Before you say anything, yes I've recorded After Life and it will be out soon. Best...HADGD!!! 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤

Just before playing this song Saiki gave a heartfelt speech to the fans. Here is what she said: “We were supposed to meet you today. For the first time in a year, we thought we could meet you all, those of you who could come to see us, but we can’t meet you in the end. I’m sorry. Even though it’s not my fault. We have been having days of turmoil for about a year. In the beginning, we were very surprised because we hadn’t experienced it before, and we had no experience of not being able to meet others in person. We were sad, but we found we shouldn’t be sad in this situation. When I saw you masters and princesses on social media, you were more depressed than us, and we thought that’s terrible. We Band-Maid have been thinking about how to cheer up all of you in the last one year. We truly wanted to meet you at Nippon Budokan, but it’s impossible because of COVID, so let’s wait for the day when we can meet. And in the last one year… or in the COVID pandemic, we have become more eager to cheer you up, and we Band-Maid realized again it’s important to give our songs to you. That’s why we wrote this song for Budokan. We made the album also in the pandemic, so it might have a little similar feel, but this song is planned for Nippon Budokan, and we really want to give it to you masters and princesses now. Budokan is not our goal but just a stepping stone. We will perform at bigger venues, and we promise we will bring you there and give you even better songs, so let’s keep it up a little more. This is our present for you masters and princesses. Please listen to it.” Edit: credit to reddit user t-shinji for the translation.

Of all *BAND-MAID* songs this is the first video I turned on the captions to…… 🐦 On Feb. 14th, 2020 concert *BAND-MAID* announced that they were going to play at *Budokan* on Feb 11th, 2021 playing at *Budokan* is like reaching the top of Mt. Everest but due to Covid the concert was canceled. In the live streaming concert *Saiki* address the fans and said how much *BAND-MAID* missed performing live to their *Masters and Princesses* and was followed up with this song that *BAND-MAID* has made for their fans. 🐦

この曲 何回聴いても鼻の奥がキュンってなる😭

Is everybody else taking a flippin' vacation? These girls have done at least five live virtual performances, who else is doing that much?

Miku did a fantastic job of writing this song. Very heartwarming. A love letter to there fans.

Don't forget you have mentioned of doing a double reaction of Puzzle live and acoustic as well.

They can touch people's hearts with their heart . Just beautiful .

The more time pass and the more I realize that many Rush fans have become Band-Maid fans ( here I am: a Rush fan with all my heart since 1987 ). And to be honest I think that's pretty logical: they both are wonderful musicians, wonderful human beings, they both have built their success the right way : through awesome albums, unparalleled live shows and chiefly doing that being always true to themselves. Long life to Rush. Long life to Band-Maid

My favorite band 🐦👁🐵🦶🏼👸🏻 and my favorite reactor 🤦🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️ 😃👌🏻

Once you know the back-story, in that it is a love-letter to the fans, then read/listen to Saiki's impassioned speech and then heard the live version, You'd have to have a heart of stone not to be moved. I owe so much to this band for so many reasons.....and they repay us all 10x over with their heartfelt kindness back. ...and apart from all that, it's an amazing song as well. I couldn't ask for more. We are not worthy!

Akane's Stick work is exquisite.

If this band had come up in the UK, they would likely be the biggest thing around.

On "Conqueror" check out "At the drop of a hat" Did you get chills? Band Maid's music makes me happy. All of their music does.

As far as I know Miku is the only one in the world who has got a signature Zemaitis guitar. She got it this first week in march.

I can't get through this one without tears. It's not just the meaning of this song, but all the things you were talking about as well: how much they've grown, how much they have still to show us. They came together out of a series of serendipitous events, and they had to fight to take control of their music, and they had just a couple of chances to really revel in the joy of showing what they could do live before the pandemic swept the rug out from under them. And instead of stumbling, they took it in stride and redoubled their efforts and gave us the "Different" single, _Unseen World,_ and "about Us" in quick succession. Just so proud of them.

Chase being so surprised by this song which is actually unsurprising as he never reacted to the softer songs from B-M which are superb. "Daydreaming" anyone? + many more incl. acoustic. And then there is BAND-MAIKO with all the extra added traditional stuff. They are even more versatile than you think Chase. They've reached a whole new level with the progress songs from "Unseen World", through the roof.

