I want this dude to react to all Lovebites live videos hehe. He is amazing. Such musical knowledge and tecnical analysis that is showing how complex and highly trained these girls are. Thats what we need to see. They deserve worldwide recognition. Cant wait to see more Lovebites analysis from this bro. Big respect dude. ROCK ON!
First of all Happy Birthday MIHO! (she is the bass player and founder/leader of the band). What a great analysis of this fantastic song! Really enjoyed this! So much knowledge and attention to detail in your dissection. Midori the other lead guitarist on the left is a big Yngwie Malmsteen fan! The band as a whole is just out of this world, and they love to incorporate classical elements in their songs, especially Miyako who is huge into Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Beethoven and so on. Haruna the drummer is just amazing, she keeps these tempos going for the whole show without breaking a sweat, with a double bass like that no wonder we call her the Thunder Goddess! 😄 Inspirations for them include bands like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Slayer, Helloween, Pantera etc. Please check out more of their songs, they have a wide variety of styles in their playing, hard Rock, power metal, thrash metal, heavy metal, symphonic, progressive, ballads. Maybe try "Edge of the World", "Empty Daydream", "Holy War" all Live. If you get suggestions for songs you can't find on YT please don't hesitate to ask me, i will gladly provide the videos as i have all of their Live DVD's! Thank you for a great reaction! 🙂
As they sing, "We are the sum of these pieces", and these pieces create the perfect metal puzzle picture. ALL Glory to LOVEBITES and my brothers and sisters in the Wolf Pack everywhere.
I'm quite pleasantly surprised that you actually found this! As you noted in your links above, the original was pulled just a few days ago. The individual clips for the intro, and then for the song and outro, are still available, but RUclips is fond of yanking the full clip, probably because it comes from their official Five of a Kind dvd, and naturally the label wants people to buy the dvd rather than watch it for free on RUclips (though there are several other clips from it that they've left alone so far).
Greatest reaction!! In addition to this song, Miyako has created various works incorporating classical music. In "ABOVE THE BLACK SEA", Rachmaninoff "Piano Concerto No.2, op.18:1st mov." opening part is played in high-point melodies and guitar solos, and in "UNDER THE RED SKY", Rachmaninoff "Symphony No.3 3rd mov." theme is also played in interlude and outro. I think there are many works like this.
Miyako (pianist and composer) says she was inspired by Chopin's 'Revolutionary" etude and by Dvorak symphony Nº9 "From the New World.. miyako:"As someone who comes from a classical background, I wanted to have one song that featured classical music. This time we used Chopin's "Revolution", a song that everyone has heard at least once, as a motif. In the chorus, I've taken Dvorak's "From the New World" and rearranged it, so it's really a song that I've taken from my favourite classics. Chopin and Dvořák are not related in any way. But I thought they went well together, so I mixed them together and that's how the song came about."
Miyako was a child prodigy she started playing piano at age 3 she ended up getting classically trained she didn't pick up a guitar till she was around 19.
The melody in the chorus is based on a theme in Dvořák's New World symphony, 4th movement. The chord progression in Miyako's guitar solo is based on a portion of the Revolutionary Étude. You can hear the influence of classical music in other songs of theirs like Winds of Transylvania, Glory to the World, and When Destinies Align, sometimes including short quotations from classical pieces. They do have a "sixth member" named Mao who helps with keyboards and and composing and arranging. There are a few overzealous Lovebites and Band Maid fans out there. I hope they don't cause any problems
First, Happy Birthday to MIHO/bass founder and leader of this insanely talented band. She is the one with the vision of what Lovebites would become and went out and got the musicians to make this incredible group a reality. Great analysis and it only confirmed what we know, that Miyako is a musical genius (she did the backing track piano playing while she is playing guitar). Midori the other guitarist is from the Malmsteen school of Flash/Shred and is a world class player (this band has dual lead guitars that are complete opposites yet blend together perfectly especially LIVE). This band has only been around since 2016 and yet is so tight and in sync especially LIVE it awesome to behold. The vocalist never sang metal till she joined the band (comes from R and B/Jazz/Soul background) and the little fire ball drummer Haruna plays like this all night and looks like she is merely warming up. Midori the other guitarist also learned piano/organ at an early age but she dropped out of Pharmacy School to learn guitar at age 20 and also stopped on the piano, Miyako picked up a Dean at age 18 and is self taught!!! The drummer was also a pianist before switching to drums. Seems that piano is the instrument that bring out the talent and gifts in the truly great!!!! This band has brought all the glory of 80's Metal and blended it with the old masters and elevated it with their own unique sound to a higher level. All petite thus the white dresses and high heels which they play in yet true Metal Goddesses, check out Empty Daydream, Epilogue, or Edge of the World (really will love the transitions there), all LIVE to see just how amazing this band is. BTW they toured with Dragon Force but you will see the influences from all the great bands in a lot of their songs.
Lovebites is an amazing reunion of virtuosos. Japan is really marking tendencies with regard to music in general and very specially in all the different kinds of rock music.
Finally, LoveBites. Great song, great concert. Swansong was written by Miyako. She started playing piano at 3 years old. Great band. Love them. They did tour with Dragonforce. Thank you for this reaction. Another great one is “Edge of the World”.
*Lovebites* are also known by their uplifting lyrics🤘🏻🐺 One of their song was save me from my depression last years.. No words can describe how much I love them.. Thank you for reacting to this masterpiece, man! I'm waiting for your next reaction and analysis.. Stay safe! And I hope you have a very wonderfull day!✌🏻
In an interview Miyako mentioned about not liking the Roland on the stage but had to use it for the logistics reasons. She would have definitely wanted a real piano.
@@realdocloco digital pianos are generally an anathema to most classical pianists, myself included. But a necessary and useful tool when needed! The technology has come a long way in recent years but for classical playing, in particular, you can still feel it slightly limiting your expression - unlike an acoustic piano. Nevertheless, it didn't hold her back at all. I'd love to hear her on a steinway or something 😊
@@realdocloco She has a baby grand at home. The same one her parents bought her when she was in her elementary school, I think. Miyako is a savant and a babe.
