Guitarist Shinji "Wazzy" Wajima is dressed as a Meiji era professor.(Late 1800's into the the early 1900's). Bassist Kenichi Suzuki is a death-touched Buddhist monk. Drummer Nobu Nakajima is dressed as a Yakuza. All three can and do sing lead as well, in fact Nobu has a really impressive set of pipes, although he sings lead pretty sparingly. Most of their songs are about traditional Japanese literature/legends, Buddhist philosophy, and classic horror like HP Lovecraft.

@uncle_thulhu

3 жыл бұрын

What is "death-touched" in this context?

@JasonTankard

3 жыл бұрын

I love that the band name literally means human chair.

@KadurOrdo

3 жыл бұрын

@@uncle_thulhu I'ld guess that hes undead. He's pretty pale and the black lipstick makes me guess that in any case.

@uncle_thulhu

3 жыл бұрын

@@KadurOrdo yeah, but "death-touched" has a specific meaning in this context. Sorry, I'm a bit of a mythology nerd, but I know very little about Eastern myths.

@KadurOrdo

3 жыл бұрын

@@uncle_thulhu I see, I see

I'm happy to see them praised overseas. Unfortunately, their albums hardly sell in Japan. Original drummer quited and became a gas cylinder salesman to earn his keep. That's why I hate my own home country's music industry.

@S_man89

3 жыл бұрын

That’s a major bummer. Cause from I see metal is far more well received in Asia then in USA. I could be wrong but I know many bands that don’t tour here but do in Asian countries frequently

@Ironmaiden654

3 жыл бұрын

@@S_man89 Not when Japan and Korea are both absolutely FLOODED--moreso than Canada and the States--with shitty pop music

@tuph4088

3 жыл бұрын

well, it's unfortunate because of how good the music from your land is, and until the internet era, they had little international exposure. So glad people are noticing these massive sharks performing in little ponds.

@goner.9989

3 жыл бұрын

@@Ironmaiden654 truth

@BattleBladeWarrior

3 жыл бұрын

Daamn, I would not have expected that. Japanese metal / and guitarists are freaking amazing, I thought this genre would have been a lot more popular over there with the todays generation. I hope they get their spot in the limelight and can do this fulltime, because this band rocks.

Those socks are called tabi, it's a traditional Japanese wear. So basically everybody in Japan is your spirit animal :D

@zeroxtc2181

3 жыл бұрын

STANDO POWA?

@AlexHefner

3 жыл бұрын

that is fucking awesome!!

@carolplasencia8295

3 жыл бұрын

No F* way this guys are awesome!!!

@himeno9767

3 жыл бұрын

@@zeroxtc2181 cringe

@christopherbessette8492

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you

This is my exact reaction when I first found this band, and now they're one of my hands down favorite bands. Anyone coming across this video and comment do yourself a favor and look into this band and dig a little deeper into their catalogue because they're legit all gems.

Yeah they've been around a while and I love them. Its like when grandpas music is more hard-core than yours

@peadrianlastname

3 жыл бұрын

Cant wait for our generation to be old listening to cradle of filth or meshugguh when the kids roll by playing justin Bieber's grandsons music.

@2lazybum

3 жыл бұрын

@@peadrianlastname as my youngest reminds me being 42 is soo old. But I still get around to the occasional cradle of filth, cannibal corpse or nin show. My kids look at me like I'm nuts but at least my oldest likes going to see Alice Cooper with me

@peadrianlastname

3 жыл бұрын

@@2lazybum get videos of them reminding you, then put them away for when they get to be that age lol.

@pabo619

3 жыл бұрын

Makes me think of Posehn's song "Grandpa Metal" with Scott Ian, or their other song "New Music Sucks"

Yes maxim the hormone. Zetsubo billy or possibly what's up people.

@pgnfz

3 жыл бұрын

Hormone is the Japanese SOAD

@KoalemosTheAtomizer

3 жыл бұрын

@@pgnfz I describe them the same way haha

@skullzer9600

3 жыл бұрын

YEEEESSSSS MY DUUUDE

@MRPIGGLES1

3 жыл бұрын

those songs are rather old and not as surprising as other songs. what is great about maximum the hormone is how they mix genres and switch up the rhythms and such. He should rather watch ALIEN, or マキシマム ザ ホルモン 『予襲復讐』to start with. I tried telling him to react to maximum the hormone a couple of times already ;)

@couldntthinkofanythingbett4456

3 жыл бұрын

Please react to them!!