Saw them live at Club Quattro in Hiroshima on 08 December 2019 while on vacation there. Phenomenal show.

I'm a Japanese fan of BAND-MAID. I look forward to your reaction every time. I'm always impressed with your ears listening to music, your knowledge of music, and your honest reaction. In your reaction, you may find that even I, a fan of BAND-MAID, didn't notice. I am looking forward to it in the future.

For many of us who are musicians _Band Maid_ is a breath of fresh air with their genre blending Rock.

I have so much love for Band-Maid and this very special song! it makes me tear up every time I listen. Band-Maid are such a special and very rare combination of exceptional talent. five beautiful hearts beating as one. their chemistry together is incredible The world is a MUCH better place with Band-Maid in it. they and their music have helped me through covid times better than anyone or anything. "Our rock will never die, ever. Forever!" - Miku Kobato Thank you as always Chase. I love your reactions and analysis very much. and thank you for the support and respect you show the Maids

One of Kanami's main guitar influences, Larry Carlton, is really felt in this song. 👍👍🤘🤘🤘

I challenge anyone to find a song rhey have written and recorded that flops. You won't. They write it all themselves. They improve on perfection and it's absolutely crazy how good they are and how good they keep getting

This was indeed an emotional song. Had a tear rolling down my face watching the live stream. Awkward is another amazing one where MISA is plucking the bass rather than picking.

Something beautiful to the fan.

Next year they will sing this song at bodukan for all of us!🤘

Did you notice Misa was playing with fingers instead of a pick? The only time she's not used a pick is to slap. It gave the bass a much smoother, richer tone.

That one brings tears! ❤️

The song is already beautiful, but then I read the lyrics...and then the translation of Saiki's speech...

One of the things I love about Band-Maid is just how versatile they actually are at their craft. 😢 I'm not crying you're crying 😢

Such an incredibly, powerfully hopeful song. This band can do anything.

Great backing vocals !!

Yup, there is definitely a backing track. In fact, later on this show, the backing track malfunctioned during the intro of "Choose Me" and the band had to stop playing and have the sound techs fix it, resulting in about a 15 minute impromptu time killing "talk session" on stage between the band members. This song was written as a "love letter" to the fans. Once you see the lyrics it will add a whole 'nother layer to this song.

I enjoy watching your reaction videos every time. BAND-MAID always surprises me. I was helped by this song.👍 I'd like to see your reaction video of a song called "Daydreaming". 楽しみにしています‼️🇯🇵

The part after the first chorus ending with Saiki saying "ha yeah yeah yeah" isn't a backing track, that was her. Miku pulled off when her part was done. I do love the backing track since they can't have three live back up singers just for this song.

Can you even imagine being there? Wow... Just... Wow. This is so gorgeous.

After about 7 times hearing this I can finally see that MISA and Kanami are talking to each other on their instruments during the whole verse. MISA is cuttting in and out of the guitar riffs like a humming bird.

This band respects their fans; it shows in how they approach performances, in interviews. They have worked so hard and had dreams delayed and they apologize to us. A friend told me "they are the happy hard rock band, they want their music to make you smile" Saiki sang "believe me" in this song; I do, that one day this haze caused by the pandemic will end and Band Maid can reach those dreams.

I love your reactions! But I especially love the last 40 seconds of this song when it just got you and you shut up and let the feelings take over!

It's amazing what a forced year long break can do for awesome songwriters

You have never seen them playing acoustic guitar, because you have still not seen ( and reacted to ) Puzzle and Anemone live. By the way, then you will also see and hear Kanami sing. It's worth!!

You know Band Maid have English cc on all their videos now if you want to check out their lyrics which are always awesome especially in 'About Us'

I love how she says"nostalgic".

They simply cannot make a bad song;codemned to perfection

This song had all the members adding to the vocals at some point

Band Maid is a group of extraordinarily talented and courageous women. They are brave, they always push themselves beyond their limits, they always try new things, sometimes against the tide. And they always have fun with the challenge. How not to follow this wonderful group of human beings wherever they decide to go?. I will be with them until the bitter end. Great job as usual Chase, and of course HADGD!!

dam this song is so epic. love them

Looking forward to another great reaction and review of 'About Us'. To me it's another example of BAND-MAID showing what incredible musicians they truly are and can do any type of music genre they choose.

