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In 1969, the center of the world of rock music was London. A rock music lover’s pantheon of the five greatest artists of the day would likely have consisted of the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, and the Hibbing minstrel, Bob Dylan (an American, but so what?). It must have been a great time to be alive.

But one doesn’t have to listen to music that is over fifty years old to hear great rock music.

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In 2022, Tokyo is the world capital of the greatest rock music on the planet. What is more, the greatest Japanese rock music is being made by all-women or woman-fronted bands. These women are the most exciting musicians anywhere in the world. RaijinRock’s personal pantheon consists of:

1. BAND-MAID – Guitarist Kanami is a hard rock songwriting genius. Saiki is the coolest, most seductive vocalist in the world. Akane is the most wildly unhinged drummer since Keith Moon. Rhythm guitarist/lyricist/vocalist Miku Kobato is simply irresistible. As for the bassist, all one needs to do is shout “MISA! MISA!! MISA!!!”;
2. BRIDEAR – Tenacious, ferocious and glorious vocalist KIMI is one of the very few true icons of JROCK music. Bassist HARU, guitarists MISAKI and AYUMI and drummer NATSUKI are all talented songwriters who have contributed to the reinvention of one of the most creative and challenging power rock bands in the world.
3. GLIM SPANKY – Matsuo Remi is a compelling vocalist with the inherent vocal gifts of Janis Joplin or Carol King, both of whom Remi has covered. Remi is also a truly great songwriter. Remi writes great punk songs, great disco songs, great blues-rock songs, great psychedelic songs. Remi has a power that transcends genres. In addition, guitarist Kamemoto Hiroki always makes every great song even greater.
4. MARY’S BLOOD – The endlessly creative guitarist SAKI is one of the few truly awe-inspiring musicians in the world. Vocalist Eye is a fire-breathing dragon of rare power. Drummer Mari and bassist Rio inject surprising accents into every song. Live support guitarist Yashiro does not get enough credit for her contributions. MARY’S BLOOD is without question one of the most iconic of all Japanese rock bands.
5. It is impossible to deny the power pop greatness of SCANDAL. Is there any greater anime theme than “Shunkan Sentimental,” the fourth closing theme of Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood? Guitarist Sasazaki Mami, frontwoman Ono Haruna, drummer Suzulo Rina, and bassist Tomomi Ogawa, have matured into master practitioners of their craft. Individually and collectively, they are irresistible songwriters and musicians.

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Music is subjective. Arguments can always be made for the inclusion of bands. Some critics in 1969 might have argued for the inclusion of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Perhaps. Creedence Clearwater Revival? A hard yes.

In 2022, LOVEBITES and Aldious are absolutely worthy of consideration. For various reasons, these truly spectacular bands don’t quite make the RaijinRock list of the five members of the pantheon.

That doesn’t change RaijinRock’s perspective that the greatest rock music is currently being made by Japanese women.

The question is, where does one start?

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Here is a personal list of fifty absolutely spectacular releases by fifty different all-women or woman-fronted bands. Rock music lovers can use this list to explore the amazingly rich and complex world of Japanese women rock musicians. The list includes straightforward classic rock, infectious power pop, uncompromising hard rock, over-the-top heavy metal, glorious anime themes, idol metal, eclectic experimental jams, and more. Many of these bands have also released truly great live albums or DVDs, so be sure to check those out. Suggestions regarding omissions from the list are welcome. The list is in alphabetical order.