@@JWSoundworks2 That's right. In an interview, Miyako said she had a hard time with Roland's white electronic piano. She seems to be unable to play with her own image. So she said she was very nervous at the actual performance. Its appearance was white and reflected on the stage, but we had a conversation with the nuance that we never wanted to play in Roland again. It is true that electronic pianos were not used in the most recent concerts :)
gratulation, that you found them. everytime I hear this piece, their unison precision is breathtaking. I am so impressed by these five musicians. this was the best reaction/analysis of lovebites I´ve seen here on YT so far. thank you. would like some more. miyako is not only a classical pianoplayer on pro level, masterguitarist, guitarnerd, but also the main composer of lovebites. and the amount and quality of their output is so amazing. founded in 2016, they have four albums, three EPs, two concert blurays and not one bad song, not even one filler. and isn´t miyakos posture and arm/hand-positioning on the piano like textbook?
I was looking forward to your reaction to this song. I’m totally unschooled in music and your analytical approach both impresses me and teaches me something of the skill involved in getting this piece together. You are right about the Dragonforce influence and Lovebites has toured with them. For a respectful but comic turn you could find the video in which Herman Li “frocks up” as a sixth member and joins Lovebites on stage. Incidentally Herman Li also “auditions” to join Band Maid in another video. I have seen comments elsewhere that Miyako was somewhat disconcerted by the digital piano since she usually plays on a proper grand piano. Miyako and Midori share lead guitar on equal terms. I understand this particular song was well into an almost two-hour concert. Their capacity to sustain the pace and precision of their playing even to the very end of the show is quite telling of their skill.
Massively impressive stuff. Even more so being deep into a set of that duration! Herman Li has a great sense of humour. I will have a look. Thanks for the feedback and kind words!
The piano during the middle part of the song is a back track previously recorded by Miyako (the lady who plays the piano and other lead guitar) I believe. By the way..... Haruna, Haruna, Haruna! Just had to get that in before Brandy Dynamite showed up! LOL
On the studio album version, she doesn't do the Tierce de Picardie. I like this version because she does it. It's the cherry on top of a very sumptuous cake. 😁
LOVEBITES - Swan Song lyrics: If this was the last day you could live on this earth Would you still go on, accusing someone for today It’s better to fail than not do anything at all It is not the length, but depth of life that counts Oh brave soldier Oh gallant warrior Valor to those who died in battle to Valhalla Believe what’s in your soul For death will come to all You shall rest peacefully in God’s Heaven Floating lotus You are so graceful Saintly and glorious Till the end of time Floating lotus You are so beautiful Sing me your sweet song The legend of the swan If you’ve never hoped, you’ve never been though despair Ignorance is bliss, it’s easier to not care You might think it’s meaningless to sacrifice a life Sometimes the life of one can save so many more Oh brave soldier Oh gallant warrior Valor to those who died in battle to Valhalla Believe what’s in your soul For death will come to all You shall rest peacefully in God’s Heaven Floating lotus You are so graceful Saintly and glorious Till the end of time Floating lotus You are so beautiful Sing me your sweet song The legend of the swan Floating lotus You are so graceful Saintly and glorious Till the end of time Floating lotus You are so beautiful Sing me your sweet song The legend of the swan ----- lyrics: asami music: miyako arrangement: LOVEBITES (miho, haruna, midori, miyako, asami)
What a long reaction. But that's great reaction and great analysis. I'm glad you are musicians, so you can explained about technical music. I don't know anything about music classical, I'm just enjoyed the music. And I love Lovebites. So thank you very much for make this great reaction. Hope more songs from Lovebites get reaction on this chanel. Next try they song called "Winds of Transylvania" or "Edge of the world"
Thank you for giving a really good insight with your range of knowledge. I Really enjoyed this reaction and feel like I learned something new which doesn't happen every day🤔 Brilliant👍
Hi John ! I've been enjoying your reactions for a while now, and I think you are a fresh and welcomed addition to the reactor scene. You enrich my musical experience with your knowledge ! As for Lovebites, I think for laymen like me it's easy to move passed the intricacy of their playing, and see only the pace or technical part of their music. I like Edge of The World and Break the Wall which are two pieces that are not straight forward power or speed metal (they have those too), but have parts that are more deep. Anyway thnks for doing what you are doing and please keep doing it ! Cheers from Paris (sorry for my so so english, me being French and all ^^)
Thank you for a great reaction, your explanations and analysis raised my experiance of this particular song. In my point of wiew it`s a masterpiece of metal. This piece was from the concert in ZEPP DIVER CITY TOKYO 2020, almost two hours of great music. 'The best concert i ever heard(my opinion). Love from Sweden. PS Haruna(the drummer) is amazing DS.
What an excellent, informative reaction. This is my favourite band in decades, probably since I discovered Yngwie in the 80s. Obviously some of their music has similarities, but they have a wide range of influences and you can hear that across their catalogue, although you've already noted several. Miho, the bass player and founder, is a huge fan of bands such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Slayer and all those influences make it across. Haruna, the drummer, well, her favourite band is Helloween and again, there are elements of what they do in Lovebites' music. Midori, the guitarist on stage left, is influenced by Yngwie Malmsteen and Kiko Loureiro of Angra. Miyako is a classically trained pianist who switched to guitar (but can also play bass and drums and can sing) is a huge Gary Moore fan (so the Thin Lizzy comparison is apt), as well as Richie Blackmore, but also takes a lot from more modern, less well-known guitarists. Finally, the singer, Asami, was an R&B singer before she joined the band. I would say she's adapted pretty well... some of those R&B stylings really enhance some of Lovebites' songs and make them stand out from some of the more generic metal you might hear. All in all, as you say, they're all amazing at what they do and they don't have any bad songs at all, so if you go down the rabbit hole you're in for a treat. I'd suggest Empty Daydream (live) next, purely for the Rachmaninov piano intro, but don't expect that with every song! Linky here: ruclips.net/video/lXh_uMM94jU/видео.html
good morning from germany. don´t know if you already knew: miyako from lovebites has just released the first official video from her forthcoming solo EP "etude op.23": she has arranged helloweens "eagle fly free" for solo piano and performs it solo. thought, that could be interesting for you. would be great also to see a pro reaction/analysis to that. have a great day.
As far as I know, Miyako was originally there to play second lead while touring as Midori (on the far left) originally played both guitar parts in the studio for the band's first album. They ended up adding her to the lineup and I gotta say it was a good pick. Both ladies are very talented but their approach is very different, even down to stage presence. It just helps add to the overall feel of the band.
it's hard to say that dragonforce is an influence on Lovebites. It is true that they toured Europe together, but I have never heard or read that they are an influence on them. The proof is precisely this song. Composed by Miyako, with clear classical influences.
