During the shutdowns, in Japan, there was a government program that subsidized video performances but they had to be at least 6 minutes long. Thus the two songs put together to run longer than 6 minutes. These ones and the other double, Dice/Different, are from one of their streamed concerts that were put out during Covid.

Yeah, you understand who Band-Maid is; one of those rare bands that only come along once a decade or two. Not only to the have the individual skills - plenty of bands have players of incredible individual skill level - but a rare few have the ability to coalesce those talents into remarkable songwriting, composition, arrangement, instrumentation, orchestration, playing and performance the way the Maids do. What’s next? Have you slowed it down and done a ballad? - “Daydreaming” - official MV - or - “Wonderland” - official live - goosebumps guaranteed 😀 Take care and rock on 🤘🏼👍🏼🎸🥁🎤🎼😎✌🏼

Yes, they play to a click. The click/backing track is triggered by Akane. You can compare several live fancams to the actual studio recording, and except when they add parts you can take the studio track and lay it over their live performances and they line up almost perfectly. And about Akane's drumming in Black Hole, there is this: May 2021 Player Magazine Interview with Akane - This time the last song BLACK HOLE had a great impact. In your previous album, Rinne was awesome, though… Akane: I felt like “Finally this came!” (laughs) - Finally you played this. I wonder what you will do in the future… Akane: I wonder too (laughs). - Was it originally like this in the demo? Akane: Yes. I had to keep kicking (the bass drum) longer, but it had many parts a human can’t play, so I modified it within the range of a human drummer, and it’s still like this. As for the last bass drum pattern, I made seven or eight patterns, and they were like “Names like ‘1’, ‘2’, ‘3’ are not easy to get, so name them according to your level”, so I actually named them like “Easy, Comfortable, Normal, Possible if I work hard, Tough, Painful, Hell”, and they chose “Hell” (laughs). It’s the phrase named “Hell”. - (laughs) However, didn’t you expect them to definitely choose “Hell”? Akane: Yes, I expected. I was prepared for it. I was sure they wouldn’t choose “Easy”. And this also show you why so many us love these Ladies. Because they cannot, WILL NOT take the easy way. They always push themselves to create better music, to push them selves to be better musicians, and they do it for us, their fans. Or as they call us, their "Masters and Princesses". As for other songs, you still haven't done Unfair Game. Although you need to relisten to Shambles immediately before you do. Unfair Game doesn't have a MV or OLV, but it DOES have a video under their "Releases" tab for the YOLO release. Seriously, open up Shambles in one page, then open up Unfair Game in a new page or tab. Play/watch Shambles, and as soon as you hear Saiki inhale at the end of Shambles, click Play on Unfair Game. Trust me, you will like it.

Yes, they use backing tracks, but they do them the right way, to augment their live performance, not to cover up deficiencies. I've seen them live twice and they are amazingly tight performers.

Excellent reaction and commentary! Band-Maid is so jaw-droppingly good that it ridiculous. The band members are top tier musicians, songwriters, arraigners and performers who work together seamlessly to produce some of greatest music around. Enjoyed your informed analysis and witty, humorous comments. Like you mentioned, Band-Maid would be an exceedingly tough act for anyone to follow on stage. Cheers!

So much fun watching someone getting hooked in real time. I know it isn't the first Band-Maid on this channel but I think this is the one that did it. Now another has been hopelessly sucked in along with the rest of us. At least it's warm and fun in the black hole, even if we're never getting out!

Cheers Mark! Another good two song comparison in this order: Band-Maid "Secret My Lips" Official MV (studio track over live footage) Band-Maiko "Secret Maiko Lips" Official MV (a Maiko is a trainee geisha from Kyoto - a clue) - both on the Band-Maid's YT channel You will see another side of these ladies you didn't expect!

This one video is a good example to show someone how varied Band Maid songs are.

In Black Hole, when Akane asked Kanami and other members which of the six or so drum patterns they would choose, Akane laughed and said in an interview that the members choose "hell", as she imagined. So Akane says it's the most difficult but memorable song on the album.

