Wow... this is a loaded question for me. All of my favorite singers are Japanese rock guys, which raises a lot of eyebrows when it comes up. Teruhiko Kobashi (GLAY), Kyosuke Himuro (BOOWY), Hyde (L'arc~en~Ciel), Toshimitsu Deyama (X-Japan), Atsushi Sakurai (Buck Tick) and Ruichi Kawamura (Luna Sea) are my heroes. I don't think these guys get near the recognition in our country that our top singers get in theirs. James LaBrie is arguably more loved in Japan than here... (Dream Theater's last DVD was at Budokan in Tokyo).
Anyway, these guys are all talented stylish singers who sing challenging stuff. In general, I'd say popular Japanese rock music has a higher bar than the chart toppers stateside. The guys in bands like Nickelback, Stone Sour, or even Franz Ferdinand and the like just aren't that outstanding in terms of sheer vocal proficiency (though capable entertainers). But if you check out the CD 'Shine' by Luna Sea, their singer is unquestionably using the same technique we get taught at Robert Lunte's 'The Vocalist Studio' for his tenor range melodies. I suggest the track 'Time Has Come' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgLVE2AjEII - wait for the chorus at 3:00 in) or 'Another' of that disc. Great, powerful, healthy singing. If you like stuff that goes even higher, check out the tracks 'Dahlia' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKq31dcspZc - wait past the distorted vox part) or 'Kurenai' by X-Japan. Crazy stuff.
These are the guys that really inspired my band's music. A wealth of info on any of these groups can be found on Wikipedia. Check out my group at www.myspace.com/twilightofficial
Last edited by vox_rocks1234 (2006-12-02 10:21:47)
Jason Wellman {Vox, Bass, Guitar, Recording}
kazuya394@hotmail.com
Frontman, Twilight (
www.myspace.com/twilightrockband)
Training: The Vocalist Studio in Seattle, WA (
www.thevocaliststudio.com)
Yeah, everyone thinks I'm a metal head, but there's so much more to me. Yeah my favorite singers are from TNT, Nitro, Steelheart and Judas Priest, but I love singers of bands like Ready For the World, Duran Durna, Train, Evanescences, and solo artists like Prince, Alanis Morisette, Seal, Sting, George Michael, etc... So who do YOU like???
Hands down to Jeff Buckley for his interpretation skills; I wish I would have been able to hear/see him live in concert... I also admire Bruce Dickinson's unique vocal tone. Amy Lee is wonderful too.
but if i could speak Japanese, i would sing japanese.