1001 Other AlbumsWagakki Band (和楽器バンド) – Yasouemaki (八奏絵巻) (2015, Japan)
Our next spotlight is on number 1011 on The List, submitted by ChrisJagged.
Founded by singer, composer, lyricist, Shigin master, Kenshibu dancer, and classical pianist Suzuhana Yuko, Wagakki Band (和楽器バンド) is named after the traditional Japanese instruments that are prominent in their music, wagakki. Originating out of Suzuhana’s acoustic folk trio Hanafugetsu (which is still active), the band essentially merged with folk punk/visual kei band Crow×Class to result in a 8-member group with a sound that lands somewhere in-between the folk rock and folk metal spheres. Wagakki Band first gained popularity via their adaptations of Vocaloid songs, with their first LP, Vocalo Zanmai (ボカロ三昧) (2014), consisting solely of Vocaloid covers. The album we look at here is their second studio album and first to contain original material. It incorporates methods of Shigin, a traditional poetry form performed/recited in a particular manner, as would their following albums.
Following the release of Yasouemaki, Wagakki Band’s popularity would continue to grow both at home and internationally, and the band would go on to release five more LPs, with Tokyo Singing (2020) featuring a collaboration with Amy Lee of Evanescence. As of the end of 2024, the band has gone on indefinite hiatus.
Even if you, like me, don’t know much about J-rock/J-pop, if you have an interest in folk rock/metal (and love/miss[1] key changes!), this is a really fun band to check out.
Happy listening!
#CrowxClass #folkMetal #folkRock #Hanafugetsu #JPop #JRock #music #musicDiscovery #Shigin #SuzuhanaYuko #WagakkiBand