I really hope he checks out "Secret My Lips" and "Secret Maiko Lips" come April 1st. Or even more hopefully Band-Maiko returns with something new for him to check out. Time permitting.

This melody is stunning. Makes my ♥ warm. Carneson, Chase, 03/04/2021. That's it. Have a damn good day.

A shining jewel of a song, sublime and uplifting and glorious. If you can find it, try the wonderful acoustic version of 'Anemone' from the 2018 Zepp Tokyo concert, with just Saiki singing and Kanami playing acoustic guitar and also providing the sweetest vocal backing harmonies. I think it's on the Chinese Bili site.

I know you have After Life done so that will be next. You can get a hint of this kind of Band-Maid from Daydreaming and it also has one of my favorite Kanami solos. The most amazing thing to me about Band-Maid to me is the sheer number of great songs and albums they have put together in a relatively short time.

Everything they do is perfect

A sweet reaction to a sweet song.

If there is any song of theirs to have the English captions on to understand the lyrics, this is the one. It's a love letter to the fans and a message that we're all still together even if we can't meet physically. It's a very beautfiul message of unity and love.

...and I thought I didn't needed this song, after an album like "Unseen World". I made this song part of the "Unseen World" playlist. This song, the album and what-was-to-be the Budokan Show will be engraved in my heart on what was the best thing happening in a whole year of pandemic. They are here for us, a lot more than we deserve them to be. After such events, I have the deepest love and respect for these ladies. So, yeah, I needed this song as a embrace, a very soothing way to say "We are still here now, we will be here always", never ending dreamer! Did my cries, I'm going to fly more... Thank you Band-Maid (And thanks to you Chase, for what will be a great reaction... oh yes, I am pretty sure it will. I've seen you do a lot of them, with or without tears.) ... Half hour to start... I'm getting myself a cup of coffee and take a break on my doodlings...

Great song. Beautiful song. They are sad not able to perform for fans in shows. But this is for the fans, how they feel. Love all their songs. Kanami, is just incredible, guitar and composing. This song gets me in tears, like Kanamis guitar in Daydreaming does. Yes They do use a few tracks to add flavor to a song.. like the synth in beginning of Puzzle. Band Maid, Nemophila, and Love Bites are commanding much of my listening time. Just all some of most talented musicians.

Brother, these girls have no weaknesses. All 5 bring it.

This was part of the live stream concert they did to replace the cancelled show at Budokan, Tokyo. I had a ticket for that and was going to combine it with a holiday as my first visit to Japan, but travel restrictions killed that stone dead long before the concert was cancelled. I did watch the live stream though and this track was far more poignant before the production team got hold of it, as Saiki was very emotional before the song and again while singing (the whole concert is to be released in May on Blu-ray/DVD) . The track was to be a surprise for the fans at Budokan.....a gift from them to us (as you will see with the lyrics) and I so wish the concert had gone ahead and I would have seen it live! As usual great reaction Chase :)

Kanami has used an acoustic once or twice live. She did a fantastic duet with Saiki...that you tube keeps removing.

The lyrics are beautiful.

Been waiting for your reaction, always worth it! This song is a new masterpiece from the magnificent ladies that are Band Maid!

Bandmaid just makes us smile. It's fun. Much of what rock music has missed the last 15-20 years. Absolutely going where ever they put on a live show in the States asap.

This is their ' The Rain Song ' A ballad for the fans

Seeing these girls live on stage in front of me has been climbing to the top of my non-existent list of things I want to do in my life over the last year. If there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that I'll take the next possible opportunity to tick this off. When they played this song and immediately followed it up with 'Daydreaming', I was completely through with everything. Those two songs are the ones that touch me the most emotionally out of all of their songs. 'About Us' through Saiki and Miku's vocals and 'Daydreaming' a bit more through the instrumentation. For me, 'About Us' is definitely one of their best songs so far, if you can even say that when they have so many great ones. Great reaction and analysis, as always! Thank You! 【 'Our rock never dies ever, forever!' - Band-Maid 】

what's hilarious/incredible about this is that it's the most glaring demonstration of Maximum the Hormone's influence nothing is off limits and nothing is "not our style"

Would absolutely love to see you breakdown their songs "Daydreaming? and "Endless Story".

