The most impressive thing about Kanami is she writes all the music for the band. She's one of my all time favorite guitarists.

It is easy to overlook all the work she does besides writing the music and playing it. She arranges, and produces it as well. She and MISA both know their way around the sound board. She is the total package.

You are so correct about Kanami. She is so selfless and modest. She is so underrated, but I can promise this...she is not underrated by the masters and princesses. We all know how special she is and what makes her the best lead guitarist to me, is how she promotes the rest of her band and can still kick ass like that. Not many top level lead guitarists care about her band and band mates like she does. She is an absolute angel and we are so lucky to see her evolve and shine 😍😁😎

What Kanami does throughout each song is what surprises me. It's not left only to her solos. She also never ends to entertain us and obviously herself performing, dancing, singing along, smiling, etc.

Mincho is the most adorable little badass rock star ever!🥰🤘

Kanami plays her guitar with such Buddha-like serenity that belies the intensity of her performance. To say she is both modest yet confident in her playing is an understatement.

Kanami has a set of talents that I think are rare. She is not only incredibly skilled at playing her instrument, but she’s equally creative. Her guitar sings, and just like you know a great vocalist instantly when you hear them sing, the same goes for Kanami on guitar. It’s mesmerizing

Underrated...or ONLY for the discerning...? Prolific composer and occassional shredder just keeps us wanting more 💪❤🤘🤘🤘

Shhhh....Mincho is our little secret.

I would say that Kanami and the entire band are under appreciated due to lack of exposure; they deserve a much wider audience.

Saiki the lead singer has had throat surgery in the past so the band are very careful with her voice. They play 2+ hour shows so to give Saiki a break around mid-set they do three things. 1. Play an instrumental, 2. Miku (rhythm guitar) takes lead vocals for a song or two (she has a track usually once per album where she is lead vocalist) and 3. Miku will do her legendary and hilarious "Magic Time" MC set. Then Saiki comes back on to finish the set. So yeah, they have a number of really cool instrumental tracks. Check out the live MV of "Onset" for another instrumental banger! Enjoy seeing them live! One thing what makes Kanami a great guitarist is that she has reached that point where many other guitarists fail to reach. That is nobody sounds like her. When she plays you instantly know it's her, she has her own sound. Also I love that her solo work is always tasteful and melodic that fits the song perfectly. She does not shred for the sake of it or to show off. She may not be 'the best' in the world but she is my favourite guitarist out there.

Tony Visconti (The Moody Blues, David Bowie, Thin Lizzy, T. Rex, etc. producer) - "Kanami is a fantastic guitarist".

You are going to have a life changing experience at your first Okyuji. Enjoy every minute of it! Your ticket means you will be the sixth member of Band Maid that evening. Instrumentals aren’t enjoyable for many people because few artists can actually play them. Typically it’s a rhythm section playing something that sounds like a KZfaq backing track while a guitarist plays a thousand soulless notes. (Joe Satriani…yeah, I said it) “From Now On” is a song first. Written and arranged as a song, with all the elements it needs to tell the story. Kanami’s flourishes and melodic lines simply took the vocalist spot. (Open challenge: can anyone please research her descending note choices beginning @ 0:54?! I swear it’s lifted from a classical piece, a horror movie motif…) Thanks for letting us know your tastes for more speed. You’ve hit “Blooming” and “Warning!” Which would be two top choice plays. Their fastest, most chaotic song is “Black Hole” at 220bpm. How Akane’s arms don’t fall off mid-chorus is a mystery. There’s a live double video “Manners/Black Hole,” with the first song being a more funky power rock song. Here’s one you might be tempted to overlook, but it’s worth analyzing: “secret My lips,” official live version. Ignore the title and enjoy the riffage! And be prepared for a unique curveball for an interlude. (As only Band Maid can do it)

Love watching mincho pull the trigger like a gunfighter also for me when i saw them in chicago last November im 62 and it was like my body was at home sleeping and i was in this dream state it was surreal for days it was I actually saw them i got to see the living legends known as band maid enjoy the concert and dont forget to take your body with you

People that take the time to get to know Kanami's work know how great she is. She not only has machine precision technically, but she brings a wide variety from the songwriting side of things. You will rarely hear her repeat a riff from one song to the next and often hear her play many different riffs in the same song. The result is that the more you hear her the more you appreciate how great a guitarist she really is.

She has so much more imagination than most anybody else

We all know that Kanami is a guitar virtuoso, a master on par with the best of her generation. What happens is she's an even better composer and that's why we end up talking about, the fact that there's no one at her level writing songs.

