Japanese Traditional Heavy Metal

by u/Crucervix

Starting with the late 60's and early 70's, the Japanese were absorbing the hard rock and folk rock happening in the West and releasing somewhat unique takes on it. This continued through the rest of the 70's until Japan become a common Asian fixture among big world tours towards the end of the 70's. Scorpions, Judas Priest and Van Halen played there to sold out crowds, and you can only bet there was an entire scene full of bands inspired by these that developed soon.

Most of these bands take influences from several Western bands and form a weird melting pot for all these different sounds to coexist in a single album or even a single song. Of course, they also added their own flavor to the music and the fact that almost all of them sang in Japanese helps their "unique" factor as a scene. While not as prolific as the UK, the US, France, Germany or Sweden, there are more than a few absolute gems to be found in this scene.

There were two major scenes in Japan in the 80's. Kansai and Kanto. The "Kansai" scene was centered around Osaka in the west of Japan and was already established by the time 1980 came around. Influenced initially by mostly 70's Western bands, the Kansai bands were bluesy, melodic and more straight forward in their approach to the Heavy Metal sound. On the other hand the "Kanto" scene was centered around Tokyo in the east of Japan and formed a few years later. Influenced by later bands and also Visual Kei and other Japanese phenomena, these bands were more weird, proggy and "interesting" in their approach to Heavy Metal.

Note #1: 1st tier bands are not necessarily better than the 2nd tier or 3rd tier bands. Some of my favorites are listed here as 2nd tier bands. The tiers are related to popularity/influence and nothing else.
Note #2: Only bands that released at least one EP or one full length some time during the 80's.

1st Tier: The More Influential

X Japan
Definitely the most popular metal band out of Japan, this is one band I'm sure most you are already familiar with. In line with most bands from the Kanto scene, they incorporated non-traditional elements to their brand of Heavy Metal. You'll find a major scale ballad sandwiched between two Speed Metal songs only on an X Japan album. Of course this proggy tendency got more obvious later on starting with the "Art of Life" album. Initially, they were more straightforward and wrote absolutely killer, fist-pumping stuff that's not too far, musically, from Helloween at their best.
Recommended listening: Vanishing Vision, Blue Blood

Loudness
Another band most of you will be familiar with, Loudness formed from the ashes of rock band "Lazy" in 1981. Disappointed with the musical direction of Lazy and wanting to go in a heavier direction, they were still very hard rock influenced initially. With every album, however, the hard rock influence was stripped away. By the third album, the hard rock influence was gone, leaving us with some killer melodic heavy metal. They also became the first Japanese band to tour the US in '83 for this very album. After the third album, they went in a more commercial, accessible direction, but never compromised on the quality. Overall, a pretty consistent discography and you can't really go wrong with at least most of their 80's output.
Recommended listening: The Law of Devil's Land, Disillusion, Thunder in the East

Earthshaker
Formed in 1978, they were one of the earlier bands on the scene. As is obvious from the name, a Y&T song, they were initially grounded in 70's Hard Rock/Heavy Metal. Also absorbing the stylings of certain NWOBHM acts that formed around the same time, their first album, released in 1983, is a pretty good slab of early Heavy Metal. It also has a song written by a certain Adrian Smith. After this, they started getting more commercial-sounding with every release. Their second album, which I prefer, was a nice middle ground, featuring some great melodic heavy metal and also more pop-influenced stuff. After this, the pop influenced got to a point which made them unlistenable. The first two, however, are great and worthy listens.
Recommended listening: s/t, Fugitive

Anthem
Another band that gained a lot of popularity outside Japan, Anthem formed the same year Loudness did but in the Kanto region and would take way longer to release a full length. More straightforward riffs and songwriting, unlike their Kanto counterparts, they would prove to be very influential to the more weird bands that would form in the area. The s/t debut came 4 years after they had formed, but what a phenomenal release that was. Stock full of fast, catchy riffs with layered vocals that you know you can't stop listening to once you start. They never really changed their sound drastically, keeping the same formula that had worked for them on the s/t album. But even then, the quality never really dropped. Theirs is as consistent a discography as you're gonna get from Japan.
Recommended listening: s/t, Tightrope, Gypsy Ways, Hunting Time

Bow Wow
The first of the Kanto bands (after Flower Travellin' Band), Bow Wow formed in 1975, playing stuff that sounded like a variety of different bands. From Black Sabbath to the Beatles, these guys drew influence from the entire spectrum of rock music available at the time. Nothing too original, at least initially, but still killer. They released quite a lot of stuff over the course of the 80's, some of which was under a different name (Vow Wow). Of all the 12 albums they did release in the decade, "Warning from Stardust" has got to be my favorite. The riffs are catchy as all hell, at times very bluesy. Most of the rest of their 80's output is also pretty good, but nothing too original or groundbreaking. Recommended listening: Asian Volcano, Warning from Stardust, Vow Wow III

44 Magnum
One of the first Kansai bands, having formed in 1977, 44 Magnum played stuff that was pretty similar to what Bow Wow and Loudness were doing early on, with more Scorpions influence. First EP and first two full lengths are pretty solid, after which they went in a more AOR direction.
Recommended listening: s/t EP, Danger, Street Rock'n Roller