Excellent reaction with an unusual high grade of insight! Maybe the best reaction to "Swan Song", that I've ever watched. Normally, I would suggest some more LOVEBITES, but in your case, it seems appropriate to point to Miyako's solo work (EP) with her piano covers of well known Heavy Metal songs: Miyako piano covers (Etude Op.23) - Eagle Fly Free (Helloween) - Burn (Deep Purple) - Battery (Metallica) - The Loner (Gary Moore) - Far Beyond The Sun (Yngwie Malmsteen) - Addicted (LOVEBITES)
They were release in June 2023 (this year), almost two years after this reaction. "Eagle Fly Free" ruclips.net/video/-h3BLRs0Xr4/видео.html is on LOVEBITES RUclips channel, but there's also a playlist for the EP, starting at ruclips.net/video/Z6JXuzW9fPk/видео.html
Fantastic analysis, this is really enjoyable. Some history: They were formed from the remnants of a legendary all-girl Japanese metal band called Destrose (yes, all-girl metal has been a thing in Japan since at least 1981). Miho (bass, chief metalhead and soul of the band) recruited her former bandmate Haruna (drums, 4'9" “pocket nuke”); they went and found the two guitarists, Midori and Miyako, who were with other bands, and the whole group then found Asami, the singer, who was doing soul and blues at the time (she also trained in ballet). Miho and Miyako compose most of their music, in collaboration with Mao, the lead composer of another band called Lightbringer, but Midori has also been getting into the act. Asami writes a lot of the lyrics. They have only been around for just shy of 5 years. You mentioned Dragonforce, but they studied all the great historical metal bands going back to Purple and Sabbath, through Maiden, Priest, Metallica, Slayer etc. and they pretty much aced it all. They toured with Dragonforce in 2019, and word from those in attendance is that next time around, it will be the ladies headlining. They have incorporated some of the best of each of those bands into their arsenal, and it seems clear they’re taking it to another level. They do everything from soulful power ballads to heavy thrash, and almost every song includes face-melting solos by Miyako and Midori. The two guitarists are quite different in style and tone. Midori (blonde ponytail) is the extrovert and speed demon; Miyako is the introvert, with the more soulful feel. Midori uses a cleaner tone, Miyako uses more distortion, pinch harmonics and pedal effects. The contrast makes their duets rich and dynamic. It doesn’t hurt that either one can smoke most of the shredders in the classic metal bands. (As another reactor said, "It seems criminal these two are allowed to be in the same band.") As you saw, Miyako is also a professional-level classical pianist, and was headed for a career in classical music, before picking up the guitar. You may not go down the Lovebites rabbit hole, but if you do any more by them, the songs to check out are "Edge of the World" and "We the United", back to back: ruclips.net/video/sl0-U-ykJCU/видео.html They form an incredible journey from darkness and despair to light and hope. Also, “Empty Daydream”, which starts as a ballad and becomes a real rocker: ruclips.net/video/lXh_uMM94jU/видео.html For a thrasher with heavy Metallica vibes, “Break the Wall” ruclips.net/video/G021aP2ao6Y/видео.html includes two gorgeous and completely contrasting solos by M&M. For a heart-stopping ballad, “Epilogue” ruclips.net/video/1ynnXDfEnnY/видео.html (this includes a second song, your choice whether or not to react to both) You can’t go wrong with any of their official clips.
Chopin was raised in Poland, his mother was Polish, but his father was French. He did not name his pieces, and it's disputed, if the Revolutionary Etude was inspired by the things happening in Congress Poland at all or if the name - and this is likely - is part of the nationalist transfiguration that happened after his early death. Anyway, it's good to see a reaction video from someone who knows his stuff..
Thank you for reviewing Lovebites, one of my favorite bands. In my opinion Lovebites' musical style is little different from other J-metal bands. They are inspired by 80s bands such as Iron Maiden, Helloween, Metalica, and some European music. These are the recommended songs with piano elements: - Empty Daydream - Edge Of The World - Epilogue Songs with Metalica/Slayer nuances: - Thunder Vengeance - Winds Of Transylvania - Break The Wall Perfect Power Metal songs: - Holy War - Shadowmaker - We The United *avoid live from Bloodstock because of bad audio mixing. thanks
Great reaction. I’m in no way musical.. like, AT ALL, but I recognise the excellent above the good and that’s what drew me to Lovebites. Miyako is, without a doubt, a prodigy, but in terms of guitar *playing* ability (technically) she defers to Midori (stage right), who is a little overshadowed in this performance because the camera doesn’t even close in on her solo towards the end which I happen to think is extremely melodic and deserved more visual attention. In studio albums they publish lyrics but also intersperse with “Solo - Midori” “Solo - Miyako” “Solo - Dual” and, in the majority of cases Midori takes first solo. More recently it seems evenly balanced and Miyako does the lions share, compositionally, with the others tending to chip in occasionally. I love watching someone who knows what their music discover Lovebites because they always, always give due praise rather than express opinion. Because talent is talent and these girls have it in spades.
The bass player (Miho) is influenced greatly by Iron Maiden's Steve Harris. This entire band has so much talent. Definitely some Malmsteen influences as well. Twin guitar leads (Miyako is the more classical, Midori is a shred monster), trading solos/answering is pretty common in most of their songs I've heard. That drummer (Haruna) is a little nuclear plant....incredible energy.
These ladies are insanely talented, you're correct about influences, Iron Maiden definitely, 80's old skool metal too, Slayer, Helloween, also Gary Moore & Ritchie Blackmore, all this while adding their own melodic, positive and self emitting sound. I first discovered them at The Roadmenders, Northampton, England 2019 when they supported Dragonforce, they blew me and my 4 friends away, so once again you were bang on the money. Miyako composed the backing piano & ending to the song herself iirc. Fantastic reaction, one of the best I've come across. subscribed🤘
Asami, Lead Vocals; Haruna, Drums & co-founder; Miho, Bass & co-founder (recently resigned from band); Miyako, Lead Guitar and Keyboards; Midori, 2nd Guitar. All of them are beautiful in their own way. I have dubbed Haruna (the energizer bunny, because she just never slows down... or so it seems; I believe she could out kick an Ostrich). They are ALL masters of their instruments. Asami studied Ballet in the U S A, for a few years; you can tell by her gracefulness. Note: Asami is probably the smallest of the ladies: 4'11" I think I read somewhere. Miyako and Miho are both near the same height at 5'7" give or take a couple of inches.
