Song: Lucifer
Album: Lucifer EP
Year: 1985
Label: Self-Released
Riding on the success of Venom's over the top satanic imagery, White Hell plays a hybrid of punk and heavy metal with their simple yet punchy single, Lucifer. The interesting aspect of this band is their having two vocalists in the band, both of them American, and inclusion of Japanese musicians to fill in the instrumental section. Although this band seems like a novelty, it captures a time and place in the birth of Japanese heavy metal -- where ideas were rudimentary and untame, and musicians were sub-par but dedicated. White Hell never made it to the top, but their release Lucifer is forever immortalized as a 'gem' to me.
Nice work on this exploration of heavy metal. I am citing the "Classic Japanese Heavy Metal" playlist for part 2 of task 7. While I enjoy hard rock and metal, I have not heard many songs by Japanese bands in the genre. I thought your commentary was extensive and helped to explain the origins of the genre to a novice like myself. I plan on further exploring the sounds of Japanese heavy metal.
ReplyDeleteI am citing this playlist for question 2 in task 7. Although I enjoy some metal and hard rock, I am not familiar with Japanese metal. I thought that your commentary was helpful to put this music into perspective for non-listeners, and I plan to further explore this genre of metal.
ReplyDeleteI am citing your playlist "Classic Japanese Heavy Metal" for Question 3. I commend you for taking on a topic and genre that is definitely very unknown to most listeners and for some really great commentary and listening. Personally, I've never really enjoyed metal or been able to identify with it sonically or audiotopically, but I enjoyed your blog nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteI am citing your playlist "Classic Japanese Heavy Metal" for Question #3. I can't say that I've ever had much desire to listen to metal music and that hasn't changed with this playlist. I tend to enjoy songs that are more of the pop genre and upbeat. I found the background and explanation you gave to be very helpful, as I am a total newbie to metal, but I will not be looking up any more songs.
ReplyDeleteI am citing the "Classic Japanese Heavy Metal" playlist for question #3. I enjoyed your commentary on the various components that make up the metal sound, and the differences between the eastern and western approach. However, upon listening, the similarity to western metal music proved too great for my ear. The energy is incredible, but to me it grows tiresome after repeated listening, or even one listening to a song that lasts more than a few minutes.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of White Hell before and just came across your blog while looking for info on Witchfynde! This is a great track with some fine metal moments. Yeah, they are not the finest of musicians but who cares, this is a great track!
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