Sabbrabells
Some of you may remember these guys from "One Night Magic" being album of the week a couple of weeks back. Sabbrabells are one of the more unique bands you're gonna find from this scene, and they build on influence from Mercyful Fate primarily. Sometimes slow, sometimes fast, always vicious. Also fascinated with the occult, which showed up in their lyrical matter and on-stage costumes, they were the closest Japan came to having a Mercyful Fate of their own. Strange, weird, extremely fun band with no bad releases. Too bad they split up in 1987, after just 6 years of being almost perfect. They're back now, however, and we can only hope for some new material. Till then, we've got their excellent 80's output.
Recommended listening: s/t, Dog Fight EP, One Night Magic

X-Ray
Another straight forward, hard rock influenced band from Osaka, their first two albums are a clueless, weird mishmash of different influences. The second album is better than the first but not by much, and has an interesting cover. The first half of said album is pretty good, and I'd draw similarities to early Riot, but the second half drags on and features a strange cover of a certain Twisted Sister song. Third and fourth albums are much more refined and have a certain musical direction. Adding a keyboardist, they took the anthemic heavy metal route and it totally worked for them. Killer stuff that is similar to what Loudness were doing at the time. They sadly split up after this though.
Recommended listening: Tradition Breaker (first half), Shout!, Strike Back

聖飢魔II (Seikima-II)
Kanto band that formed in 1982, and took 3 years to release their killer debut. More unique, in line with other Kanto bands, the riffs are absolutely monstrous and the vocals are no less. The second album is my favorite of theirs. Pretty much a no-filler record, the title song "The End of the Century" is probably my favorite song from this entire scene. Absolutely killer album, and a good place to stop unless you want to listen to excessive prog rock influence in which case "The Outer Mission" might work for you.
Recommended listening: 悪魔が来たりてヘヴィメタる, The End of the Century

Flatbacker and EZO
Started out in 1982 as Flatbacker, they were initially very raw and menacing. Featuring twin guitar harmonies and the whole early 80's Heavy Metal package. The demo and both the full lengths under the "Flatbacker" name are all good. The name change happened in 1986, after which they moved to the US and gained moderate popularity and shifted to a more commercial sound. Their first full length under the "EZO" name was produced by a certain Gene Simmons. It came a little late, in 1987 when thrash metal was big, but it is certainly a solid album worth checking out. Musically similar to the glam bands of the time, and almost as good. The second album was musically a little better but proved to be sort of a financial disaster at a time when glam was dying, and they had to disband soon after.
Recommended listening: Esa, E-Z-O, Fire Fire

Dead End
These guys formed a little later as compared to the other 1st tier bands, in 1984. Their debut, which came out in 1986, was a pretty killer Speed Metal album. Lots of similarities to "Restless and Wild"-era Accept, down to the aggressive vocals. They gained a lot of popularity from touring in Japan, and built quite a legacy for themselves during the 80's, releasing three more albums in the process. The last of these three was a pop rock album but the other two are solid Speed Metal albums. Soon after, in 1990, they disbanded.
Recommended listening: Dead Line, Ghost of Romance

2ND Tier: The Less Influential

Terra Rosa
One of the earlier bands on the scene, Terra Rosa were part of both the Kansai and Kanto scenes at different times. Their best work, the debut album, came when they were still a part of the Kansai scene earlier on. An absolute gem of no filler, Rainbow-influenced riffs with a unique flavor. Very tastefully done keyboards are an icing on the cake. After this album though, they became a melodic rock band. So, the debut is both a great place to start and an even better place to stop.
Recommended listening: The Endless Basis

Action!
Another earlier band that didn't really get big. A variety of different influences manifest themselves throughout any given Action! album . A song with mid-paced Heavy Metal riffing and vicious vocals with harmonized choruses, followed by a song full of Zeppelin riffs, followed by some other bluesy shit back to mid-paced Heavy Metal. Most of their albums are at least solid though and totally worth checking out.
Recommended Listening: Hot Rox, Heart Raiser, Warning in the Night

Reaction
Flowing nicely, name-wise, from the above band are one of the pioneers of the Kanto scene with Anthem, Bow Wow and Sabbrabells. Reaction never got as big as those, but were equally killer. Featuring fast, melodic riffs and catchy songwriting overall, there are some parallels to be drawn to lighter USPM acts like Fifth Angel, Hittman and Leatherwolf. They got better with each release until their third, which is my favorite out of their catalogue. The fourth, s/t album is pretty solid too, and a great place to stop. What followed is a mediocre cock rock effort that's a total waste of time. At their best, though, Reaction were the Speed Metal band to beat in Japan.
Recommended Listening: Insane, Agitator, True Imitation

Show-Ya
All-girl band that formed early on in 1982, influenced by classic rock and hard rock initially. They would go on to achieve lots of fame all through the 80's, of course kick-started by that Coca-Cola ad. Seeing how glam bands were getting huge, Show-Ya changed stylistically to fit in and also had AOR influence. They ended the 80's on an extremely high note with what is my favorite of all their albums, Outerlimits.
Recommended listening: Queendom, Outerlimits