You're the only reactor that I like who's analysis I always look forward to hearing. Keep up the great work. Lovebites "Holy War" Live is just savage as well.
Iam in love from Bolivia Latinoamerica, LOVEBITES, Guitarists Miyako and Midori are both from the city of Osaka, both took piano lessons for years (Midori also learned organ), and both took up the guitar relatively late. Midori went to music school - Musicians Institute Osaka branch, where one of her instructors was the late Mikio Fujioka, lead guitarist of Babymetal's Kami Band - and Miyako is basically self-taught. Miyako made use of a well-known instructional book series, whose title literally translated into English is "Mechanical Training Phrases from Hell", working her way through the entire guitar series. There are versions of these instructional books for bass and drums too, and there's hardly a Japanese musician on those instruments who hasn't studied them.
This is the most information-rich Lovebites reaction I've heard since Wave Potter. Most are poverty-stricken from the point of view of content, the equivalent of meaningless heavy breathing. A VERY pleasant suprise.
Some Japanese bands. Take your pick: BAND-MAID [All their songs... really!], LOVEBITES [Raise some Hell, and all the other songs], MAXIMUM THE HORMONE [Yoshu Fukushu], DEXCORE [Red Eye], CROSSFAITH [Catastrophe], SiM [Killing Me], NINGEN ISU [Heartless Scat], UNLUCKY MORPHEUS [Black Pentagram], YOUSEI TEIKOKU [Astral Dogma], COLDRAIN [Die Tomorrow], CRYSTAL LAKE [The Circle], GIVEN BY THE FLAMES [Ronove], ANGRY FROG REBIRTH [2Step Syndrome], SILENTLY SHOOTING TRAITORS [Manipulate], ALDIOUS [Dominator], BRIDEAR [Light in the Dark], CINQ ELEMENT [Destiny], MARY'S BLOOD [Marionette], GRAUPEL [Bereavement], DOLL$BOXX [Take my Chance], SOKONINARU [Tenohira De Odoru], HELLO SLEEPWALKERS [Flying Saucer], TELECiDE [Tied up Memories], NEKO [Ghost on a Record], ROTTENGRAFFTY [Hallelujah], LYNCH [Devil], DIR EN GREY [Ningen wo Kaburu], X JAPAN [Kurenai], DAZZLE VISION [Second], JUPITER [My Enemy], GALNERYUS [Angel of Salvation], BLOOD STAIN CHILD [Del-Sol], NEMOPHILA [Dissension], DADAROMA [Lucid Dream], JILUKA [Suzaku], HANABIE [We Love Sweets], and many many more...
I attended a Chopin recital a few years ago in the arts theatre Armagh where Nikolay Demidemko performed and also talking about the specific pieces in terms of their history and composition!! Your take on the "etude" was done in similar fashion, good to hear!! As for the song there is a classical theme running through the piece but if you are talking about a classical derived melody " Whiter shade of pale" is the go to which is highly influenced by Bach!! Great reaction 😎
Thanks dude! Yeah - hard to beat Whiter Shade of Pale. You should check out the King Curtis (saxophone) live recording of it. It's incredible. If you've ever seen Withnail And I you'll have probably noticed it in the soundtrack. Seen Demidenko perform over here, too. Does he live here now? Seems to pop up performing fairly regularly.
Not influenced by DragonForce, but the two bands have played together and are friends. Massively influenced by Iron Maiden, Helloween, 80s Thrash Metal bands, and basically 80s metal generally. I'm sure DragonForce have many of the same influences, especially where it comes to Power Metal. They have two lead guitar players, neither is a main or secondary guitarist. Midori's more of a shredder of the Yngwie variety, whereas Miyako's influences are more on the Gary Moore side. Bluesy type playing with lots of feeling behind it. Midori on the other hand is a speed demon. This particular piece was a Miyako showpiece, but Midori's equally talented and I'd venture to say she's arguably the technically superior player, even though now people are going to yell at me in the comments. They do in fact have a "sixth member" who also plays keyboards. His name is Mao, and he's the secondary composer, Miyako being the primary one. They both have classical backgrounds. She composed Swan Song, and based it around Chopin's Revolutionary Etude and Dvorak's New World Symphony. You can hear distinct phrases from the Chopin piece in her solo. I think it was a stroke of genius to use the actual Chopin Etude the song was based on as the song's intro in this live version (it's not on the album version). Really enjoyable reaction/analysis video. Long, but not boring.
Excellent info, thanks for that! Interesting to hear about the sixth member. I was chastised by someone else for suggesting such a thing and now I know it is actually true lol. Thank you! 😊🤘
@@JWSoundworks2 Just to avoid some potential confusion, Mao the "sixth member" works with LOVEBITES in the studio only. He doesn't play with them Live. All extra tracks you hear in their Live performances are backing tracks controlled by the drummer Haruna.
Thank you for a very informative analysis. I like how you breakdown the songs, and I hope you can give a listen to Dystopia Symphony, one of my favorites from Lovebites' newest EP album. I think the song is written by Miyako as a tribute to Beethoven. She references the Moonlight Sonata and the Pathetique as basis for this composition. There are no videos, but the audio "video" is readily available.
If you're enjoying the content, folks, please consider... 🅿Supporting me on Patreon 👉www.patreon.com/JWSoundworks 🎸Buying my original music 👉🎹therupalface.bandcamp.com/ ☕Supporting me @BuyMeACoffee 👉www.buymeacoffee.com/JWsoundw... Thanks!🤘 JW
not sure if someone else mentioned it, but Miyako stated she didn't really like the Roland. Evidently it has plastic keys, and she prefers wood. In later videos she plays on a different piano.
Wow, "Picardy third" !! Would have never known there was a name for that progression. Thanks!! This band reminds me of Rising Force/Yngwie Malmsteen, is it just me?
You're one of the first reactors/commentators to mention shades of Testament in their style and form. I noticed that in another couple of songs of theirs. Even as you were mentioning the waves of Chopin piano I was thinking "wait for it.." hehehe. Nice one man. Have a dig into their stuff.. they're quite brilliant, as this suggests.
Not sure if anyone said anything about this, but from what I understand, the piano bits were played and recorded by Miyako, and are tracks that she controls with a pedal. The finale she actually plays live.