Turn on the captions.... the lyrics will make you cry. This song was a love letter they wrote to their fans about not being able to perform for them live during COVID.

Yes, I'm glad I was patient waiting for you reacting to Band-Maid doing Band-Maid things 😏👍🥴🥴😜 worth the wait, as this is a very very beautiful and meaningful song by them, everything about it, I love,

"About Us", in the vein of other great mid-tempo Band-Maid songs like Daydreaming, Anemone, Endless Story, PAGE, Wonderland, Awkward, Start Over, Mirage and Smile, is an amazing song and personal message to their fans - a direction I'm glad to see them add to their journey toward world domination. And we get to hear MISA play the vibe she so enjoys. Stretch Band-Maid... Stretch with all your might. We're behind you 100! Their new DVD/BD/CD of this incredible concert has been ordered! Thanks Chase, for bringing "About Us" to your viewers!

Thanks Chase! Band-Maid has stolen my heart!

They just continue to be so incredibly amazing! The emotional impact of this beautiful song is off the scale. Goosebumps..

Miku's got her own Marvel film character. She hasn't got any special powers but her DNA is made from copper & Tellurium, that's what makes her so super CuTe :)

That first chorus gives me chills every time. I absolutely love it.

Chase, you still have so many other BAND-MADE songs to listen. Fans were thrilled, but not surprised to hear this one.

This is a perfect song for Saiki. Such a beautiful voice and powerful presence on stage. I guess you could class this as a vocal solo.

There are so many more layers to this band that you haven't seen yet. On an unrelated note, you should find the time to check out Band-Maiko before the end of the month.

What a fantastic Band !!!!!!!!! Thats why we love them for so long !!!!!!!!😍😍😍😍😍😍🎸🎵🎼🎶🎼🎵🎼🎤🎸🎶🎵

This song has great lyrics by Miku Kobato. Their message to fans who can't meet because of COVIT-19. Let's build a future In this emerald world. It’s alright! See, we are all here. No one is alone. Fly more... I did. Good old days, Ooh... ‘Thank you’ For now and tomorrow. ★ This song is a remixed version of the net live on February 11th. Since English lyrics can be displayed, it can be converted into various languages. and There are English and Japanese lyrics in the explanation of the recent official video. Many Japanese fans shed tears when they heard this song and thank them. ★ Most Japanese don't understand English, but we enjoy English songs. It is normal for Japanese people to like songs, and after understand the lyrics, like them even more. ★ On May 26th, they will release a DVD / Blu-ray of remastered online live 28 songs on February 11th + 5 other live songs. There are live performances of the latest 10 songs.　"about Us" is a pre-delivery.

Thanks as always, Chase. You're the best. Now go outside and get some rays. I saw those legs. HADGD yourself :)

So agreed with all your comments. This masterpiece easily demonstrates the absolute science of these girls regarding both music composition and arrangements (not sure about this word in English). I just discovered Band-Maid a few days ago (could you believe that), and almost by chance, and well.... instant fan 200%. So talented, so stunning, so amazing, so awesome, so... Actually, this planet truly needs these girls and their music. I deeply hope they are all safe in Japan. To be honest, I consider it is a chance and a privilege to leave on the same planet and at the same period of time than these girls. Anyway, thank you very much for your reviews. I truly enjoy the detail of your analysis (the ear of a musician and a composer, no doubt) and already watched a lot of them. Take care.

Finally Chase reaction. This song is currently my jam. What a great song this is ..

Saiki wrote a letter to the fans before this was released and it was very heartfelt to the fans. This song is telling their fans that they miss us as much as we miss them.

Chase as always thanks for a great reaction. You nail my feelings about the song every time. However much I loved Band Maid before, after hearing this song I will be a Band Maid fan for the rest of my life. They have my heart.