THE FACT THAT KANAMI WRITES ALL OF BANDMAIDS SONGS IS INSANE...SHE DESERVES PRAISE ❤❤

100% agree - Kanami Tōno should be better known than she is... maybe as a composer more than a player. She writes such unique and unusual melodies. But there is a sense and logic to her ideas and once you've heard one, it's hard to imagine anything else. It just works. It's uncanny.

Not just a great guitar player but a musical savant. She creates all of their compilations. Just brilliant.

If you think she is an underated guitarist, think about the fact that she compsoes all these songs! She is genius level, for sure. I saw Band-Maid in Boston and Detroit. I was in the front row right in front of Kanami in Detroit. It is magical watching her play, and I have goosebumps right now thinking about it. I even got a Kanami pick! She threw it right to me! You are going to love them live. They bring the fun and intensity for their live shows.😃

Also - Miku earned respect. Went from zero ability to play to a really solid rhythm guitarist. Not just "okay" - she's legit good - sharp attack, she digs hard.

Kanami isn't underrated. She's fully appreciated by people who know how talented she is at playing guitar & composing music, unfortunately nowhere near as many people know about her as should :)

And she composes all their songs and arranges the music.

Kevin: "I don't really like instrumentals." 🫤 Kanami: "Yes, you do." 🎸 Kevin: 🫠

I suggest Ryan Mear reaction on Anemone. There he praised Kanami skills in full.

Heard this live at Boston in a very small venue last fall on their 2022 tour, From Now On was fantastic. If you search for Boston Paradise Rock Club 'From Now On' there is a video from V. Chupin that has a good shot of Kanami doing her magic.

Kanami's got the chops, no doubt; but what she has in spades is a musical sense and a knowledge of the craft of songwriting that surpasses just about anyone's. Then on top of that she's got bandmates who are also extremely gifted at what they do.

“From Now On” is my favorite Band Maid instrumental and was fantastic when they played it live a couple of months ago. The previous instrumental , “Without Holding Back” is also amazing and worth checking out. Listen to as much Band Maid as possible before seeing them. They’re known to vary their set lists over the course of a tour, but they played a great selection of music when I saw them. They put on a great show…so enjoy it !

Yo would love to have you on the podcast sometime!

When you talk about “best guitarist” people often gravitate toward who can master the most techniques, and perhaps play the most notes in a given period of time. Super shredders playing 5 minute solos will impress most people… but will you remember it? Will you want to hear it again over and over and not get tired of it? Is it part of a really good song? For me the answer to those questions is most often “no.” With Kanami the answer is always “hell yes”! She has great technical chops, though certainly she’s still improving, and she can shred well when she wants to. It’s what she chooses to create with her skill set that sets her apart, IMO. From composing great riffs, and solos, to composing a song for the entire band, she makes great choices every time. Her playing is always so unique and interesting… better, to my ears, than what many of the guitar gods everyone talks about will come up with. And, as the other members contribute more and more to the songs, Kanami has no wish to let her ego stand in their way. That’s another thing that makes her special.

Well, in that case, the whole band is seriously under-rated. Most of the world barely know about them, and yet every member is a veritable genius in their own right. Yes, definitely, Kanami should mentioned right up there with the rest of the big guns.

Kanami-sama is not underrated! Or, at least, it's the first I've heard of that. Surely any guitarist, at any level, must easily recognise the complexity of her playing - and, just as importantly, her superior composition and songwriting skills. She's a maestra, a guitar-sensei, she is Obi-Wan Kanami and I literally can't think of any greater guitarist (and I've seen many live, including Zappa and Page and Carlos and Gilmour) who has such a tiny ego as well as massive skills. Right, that's my 5 cents worth.

Mincho is not underrated in my book. She right up there with all of my favorites. Her songwriting and melody selection is impeccable. She's projected the vocals in this song to the nth degree. When they do this live she doesn't hit the high sustained note at the chorus but does a 3/4 note run in place of it. Not sure why. But she is the epitome of a Rock guitarist (except for the bonnet). Have a blast at the show. Actually you won't have a choice. It's automatic. If you want to be in front of Kanami get there earlier than early. Those spots fill up the fastest. Peace. 2.88

Kanami has serious technical chops but there are a lot of guitarist at that level or better. But very few have her understanding of melody and fitting with the rest of the ensemble. In most instrumental numbers, highly technical players go off and do their own thing, playing over the top of everything else. That can be great but is often boring even while technically amazing. Her guitar sings the lead in this song, with the drums and bass singing support, so that you don't really miss the vocals. She's also daring and aggressive for a band that often borders on pop. So for me, she is getting close to entering a class with Jeff Beck, Santana, and other lyrical players. These guitarists will be remembered in peoples hearts for many years. Let's hope she finds time and energy to continue practicing and composing -- deepening hers skills and understanding of music.