Your analysis and review is just wonderful. I don't mind all the pauses. I enjoy every comment of yours. The Etude has meaning to be the introduction of Swan Song. The theme of Swan Song is death and dedication of heroes, and honor and glory. Chopin Revolutionary Etude is just for that, isn't it. As you mentioned, Miyako the pianist confessed in an interview that she was uncomfortable with the Roland electronic piano to play Etude because the touch is totally different from a real grand piano. Yes, the Dean USA Icon is modified. Miyako is explaining how it is in this clip. ruclips.net/video/9pYWabx3OXo/видео.html Lovebites is formed in 2016 but actually became active in 2017. Have a good one.
Nice, you nailed it about the backing tracks. Different level of hard to play to, allows Miyako to be two places at once, adds symphonic synth swells and choir… Miyako’s first guitar solo, dunno for sure if the chords are from another piece, but the descending line near the beginning is lifted directly from the Etude she’d just played. The solo is on the recording, I’m guessing playing the Etude live was someone else’s idea who was in on that inspired bit, she’s said this show was divided for her around the Etude, she was nervous the whole time until she’d survived reciting it! Re Deans and Fishman, here’s a long but good interview regarding her gear, signature model, approach to her evolving sound, etc. Part 1, good subtitles, but long tho (too much to react anyway) ruclips.net/video/_XgOvuh0kzk/видео.html
Miho Miho Miho! wondered why you had soooo many down thumbs but you said Band-Maid in a Lovebites Reaction ps. I love them Both but there is a faction in each camp that is FANatical
i think his reaction is great, very knowledgeable, but i think the down votes are the length 30 plus minutes, and other were complaining about the pauses, not sure about the band maid mention, probably didn't help...but i up voted the review, as i said before, i enjoyed it.
There is a track from their EP, also has Live concert from Battle in the East and Daughters of the red dawn, is hard to find in YT, which is heavily influenced by Sergei Rachmaninoff
I just don't like backing tracks if the current musicians are not able to play the parts themselves, that is not up for discussion with Lovebites, the technical skills are undoubtedly available, they don't hide anything so everything is at its best. Great deep reaction
23:30 I love your deep-end reactions going into the structure and substance of a musical piece. And its hard to do it on the fly - I am sure I couldn't! However, at this point, I am pretty sure these were not what you guess to be prerecorded ooh-ooh vocals, I would vouch it was the audience singing the melody over the top of the mayhem! You can see also the singer, Asami, encouraging the public, so I think what we get here is just the benefit of a Live performance in front of a rapturous fans. :)
Thats a very detailed but thank you. im tired watching some reactions from people who didnt even know music yet they said all lovebites songs sounded same to them (similar)
Anything of Lovebites from the 2020 Tokyo Zep Diver City concert is worth a listen. If you like the neoclassical influence and want to explore more Japanese metal, Unlucky Morpheus is another interesting band. They combine clean female vocals with scream and also feature a violinist. Black Pentagram is a good introduction to their music. Another of their songs, a bit of a two for one called Cadaver Revadac is played both forward and backwards. I suggest a sheet music video for that one.
Generally, Chopin, or romantic music for that matter, is not my cup of tea. I am more a Bach (I'm German after all) or Beethoven, Rachmaninow person. But in this context, it is really enjoyable. I've seen this several times and this video is my favorite by Lovebites. And those ladies definitely got balls. Like a friend of mine from Scotland answered to "Who can wear a kilt?": Everyone, you just need the balls to do so. On another note are you a Scot? You sound at least like someone from the north of the island. For my German ears, this is more pleasing than RP.
🎵🎸Moody, atmospheric, instrumental, one-man-band prog? Right this way 👇
ruclips.net/video/1nWe3g_7pqA/видео.html
I want this dude to react to all Lovebites live videos hehe. He is amazing. Such musical knowledge and tecnical analysis that is showing how complex and highly trained these girls are. Thats what we need to see. They deserve worldwide recognition. Cant wait to see more Lovebites analysis from this bro. Big respect dude. ROCK ON!
Very kind of you to say so, man ! Thank you very much! 🤘😎
Totally agree. Great to have someone with classical training to analyse what is going on musically.
@@Glynthepin thank you very much man!
@@JWSoundworks2 Have a look at my suggestions when you can. 😀
Agree
I'm really enjoying your reactions. Your wealth of musical knowledge is impressive and appreciated. That intro track of yours is killer.
First of all Happy Birthday MIHO! (she is the bass player and founder/leader of the band).
What a great analysis of this fantastic song! Really enjoyed this!
So much knowledge and attention to detail in your dissection. Midori the other lead guitarist on the left is a big Yngwie Malmsteen fan!
The band as a whole is just out of this world, and they love to incorporate classical elements in their songs, especially Miyako who is huge into Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Beethoven and so on.
Haruna the drummer is just amazing, she keeps these tempos going for the whole show without breaking a sweat, with a double bass like that no wonder we call her the Thunder Goddess! 😄
Inspirations for them include bands like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Slayer, Helloween, Pantera etc.
Please check out more of their songs, they have a wide variety of styles in their playing, hard Rock, power metal, thrash metal, heavy metal, symphonic, progressive, ballads.
Maybe try "Edge of the World", "Empty Daydream", "Holy War" all Live.
If you get suggestions for songs you can't find on YT please don't hesitate to ask me, i will gladly provide the videos as i have all of their Live DVD's!
Thank you for a great reaction! 🙂
Thanks for offer Jorge, and appreciate the kind words, man! Cheers! :)
@@JWSoundworks2 When you try Empty Daydream, try the version of live Daughters of the Dawn 2019. You'll love the piano introduction.
This video helped me understand why I like this piece (or these pieces). So thanks for that.
Haruna (Drummer) is a nuclear-powered human metronome. She is so unbelievably talented.
Miniature nuclear-powered human metronome
@@cyberpotato63 that too
Exactly 😂😂 i was thinking ... Like how long she does the 'boot camp booty camp' beat the fricking whole song . It must be necessarily nuclear power
Welcome to the magical world of Lovebites. That was a great review and not a second too long. Hope that we will get more of them.
As they sing, "We are the sum of these pieces", and these pieces create the perfect metal puzzle picture. ALL Glory to LOVEBITES and my brothers and sisters in the Wolf Pack everywhere.
I'm quite pleasantly surprised that you actually found this! As you noted in your links above, the original was pulled just a few days ago. The individual clips for the intro, and then for the song and outro, are still available, but RUclips is fond of yanking the full clip, probably because it comes from their official Five of a Kind dvd, and naturally the label wants people to buy the dvd rather than watch it for free on RUclips (though there are several other clips from it that they've left alone so far).