1. AKAIKO-EN – The Park (2020). The album The Park was the magnum opus of the eclectic and experimental songwriter/guitarist/keyboardist Tsuno Maisa, who tragically died much too young in 2020. The Blu-Ray release The Last Park is a fitting tribute by the surviving members to this remarkable woman. The package includes live performances with Maisa-chan, music videos and more.
2. Aldious – Unlimited Diffusion (2017). It is difficult to single out one Aldious album as the one you must have. Unlimited Diffusion seems to be the chaotic apotheosis of the marvelous Re:NO era. But don’t overlook Evoke II, a compilation album on which, for some marketing reason, the fabulous, wildly talented, beyond all superlatives, vocalist R!N re-recorded vocals for some of Re:NO and Rami’s greatest hits.
3. anarchy stone – Our World (2012). In the right hands, punk rock can still sound every bit as fresh as it did in 1977. anarchy stone are the real thing.
4. ASTERISM – Guitarist HAL-CA was 16 years old when this album was recorded. Her bandmates were also teenagers. That is absolutely crazy.
5. Babymetal – Babymetal (2014). The hypnotic, mesmerizing and seductive live performances of Nakamoto Suzuka, Mizumo Yui and Kikuchi Moa are unique in the rock music world. You will become a believer. The debut album remains iconic.
6. BAND-MAID – Unseen World (2021). BAND-MAID’s furiously hard-rocking magnum opus is one of the most uncompromising albums ever released. The five women of BAND-MAID are individually and collectively unmatched by any other hard rock band in the world.
7. BRIDEAR – Bloody Bride (2021). Power metal masters BRIDEAR have the astonishing ability to reimagine themselves on every album. Vocalist Kimi is irresistible.
8. CYNTIA – URBAN NIGHT (2016). CYNTIA’s final album was a return to glory after a brief but misguided excursion into JPOP territory. Be sure to also check out the song 幻覚の太陽 (Hall of Illusions) from the album Endless Night.
9. D_DRIVE – Maximum Impact (2019). Simply great instrumental hard rock. The song “Unkind Rain,” written by guitarist Yuki, is absolutely classic.
10. DESTROSE, The seminal all-woman band. DESTROSE had an endlessly revolving door of great musicians. Many of these musicians went on to greater success in bands such as LOVEBITES, Mary’s Blood, OCTAVIAGRACE and Mardelas. The one and only album by DESTROSE features the legendary Captain Mina and the iconic Suzuki Narumi on guitar, with LOVEBITES’ founders Miho and Haruna as the rhythm section and Mardelas’ Hebiishi Marina as vocalist. That is an absolutely jaw-dropping all-star lineup. The album can be hard to find. You may have to take out another mortgage on your house to acquire DESTROSE, but it is worth every penny.
11. Disacode – サクラ×クロク×クラク. The melodic hard rock band Disacode has never officially disbanded. One can only hope that Disacode will record again. Nevertheless, every release is worth acquiring. Songwriter/vocalist Akira, Re:NO’s best friend, knows how to rock.
12. Disqualia – Over The Destruction (2015). It is hard to believe that this supergroup, led by the singer/songwriter IBUKI and featuring the genius guitarists Narumi and HAZUKI, was not a wild success. The few EPs that Disqualia released are all great examples of melodic hard rock.
13. DOLL$BOXX – Dolls Apartment (2012). DOLL$BOXX is comprised of the four core members of Gacharic Spin with the addition of the iconic vocalist FUKI. DOLL$BOXX is therefore the supergroup of the century. DOLL$BOXX’ only other release, the EP High$pec, is equally amazing. The DVD High$pec High Return, is a live document of one of the most exciting concerts you will ever see.
14. exist†trace – Royal Straight Magic (2016). An all women visual-kei band, exist†trace are frustratingly difficult to pin down. On this EP, exist†trace found the right recipe of catchy hard rock.
15. Fate Gear – Headless Goddess (2019). Captain Mina, the guiding force of Fate Gear, was the mastermind of DESTROSE. Headless Goddess, which includes remakes of a number of DESTROSE songs, is a good introduction to this compelling, but at times frustrating, musician and her ever-changing cast of collaborators.
16. Gacharic Spin – Gacharic Spin (2021). Gacharic Spin are the most wildly eclectic of all Japanese bands. Gachapin deliver greatness on every release. This most recent self-titled album is an impressive reset, in large part because of the contributions of long-time keyboardist/vocalist OREO-Reona and new frontwoman Angelina 1/3.