It's like looking at myself when I first heard this song. Hooked from the intro and then there's another epic riff and another one and another one… And then the riff comes back! Now "Shabadabadia Shabadabadia Shabadabadia Babababa" has been stuck in my head for weeks!

this killer band has been in force since the mid 80s.. the guitarist and bassist are original members and the drummer has been with them for a good while too..

Le me the first time hearing this: "what the f..." the 2nd time: "k, the song is good" the 3rd time: "SHABADABADIA!"

@Kschychooo

3 жыл бұрын

True story. And I dare you to find me more Japanese band. I mean we have Mr. Miagi, Japanese Elvis and a Kabuki theater dude. But yeah they sound awesome.

@akhilarora6022

3 жыл бұрын

Tbh, that was my reaction during the first listen. 1st time they sang shabadaba: "wtf is this" 2nd time they sang shabadaba: "so thats some old japansese dudes sounding kinda cool" 3rd time they sing shabadaba: "SHABADABA DIYU, BA BA BA BA"

@metalsmithnick8714

3 жыл бұрын

I was thinking shabba dabba dia today. So here I am

@WolfFireheart

3 жыл бұрын

SHABADABADIA!

@beng1642

3 жыл бұрын

Bruh, saaaaaame.

The traditional socks and sandals worn in the video are called tabi and zori, respectively. Zori are made from rice straw or wood and typically worn with kimonos for formal occasions. The tabi are specially made with the split between the big toe and the smaller toes so you can wear the sandal comfortably. Japanese footwear is extremely varied and honestly really cool. I highly recommend you research them if you're interested in acquiring some.

The more Ningen Isu videos you watch, the more you realize that there is no better bass face than that man right there.

@masterjunky863

3 жыл бұрын

I fucking love that man's faces

I love seeing bands with older members in it, regardless if they're an old band or not. It's just so great to see old people rocking out like yeeessss that person is enjoying their life to the fullest.

If a keto diet Mr. Miyagi, Uncle Fester and Elton Jon started a metal band.

@The_Morepower

3 жыл бұрын

Holy shit dude that’s funny! I laughed hard.

@autohmae

3 жыл бұрын

What is even more amazing to me, they are an 'Internet sensation' after having already been a band for almost 30 years (well over 30 years now). PS Namahage is my favorite song of them, but I'm certain their are other songs I've not even heard yet from all their albums...

@imnotpickle95chevroblyat83

3 жыл бұрын

Fuck Miyagi-Do, btw

@jeffschreifels8651

3 жыл бұрын

Drummer looks more like the Honky Tonk man from the WWE.

@Outland9000

3 жыл бұрын

A zombie monk, Edo era college professor and an Elvis impersonator.

"Shabadaba Dia Shabadaba Dia Bababubu" That's scat. They're incorporating different elements into their song.

@stephenkilpatrick7199

3 жыл бұрын

THANK YOU! More people need to realize the "scat" isn't referring to poop!!

@UltimateGamerCC

3 жыл бұрын

@@stephenkilpatrick7199 well tbf, usually people dont think of Scatting when Metal is involved. XD

@frangoos5557

3 жыл бұрын

@@stephenkilpatrick7199 Imagine heartless pooping!

@ALLEKA666

2 жыл бұрын

You want scat in metal? Listen to twist by korn

The original video has subtitles in several languages. Also, the "scat" in the title refers to scat singing (the sha-ba-da-ba-dia bit, in this case), not poop.

Hey Alex!, Thanks for the pick-me-up! THAT was f-ing AWESOME! 50 years ago, when I was in 3rd grade, I lived in Okinawa. My exposure to Japanese culture was limited, but the juxtaposition of the members of this band and their absolutely METAL chops, was so totally unexpected. I am BLOWN AWAY!!! Can’t stop raving about this band!

There are amazing Japanese bands!! Try Maximum the Hormone, Girugamesh, Dir in Grey, Crossfaith, Japan X ...

@elcomberro123

3 жыл бұрын

And Sex Machineguns!!! :D

@dyingslowly666

3 жыл бұрын

i second Dir en Grey

@onclevador

3 жыл бұрын

And Seikima II

@elcomberro123

3 жыл бұрын

@@onclevador FIRE AFTER FIRE!!

@JoseCruz-ce2vp

3 жыл бұрын

Angry frog rebirth

Because you asked: My girlfriend and I just moved together and this is the first time we live without our parents. So we are trying to survive basically :) We are fans of you since you started your metal journey. Greetings from Germany

@heidibaltom8138

3 жыл бұрын

Congratulations. You will love it. It will be difficult but great. Good luck.

