GRANDPA METAL??? NINGEN ISU / Heartless Scat (人間椅子 / 無情のスキャット) 

They're one of the only bands keeping that classic guitar tone alive. The insane thing about them to me is how they kept the band alive for 20-25 years off sheer willpower before really breaking out. I feel like that's almost unheard of in metal.

The guitarist, Shinji Wajima, once duel Kanami from Band-Maid in an educational kids show.

They dressed up as school teacher, yakuza gangster, and undead monk. They been around for 30 years. Glad they seeing more success now. Hope you guys listen to more of their songs.

Facts: This band is over 30 years in the music scene of japan. curiously this band remained underground in japan until 2013

Saw them live in their first out of Japan tour in February at the underworld London. My god what a band! 2 and half hours of some of the best metal Ive ever had the pleasure to hear. Amazing band, check out more of their stuff. Shabadabadia!

_Alan describes a perfectly crafted vintage metal rhythm tone as "Kinda weak"_ *Me:* Why do you say these things Alan?

The legend !! Never under estimate the grandpa metal from Japan since they have been around for more than 30 years. You’re right. Sabbath is still alive..

More Ningen Isu, Namahage

They are very much a throwback to early 70's hard rock, metal, and progressive mixed with various forms of Japanese traditional music. Topics are Japanese classic literature and folklore, EDO period history and legends, western science fiction, H.P. Lovecraft, Buddhist themes. Very heavy Black Sabbath influence. Big King Crimson influence circa 1973 to 75. Musically, you could put them into a time machine and transported them to England in the early to mid 70's, before hard rock, metal, glam and progressive started to separate into clear genres. Although you would probably have a few cultural barriers with the language and cultural material.

I was waiting for you to react Ningen Isu. Thank you for your reaction! They look older than they are, but they are 53/54 years old now. They have released 22 albums, 5 best albums and 2 live albums since their debut. Songs composed by them reached over 250. As you pointed out, their style is influenced by Black Sabbath. And sometimes they use the dialect and accent of Tsugaru district (Aomori prefecture) in their songs. The song 'Namahage' is sang in this way. For your information, Tsugaru/Aomori is a place where the guitarist Wajima Shinji (Wajī) and the bassist Suzuki Ken-ichi (Ken-chan) was born and bred. Heartless Scat (Mujō no Scat) is one song of their latest album 'Shin-Seinen(New Youth)'. This title comes from the old Japanese magazine published in 1920 (in1950, it was discontinued). This album has 14 songs. They are the largest number among all of their albums. Wajī composed 7songs, Ken-chan composed 6, and the drummer Nakajima Nobu (Nobu) composed only one (Jigoku Kozō/Hellish Kid). Nobu has composed one song per one album. Wajī wrote 10 lyrics, and the rest of them are written by Ken-chan in Shin-Seinen. Wajī studied Buddhism at Komazawa university. So he has often written lyrics regarding it. And he likes to read profound books, for example, philosophy books and classical literature etc. So 5 song titles and contents come from books in this album. On the other hand, lyrics written by Ken-chan are mostly related to hell. IMO, they associates to the old Japanese arts about hell. So there are many themes in one album of Ningen Isu. The limited first edition of this album has the DVD titled 'The path to Shin-Seinen '. Its contents are their recording situation and one-to-one conversations by the members. According to them, Heartless Scat is too long, so it took 2 days to record. Wajī made 100 riffs for this album, but he finally adopted only 10. And he was moved to tears at his home alone when he made a nice guitar solo part for the song 'Kagami Jigoku (The Hell of Mirrors)'. How pure he is! Each member of Ningen Isu gives details of this music video with English subtitles on their RU-vid official channel. If you are interested in them, you should watch them. They released a new song ’Mugen no Jūnin Butō-Hen (Blade of The Immortal Battle series)’limited to distribution services 3 days ago. It is the theme song for the same title anime 'Mugen no Jūnin (Blade of The Immortal)' season 2. It is a good song too. They have many nice ballads. I hope you will keep checking Ningen Isu and listen to their albums!

Saw them live in London, Awesome! More to react to: Color out of space Voice of nothing Namahage (live)

Ningen Isu! always AWESOME! :)

The first listenin is almost guaranteed to leave you with an earworm.

"Grandpa metal" indeed! Why, you young whippersnappers, I oughta...!! For your information, the members of Ningen Isu are actually younger than the likes of Hetfield, Ulrich, Mustaine, Marty Friedman, Tom Araya, and Kerry King. (Is Slayer "grandpa metal" now? Surely not.) But you're absolutely right that Ningen Isu's main musical influences are heavy rock bands of the late '60s and the '70s: Hendrix, Sabbath, Crimson, Budgie, Motorhead, etc. Lyrically, they favour fairly erudite themes, especially Japanese literature but also Western horror writers like Poe and Lovecraft. They have a ton of great songs, including The Colour Out of Space, Namahage, Lovers' Suicide in Shinagawa, and Life for Sale. In February this year they played their first gigs outside Japan in 30 years of existence. I saw them in a 500-capacity venue in London and it was a tremendous show with an amazing atmosphere. I don't know who was happier to be there, the audience or the band. Anyway, enough talk. Time for you kids to get off my lawn!!

They would be so stoked to hear your praise. Their biggest influence is Sabbath.

Lyrics in this song is really about the tragedy of man’s life. Better to watch it with Eng subtitles. Nice reaction!

shabadabadia〜🤘

"Ningen Isu"("human chair") is from a weird story by Rampo Edogawa (this name is a pun from Edgar Allan Poe - Japanese name is family name first). I hope you have a chance to read some translation (it's pretty pervert!)

on da uTube one can search and watch "BAND-MAID KANAMI vs 人間椅子 和嶋慎治 Round 2"

One day you should come to Memphis for a concert!