what sets mincho-zilla apart from other musicians is her mindset in composition. she -- as well as the whole band -- is all about serving the song. at a most basic observation, her playing style is almost like any other exciting axe wielder. but dive deep and listen closely to the notes she's playing, you'll discover nuance and intricacy. the small repetitions are so intentional, the song sections tweaked every so often to sound fresh, the guitar layers distinct yet also homogeneous, the occasional syncopation keeping the listener on their toes. she has breadth and vision to her choice notes. she's a generational genius.

I keep picturing a two panel comic or t-shirt graphic captioned "Monsters of Japan ". Godzilla, Mothra, etc silhouettes with names underneath, all dwarfed by this wall at the edge. Next panel shows dots with an arrow labeled " That first bunch " and a silhouette of Kanami, guitar gone vertical, barely missing the ISS. "ROCK MONSTER"

As good as a guitarist she is, I feel her true talent is in song composition/arrangement.

Kanami is my No.1 female guitarist. She is an all-around player who can play complex jazz-like tension chords, syncopated phrases, and groovy patterns with ease. Very few metal guitarists can do that. As a composer, she is a genius like Frank Zappa to me.

Mincho says this is the most tiring song for her to play live.

There have been several great guitarists praise Kanami for her guitar work and especially her unique style. As for why she hasn't been recognized as one of the best new, young guitar players I belive is twofold. For one thing she doesn't take center stage very often and her solos are mostly very short so you just don't get to appreciate her. The other is Band Maid is just now coming into their own on a major scale. So now, because of their touring, more people can see and appreciate her and also Akane and Misa as well. I believe that in the coming years she will get that love she so richly deserves.

See you in Chicago, man! (Going to Lolla, too - despite having promised myself years ago that I'd never go to that again.) This song is even better live, btw - made the hairs on my arms stand up. Only six days until the Chicago Maidathon!!!

Her style is great, she plays great licks and melody runs behind the rhythm throughout every Band Maid song, there are not many Western rock bands that do or have ever done that and this is where their originality kicks in. 🤘🤘

She always gives her all, but never overplays. Staying true to the song, but at the same time sounding interesting! When i mention her, most people says it's nothing, and refers to Herman Li, Yngwie Malmsteen... But if you look at musicians, they in general are in awe of her talent. Just look at the GG-collective, who loves them. Even a famous KZfaqr as Music Is Win has noticed her, and did comment on their "Blooming" video, and soon after put her on a guitarist list.

Ive seen them live 3 times, Dallas, Houston and Austin. The are amazing on stage.

Very well said GH, spot on 👍🍻

I’m often not big on instrumentals either but Kanami is such a good composer I love Band-Maid’s instrumentals. I definitely think Kanami is underrated since she never just goes nuts for the sake of going nuts.

Kanami's Playing is superb,,, but her true talent is Composition and Passion of Playing! She's been my favorite New guitarist these past 5 years!! 🤘❤️🤘 She Deserves any and all Respect! Hope more and more people get to know of Band Maid in the coming years! Truly Amazing Group of Talented young Ladies, indeed!!!

Kanami isn’t well known because Japanese rock hasn’t gone mainstream. The two songs you need to check out are ‘Alone’ and ‘Yolo’. These are the first ones written 100% by the band which the record company allowed to be released. Prior to that all of Kanami’s songs were rejected. Kanami got very frustrated and Saiki gave her the confidence to keep writing. Mincho was finally released upon the world. Maidiacs will follow her no matter which direction she goes.

Kanami is an angel, and all Bandmaid are angels

Kanami needs more exposure, which is starting to happen more and more. In Japan, she is very well known, loved and recognized for her insane talent and skill. The more they tour outside of Japan and the more reactors get Band Maid out there, her skills, as well as the entire band, will be recognized. They are so good it must happen.

Mincho doesn't shred, she plays guitar. From Now On and the other instrumentals, brings us the proof.