@unholy6823

3 жыл бұрын

Ihr packt das locker. Grüße

@wolfwilkopter2231

3 жыл бұрын

Ihr werdet alle sterben!!!11êinselfzig! Aber nur, wenn ihr euch wirklich blöd anstellt.^^

@89erMerun

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks to all of you, even though, some of the answers are kinda weird

@gm7009

3 жыл бұрын

Schafft ihr schon

I love these guys and this song man. This came up on my KZread a few years ago and I became a big fan of theirs. I just recently bought their newest album even though it was 60$ to get it in Canada.

Ningen Isu has been a band for 30 years, over 20 albums: the trailblazers of Japanese Metal, their Black Sabbath/Led Zeppelin. Ningen Isu was known by few outside and even inside Japan but are on the road for 30 years, many albums. Baterist is sick, Vocalist/guitarist shereds the heck out of the guitar. They're legendary! PS: Ken-ichi Suzuki is the best bass player I ever heard. He uses distortions, runs and slides no one does or expects.

Thank you for finally reacting to this

@revangerang

3 жыл бұрын

Wortex17 the video has subtitles now! You should definitely turn them on bc the lyrics are so poetic and metal!

Hey Alex. I've been following your channel since the beginning of the pandemic, and I love every video you make! I used to have friends at home every week to listen to new music, and since February I missed it so much. This year has been very difficult, and I have already lost friends and family to this cruel disease. But I wanted to say that watching your videos and feeling your energy makes me calmer and happier every day, thank you very much my friend.

Music is truly universal. Love how I can keep loving songs where I can't understand the language

The bassist has mastered the art of the stank face.

I'm so glad you found this band, I've been listening to them for the past few months and they're incredibly impressive in their songwriting. This song was my first too because it was in my recommended list.

What an amazing Band/Musicians....Lyrics and Video are Mindblowing !

DEFINITELY react to Ningen Isu's "The Colour Out of Space!" It's based off of Lovecraft and it's fucking AWESOME.

@luigibittencourt241

3 жыл бұрын

i love this song dude!

@Outland9000

3 жыл бұрын

It's my favourite of theirs.

glad more people are bringing attention to Ningen Isu theyre fucking amazing dude

So this is what Voldemort's doing in his afterlife, he's in a kickass metal band and got a nose for their first gig.

You should do What Up People by maximum the hormone. Also known as the 2nd opening to Death Note

Heard this song countless times. Still gives me goosebumps.

I love the moment when you made the same face as me when I heard it for the first time, I closed my eyes just like you and a tear of emotion came out to see something so unknown and surprising, of this quality... true gods these seniors. Greetings from Spain.

@davidweiss7404

2 жыл бұрын

I felt exactly the same

@joeschoe4477

Жыл бұрын

I though Alex's head was going to explode a couple of times.

Ningen Isu is one of my favorite bands. “Namahage” is one of my favorite songs & their last music video is very funny.

That moment when tabi and geta are "socks with sandals."

@Wortex17

3 жыл бұрын

I mean - conceptually they kinda are ^^'

@CrystalBrightz

3 жыл бұрын

@@Wortex17 Yeah, but it's funny. I've never thought of them like that before.

@AlchemistWarrior30

3 жыл бұрын

Is geta a more general term for sandals? I always thought geta were specifically raised and wooden. those seemed to be more flat on the bottom and made of straw or something

@Anathematise

3 жыл бұрын

@@AlchemistWarrior30 Geta are the ones that are flat wooden base elevated with up to three prongs, whereas the flat bottomed one are called Zouri~

@CrystalBrightz

3 жыл бұрын

@@AlchemistWarrior30 I think you're right about geta. I don't know the Japanese word for this specific footwear.

My day in a nutshell: my day started messed up, then I watched some Alex Hefner and the rest of my day became a dope ass day! Thank you, Alex! \m/ Keep bringing these good vibes!

They have been kicking ass since the 80's as a band. And before than on their own individually. They have some incredible songs and tons of albums.

You should listen to japanese band *Maximum The Hormone*

@chrisperez8203

3 жыл бұрын

He should specifically react to either Zetsubo Billy, or Yoshu Fukushu.

@joshua_5683

3 жыл бұрын

Yes.

@maiku1

3 жыл бұрын

Yes!! And pronto! :D

@tzctlpc

3 жыл бұрын

Chris Perez no not Zetsubou Billy. Ryokun is wearing a TOOL shirt

@PaiOeShi

3 жыл бұрын

Been saying this for a while!

Lots of great Japanese bands out there. Lynch, Dir En Grey, Maximum the hormone, Deviloof

@leviblalock7996

3 жыл бұрын

GazettE?