I appreciate real reactions like these, with analysis and opinions and not the people who watch the videos silently and wave goodbye at the end. I guess you are gonna have a million different suggestions and every one of them is good. Here are mine: FREEDOM (live obviously) is kinda their anthem and really catchy, but what stands out is that you probably won't see a band enjoying themselves as much while performing as Band Maid in that video. Also awesome drum solo. You can also check one of their instrumentals, onset.

Jeez Mark i really shoudn't be bigging up a Scotsman so much but you make me laugh out loud. The most refreshing reactor on YT for quite a while. Btw did you say "That c*nt from Primus"?😂

I'm not a big fan of The Who but I greatly respect the rythym section of Entwistle and Moon, their sympatico is rarely equalled, bring on Misa and Akane, its like these two have a wavelength tapping into each others beautiful brains 🤯 fcking phenomenal and grossly underestimated IMHO. I played drums in bands for a long time and Brother I am right there with you , iif I walked into a shared gig with BM and heard them soundchecking I'd take a hammer to my own kneecaps to get out of playing 😂 Japanese National Treasures in the making and we're all the better for them. What a fcken band Po, thanks 👍🍻🥁🎤🎸

Oh, btw, Kanami-san also plays the keyboard. And since she can’t play both during lives, it becomes backing track.

Love it. You wouldn't be the first (or second) to do the entire BAND-MAID catalog. I will suggest their latest and greatest instrumental FROM NOW ON. Yes they purposely create instrumentals. Another BAND-MAID legend in the making. Peace. 433

Great reaction and thanks for adding the subtitles :D. Now you've heard a snippet of the range of Band-Maid's compositions - bluesy to astrophysics (Stephen Hawkins helped write the lyrics to Black Hole). Their later albums (Unseen World - where Manners and Black Hole some from) are full of surprises, like Honkai, Giovanni (and the other ten songs) and "Unleash" (Hate?). Pick any one off their YT Channel/Releases (all of their newest songs are there).

Kanami-san, the lead guitarist is the music composer and also the guitar teacher of the rhythm guitarist/vocalist. MISA-san, for those in the know, are now mentioning her with the other legendary bassists.

"Manners" is the sedate balance to "Black Hole's" controlled chaos & the equilibrium is restored.😌

WTF did I just witness and listen to?! 🤯 That was incredible!!!

Miku's evil laugh is one of the highlights of Manners! I've always thought so. It's my current favorite BM song. :) Nice reaction as always!

love your reactions...especially the one about being in a band about to follow on after Band Maid,after just doing Manners...lol..great stuff.

they can go from stoner rock to hard core punk because they can and do play most any genre they want, and that my friend is band maid doing band maid things

If you want to keep checking out their breadth of styles, you can check out Wonderland, or acoustic Puzzle, or Gion-cho. This Manners, Black Hole pairing is a really nice contrast. Manners is a showcase of their refinement of their writing over the years, like less is more. There’s that drum fill that’s just like a flam on each drum, like Akane’s got nothing to prove to you. And then Black Hole is like, fuck it, more is more. 220 BPM. That absurd roll at 11:10 in this video. But it ties into that “always challenging” line in Manners. Kanami wrote Black Hole to be too fast for Akane to play, so she’d have to level up her speed.

Yessir, you got me hook, line and sinker, sir. I love your straightforward reactions and, being a major BAND-MAID fan, love watching you 'tell it like it is' when it comes to your thoughts on BAND-MAID as a band and as five talented musicians. I know you will have tons of requests but, I have to say, if you are really looking for an off the path change in their music writing, I suggest you gamble and listen to START OVER. It is probably the most liked/hated song in these ladies' repertoire. p.s. You got a firm listener and subscriber in me, markabusi.

Great reaction. Misa and Akane are next level musicians and Mincho is a songwriting mastermind with a really unique guitar style. I have said it 100 times.....if they were blokes who sang in English, they would be the top band in the world hands down. They will get there, but the journey will take them a bit longer. Listen to RINNE. It is one of their heavier tunes. Cheers

MISA slaps so hard she will slap you in to next week🤟😀⛩️

Who the greatest is is subjective, But Misa is definitely in the category of all time great bassists.

Being from Japan and not singing wholely in English does hold them back in some quarters- not including musicians. But given time they are slowly becoming appreciated more widely. Forgiving the brilliant skills of the other members, the rhythm section is generally liked by all.