I stumbled across Band-Maid early in '22. I was searching YT for music that wasn't the boring same-old-same-old and Band-Maid kept popping into my suggested feed. I guess the algorithm knows what I like but I resisted clicking on "Thrill" because I really didn't think a group of 20-something girls in skimpy maid costumes was going to provide the intellectually stimulating music I was seeking. OK, I will be the first to admit it: I WAS WRONG. These ladies know exactly what they are doing and they keep doing it again and again. I watched "Thrill" and liked it. Then the YT suggestion kept pushing newer videos in my direction: "Manners/Black Hole", "Warning", "Afterlife". "Afterlife" confused me: I didn't know the members well enough to see that the actors were not the band members. But then "Onset" was suggested; my mind blown! I realized I was in the presence of greatness; that this was a band that was using their brains to create sophisticated music of a high level, pushing the boundaries they want to push. Band-Maid is now my favorite band. I saw them In May of '23 when the passed through the Midwest at Sonic Temple and at St. Andrews Hall in Detroit. These ladies are not only great musicians but they also put on a very entertaining show. The St. Andrews show was on a tiny stage and they were bumping elbows all the time and everyone was having a blast.

Thanks from Japan 有難う💛。 Kanami is underrated? Many professional guitarists have praised her skills and musicianship. I witnessed this song performed live three times with this MV quality in Tokyo & Kawasaki and dropped my jaw three times 😲. I believe so did many of American audience in their recent two US tours. This song has been normally played in the middle of the setlist to give Saiki, lead vocalist, some break. They played this song, however, as opening at festivals and in Guns N' Roses concert in Japan as support to the legendary band. Yeah! they showed off their skills and talents to the audience who knew nothing about the girls in maid outfit on the stage. I felt as if I heard them screaming "Hey guys! Listen to us and open your eyes wide! We are not the persons that you think ! Salute us!" 😄

When I listened Open Your Eyes solo, I love Mark Tremonti instantly. When I listened Daydreaming solo, I love Kanami instantly. Their solo are so melodic, i don't know how to describe, both are my top 3 fav guitarist (the other one is Buckethead)

You should watch kanami colaboration with herman lee

Kanamis vocals in this area awesome. I believe she used every technique she knows in this 1 song. Hammer ons bends slides finger tapping sweep picking

Kanami is very highly regarded among followers of the Japanese scene, but yes, she is underrated just because plenty of guitarists haven't heard of her. As others have said, it's her writing rather than her technical prowess that sets her apart. (Those drum fills you loved... Akane has said that Kanami writes the first draft of the drum part, including creative fills.) Kanami is my favourite musician because of her writing, but purely as a guitarist, Hal-Ca of Asterism would probably get my vote. And Asterism are much less well known than Band-Maid, so I'd also say Hal-Ca is the most underrated.

There is a tshirt that I must try and get that reads "Shut up, Kanami is speaking!" and I'm pretty sure it applies to this song in particular.

Hey guys, I leave this one to you.😂 Kanami🥰

Almost every BAND-MAID song could be an instrumental and a good one too. There's so much happening musically in everyone of their songs (not perhaps the songs from their first album Maid in Japan)

Kanami is a genius. Her genius lies in her composition and arranging talents but her guitar work is pure brilliiance. She is not technically perfect but she has so many techniques at her disposal and her finger work is perfect. Recently they fronted for G & R. They were given only 20 minutes on stage but they played G & off the stage and she is so much better than Slash.

The problem is that the whole Band Maid should be more appreciated by the public. They changed the whole perception of the music for me.

I'm not sure she is underrated. The mass of Maid fans as well as New Wave of Japanese Rock/Metal bands fans highly praise Kanami. In Japan the regional Guitar and Musician mags feature her and Band Maid often. Most of us knew she was a cut above the rest just after the first 30 seconds or so of Any Maid's song.

I consider her to be the best guitarist in the world right now. Her technical ability is amazing, but there's far more to it than that. It's how she uses that ability, as well as her ability to compose and arrange that sets her above the rest. There are thousands out there who can copy what someone else plays. That's nothing special. There are guitarists who have amazing technical chops (my usual examples here are Vinnie Vincent nd Michael Angelo Batio) who can shred all day but have never composed anything worth listening to. Kanami is the complete package. I'm not saying that nobody else can do it, but I don't know of anyone else who does it quite as well. Jason Becker would probably be on that level if not for ALS, as he was an amazing guitarist and is still an amazing composer.

This track was one of half dozen featured one month in guitar world. Herman Li also does a reaction to this and he's hugely impressed. She doesn't do Nuno Bettencourt macho tuneless posing.

I'm telling ya right now brother, it sounds just as good live. And you better find an "Omaginai time" video from a live show before you go. You'll be lost without it.....and probably scolded by Miku herself

The reason why Kanami is "underrated" as a guitarist is because she isn't an in your face, show-off shredder. Oh, she CAN shred when she wants to, but that's not what she's about. She puts more emphasis on the songwriting and only plays what the song needs. That doesn't draw attention from the metal shredder crowd.

