My 1st Time Hearing: Bridear - Ignite (Live/Loud Park, Tokyo 2023) Reaction

I react to Bridear, for the very 1st time! See what I had to say about them! #metal #hardrock #heavymetal #nemophila #bandmaid #lovebites #destrose #bridearreactions

[@hiawatha.g]

Thank you for getting to this so quickly!!! Japanese metal is on an incredible roll, especially the women, who are kicking ass on an epic scale. From my original intro: Founded in 2011, they were in the second wave of all-female heavy-metal bands. They love to go hard and heavy. They have the classic twin-lead attack and technical rhythm section. Yes, their tiny bassist even throws in some growls at key moments.
They’re scheduled to release their new album on June 28, and it’s a banger.
They have undergone a few lineup changes, but generally go hard and heavy. They have the quintessential twin-lead attack and technical rhythm section. Here is the original lineup:
Kimi-Vocals
Haru-Bass, growls
Misa-Guitars, growls
Mitsuru-Guitars (pink flying V)
Kai-Drums
In 2019, Kai left to start a family, Misa left to pursue her own musical vision, Mitsuru soon followed, and they had to bebuild. Amazingly, they did so without any loss in quality, finding Misaki and Ayumi on Guitar, and Natsumi, formerly of Telecide, to take over on drums (after a brief trial with another drummer).
Second Lineup:
Kimi-vocals
Haru-bass, growls/metal vocals
Misaki-Guitar, audience left
Ayumi-Guitar, audience right
Natsumi-Drums
I saw them live in London just after this lineup came together, and they were explosive, playing mostly stuff from the original lineup. They have experimented with a variety of styles, dabbling in progressive and pop, but they still come back to their metal roots. In “Brave New World Revisited” (czcams.com/video/_6-OXcyMkYI/video.html) they’ve got a masterpiece. It’s also a tour-de-force for their brilliant young guitarist Ayumi, who has also taken on a lot of the writing for the band.
In early 2022, Misaki, who suffers from severe stage fright, left the band for health reasons, and they scrambled to find a new co-lead guitarist. They have been joined by Moe, and their first release with her on board showcases some great dual shredding between her and Ayumi.
From the original lineup:
“Light in the Dark” czcams.com/video/CN3KDIBdosQ/video.html
“Ignite” czcams.com/video/LQIDqudG_DQ/video.html
Second Lineup:
“Starlight” czcams.com/video/4lq90GqRxiE/video.html
“Bloody Bride” czcams.com/video/CN3KDIBdosQ/video.html
“Brave New World Revisited” czcams.com/video/_6-OXcyMkYI/video.html
Third Lineup:
“Road” czcams.com/video/vcsUpWW0UZk/video.html
“Eyes of Doubt” czcams.com/video/_oNn9Wg-vNQ/video.html
(This was written by new member Moe.)
As of this writing (April 2023), they have wrapped the recording sessions for their new album. It is scheduled for release this June. Based on what I’ve heard, it’s a banger.