Greatest reaction!! In addition to this song, Miyako has created various works incorporating classical music.
In "ABOVE THE BLACK SEA", Rachmaninoff "Piano Concerto No.2, op.18:1st mov." opening part is played in high-point melodies and guitar solos, and in "UNDER THE RED SKY", Rachmaninoff "Symphony No.3 3rd mov." theme is also played in interlude and outro. I think there are many works like this.
Miyako (pianist and composer) says she was inspired by Chopin's 'Revolutionary" etude and by Dvorak symphony Nº9 "From the New World..
miyako:"As someone who comes from a classical background, I wanted to have one song that featured classical music. This time we used Chopin's "Revolution", a song that everyone has heard at least once, as a motif. In the chorus, I've taken Dvorak's "From the New World" and rearranged it, so it's really a song that I've taken from my favourite classics. Chopin and Dvořák are not related in any way. But I thought they went well together, so I mixed them together and that's how the song came about."
Miyako was a child prodigy she started playing piano at age 3 she ended up getting classically trained she didn't pick up a guitar till she was around 19.
Haaha, funny how these stories grow like fish. Until now, I've heard she started playing piano at 3, picked up her guitar at 18.
@@hernanuliana9111 you're welcome to your opinion I don't happen to share it though there's always room to compliment acheivement.
thanx for your expert review. You have made all other reactions superfluous, cause you actually know what youre talking about
You rock! 🤘 thank you very much!
The melody in the chorus is based on a theme in Dvořák's New World symphony, 4th movement. The chord progression in Miyako's guitar solo is based on a portion of the Revolutionary Étude. You can hear the influence of classical music in other songs of theirs like Winds of Transylvania, Glory to the World, and When Destinies Align, sometimes including short quotations from classical pieces. They do have a "sixth member" named Mao who helps with keyboards and and composing and arranging.
There are a few overzealous Lovebites and Band Maid fans out there. I hope they don't cause any problems
First, Happy Birthday to MIHO/bass founder and leader of this insanely talented band. She is the one with the vision of what Lovebites would become and went out and got the musicians to make this incredible group a reality. Great analysis and it only confirmed what we know, that Miyako is a musical genius (she did the backing track piano playing while she is playing guitar). Midori the other guitarist is from the Malmsteen school of Flash/Shred and is a world class player (this band has dual lead guitars that are complete opposites yet blend together perfectly especially LIVE). This band has only been around since 2016 and yet is so tight and in sync especially LIVE it awesome to behold. The vocalist never sang metal till she joined the band (comes from R and B/Jazz/Soul background) and the little fire ball drummer Haruna plays like this all night and looks like she is merely warming up. Midori the other guitarist also learned piano/organ at an early age but she dropped out of Pharmacy School to learn guitar at age 20 and also stopped on the piano, Miyako picked up a Dean at age 18 and is self taught!!! The drummer was also a pianist before switching to drums. Seems that piano is the instrument that bring out the talent and gifts in the truly great!!!! This band has brought all the glory of 80's Metal and blended it with the old masters and elevated it with their own unique sound to a higher level. All petite thus the white dresses and high heels which they play in yet true Metal Goddesses, check out Empty Daydream, Epilogue, or Edge of the World (really will love the transitions there), all LIVE to see just how amazing this band is. BTW they toured with Dragon Force but you will see the influences from all the great bands in a lot of their songs.
Lovebites is an amazing reunion of virtuosos. Japan is really marking tendencies with regard to music in general and very specially in all the different kinds of rock music.
Finally, LoveBites. Great song, great concert. Swansong was written by Miyako. She started playing piano at 3 years old. Great band. Love them. They did tour with Dragonforce. Thank you for this reaction. Another great one is “Edge of the World”.
*Lovebites* are also known by their uplifting lyrics🤘🏻🐺
One of their song was save me from my depression last years..
No words can describe how much I love them..
Thank you for reacting to this masterpiece, man!
I'm waiting for your next reaction and analysis..
Stay safe! And I hope you have a very wonderfull day!✌🏻
Stay safe too! Without music life would be empty! 😊🤘😎
In an interview Miyako mentioned about not liking the Roland on the stage but had to use it for the logistics reasons. She would have definitely wanted a real piano.
Yes that's true, she wasn't confortable with the digital Roland; at home, she has a grand piano (probably baby or medium?) in her studio
@@realdocloco digital pianos are generally an anathema to most classical pianists, myself included. But a necessary and useful tool when needed! The technology has come a long way in recent years but for classical playing, in particular, you can still feel it slightly limiting your expression - unlike an acoustic piano. Nevertheless, it didn't hold her back at all. I'd love to hear her on a steinway or something 😊
@@realdocloco She has a baby grand at home. The same one her parents bought her when she was in her elementary school, I think. Miyako is a savant and a babe.
@@JWSoundworks2 That's right. In an interview, Miyako said she had a hard time with Roland's white electronic piano. She seems to be unable to play with her own image. So she said she was very nervous at the actual performance. Its appearance was white and reflected on the stage, but we had a conversation with the nuance that we never wanted to play in Roland again. It is true that electronic pianos were not used in the most recent concerts :)
gratulation, that you found them. everytime I hear this piece, their unison precision is breathtaking. I am so impressed by these five musicians. this was the best reaction/analysis of lovebites I´ve seen here on YT so far. thank you. would like some more. miyako is not only a classical pianoplayer on pro level, masterguitarist, guitarnerd, but also the main composer of lovebites. and the amount and quality of their output is so amazing. founded in 2016, they have four albums, three EPs, two concert blurays and not one bad song, not even one filler. and isn´t miyakos posture and arm/hand-positioning on the piano like textbook?
Thanks for the info! I agree on her technique, and posture/facility at the instrument. Clearly trained to a very standard!
I was looking forward to your reaction to this song. I’m totally unschooled in music and your analytical approach both impresses me and teaches me something of the skill involved in getting this piece together.
You are right about the Dragonforce influence and Lovebites has toured with them. For a respectful but comic turn you could find the video in which Herman Li “frocks up” as a sixth member and joins Lovebites on stage. Incidentally Herman Li also “auditions” to join Band Maid in another video.
I have seen comments elsewhere that Miyako was somewhat disconcerted by the digital piano since she usually plays on a proper grand piano. Miyako and Midori share lead guitar on equal terms.