That's a good question. MISA is a beast with a groove. Madiac.

Wit!? never heard a fellow scot (maybe even a fellow Glaswegin) talk about Band-Maid. I found the band through the Peacemaker sound track and have been OBSESSED with them since. Great to finally hear a fellow Scot also love them.

Funny how you got lost during the guitar solo because you were following the bass. MISA essentially solos entire songs. Why isn’t she mentioned alongside Geddy, Squire, Geezer and Flea? I suspect it’s only one big hit away. I’m subscribed and very excited to see your reaction to “From Now On.” Band Maid releases instrumentals because they can. Most bands cannot. One of my favorite quotes is: “All of Band Maid’s songs are written as instrumentals, sometimes they just add vocals.” Which is literally the case for “Play!”

Everyone plays to a click except MISA the bassist. Supposedly she has perfect pitch and time.

Misa! Misa! Misa!

If you wanna hear some great bass work, check out their song No God

I saw that your thumbnail said "The best bassist ever?" and, as an ex English teacher, thought I'd better mention that, as there's no question whatsoever that MISA is the best bassist ever, there was no need for a question mark in that statement. Also, while I enjoyed your obvious appreciation of the musical and vocal skills of THE best band in the universe (and any parallel ones), I thought I'd better subscribe in case there's any more grammatical mistakes. 🤘🤘Heavy songs of Band-Maid's would have to include RINNE, REAL EXISTENCE (live) and the instrumentals FROM NOW ON and ONSET. FREEDOM live has Akane's longest drum solo, DON'T YOU TELL ME live has a great call and response section between MISA and Kanami-sama and for something intricate, beautiful and mesmerising, there's SAYONAKIDORI from the acoustic set they gave us on xmas day a couple of years back (‘Sayonakidori’ means ‘Nightingale’ and translates, very beautifully, as SA (small) YO (dawn/night) NAKI (singing) DORI (bird). kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qa2qdLSazMewYWg.html ). That performance has Akane on drums with rods instead of sticks (and also providing backing vocals occasionally), MISA on electric bass and the ridiculously, almost unfeasibly beautiful founder of the band Miku on acoustic guitar and vocals. All of the above are on their YT channel, which they seem to have no problems with people reacting to. 🤘🤘

Great contrast! 🤘😀🤘

So, you need to understand a few things. Kanami (lead g) is the composer of almost all their music ever since 2016 after the album "Brand New Maid". She is a fantastic guitarist, but she is a composer at heart (she is a pianist). She creates certain soundscape for each of their songs. That's how she likes to do it. She is not into creating a mind bending technical guitar solos for solo sake. That's why you won't see her doing some drawn out guitar solos. For her, each of the instruments has to fit the song. MISA is a fabulous musician (both Akane and Misa were music school mates and are best friends). For a while now, when Kanami finishes the overall song in a rough draft including both bass and drum scores, she will send it to both Akane (drums) and MISA to let them arrange their own parts to fit. Basically, Kanami lets MISA do whatever she wants to do on the bass. Their trust in each other is implicit. Miku (rhy g) writes all their lyrics. Saiki (v) approves the final version. Yes, this band is special. If you want to see Kanami doing an extended solo >>> "From Now On" MV official channel. If you want to see Akane's skills both heart pounding and intricate ("secret My lips" MV Official channel, trust me). If you want to see some Misa's amazing bass >>>> "No God" Official LIVE official channel (the most recent one).

Manners, a great song. Black Hole, hold my beer.

Yes, they DO play with backing tracks. But the tracks are created entirely by them and no one else. Kanami and Saiki both play the piano and MISA, Akane and Miku all sing backing vocals, as well as occasional brass instruments. They also write all of their own music since (I think) their 3rd album.

For MISA, No God or Influencer. For Kanami, Blooming, Alone, Giovanni. For Miku, Sayonakidori or Rock on Me. For Akane, it really doesn't matter. The 🦍 is always good For Saiki, About Us, Memorable, Endless Story, Daydreaming. For Pillar-san, live in Hamburg

You mentioned following them - they opened for Guns'n'Roses in Japan recently, don't know what sort of response GNR had to them, or which band most went to see... They also have accoustic performances under, IIRC, the "Maid Maiku" moniker.

