Today I listen to Japanese heavy metal band, Ningen Isu perform Namahage from their 2014 album, Fertility Of License.
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
0:19 - Namahage
7:00 - My thoughts
10:36 - Who are Ningen Isu?
Links
Original Music Video: • Ningen Isu / Namahage ...
Ningen Isu playlist: • Ningen Isu
J-Rock playlist: • J-Rock
Heavy Meatal playlist: • Metal
Ningen Isu (Japanese: 人間椅子, Hepburn: Ningen Isu, lit. 'The Human Chair') is a Japanese heavy metal band formed in Hirosaki in 1987. The band's current line-up consists of co-founders Shinji Wajima (guitar, vocals) and Ken-ichi Suzuki (bass, vocals) alongside Nobu Nakajima (drums, vocals), who joined in 2004. All three members contribute to the songwriting process. They have been noted for their stage personas, with Wajima dressing as a Meiji-era literary master, Suzuki dressing as a Buddhist monk, and Nakajima dressing as a Yakuza-style gangster.
Ningen Isu was strongly influenced by Black Sabbath. Other influences include UFO, Led Zeppelin, Kiss, Budgie, King Crimson, and similar artists. The style of Wajima's guitar playing is influenced by Robert Fripp, Tony Iommi, Jimmy Page, Ace Frehley, Michael Schenker, and Tsugaru-jamisen. Suzuki is inspired mostly by Kiss and paints his face white while moving in a style similar to Kiss bassist Gene Simmons.
The Burai Houjou (無頼豊饒; Fertility Of License) was released in 2014.
Namahage (なまはげ) is track two.
Lyrics (English translation)
In the remotest area, the powder snow brings
The festive season to the old traditional village
Ever since the mythical era, all through many long years
Our visitors keep coming back to warn us
Heavier than the mountain is our sin
Deeper than the ocean is our karma
“Is there a loafer here?”
“Is there a crybaby here?”
Shabby long hair and coats made of straws
Red faces just showing wrath
To save the misguided souls with delusion
They themselvеs decided to be mеnacing gods
Darker than the night is our nature
Hotter than the fire is our desire
“Is there a loafer here?”
“Is there a crybaby here?”
Severity, this is love
Vehemence, this is mercy
Tender heart, this is harmful
“Is there a loafer here?”
“Is there a crybaby here?”
“Is there a loafer here?”
“Is there a crybaby here?”
“Is there a loafer here?”
“Is there a crybaby here?”