17. Girlfriend – Chocolate (2018). Simply great power pop. Girlfriend has officially disbanded, but their music will always be a joyful reminder of what makes power pop such a compelling genre.
18. GLIM SPANKY – Sunrise Journey (2015). Working in a variety of genres, the vocalist and rhythm guitarist Matsuo Remi is one of the greatest songwriters of the 21^st Century. Guitarist Kamemoto Hiroki makes every song even better. Sunrise Journey is as good a place as any to start.
19. hanabie – Girl’s Reform Manifest. Lots of guitars and lots of hardcore screaming. There is a lot going on in hanabie’s songs. I can’t figure them out despite many listens. Maybe that is why I love them so much.
20. Hagane – Yet another hard-rocking band. Melodic, with a hint of Metalcore. The category doesn’t matter. All Hagane releases are great.
21. Harukatomiyuki – Loveless/Artless. Simply great rock music from a duo of passionate songwriter/ musicians. Every single one of their releases is worth acquiring.
22. Heavenstamp – From The Basement (2021). An impressive and eclectic band. Heavenstamp makes music that is dreamy, atmospheric and melodic. The re-mix albums are every bit as mesmerizing as the original releases.
23. Hump Back – hanamuke (2017). Hayashi Momoko is one of the truly great practitioners of 21^st century power-pop. There are many moments of power-pop glory in any of Hump Back’s releases. Momoko-chan has a gift for great song hooks and clever guitar solos. Her energy is irresistible.
24. IBUKI – Storm of Emotion (2021). The powerful singer/songwriter IBUKI appears on this list in three other places: (1) a sometimes vocalist of DESTROSE, (2) singer of a number of Rie a.k.a. Suzaku’s songs and (3) leader of Disqualia. What that means is that IBUKI is absolutely legendary. Storm of Emotion is great from start to finish.
25. Kinoko Teikoku – ロンググッドバイ(2013). Eclectic, melodic and seductive. Kinoko Teikoku create a dream-like atmosphere of glorious rock music.
26. LADYBABY/The Idol Formerly Known As Ladybaby – Reburn. It doesn’t matter what they call themselves. LADYBABY, like the djent pioneers Periphery, manage the difficult transition between clean and harsh vocals in song after song.
27. LOVEBITES – Awakening From Abyss (2017). LOVEBITES’ first full album was a watershed moment in the world of traditional heavy metal. asami, miyako, Tatematsu Midori, haru, and the iconic founder miho are five of the most talented musicians to ever grace a stage.
28. MAMY – I saw many myself (2017). MAMY is yet another glorious power pop band. The fact that the band’s guitarists include a Fender Stratocaster player and a Gibson Les Paul user proves that they know what they are doing.
29. Manacle – Manacle is an offshoot of the idol-metal band Necronomidol. Liberation is full of compelling neo-Gothic metal hooks and strange but compelling vocals.
30. Mardelas – Mardelas III (2018). Femme fatale Marina Hebiishi creates an irresistible film noir world within the confines of hard rock. Henchman Oikawa Kikyo is a great songwriter and gifted guitarist.
31. Mary’s Blood – Bloody Palace (2016). Mary’s Blood is without question a truly iconic band. the second full-length is one of the greatest albums of the 21^st Century. Brutal and convincing.
32. MASS OF THE FERMENTING DREGS – Our World (2018). Punk rock meets power pop. Clever hooks on every song.
33. nano – nanoir (2018). nano has one of the most outrageously gorgeous voices you will ever hear. She also writes some of the most insightful and challenging lyrics of any songwriter in the world. A native New Yorker, nano has traversed a long and winding road. After moving to Japan as a teenager, nano somehow carved a path to well-deserved anime and rock stardom.
34. Nemophila – REVIVE. The charismatic (and stunning) vocalist/screamer mayu is the star of the Nemophila show. mayu is without peer, vocally or visually. mayu’s supporting cast includes guitarists SAKI of Mary’s Blood and Hazuki of Disqualia, bassist Haraguchi-san and drummer Murata Tamu. That is a true super-group. Don’t try to argue that point. You would be wasting your time.
35. OCTAVIAGRACE – Radiant (2019). The inventive and eclectic hard rock/jazz band OCTAVIAGRACE features great songs, alluring singing and absolutely amazing instrumentation. Guitarist Hanako plays a hell of a lot of notes. Every single one of those notes is absolutely necessary.
36. OKINAWA electric girl SAYA – Black Angel. Saya is one of the most wildly eclectic musicians who has ever lived. She can seduce the listener with melodic beauty. She is also, at times, more than willing to piss the listener off. SAYA’s music ranges from Latin-tinged songs all the way through to brutal black noise. Her absolutely mesmerizing song “Secret Forest” is one of the best songs you will ever hear.