MISA isn’t in that same argument because unlike most of the other “great” bassists she’s never there to steal the show like they attempt to do either with the playing or antics… MISA is there as a member of a band! Idk that’s why I think she’s amazing but never really put into the hole of the greats… idk hard to describe…😊

Loved that. This live video - particularly Black Hole - is what made me a Band-Maid fan, so I got to relive that moment. And yeah, I agree that the rhythm section are the brightest stars on stage. The lead guitarist is the genius of the band though - she writes the songs. And the rhythm guitarist is arguably a different type of genius as the founder/co-vocalist/lyricist/promoter/dress-designer/stand-up-comedian who had to learn the guitar on the job.

The rhythm guitarist, 2nd Vocals is Miku Kaboto, founder of the band AND they are singing Miku's lyrics - both songs. Oh, Miku is a 800 year old Pigeon

Thanks for another fine reaction, Mark ! Jumping into a Tom & Gary comment thread is like Gollum falling into the lava of Mount Doom...You survived to react another day !

Miku, the rhythm guitarist and back up singer, does sing lead on some songs. She is also a former underground idol and is the lead singer of cluppo. The only official video of her singing lead is for the song Sayonakidori.

In my mind, MISA is the best bass player and writer of bass lines for a progressive hard rock band going today. If she wasn't in Band-Maid for some ungodly reason, the group would suffer beyond just her 1/5 membership of the band. Thx, Mark!

😁

Black Hole reminds me an anime series' opening theme I head EONS ago. So naturally I exploded in nostalgia. ^_^

You have sampled the tip of the iceberg my friend. Tip o' the iceberg!

Oh holy wow. I just very belatedly realized that the woogly ascending thing Kanami does into the chorus (4:51 in the reaction) is actually Kobato's _descending_ "Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah" vocal part in reverse.

Nice insight to Band Maid music. If you like instrumentals music try their one called Giovanni.

If you enjoy Misa I think you will enjoy PLAY (Live).

Kanami taught Miku to play. She didn't know how when they started

If you can find the "Dice / Hate?" songs from the Lalapalooza show, I would recommend that (if you have not yet seen it). 2 great songs played exceptionally well. You can't go wrong with anything of course. Looking forward to the next one! Thanks for the reaction.

Agree with the person who suggested From Now On.

Next song Sayonakadori. Original live song and acoustic comparison, because I think you can almost consider them completely different songs instrumentally. In Band-Maid's acoustic concert commentary, they also iterate the same feeling.

Oh I forgot to ask, who's Tool ? 😂 next BM song - throw a dart my friend, cant miss 👍🍻

Jack Bruce, Misa, Flea - there you go, my 3 favourite bass players

I'll admit I haven't really listened to any Tool since discovering Band-Maid 5 years ago... Going to see Tool for the first time in November in Concert, seen Band-Maid in Concert twice already...

Generally, with Maids...where you find a guitar solo...you'll find some severe FWAAAARKIN BASS!!! :-) (MISA MISA MISA!!!!)

As a fan of both Tool and Band-Maid, I don't think you're right but somehow I also agree

If you're in it for the long haul, I'd like to see a reaction to one of their more controversial songs, The Dragon Cries. It'd also be interesting to see your take one of their acoustic tracks, my vote would be for Forward (acoustic) but any of them would be cool.

Since you like variation, I want to recommend: Sayonakidori Acoustic Live Because only Band-Maid will write a song where they leave out the lead singer (to give her voice a bit of rest - live band with 2+ hour sets), and either have the Rythm guitar sing lead or make it a straight instrumental. Then make an acoustic version of one of these where they leave out the lead guitar as well If you can find the acoustic version of puzzle, it only has Saiki (lead singer) and Kanami (lead guitar), give that a listen as well. (And maybe hear the "full" version as well - one of my personal favorites) Then realize that Band-Maid could potentially play both acoustics at the same time, since no one is in both 🙃

MISA MISA MISA!!!!! MISA MISA MISA!!!!!! she is pretty good huh!