Aside from being a great song, with lyrics on a whole new level, this song could be used as a masterclass in dynamics and arrangement. The rhythm section is way busier than it feels from the beginning. You said it is more stripped back than they usually are. I'd almost say the opposite. It is extremely well arranged to give the feeling of air and space despite how intricate the things Misa and Akane plays. It would be interesting to hear Julia Nilon (?) would say about Saiki in this song. About the back-track. They use it quite a lot and they use it really smart to lift their songs. Band-Maid could play everything 100 % live. As far as I know both Misa, Akane and Kanami are multiinstrumentalists and playing keyboards and so on in studio. To do it live would take three or four more musicians. I am one of the lucky few that has seen them without back-track (Helsinki 2018). It was an amazing show and I'm glad I got to see them that way. They worked their butts off to compensate and did it ok. But comparing that night to a few days later in Amsterdam shows just how much better it sounds the way Band-Maid themselves imagine their songs to sound. I'd like to hear you talk a bit about the use of back-track. To me there seems like it is some kind of a stigma attached to is. I don't think most non-musicians realise that it is more or less industry standard and used by virtually all bands no matter genre. Well, all bands that's got a drummer that can keep on time (Yes I'm looking at you Lars!). Iron Maiden was a pioneer in the metal side of things and has used it since at least since the early 90's. The unapologetic way it is used in Japan is super refreshing to me. If a song and performance grows by adding keyboards, cowbell and a screaming goat it would be silly to not use it.

This song is absolutely beautiful, it's amazing, and knowing the back story of the love letter to the fans makes it even better. I think I said this before (and I don't remember if you reacted to any of those) but you should check the acoustic versions of Puzzle and Anemone, pure magic

A message of love for fans in these difficult times that stopped the group's performances in their tracks. Who else would even bother let alone produce a heartfelt masterpiece and such a wonderful performance. The young women are really special in every sense.

A lot of people miss the fact that Misa is finger picking this whole bass line. Something she rarely if ever does.

Not my fav BM song, but probably my fav bass player, and she's just 100% brilliant here.

MISA!! MISA!!! MISA!!! 🥃🥃🥃

Getting set and comfortable for this one. Interested for the musicians' take, again, on the role of emotion in the composition and delivery of a heartfelt performance. Band Maid seem to get it right.

Again a perfect reaction. This is a song for reflection and just staring into space.

Harmony Ofc individual skill is important, but how to piece them together is on the next level. Not many people talk about it. Thank you!

I think I saw one or two people pointing it out, but I wanted to emphasize that they usually do at least one slower song in their albums, at least in their recent albums, and since their debut in July 2013 they released 7 albums and are still working on one right now. In their recent collab stream with HermanLi from Dragonforce on twitch they said that they weren't doing any features in their songs because they wanted to find their own style first. I not only really admire their passion for their art, but also the dedication to make that even Herman Li admired. This song would've been a love letter for their fans which they would've performed at Budokan last year who enable them to do amazing stuff like that. A bit of trivia for everyone who read this far: (You can stop reading if you want though) -Kanami composes almost all of their songs while Miku writes the lyrics -Kanami will compose songs, especially for Miku because she started in BM as a beginner, to learn harder parts of actual songs -They will also have songs which are sung only by Miku so that Saiki can Rest her voice in concerts -Tony Visconti (David Bowies producer) was so amazed by a concert from them he went to that he contacted them and produced a song with them That song is the dragon cries and I highly recommend it, although it's a lot darker and sadder then any it their other stuff -Only Miku and Saiki went to New York to meet him, but he still was amazed at how they had a 7-8 hour session -Their highest bpm song is Black hole from their new album, with a bpm of 220 I think, and Kanami said that she would try to compose a song with 225 bpm after hearing that Dragonforces usually have around 225 bpm in most of their songs -Herman Li promised that if they do a feature song or a concert together that he would dress as a maid (I know strictly not a Band Maid Fact, but still hilarious and I adore him for things like that :D)

There I was enjoying my day off work, getting excited to join the premiere, only to actually look at the date and realize it is set for tomorrow. Oh well, something to look forward to after work tomorrow.

Kanami balancing on one foot at 9:23 :)

First song to bring me to tears

Chase. Now you know why I have been poking you about Daydreaming for so long.

It's really nice to see a reaction delivered on a much more technical level.....as in my humble opinion, this band definitely deserves.

Hakani is also singing background vocals on this song and Akana joins in on the last chorus while Miku goes to sing a new layer only on last verse