There is no one "best" guitarist. Everything is a matter of musical taste. Yet, I think Kanami is the most interesting guitarist since Jimi Hendrix. She is an amazing song writer as well as an amazing guitarist.

Kanami is an amazing guitarist and composer! If you're up for checking out a pair of amazing guitarists from another Japanese band look into Lovebites. Most people start with the official live version of their song Holy War, but they just released a live version of The Hammer of Wrath that's really impressive as well. I already know you're going to enjoy seeing Band Maid live! My first time to see them live was last Nov in Chicago and that was an amazing show!

still suggesting these Band Maid songs: Thrill, Dice, Manners, Bubble & No God

Ill b at the show

Well there is the old Maid fan comment. Band Maid don't do instrumentals. Now shut up Kanami is talking.

Kanami is the first and only female guitarist out of Japan to be on Guitar World magazine, wasn't it?

Amen bro,find a live performance of Screaming, I think you'll enjoy it, kickin review.

同意する 今も天才と言われているけど、その言葉でも足りないくらいの才能を持っている

God I you're Reaction They're The Band IN The World 🌎 ✨️ ❤️

👍👍👍👍👍

Herman Li reacted to this - worth seeing on the dragonforce page. Called out Davy 504 for MISA too. Called him "chicken".

Tomo zo Gacharic Spin/Doll's Box, is the most underrated guitar player. I do love me some Band Maid! They are all so talented and they put on a great live show.

O M G

Kanami is only underrated among people who aren't terribly familiar with Japanese bands and artists. Among J-rock and J-metal fans, she is consistently named among the very best guitarists in the world, along with Midori & Miyako from Lovebites, Saki & Hazuki from Nemophila, and Hal-ca from Asterism.

You're going to see them live? You lucky beast.

Kanami and Miyako(Lovebites) two best female guitarist in the world 🌎

For me, best instrumental Kabami wrote, also technically. She writes songs of 3 to 4 minutes and puts 4 genres into them. To be honest, top tier guitarist eadily; top 3? Top 5 for sure and she deserves more attention.

She is very underrated, sadly. For me Kanami is one of the most impressive musicians of 21st Century. True Rock n’ Roll Star and pure genius as a composer. My hero 🔥🤘❤️

Even with a 20 percent absentee rate (enjoy your day off Saiki ❤👸🏻) Band-Maid still dominates every other rock band in the world! ❤🕊️❤️🌊❤️🦍❤️🥷

For the style you like watch "different"

Dude, you need to check out a guitar player called Tina S, she does a cover of through the fire and flames that Herman Lee himself reviewed and said “holy $hit” and this from a girl who is 16 years old, which she recorded her cover

Kanami is a great guitarist, she is no Eddie Van Halen (who is), but her talents don’t stop there. She is a solid singer and pianist. Her real talent is composer, she writes the music for most bandmaid songs. If you get a chance listen to her piano version of some of band maid songs. She is a musician’s musician.

As you're a Dragonforce fan, you may like to see, if you haven't already, Herman's take on this - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/q5l_Z66ImtOshnk.html He's a BIG MAIDIAC, and even had a "try-out" to join the band that's hilarious.

Bro, you mentioned you like B-M's vocals? Well... since Kobato/Saiki are my favorite combo, my #2 is HANABIE. Check them out. They're gonna be in Madison, WI on 09/28. :) My favorite off the new album is 'Be the Gal'.

Most rock and metal fans have given up on new music so she's not underrated just not well known. Fans of rock have to wake up and realize that if you make a little effort you can find some great music. It's the 21st century, radio and MTV are dead, you aren't going to be spoon fed what to listen to but you can find great stuff, on KZfaq and other places, if you make a little effort.

Kanami is not underrated at all, not a single bit. She might not be so widely known but definitely not underrated, everyone who pays attention to her knows exactly how good she is, the same goes for Akane and Misa. They're all absolutely fantastic musicians.

How do you beat that? With a drum stick, duh. Sorry. I just couldn't resist that, lol.

Hardly, she's highly rated by anyone who knows her. If you want underrated i'd point you at Emppu Vuorinen from Nightwish, who gets forgotten while everyone wanks themselves silly over floor while he lays down great riff after great riff.

2:41 🦍time! 🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌

Honestly, Kanami is so good, I need to throw out most of my music collection except Van Halen and Jimi Hendrix, maybe Dave Navarro, even though he looks like clamydia. Oh Metallica is good.

Hope you check out some of the awesome all female Japanese Metal band Nemophila too!

Who underrates her?