I've always said, that Misa (The Barefoot Assassin) owns both of those songs. Not withstanding, the absolute brilliance of all the other Maids. I love these women

Markabusi, thanks for your reaction to Band-Maid - Manners / Black Hole. If you would like a treat, whether you want to do a video and react or not that is up to you, but I’d suggest Hate? from Lollapolloza 2023 which has a special section between Kanami and Misa with Akane backing them up on drums - WOW! Your mission if you decide to accept it… Enjoy!

If you think bandmaid are the best live band you surely haven't seen LOVEBITES. Although heavier than Bandmaid they are in a class of their own. The musical talent in LOVEBITES is phenomenal.

Wouldn’t call them the “Best” but they are pretty good.

Akane (the beast drummer, nickname Gorilla) wrote seven different drum patterns for this song. From "easy" via "difficult" and "possible if I practice hard" to "HELL". Needless to say the band chose HELL. She does sometimes put me in mind of the the guy who plays drums for Dr Teeth and the Electric Mayhem.

Backing tracks for such complex songs is understandable (unlike Blink 182 using them xD) and yeah, live they are amazing. Could I request Blooming (official video) or Freedom (live) next? :D

The cnvt from Primus 😂🤣

Even though BAND-MAID doesn't stick to certain genres they are always uniquely BAND-MAID, except when they are being BAND-MAIKO. So whether they are playing straight up Thrash like 'Rinne' or a love song like 'About Us' is always familiar, yet fresh, but still BAND-MAID. Just compare 'Puzzle' LIVE to the acoustic version of 'Puzzle'. Same song yet different. Or 'Secret My Lips' to 'Secret Maiko Lips'. You'll see what I mean. Yes, nearly every one of the backing tracks is played by Lead Guitarist Kanami, especially the Keyboards and virtual instruments. Obviously, any doubled vocals are don by the singers, however sometimes the Chants are done by Kanami, like in 'Cross'. They don't have to play with backing tracks. Once the airlines lost their luggage in Germany. They just rearranged their set list and the show went on. They were more worried about the sneakers they had bought in L.A. than the computer. Saiki has a big sneaker collection, sneakers and trains. Someone make the joke that Kanami asked Akane if she could handle 220, and Akane replied, "Bananas or bowls of Ramen?" Obviously she meant BPM. She was talking about 'Black Hole'. BAND-MAID are always testing their limits and encouraging each other to broaden their skill-sets. When Kanami wrote a song she knew that Miku wasn't ready for, she immediately wrote and taught her a second song designed to help her improve her guitar playing enough to tackle the first song. Can't stand TOOL BTW, However I do like Primus. Congratulations for correctly guessing Akane's nickname, "The Beast". She is a banana powered Half Gorilla / Half Drum Machine. You watch her during 'Domination' LIVE. The rest of the band gather around her to make faces at her to get her to laugh, but there's no chance. Once she has locked in to Kanami's Backing Racks she is unshakeable, even if she does laugh. But you cannot Pigeon Hole them, though Miku is a pigeon.

There are vocal harmonies in every BAND-MAID songs. You just weren’t listening. Here are some songs that showcase the amazing voices of SAIKI and KOBATO: - WONDERLAND (Live, has a jazzy sound) kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rpqYq6-WrcjViqM.html - ABOUT US (written and performed for us during those difficult times) - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/p8-Tmrly3am9hmw.html - CATHARSIS (acoustic version of a rocker) - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qt5pm5dizMeyn2Q.html For another side, try AMAZING STORY - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/a8WDZ9Zpz8C1XXU.html (MV) ; kzfaq.info/get/bejne/d9mTaad_prXSgI0.html (Live) Finally, YOLO has a lush, epic sound - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rbGKld2Uusq9YZs.html (MV) ; kzfaq.info/get/bejne/d9mTaad_prXSgI0.html (Live)

Obligatory MISA MISA MISA for the algorithm.