@skullzer9600

3 жыл бұрын

Yes

@Fakk2

3 жыл бұрын

Loudness is another one.

@DookieDodger9953

2 жыл бұрын

Not often I see Deviloof get love. Respect!

Find and listen to NINGEN ISU - The Caterpillar Its great

I discovered this band about six months ago. Awesome music. They have been around since the 70’s, when the Bass player had long hair.

What you call "Flip-Flop's" are original japanese Zori and thats what he's wearing, along with traditional clothing. Flip Flops, which are a rip off, got popular after Soldiers brought Zoris from the war to the USA, Australia and co.

@Defensive_Wounds

3 жыл бұрын

They are called *Thongs* here in Oz.

I was going to ignore this video. I'm glad I didn't. These guys rock!

Shinji Wajima is a beast on the guitar. Ningen Isu rocks!

Really happy you found these guys and this song! I found them a few months ago and watched the video a bunch lol.

Black Sabbath of Japan

Alex, you really should react to more of this guys, they are amazing! Years and years of experience can only result in some amazing music. Most of their music are based on japanese literature and folklore and classic literature in general, they have a couple musics based on Lovecraft stories for example.

Saw these guys nearly 15 years ago at the navy base in Yokosuke. Still damn amazing.

'Holy shit'と'Goose bumps' 頂きました（＿＿） 和嶋さんのギターソロで目が点になるリアクション、グッジョブです(*´∀｀*)b

I listened to them about 3 weeks ago love the video and the song mr mijagi knows how to shred the guitar and the bass player he does beautiful bass lines the drummers seems to be a Japanese Elvis so at the end I look for them on Spotify they have pretty good songs

The "shabba dabba" part is the "scat" in the title of the song. Scat, as in the jazz/be-bop style of vocalizing.

These guys have been slaying it for a long time. I stumbled upon them awhile back myself and loved the sound and well it flowed from heavy to smooth grooves.

あ～あ　まーた一人感染しちゃったよ和嶋さん泣いちゃってるやん

There are so many great Ningen Isu songs out there to react to. I'm glad you stumbled on to them and glad you liked what you heard. They are heavily inspired by Black Sabbeth.

These guys deserve everything good that they get.

@AlexHefner

3 жыл бұрын

I couldn't agree more!

watching this on my way home from work, what a great crazy guitar solos, so powerful, japanese rock is really cool

That was killer. The transitions were awesome. Freaking badass

Btw what they’re wearing is called a Kimono it’s a traditional Japanese clothing I guess? There’s also a short version of it it’s called Jimbe

LOOVE the guitar shredding in this song

I’m fucking digging it! And Alex’s reactions and quips are hilarious but also awesome!

Since July I´m at home with health problems and gonna be stuck at home until November. Home, Hospital and if I feel good I go for few hours to the forest, just to enjoy sun, air and to get some positivity to my head.. nothing else I can do now. Thx for your vids bro, helps to put that smile on my face

They have been around since I was ten years old and I am just now hearing them for the first time. Where have I been lol. This was epic even without knowing the language. I'm feeling my age today. It was laundry day and my body hurts. Cerebral palsy sucks sometimes but thankful for everything I can do.

@autohmae

3 жыл бұрын

They have only become a sort of 'Internet sensation' the last couple of years. Which is crazy to think about, that something like that would happen after almost 30 years (more than 30 now).

@terrilynn27allen88

3 жыл бұрын

@@autohmae the internet has a way of helping people discover music. It's a good thing.

人間椅子を気に入ってくれたみたいでありがとう(о´∀`о)

That song was amazing and I want to find and buy their albums now!

@arumaamura1356

3 жыл бұрын

it's on spotify

Right choice of band! Their music is brilliant, love them sice I stumbled upon one of their songs. Sadly I missed the opporrunity to see them live when they had a concert over here in germany...

I love it when bass dominates the guitar in heavy music kinda reminds me of Mudvayne

FINALLY!! Been SO looking forward to you reviewing the 2020 music find of the Internet! Ningen Isu is AMAZING!

Took a break from trying to find music for my own KZread video and am super glad I did. This is great!

I just discovered this band about a year ago. They've become one of my favorites very quickly. Super good shit.

I’m a big Ningen Isu fan, I loved your reaction!!Please check out another song by them”Namahage”. It’s SICK AS FUCK!

Dude. That was sick! I was NOT expecting that

I love these guys, this same video popped up in my recommended one day and blew me away, PLEASE check out more Ningen Isu, these guys go HARD

I admit, I was ready to laugh. Then I didnt. This song was pretty sick!! My apologies for assuming it wouldn't be good. Clearly I was wrong.

i finally fullfilled my dream for the last 20 years and got myself a driverslicense and a wonderful bmw motorcycle. i know,nobody is interested but you asked for infos ^^

@MetalCharlo

3 жыл бұрын

I'm happy for you brother!

