanderleyjesus6772]

@@4thArmoredVet Thanks a lot!!!