I understand this particular song was well into an almost two-hour concert. Their capacity to sustain the pace and precision of their playing even to the very end of the show is quite telling of their skill.
Massively impressive stuff. Even more so being deep into a set of that duration! Herman Li has a great sense of humour. I will have a look. Thanks for the feedback and kind words!
The piano during the middle part of the song is a back track previously recorded by Miyako (the lady who plays the piano and other lead guitar) I believe. By the way..... Haruna, Haruna, Haruna! Just had to get that in before Brandy Dynamite showed up! LOL
Wow, you name-dropped me ! And in a good way ! Thank you (God, I'm sounding like a real fan-boy, lol) 🤘🐺🤘
And the that dude who's gonna miho miho everything 😁
@@pattymeals2395 Actually my favourite is Miyako but don't tell anyone!
@@michaelafrancis1361 me to. MiHoyako is my favorite member.
@@brandydynamite5877 More fans fighting over princess HARUNA I see! LoL!
I enjoyed the dissection of the track, very informative, beautiful.
I really appreciate you leaving the kind feedback. Glad to hear that you enjoyed hearing my thoughts. Thank you! :)
Finally, I am so happy you did this song!
All girls are extremely talented, without leaving out all their practice!
On the studio album version, she doesn't do the Tierce de Picardie. I like this version because she does it. It's the cherry on top of a very sumptuous cake. 😁
Always a nice touch, ending a piece with one!
Miyako does all keyboard backing tracks. She records them. Some songs like this, Edge of the world, she plays piano on stage.
LOVEBITES - Swan Song lyrics:
If this was the last day you could live on this earth
Would you still go on, accusing someone for today
It’s better to fail than not do anything at all
It is not the length, but depth of life that counts
Oh brave soldier
Oh gallant warrior
Valor to those who died in battle to Valhalla
Believe what’s in your soul
For death will come to all
You shall rest peacefully in God’s Heaven
Floating lotus
You are so graceful
Saintly and glorious
Till the end of time
Floating lotus
You are so beautiful
Sing me your sweet song
The legend of the swan
If you’ve never hoped, you’ve never been though despair
Ignorance is bliss, it’s easier to not care
You might think it’s meaningless to sacrifice a life
Sometimes the life of one can save so many more
Oh brave soldier
Oh gallant warrior
Valor to those who died in battle to Valhalla
Believe what’s in your soul
For death will come to all
You shall rest peacefully in God’s Heaven
Floating lotus
You are so graceful
Saintly and glorious
Till the end of time
Floating lotus
You are so beautiful
Sing me your sweet song
The legend of the swan
Floating lotus
You are so graceful
Saintly and glorious
Till the end of time
Floating lotus
You are so beautiful
Sing me your sweet song
The legend of the swan
-----
lyrics: asami
music: miyako
arrangement: LOVEBITES (miho, haruna, midori, miyako, asami)
What a long reaction. But that's great reaction and great analysis. I'm glad you are musicians, so you can explained about technical music. I don't know anything about music classical, I'm just enjoyed the music. And I love Lovebites.
So thank you very much for make this great reaction.
Hope more songs from Lovebites get reaction on this chanel.
Next try they song called "Winds of Transylvania" or "Edge of the world"
That's much appreciated and kind of you to say so. Thank you! :)
Thank you for giving a really good insight with your range of knowledge. I Really enjoyed this reaction and feel like I learned something new which doesn't happen every day🤔
Brilliant👍
Really appreciate you taking the time to say that, man. Means a lot! Thanks! 😎🤘
Wow! Amazing reaction and explanations!
Please check more Lovebites, love this fabulous metal band!
Greetings from Japan 👍
Greetings to Japan! :) Thank you for the kind words!
Great reaction! One of the best Lovebites reactions I have ever seen. Professionally analyzed.
That's awesome to hear. Thank you for that!
Thank you for your honest reaction. 🤘🤘🤘
Thank you! 🤘
Hi John ! I've been enjoying your reactions for a while now, and I think you are a fresh and welcomed addition to the reactor scene. You enrich my musical experience with your knowledge !
As for Lovebites, I think for laymen like me it's easy to move passed the intricacy of their playing, and see only the pace or technical part of their music. I like Edge of The World and Break the Wall which are two pieces that are not straight forward power or speed metal (they have those too), but have parts that are more deep.
Anyway thnks for doing what you are doing and please keep doing it !
Cheers from Paris (sorry for my so so english, me being French and all ^^)
Been to France many times in my life, love the place! Thanks for the kind words, my friend!
Hey, don't apologise for your English, you expressed far better than many native speakers of English would be able to.
@@skoob64 Thank you man, I do my best :)
MIHO !!! MIHO !!! MIHO !!! (Michaela's already beaten me to HARUNA !!!) 🤘🐺🤘
MIHARUNASAMIDORIYAKO !!!
@@TheCyberMantis There's my new favorite word again ! 🐺
@@brandydynamite5877 It's a good word, cuz.... we LOVE them ALL !!!
Miho Miho Miho! Hey that's my line thanx Brandy lol
@@DavidMISAMISAMISACook Sorry Dave, lots of plagiarism going on these days !!! 🤣
You are so smart musician, good luck 🤟🤟🤟
Thank you for a great reaction, your explanations and analysis raised my experiance of this particular song. In my point of wiew it`s a masterpiece of metal.
This piece was from the concert in ZEPP DIVER CITY TOKYO 2020, almost two hours of great music. 'The best concert i ever heard(my opinion).
Love from Sweden.
PS Haruna(the drummer) is amazing DS.
Hello Sweden! Thank you for your kind words, man!
I could listen to you break down music I love forever. Thank you for your insight, reactors like you add so much to the experience.