I've been waiting for a reaction video to this Masterpiece!! They are awesome, i mean ive just heard this song about 100 times and i still dont find it boring!!! The first time i heard the song was by a youtube playlist while i was hearing some heavy metal songs (thanks KZread)! :P Greetings From Greece.

Via Wikipedia: In vocal jazz, scat singing is vocal improvisation with wordless vocables, nonsense syllables or without words at all. In scat singing, the singer improvises melodies and rhythms using the voice as an instrument rather than a speaking medium. The Shabadabadia is the "scat" part of Heartless Scat. The "Heartless" part I would assume, is simply the main lyrical body of the song and its meaning.

Looking them up now, that sounds awesome! Thank you for this!!

Dir En Grey, in my opinion, is the best Japanese band. Kyo has a phenomenal vocal range.

@E9LA49

Жыл бұрын

You god damn right

Ningen Isu have been around since the 80's is good Prog Rock/prog metal

I believe your reaction video was the first I saw for these guys, awesome! I've been into these guys for a while. Thanks Alex!!!

Been following this awesome band for a few years, waiting to see LIVE

Tha MF ISU is criminally underrated, they are are a cut above all the rest in what they do. Cheers Alex for this review, I have to admit you have grown on me as a reaction artist since I first questionably subbed my mang, much luv homie!

Like many others, this song was recommended to me through youtube out of literally nowhere. I have never been so caught off guard by a song before. Instantly loved the whole vibe. When that Riff at 3:07 kicked in it was game fucking over. I wish I never heard this song, just so I could get that raw reaction from it again.

@acexxxoasis

3 жыл бұрын

I get that reaction EVERY time I hear it

I love this band, great day when KZread recommended it to me!❤🤟

Got to see their show earlier this year in London, one of only 3 shows EVER they did outside of Jaoan, even got to meet them after show for a bit. I've seen some legends play (Maiden, Priest, Sabbath, AC/DC) and these three guys were definitely up there with them, definitely one of the best shows I've been to.

Basically the Japanese Black Sabbath. Love them.

I love this song, and this band is amazing please do more!

I know this video's from a while ago, but I'd just like to say that I believe "scat" in the song title is referring to like jazz scat, like "bada da, doot doot doo, shana na" you know stuff like that. You usually hear Jack Black in Tenacious D say stuff like that in his music.

Some more great Japanese metal bands to react to: Maximum the Hormone (japanese System of a Down basically) Dir en Grey (might not be ready for their videos though) Crossfaith The GazettE 9mm Parabellum Bullet

@unwisethefox8808

3 жыл бұрын

Why should he check dir en grey music videos ? Their true essence reveals itself on live performances ...

@businesscatlimbo

3 жыл бұрын

@@unwisethefox8808 dude, all did was just give him a heads up

@matthewellis8773

3 жыл бұрын

I mean the only video that would be really problematic is Obscure. The videos for Vinushka and older songs are pretty tame in comparison.

I just discovered Ningen Isu recently, and I had no idea they were so legendary. They're basically the Japanese Alice In Chains.

Please react to: Wagakki Band - 焔 (Homura) + 暁ノ糸 (Akatsuki no Ito) / 1st JAPAN Tour 2015 Hibiya Yagai Ongakudo

@patrickfey262

3 жыл бұрын

YES!

22 Albums and 4 greatest hits albums. Possibly one of the best metal bands ever.

Right. Before I watch, let me just say this... It's about bloody well TIME!!! 😁

love these guys been listening to em for awhile, every song is good.

You know the reactions good when Alex makes that face in the thumbnail.

Since I watched this when it came out I just today woke up with this damn song stuck in my head at 4am. Thanks Alex. I haven't even listened to them since they did their live webcast on youtube for a concert

I have been requesting it for so long, but this is such a perfect time. You are advanced enough in metal, that I think you are ready for Dir En Grey - Vinushka live

More Japanese Metal Bands Alex!! Babymetal - Rondo of Nightmare (With Mischiefs of god intro) Coldrain - Mayday Crystal Lake - Hail to the Fire Crossfaith - Catastrophe

気に入ってくれたみたいで良かった

HOLY SHIT!! Total fan now. This is one of the things I love about following you, I have discovered so many new bands that I love!

Your reaction was priceless! Lol As for me, I LOVED IT! Definitely gonna check that, band out now!