Sniper
Also an earlier band, Sniper formed in 1981 and released two, straightforward fun albums before eventually disbanding. Much like Saxon and early Rainbow in the type of Heavy Metal they made, the first album features some killer riffing. Second album ranges from solid to good.
Recommended listening: Open the Attack, Quick & Dead

Bellzlleb
Excellent Doom-laden Heavy Metal initially, full of feelings of despair built on strong riffs. The vocalist, Rei, sounds like he's absolutely mentally disturbed. Makes for some wholesome listening.
Recommended listening: s/t

Blizard
These guys wouldn't be too out of place on the Sunset Strip, with their brand of Heavy Metal. Straightforward and borrowing a lot from the glam bands of the time, these guys lacked the "oomph" of Motley Crue or Dokken and faded into obscurity after they disbanded in 1992. All that being said, the stuff on their first three albums is pretty solid and catchy.
Recommended listening: Kamikaze Killers, Hot Shot!

Wolf
Perhaps my favorite band from this scene. The s/t EP from 1987 is one of the strongest releases from this scene. Featuring USPM-like riffing, vicious high-pitched vocals and some catchy-ass songwriting, this is some obsession worthy stuff that I've listened to endlessly since I first heard it. The demo from the same year and the single released later on are solid as well.
Recommended listening: s/t EP

Hellen
Another favorite of mine, these guys would only release one EP (besides a couple of singles and a demo) before eventually disbanding. The EP "Talon of King" is as good if not better than the Wolf EP. Featuring some Power Metal-esque riffs and melodic passages with some neoclassical influence and some top-notch guitar work, this is a total gem of an EP. Fair warning: there is a lot of keyboard involvement here. All tastefully done, of course, but you might want to tread lightly if you're totally averse to keyboards in your Heavy Metal.
Recommended listening: Talon of King

Genocide
One of the earliest bands in the scene, having formed in 1979, they would go on to release just the one full length. But man, what a release. Absolutely heavy riffing, sometimes venturing into doom territory but not much. The vocalist is an absolute treat, with his extra high-pitched vocals which can get a little too much sometimes but nothing a great riff won't come in and solve immediately. The full length also has a nice acoustic song that doesn't at all feel cheesy and totally fits in with the rest of the album.
Recommended listening: Black Sanctuary

Crowley
Another pretty unique band, featuring some epic riffing and almost operatic vocals. Their fascination with occult themes led to them gaining some traction in Europe and they were set to tour there before some line-up problems halted that. They eventually disbanded in the late 80's, leaving us with a killer EP and even more killer full length.
Recommended listening: The Scream of Death EP, Whisper of the Evil

Breeze Least
Another personal favorite, Breeze Least were quite Swedish sounding at times, with some neoclassical influence at other times. More than a few superb riffs to be found on the one 80's full length they released. Features some excellent guitar work as well. All round gem, and one of the best in the scene.
Recommended listening: s/t

Fast Draw
Epic Heavy Metal act drawing influence from such bands as Legend and Manilla Road. The demos are fantastic. The full lengths aren't as good but all of them are at least solid. Good for satisfying that Epic HM itch. Recommended listening: Damia, 根腐劣屑 (コンプレックス)

Mein Kampf
A band with an interesting name, Mein Kampf are one of those bands that releases one demo and one EP and then disappears,only to be found years later and achieving cult status. The fantastic EP in question has only two songs, and they're both as phenomenal as Speed Metal can get. Pretty much the Japanese Agent Steel, these guys.
Recommended listening: Speeder EP

Zadkiel
One of the many, many bands that Venom inspired in the 80's. They only managed a single and an EP. The EP is pretty good, with all the signature Venom elements in place. Recommended listening: Hell's Bomber EP

Prowler
Playing vicious, raw Speed Metal, Prowler released one stellar EP and one split with Yoke of Steel. Anyway, the one EP they released is worth a listen or 100.
Recommended listening: Back Fire EP

3RD Tier: Other Noteworthy Releases

Tabbasa- 有角神舞踏
Eliza- Something Like Hot
Jewel- Jewel I
Heavy Metal Army- Heavy Metal Army I
Vanishing Point- Twilight Zone
Mell Rose- Slight Difference EP
Ageless- Barbed Wire EP
Ex Danger- Tyrant into the West
Rose- s/t EP
Van Veen- Over the Universe
Zinc Alloy- Heavy Metal Panic "Live" EP
Rajas- Turn It Up
Cry-Max - s/t EP
Tilt- Stick into Yours EP
Hurry Scuary- Break It Up
Paranoia- Come From Behind
Saber Tiger- Rise EP, Crush & Dush EP
Yokosuka Saver Tiger- Saber Tiger EP
Dancer- Violent Emotion
Majoran- s/t EP
D'erlanger- La vie en rose
5X- Human Target
Marino- Target
United- Beast Dominate EP
Diass- Masters of Your Mind
Shella- Listen!
The Datura- One Night Dream