American Reacts to JAPANESE METAL!! | NINGEN ISU / Heartless Scat (REACTION) 

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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..

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

The bassist has mastered the art of the stank face.

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

Heard this song countless times. Still gives me goosebumps.

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.

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!

I love these guys and this song man. This came up on my RU-vid 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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

Thank you for finally reacting to this

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.

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.

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

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

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

'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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

人間椅子を気に入ってくれたみたいでありがとう(о´∀`о)

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.

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!

These guys deserve everything good that they get.

That was killer. The transitions were awesome. Freaking badass

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

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.

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

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

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

Dude. That was sick! I was NOT expecting that

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

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

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...

Black Sabbath of Japan

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

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

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.

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

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

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!!!

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

Find and listen to NINGEN ISU - The Caterpillar Its great

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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

LOOVE the guitar shredding in this song

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.

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

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

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.

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

These guys have actually been around since the early 90's or late 80's I think and have done 100's of really great covers dressing up like hendrix with the afro and everything. They're great

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

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 RU-vid)! :P Greetings From Greece.

Glad you liked this. I have enjoyed this band since I discovered them several months back.

I love Ningen Isu. So happy too see you react to them!

You should listen to japanese band *Maximum The Hormone*

Basically the Japanese Black Sabbath. Love them.

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

I listened to every album they had earlier this year. They have been around and have so much music!

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

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

Yessssssssssss I think I was one of the people who told you to react to this and I love how into it you are from the very beginning! These rockin old guys are just so cool! But I’m sad you aren’t watching with subtitles cause the lyrics are sooooo good too 😫 Edit: shaba-daba-dia is the “scat” bit, most familiar in Jazz music but used in all types of music. Their looks are basically Meiji era literature professor, ghost Buddhist monk, and goth yakuza/yankee(delinquent/punk style) They really just don’t stop!! I love how they change things up continually. And two guitar solos in one song!!! My reaction was exactly like yours when I first heard it too. Next people will probably recommend some of their other recent songs like Namahage (which is great), but I’ll also suggest one of their slightly older songs: Lovers’ Suicide in Shinagawa (Shinagawa Shinju)

These guys have so many good songs! Love them alot.

Riff giving me goosebumps. Yes yes metal for life

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

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.

im just here , to see people as excited about this band. its all epic!

だれか英訳してこの兄貴に歌詞のかっこよさを伝えてやってくれ！！！！！

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

This is so fucking good...like unbelievably good. I saw this on my feed and went back and watched Alex's video (which I somehow missed the first time around) glad I did.

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