I know you like K-pop a lot (which I want to go back to in a minute). What about Metal in Asia? Are you more than superficially interested in it? What kind of bands or genres do you like the most? Have you experienced anything that’s different at Asian Metal shown in terms of bands’ attitudes or how they are managed (like the no pictures during shows policy etc)?
I’ve written two articles on Horns Up, talking about the metal scene and evolution in Taiwan (thanks to Joe Henley from Dharma) and Korea, so I can say I really dig it. But like I said before, I’m in a total self-rediscovery when it comes to Metal right now and I almost exclusively listen to Metalcore from Japan for more than ten years now, thanks to BabyMetal. Since we’re talking about Metal in Asia! Regarding Taiwan, I’m a big fan of Dharma, I love the concept, I’m waiting (it’s been too long!) for the next Chthonic, I’m closely watching the evolution of Bloody Tyrant. I loved Maggot Colony and although it’s not Metal, I love the energy of [Taiwanese indie band] P!sco.
A LITTLE BIT OF BRUTAL DEATH METAL, A LITTLE BIT OF HYPERPOP
When it comes to Japan, I’m into all genres ranging from pure Metal to Hyperpop. I love to go from Ado to Otoboke Beaver, from Yoasobi to PassCode. Hanabie is a real banger on stage, as well as Maximum The Hormone and I loved the last song from LadyBaby. If you’ve said that to the child I was 20 years ago, I would have spit in my face lol. I was really only into brutal and Satanic things.
We need more women on stage, not because they’re women, I don’t care about that, but because they should be free to love music and express themselves as they want to. Sexism has no place in our scene and I’ll always fight against that.
WOMEN HAVE A STRONG PRESENCE IN THE JAPANESE METAL SCENE
The no pictures policy at shows have been coming to France for something like 10 years now and the main influence are the US more than Asia, so I’m used to it. What I really identified as a big difference between Europe and Asia is the sex-ratio. In Asia, even in Metal, there’s a lot of women in bands. It’s ok, they’re musicians like anyone else. In Europe it’s not like that. Girls are underrepresented and when they’re in a band they’re oversexualized or not taken as credible musicians, it’s always “the girlfriend of” when they’re not just assaulted – it’s a real pity. We need more women on stage, not because they’re women, I don’t care about that, but because they should be free to love music and express themselves as they want to. Sexism has no place in our scene and I’ll always fight against that.
THE PARTY MUST GO ON
I get the sense that you like BabyMetal. They’re obviously very unique, but I wouldn’t say that they’re very original. They’re like a perfect synthesis of elements that have pre-existed them. I find it interesting that the biggest break-through internationally by a Japanese band doesn’t come from innovators of a genre (let’s say a band like Korn), but that it’s a band with a sound that is kind of calculated (not that this takes away anything from their merits, I’m not trying to throw shade). Maybe I’m just playing into some stereotypes here, but it seems to me that BabyMetal are a true product of their environment. How much of a fanboy are you and what are your thoughts about their music?
You’re 100% right and that’s what I like with BabyMetal and Asian Metalcore bands nowadays. They don’t give a fuck about the rules, they just steal everything that works and make it marketable. I’ve nothing against that, it’s clever capitalism. Hopefully it’s not only about marketing, but also about the fun and parties. Haters will hate it anyways, but when you don’t give a shit or when you’re a fan like me, these shows are absolute moments of fun, friendship and cuteness, I love it! I was in the Nex Fest in Tokyo last 2023, Yoasobi, Hanabie, Maximum The Hormone, BabyMetal, Paledusk, I was like a child, just enjoying myself, enjoying the energy, the good vibes of the gigs. That’s what I’m looking for in life: fun. We’ll die anyway, let’s just have fun in the present moment.
Do you wanna talk about any other less known Asian bands?
I’m in love with Ado (the songstress in the last “One Piece Movie – Red”). She is a pure genius, the best utaite [note: covers singer] I know. She started to sing at 12, with no background. At 15 she recorded all of her stuff by herself in her closet and was already famous in the underground Internet. At 19 she was in the Japan top 100, and chosen for the original soundtrack of the last One Piece movie, she does everything by herself, mind blowing. Please, if you know someone that knows here, send me a picture, I want to know who she is as she always appears masked, even during shows. It’s more like J-pop / K-pop / Hyperpop, Yoasobi influenced, than Metal, but it’s easy to find the link between these two scenes.
As you can probably tell I have no respect for immobilism when it comes to music and culture.
RECCOMENDED J-POP
I like the one man band called Ennaria, she’s Caucasian but heavily Japan oriented, she’s totally into mixing Metalcore and Hyperpop, mixing Asian and occidental music, giving a big middle finger to the purists from the Metal scene. Please check Ennaria, I think she’s the most hated Metal girl right now, just for that I’m secretly in love with her. As you can probably tell I have no respect for immobilism when it comes to music and culture.
What about the music scene in Taiwan? It’s the country where you’ve spent the most time I assume. Are you familiar with the scene? When I met you in person you played some shows with ADT. How did you guys team up? Can you talk a bit about your minitour there? What’s your fondest memory besides French-kissing Larry Wang from Fatuous Rump?
Like I said before (I’m always talking too much), I’m, at least virtually, familiar with the Taiwan Metal scene yes. I already attended gigs from the Spring Scream Festival to venues like Revolver, PIPE, Wall Live, Legacy or TCRC and obviously the Taiwan Death Fest where we met.