This one takes the cake, folks, but don’t take our word for it – check it out for yourself here!
Oh, Wagakki Band. You have yet to fail us when it comes to pairing gritty guitars and killer percussion with Japanese folk instruments and Yuuko Suzuhana’s otherworldly voice. And “Strong Fate” is no exception!
For those of you who might be unfamiliar with them, Wagakki Band was formed in 2013 and their first album “Vocalo Zanmai” debuted in April 2014. The lead singer Yuuko Suzuhana is a shigin singer. Shigin is basically traditional Japanese performance poetry. In addition to the typical rock band instruments, 4 of the 8 band members play Japanese folk instruments such as the shamisen (a Japanese lute) and the shakuhachi (a Japanese flute). This unorthodox pairing of sounds in combination with music videos full of fantasy have gained them a worldwide following.
While we’ve expressed our love of the band’s offerings in prior posts, it is this writer’s opinion that both this song and video take them to a whole new level. The first minute of the song is somewhat uncharacteristically sparse sonically compared to some of their other songs, but this actually allows Suzuhana’s voice to take on a shimmering quality in conjunction with the shamisen work and conjures up images of water rippling on an icy lake in the dead of winter along with the sense that a foundation is being laid for something greater to come. If you are looking for something dramatic and intense, this video doesn’t disappoint.
There’s also great news for Wagakki Band fans old and new on the West Coast: between July 12th and July 16th, Wagakki Band will be performing 4 concerts in California on their “衝撃(shougeki) Deep Impact” tour. You can find more information on dates, times, locations, and tickets here on their website.
For more on Wagakki Band, check out this post on their song “Valkyrie”, the opening to the anime Twin Star Exorcists.
Sources: Wagakki Band, Youtube/Avex, Wikipedia
Images: Wagakki Band
Rocking out with the Wagakki Band: Giving vocaloids a human voice
Wagakki Band releases new teaser video, third album on sale soon!【Video】
Wagakki Band release music video for “Valkyrie”, opening song for Twin Star Exorcists anime
The new Wagakki Band album is out! Let’s find out what the fans think!
Wagakki Band breathes life into the Olympics with “Kishikaisei”
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Legendary pie cafe Anna Miller’s finally returns to Tokyo after three-year absence
Sakura Totoro is here to get spring started early with adorable pouches and plushies
The other side of Shibuya Station has a great restaurant for trying tamagokakegohan
Fives places around Japan to appreciate the plum blossoms this season
Poop is in full bloom at the Unko Museums for cherry blossom season
New zombie ship sets sail in Japan, includes Shinkansen tickets and all-you-can-eat sushi
Cute coffins now available at Tokyo’s coffin relaxation salon[Photos]
Playing Switch 2 games with just one hand is possible thanks to Japanese peripheral maker
Japan’s plum blossom season is here, and after-dark garden is one of the best spots to see them
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Now is the time to visit one of Tokyo’s best off-the-beaten-path plum blossom gardens
Can you eat lunch in Tokyo for less than 500 yen?
New Family Mart cinema opens inside Japanese airport
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
New video “Ikusa” from Wagakki Band mixes rock, traditional instruments, and swords!
New video from Wagakki Band “Hanabi” is an original, awesome song【J-Tunes】
Shovel shamisen is a quirky and fun addition to the Japanese music scene【Video】