Sabaton!

I happened to encounter this Swedish metal band through a reference in the comment section of another blog. They tend to produce songs about historical battles. As this blog is mostly about Japanese media, I here present “Shiroyama,” which is about the Battle of Shiroyama.

More Girl Metal

In continuing to look at Japanese girl metal bands, I just found Doll$Boxx. This has the same gimmick as the others, a cutesy look with harsh music.

In this music video, they poke fun at otaku.

Dude, That Is So Metal

In Jake and the Dynamo, we are gradually drawing closer to the first appearance of Magical Girl Metal Huntress Van Halensing, the vampire-slaying rock idol.

I’m not a particularly musical person, so to figure out how to make this work, I’m currently trying to give myself a crash course in J-metal girl bands. This is the kind of stuff I’m thinking of when I refer to “monster metal,” the magical girl-inspired rock popular in Urbanopolis.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Richard Isaac/REX/Shutterstock (5012088l)
Babymetal – Yuimetal (left), Sumetal (centre), Maometal (right).
Reading Festival, Berkshire, Britain – 29 Aug 2015

There’s Babymetal, of course, a technically proficient band fronted by three girl idols. They’re starting to get big even here in the US, which is a major accomplishment for J-idols, who usually get a cold reception in America. They just spent April touring with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I understand that their shows are quite a spectacle, with fireworks, intricate dancing, and of course those gothic lolita outfits.

Continue reading “Dude, That Is So Metal”

Your Magical Girl Playlist

So you want to be a magical girl?? from TwistedNariko on 8tracks Radio.

I didn’t manage to finish the review I’m writing up, but in the process of creating it, I did find yet another magical girl audio mix. Check it out.

Musical Interlude

Hidden Power: a magical girl mix from nevermore999 on 8tracks Radio.

More magical girl music than you can shake a wand at, assembled by nevermore999 at 8tracks.

JAKE AND THE DYNAMO … on Audio?

Okay, Jake and the Dynamo is not currently available on audio.  Before that happens, I need to get a better microphone and learn how to use some of this editing software. But a reader made this ad and sent it to me, and I thought it was really cool.

I especially like the musical choices he’s got in there. I wish I had some video to go with that rousing number at the end. Considering the way the characters bounce around like pinballs during the action sequences, I think it’s appropriate.

If anyone cares what I usually listen to while writing Jake and the Dynamo, however, it’s usually Disturbed. I have played this one on repeat enough to make it the unofficial theme song:

Musical Interlude

Listen to “Magical Girl (Marisa’s Theme)” by Odyssey. It’s rather catchy.