I like his guitar solo, especially the first part.

"There's still hope for us" hahahahahhahahaa

Actually gotten Ningen Isu as recommended after MtH

I heard about this band like 3 Wells ago they are awesome

Asterism /Rising Moon is Jawdropping! (instrumental)

Considering they have been rocking for over 30 years, their style makes me think of Sabbath, but also Tool. I hear they are coming to the states, if so I WILL be there!!

Excellent song. Try the track Namahage. I think you’ll like it.

More Ningen isu, Namahage!!

Guy on the right has obviously never heard much doom metal. His notes about the fuzzy guitar and heavy bass are my favorite qualities of doom.

Dude on the right hates it but dude on the left gets it

The MV has English subtitle.

Its sound really that fuzzy, its because they are trio. To make sound more rich in ears with only 3 people on band. Is that make sense for you? A lot of trio band, I think doing that kind of strategy.

If you check out Colour Out of Space, which you should, don't miss the lyrics.

I knew you would understand. guitarist guy respects Black Sabbath.

ホルモン、BABYMETAL、人間椅子...なんかまさに日本だから出来たメタルバンド達のラインナップだなぁ。かなりいいチョイスだと思う。正直、人間椅子聴いたら他の日本のメタルバンドは洋メタル劣化版みたいなの多いから聴かなくてもいい。

Guys i want the reaction of versailles. Please guys is a awesome band

I have a request. Ask them once. king Gnu Hakujitu king Gnu - 白日

Namahage next by them.

NINGEN ISU is the precursor of Metal in Japan, they're doing it for over 30 years. Though Babymetal atracted attention to Metal in Japan and people discovered Ningen Isu, I knew them because I love many things in Asian culture and in the 80's there were successful Japanese bands that called attention to the Metal there too. But just now NINGEN ISU is getting the status of legend of Japanese Metal it's due to them. React to "The Colour Out Of Space". PS: Guitarist is dressed as a Master Meijei, bass player is a death-touched Budhist monk and the drummer is dressed as an Yakuza member.

こいんどはんぱでねね！

The first part of the song reminds me strongly of something.... It's been bugging me for weeks and I still haven't been able to find it in my music collection. Please, somebody, for the love of God tell me what that is.

If you are missing japanese rock bands with women, check out Trident. They have a new drummer who is more kick ass than their previous drummer. Latest MV is Continue.

On the left,, cool dude, would rock with. On the right, dullard, avoid or punch out.

"saba-sabado iho kain papa!" I just made that up.. Wait where's Chowder, the three Studious isn't complete 😜/,,/🔥🎸👍🎌✌ Yeah they were right you should watch Wajima vs Kanami battle, it's fun 😀

Check out Strike! by Whispered. Japanese Folk Metal is a whole badass vibe.

formed 1987

Wajima is but a babe at a spry 54

Hot Rice Rock

lets hv some 陰陽座(Onmyo za), eg 邪魅の抱擁 , 鳳翼天翔, 月に叢雲花に風..mixed both male and female vocals

人間(ningen)→human,椅子(isu)→chair

今の鈴木のleadvocalの曲があれば聴いてみたい

You know ever since Beavis and Butthead came out it's a lot of fun to listen to two guys talk about something hahaha hahaha who do you think is the oldest these guys or the metal groups from over here how about AC/DC Metallica Black Sabbath iron maiden Judas priest I bet they're all about the same age, these guys might be younger

Eric you learned some Japanese??) I heard you said ojiichan:)

These guys are all in there 50s if you believe it or not

Do falling by the gazette

Will you do a DAVID BORING reaction?

How is this a weak guitar tone? This shit is heavy as fuck!

please watch ’恐怖の大王（kyofu no daio）’ this songs guitar solo is very nice

Is this song too long for a reaction? 😏 Yes, they're big Black Sabbath's fans. 🤘

React to dir en grey vinushka please

You only mention the guitar face, how about the bass face in the video? 😂

Way to make the song as "un-enjoyable" as possible. You paused at nearly every critical transition with mostly meaningless comments. I know you feel you have to comment all the time being a reaction vid, but your disdain was apparent. Yeah, they're kind of a novelty act (like a cover-band with all busty girl band members) and yeah they're heavily influenced by Black Sabbath and such, but they started at the same time as all the classic bands, and their skill is undeniable, their tone is true to the original genre and the song is a masterpiece of composition with an impressive array of good twists & turns. All in all a masterful piece. PS. I'm only keeping the sub because of the other guy. ;) Another good example of their work is "The Color Out Of Space"

My grand daughter introduced me to this group about 30 years ago, so I guess I'll give the grandpa metal thing a pass.

Grandpa Metal? Show some respect.

Lyrics are not important to you guys?? You should listen with subtitles on

I hate to be the contrarian, but I don't really care for this one. None of the individual parts are bad- far from it. They're all amazing musicians, and the vocals are unique. Overall though, the song just doesn't really go anywhere. I like longer songs, but for me at least, they need to feel like they're building to something. If I had to offer an example, I'd point to Justice For St Mary by Diablo Swing Orchestra. It starts off melancholy, but builds in menace over the course of its runtime until it just explodes into a cacophony of violence and madness. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

If I was going to rank the song among the 150 or so clips I have seen, I would put it in the bottom third (maybe toward the top of the bottom third). I'm not complaining. It's a solid song, but there is a huge amount of better stuff. As far a I know, no one is having problems reposting their material. You will need a little help with the Japanese titles though.

右側の男は興味無さそうですなｗ

Too much pausing on the best parts

機械打ち込むの劣化グラミー賞のレベルで、上から目線で評価するんじゃない。

I thought Japan X were the pioniers, or at least they took japanese metal abroad