Japanese Virtuosos

[Leo Chang]

Just wanted to share Since these guys don't get mentioned much on JCF, and some of you may not be as familiar with them as you are with North American / European virtuosos.


Gentaro Satomura: (Band: Storm Rider)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWVyO4gSq24&feature=related

Syu: (Band: Galneryus)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0X3ENMRG6E&feature=related

There are a few more players in Japan that are considered to be at the same level... but these two are my favorites from the current crop of Japanese virtuosos.

Only one link each, 'cause you can easily find other clips on YouTube


Enjoy,


- Leo.

[Jacksons Shred]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ4AsE0jjeg

Lots and lots and lots of Jap virtuosos... Some of those cats are great.. My only problem with some of them, is they just try to do the Yngwie thing to death, not all, but quite a bit.

[Leo Chang]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ4AsE0jjeg

Lots and lots and lots of Jap virtuosos... Some of those cats are great.. My only problem with some of them, is they just try to do the Yngwie thing to death, not all, but quite a bit.

I guess you have seen the Norifumi Shima clips then

Great player, but is a carbon copy of Malmsteen + Joe Stump.

That's why I like Gentaro and Syu, because even though they have incorporated some neoclassical elements in their playing, they have put their own spin to it... and both sound very "Japanese Metal" if you know what I mean... as opposed to just sounding like Malmsteen or anyone else.


- Leo.

[Jacksons Shred]

I guess you have seen the Norifumi Shima clips then

Great player, but is a carbon copy of Malmsteen + Joe Stump.

That's why I like Gentaro and Syu, because even though they have incorporated some neoclassical elements in their playing, they have put their own spin to it... and both sound very "Japanese Metal" if you know what I mean... as opposed to just sounding like Malmsteen or anyone else.


- Leo.

No, I haven't seen the Norifumi Shima clips, please share, I like checking out all players!

Those guys were good, for sure, and not pure rip offs, which is cool. It's pretty hard not to "copy" Malmsteen, because he pretty much patented the "neo classical" sound, any diminished and phrygian run he associated his name with, so even if someone wasn't influenced by him, they're still very Yngwie sounding. I find that most of the neo-classical players, such as George Bellas, try to out Yngwie, Yngwie. By being more "neo classical", so to say, and that just makes it boring for me.. Yngwie added his classical influences in with some pretty cool riffs and that's what made him unique.

[Advv]

I've seen these guys. TBH, I find them to be quite boring players.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4sg-nzKFIQ&feature=channel_page

I've grown to like this clip. Jani kicked Syu's ass. Bad.

[horns666]

Hmmm OK..I don't know their names but I do have their stuff ..check into Concerto Moon, Double Dealer, Arkstorm, Saber Tiger, and Vigilante!!!

That is off the top of my head..but very good stuff!!!

[Advv]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOmqKccBTOc&feature=channel_page

This guy = win!

[Jacksons Shred]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOmqK...e=channel_page

This guy = win!

He's good, his tone is terrible!

Sounds like he likes his Kotzen.

[horns666]

He's good, his tone is terrible!

Sounds like he likes his Kotzen.

Fuck if I didn't know..I'd thought it was Kotzen.

That Concerto Moon dude is Japan's YJM..basically. Vigilante was very Proggy..ala Dream Thater-ish. But I think they streme lined a bit. Ark Storm is neo-classical..and I think the CM dude is the Saber Tiger and Double Dealer guy..but I could be wrong. I have too much to remember all this shit.

Well even if someone is very influenced by a particular player (who isn't), if they're good..they'll always have something good of their own to offer.

[Leo Chang]

No, I haven't seen the Norifumi Shima clips, please share, I like checking out all players!

Norifumi Shima is the guitar player of Concerto Moon

I personally find him way too similar to Malmsteen and especially Joe Stump, and can't listen to his stuff all the way through... so can't really recommend any specific clips for you. But just do a YouTube search for either "Norifumi Shima" or "Concerto Moon". Tons of clips.


- Leo.

[Leo Chang]

I've seen these guys. TBH, I find them to be quite boring players.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4sg-nzKFIQ&feature=channel_page

I've grown to like this clip. Jani kicked Syu's ass. Bad.

I've seen that clip a few times, but Jani's playing in that never did much for me. Obviously a great player though.

Just curious, what are the aspects of Jani's playing in that clip that appeals to you the most?


- Leo.

[Advv]

His technique (loved that string skipping lick) and his licks being way more interesting than Syu's won it for me. At first I thought they were both quite boring though. Had to watch it a few times. Syu's seemed like he was playing the same stuff over and over.

[horns666]

Norifumi Shima is the guitar player of Concerto Moon

I personally find him way too similar to Malmsteen and especially Joe Stump, and can't listen to his stuff all the way through... so can't really recommend any specific clips for you. But just do a YouTube search for either "Norifumi Shima" or "Concerto Moon". Tons of clips.


- Leo.

Oh I bought all the CM CDs as they came out..love 'em!

[Leo Chang]

Oh I bought all the CM CDs as they came out..love 'em!

I over-saturated myself with Neoclassical stuff a while ago, so in a different "phase" right now. I am sure I'll love them too when I hit another Neoclassical phase


- Leo.

[Hellbat]

Let us not forget the godfather...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQB9hpXVAfQ&fmt=18

Thats from 1982. Two years before Rising Force was released. While not neo-classical per se, he did do a lot of sweeps and used a lot of the neo-classical modes. It's really what seperated him as an Ed clone in my mind. People never seemed to get past that label for him though even though every single guitar player in the world taps now.

Man I wish I still had my tape of this whole album. Some of the music was really out there but a couple of the tunes are super solid.

Here's newer. Sounds almost Holdsworth in some spots...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u0XCsB31PA