37. Otome Sarah – The Love Mistakes the Blind Love. The one and only release from this singer/songwriter is loaded with catchy rock songs. Who is she? I have no clue. But I would love to learn more about Otome Sarah.
38. PassCode – Clarity (2019). PassCode is one of the greatest idol metal bands. PassCode’s live shows are breathtaking. The women of the band are always mesmerizing. The songs are full of great riffs, irresistible melodies and first class screaming.
39. Rie a.k.a. Suzaku – Top Runner (2019). The wildly prolific virtuoso heavy metal jazz guitarist Rie is one of the greatest writers of melody who ever lived. The “solo” sections of her instrumental songs are absolutely scorching. Do yourself a favor and buy everything Rie has ever released.
40. RAMI THE REQUIEM – 暁闇慟哭  (2021). The original vocalist of Aldious made a triumphant return in 2021 with this brutal album. The albums she released as vocalist of the band Raglaia are also gripping.
41. RiViNi – Resistance (2018). Rie a.k.a. Suzakus’s short-lived all-women supergroup is strangely reminiscent of 1980s rockers Asia. But Resistance is one of the best releases of the last decade. The playing is great, and vocalist Nicky Rosa was the ideal instrument for Rie’s melodic rock songs.
42. SAISEIGA – The Sun (2022). Former Zettai Club members Regan and Tohko released one of the hardest hitting LPS of 2022. SAISEIGA has the potential to be one of the best of the newer bands in Japan.
43. SCANDAL – Kiss From The Darkness (2020). This is yet another truly great album from the JROCK goddesses. SCANDAL is one of the few Japanese bands with the confidence and conviction to release an unabashedly LGBTQ-friendly music video, despite the objections of more conservative fandoms in certain parts of the world. More power to them.
44. SILENT SIREN – GIRLS POWER (2017). One should not dismiss SILENT SIREN as simply fun power pop. SILENT SIREN demonstrates a sharp edge in many of their songs. If vocalist Yoshida Sumire hangs out with BAND-MAID’s Atsumi Saiki, I don’t need any additional recommendation.
45. tricot – Jodeki (2021). tricot is impossible to categorize. Their off-kilter rhythms, weird chords, and hypnotic melodies make them a favorite of music majors around the globe. Guitarist Motifour is an absolute genius.
46. Trident – Advance Generation (2021). Advance Generation is a pop-punk masterpiece. Every song is remarkable. The live DVD is a testament to the power of TRiDENT.
47. UNDEAD CORPORATION – No Antidote (2017). Heavy metal party rock? Whatever you call their genre, UNDEAD CORPORATION are irresistible. Bilingual vocalist Akemi is a truly amazing vocalist.
48. Unlucky Morpheus – Vampir (2015). The mesmerizing vocalist FUKI and the hypnotic violinist Jill in the same band? How could this project not be spectacular? The four men in the band, especially guitarist Jinya, are all instrumental geniuses.
49. The Winking Owl – BLOOMING (2016). Glorious, shimmering, and ecstatic. The Winking Owl is a hard-rocking band that has an inexhaustible supply of great hooks and melodies. “Empty In The Crowd” is one of the best songs ever written, riding the knife’s edge between tension and ecstasy.
50. yonige – girls like girls (2015). Singer/songwriter/guitarist Ushimara Arisa is a power-pop genius. The most recent yonige releases are strangely pensive and subdued. On girls like girls, yonige are exuberant and exhilarating.

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Other Japanese women acts worth exploring include Oyama Maki (the truly glorious vocalist who performed on Aldious’ last tour), ZETTAI CLUB, WEDNESDAY CAMPANELLA, BLACKNAZARENE, The Heana Cat,  Little Lilith, Necronomidol, ArkRoyal, R!N, Zwei and Kanako Ito. And this list would be inadequate if it did not acknowledge the seminal all-women rock band SHOW-YA, who inspired many of the bands on this list. Guitarist Miki “Sun-go” Igarashi is one of the most admirable human beings on the planet. If you don’t follow Sun-go on Twitter, you should remedy that omission immediately.

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Please use the comment form to discuss what great releases could also have made the lists. The form unfortunately requires an e-mail address, but RaijinRock will never use it or provide it to any third party.

Illustration: @magdacat12

For the Japanese version of this article, please click on “Japanese” at the top of the page.

ページトップの「日本語」をクリックすると、本記事の日本語版を閲覧できます。