Daydreaming and No God are great

WHOA, just whoa!! Band-Maid and Tool?! I 100% agree with you! And I'm also a huge Tool fan, But....wait...you're right. Band-Maid over took Tool's place in my lineup, and that was a very close race. (Photo finish) But Miku runs waaaay faster than Maynard so it was a loose situation anyway. Danny and Akane have a bet goin on with the audience. "Who's behind the kit?" Hard to tell isn't it. They are both that good. Fun you made the comparison. I've always thought Band-Maid and Tool have a lot in common. ぽ

Tool use to be one of my favorite bands, having said that... Band-Maid does in 3 minutes what Tool takes 17 years to write.

The rhythm guitarist, Miku, was a singer who took up the guitar after founding this band. Miku previously won an audition of two thousand girls to form a three-person Jpop group. She is a good singer indeed. She was going to be the sole singer of Band-Maid but her voice is too bright and happy for hard rock. Saiki has a better voice for hard rock, with Miku as a great backup vocalist.Meanwhile she learnt the rhythm guitar and has become a competent guitarist. She does a few solo songs, though, to keep her hand in as a singer. Try Sayonakidori where she is the sole (acoustic) guitarist and singer, with bass and drums, from their Christmas concert. They did several songs with different subsets of the band, just to prove that everyone is talented -- in case you didn't know it already.

Why did band-maid write a song like Manners, then black hole? Because they can. They are a rock band. Any type of rock. Usually, multiple types interwoven in one song. Kanami is a rock goddess.

I find the live recordings are better than tracks off of the albums. Saying that the music videos are pretty cool too. "Rinne" is a track I think you'll like

Herman Li called Davy 504 out on MISA, calling him "chicken". (in his reaction to "From now on") . Not a squeak. No way he didn't get the challenge and the disrespect. 😂

MISA IS mentioned in the same breath as Flea, Geddy Lee and that c*nt from Primus for those who know MISA, just not enough lungs have experienced the Barefoot Assassin...yet. Also, they rarely have opening bands, and they rarely open for anyone.

I have watch a few video's and you need to keep an eye on the music volume....it's very low on everything I seen and your voice is fine.

"Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah!" - Miku Kobato

Why why why, Giovanni, Wonderland and Mirage... Anemone are also quite😂 different. I don't know which songs you've reacted to but if the songs were recommended by the same maidiac then the chance is that's the style he or she's into. You can randomly pick any track for reaction, too. Kanami's guitar line and solos have quirky Kanami thing that only she can come up with. She never sound like Satriani or Malmsteen like other crazy Japanese guitarists do, but you can tell it's Kanami just by the sound, well the same goes with Misa and Akane. Saiki's vocal is very distinctive too and Miku's vocal line, geez no other bands can create something like that 😂

Another Japanese band with excessive talent is SOKONINARU, this trio consists of Juko an amazing guitarist who’s complex songwriting and MINDBLOWING playing has to be seen and heard , then the bass player Mikasi , well she could arguably outperform Misa and she also sings lead and harmony whilst playing her bass with virtuosic skills. Then the drummer, possibly he has 4 arms 😊. Please check them out if you don’t know of them. 👍🇦🇺🤘 Thanks for your reactions, new subscriber here You could first have a look at their songs Lament Moment, or Gou Ni Moyo, or one of their many songs with Japanese titles that I don’t even know what they are ? They are not for everyone as it’s very complex prog-rock which you gotta be in the groove for.

They don't play with a backing track. Miku was singing it.

Well, there are a couple of reasons why Misa is not mentioned when "experts" talk about the greatest: the first, she's Japanese, critics had to admit Japan has some of the greatest classical musicians in the world, they're not ready to accept it has also lots of great modern music (jazz, blues, rock, etc) musicians. The second is quite simple, she's a woman. If you read RollingStone's "The 50 Greatest Bassists of All Time", you'll see just five women listed, and that proportion is far from being objective. Lots of great female players would smash the assess of several male ones listed there, Tal Wilkenfeld, for instance. Critics look (or listen) to popularity as much as everyone else, that's the truth, and male (and western) bands get much more of it, undeniably.

Is it me or did he cut the beginning of black hole? 😒

And Band Maid is cuter than Tool. Hell, they're cuter than ANY other band.

Speaking as a Tool fan, there's absolutely no doubt that Band-Maid are way better, on every level.

As @chasecarneson puts it “BAND-MAID doing BAND-MAID things”