Lovely to hear that, Matt. Thanks very much, dude! 😊🤘
What an excellent, informative reaction. This is my favourite band in decades, probably since I discovered Yngwie in the 80s. Obviously some of their music has similarities, but they have a wide range of influences and you can hear that across their catalogue, although you've already noted several. Miho, the bass player and founder, is a huge fan of bands such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Slayer and all those influences make it across. Haruna, the drummer, well, her favourite band is Helloween and again, there are elements of what they do in Lovebites' music. Midori, the guitarist on stage left, is influenced by Yngwie Malmsteen and Kiko Loureiro of Angra. Miyako is a classically trained pianist who switched to guitar (but can also play bass and drums and can sing) is a huge Gary Moore fan (so the Thin Lizzy comparison is apt), as well as Richie Blackmore, but also takes a lot from more modern, less well-known guitarists. Finally, the singer, Asami, was an R&B singer before she joined the band. I would say she's adapted pretty well... some of those R&B stylings really enhance some of Lovebites' songs and make them stand out from some of the more generic metal you might hear. All in all, as you say, they're all amazing at what they do and they don't have any bad songs at all, so if you go down the rabbit hole you're in for a treat. I'd suggest Empty Daydream (live) next, purely for the Rachmaninov piano intro, but don't expect that with every song! Linky here: ruclips.net/video/lXh_uMM94jU/видео.html
good morning from germany. don´t know if you already knew: miyako from lovebites has just released the first official video from her forthcoming solo EP "etude op.23": she has arranged helloweens "eagle fly free" for solo piano and performs it solo. thought, that could be interesting for you. would be great also to see a pro reaction/analysis to that. have a great day.
As far as I know, Miyako was originally there to play second lead while touring as Midori (on the far left) originally played both guitar parts in the studio for the band's first album. They ended up adding her to the lineup and I gotta say it was a good pick. Both ladies are very talented but their approach is very different, even down to stage presence. It just helps add to the overall feel of the band.
it's hard to say that dragonforce is an influence on Lovebites. It is true that they toured Europe together, but I have never heard or read that they are an influence on them. The proof is precisely this song. Composed by Miyako, with clear classical influences.
Excellent reaction with an unusual high grade of insight! Maybe the best reaction to "Swan Song", that I've ever watched. Normally, I would suggest some more LOVEBITES, but in your case, it seems appropriate to point to Miyako's solo work (EP) with her piano covers of well known Heavy Metal songs:
Miyako piano covers (Etude Op.23)
- Eagle Fly Free (Helloween)
- Burn (Deep Purple)
- Battery (Metallica)
- The Loner (Gary Moore)
- Far Beyond The Sun (Yngwie Malmsteen)
- Addicted (LOVEBITES)
They were release in June 2023 (this year), almost two years after this reaction. "Eagle Fly Free" ruclips.net/video/-h3BLRs0Xr4/видео.html is on LOVEBITES RUclips channel, but there's also a playlist for the EP, starting at ruclips.net/video/Z6JXuzW9fPk/видео.html
Fantastic analysis, this is really enjoyable. Some history:
They were formed from the remnants of a legendary all-girl Japanese metal band called Destrose (yes, all-girl metal has been a thing in Japan since at least 1981). Miho (bass, chief metalhead and soul of the band) recruited her former bandmate Haruna (drums, 4'9" “pocket nuke”); they went and found the two guitarists, Midori and Miyako, who were with other bands, and the whole group then found Asami, the singer, who was doing soul and blues at the time (she also trained in ballet). Miho and Miyako compose most of their music, in collaboration with Mao, the lead composer of another band called Lightbringer, but Midori has also been getting into the act. Asami writes a lot of the lyrics.
They have only been around for just shy of 5 years. You mentioned Dragonforce, but they studied all the great historical metal bands going back to Purple and Sabbath, through Maiden, Priest, Metallica, Slayer etc. and they pretty much aced it all. They toured with Dragonforce in 2019, and word from those in attendance is that next time around, it will be the ladies headlining. They have incorporated some of the best of each of those bands into their arsenal, and it seems clear they’re taking it to another level.
They do everything from soulful power ballads to heavy thrash, and almost every song includes face-melting solos by Miyako and Midori. The two guitarists are quite different in style and tone. Midori (blonde ponytail) is the extrovert and speed demon; Miyako is the introvert, with the more soulful feel. Midori uses a cleaner tone, Miyako uses more distortion, pinch harmonics and pedal effects. The contrast makes their duets rich and dynamic. It doesn’t hurt that either one can smoke most of the shredders in the classic metal bands. (As another reactor said, "It seems criminal these two are allowed to be in the same band.") As you saw, Miyako is also a professional-level classical pianist, and was headed for a career in classical music, before picking up the guitar.
You may not go down the Lovebites rabbit hole, but if you do any more by them, the songs to check out are "Edge of the World" and "We the United", back to back: ruclips.net/video/sl0-U-ykJCU/видео.html They form an incredible journey from darkness and despair to light and hope. Also, “Empty Daydream”, which starts as a ballad and becomes a real rocker: ruclips.net/video/lXh_uMM94jU/видео.html
For a thrasher with heavy Metallica vibes, “Break the Wall” ruclips.net/video/G021aP2ao6Y/видео.html includes two gorgeous and completely contrasting solos by M&M.
For a heart-stopping ballad, “Epilogue” ruclips.net/video/1ynnXDfEnnY/видео.html (this includes a second song, your choice whether or not to react to both)
You can’t go wrong with any of their official clips.
Miyako played the backing track and the live ending.
Chopin was raised in Poland, his mother was Polish, but his father was French. He did not name his pieces, and it's disputed, if the Revolutionary Etude was inspired by the things happening in Congress Poland at all or if the name - and this is likely - is part of the nationalist transfiguration that happened after his early death. Anyway, it's good to see a reaction video from someone who knows his stuff..
Definite sounds of classic 80's metal. I felt like I was hearing a bit of Richie Blackmore from Rainbow era as well
Thank you for reviewing Lovebites, one of my favorite bands. In my opinion Lovebites' musical style is little different from other J-metal bands. They are inspired by 80s bands such as Iron Maiden, Helloween, Metalica, and some European music.
These are the recommended songs with piano elements:
- Empty Daydream
- Edge Of The World
- Epilogue
Songs with Metalica/Slayer nuances:
- Thunder Vengeance
- Winds Of Transylvania
- Break The Wall
Perfect Power Metal songs:
- Holy War
- Shadowmaker
- We The United
*avoid live from Bloodstock because of bad audio mixing.
thanks
The etude can be heard in Miyako's Guitar solo later
Great reaction. I’m in no way musical.. like, AT ALL, but I recognise the excellent above the good and that’s what drew me to Lovebites. Miyako is, without a doubt, a prodigy, but in terms of guitar *playing* ability (technically) she defers to Midori (stage right), who is a little overshadowed in this performance because the camera doesn’t even close in on her solo towards the end which I happen to think is extremely melodic and deserved more visual attention. In studio albums they publish lyrics but also intersperse with “Solo - Midori” “Solo - Miyako” “Solo - Dual” and, in the majority of cases Midori takes first solo. More recently it seems evenly balanced and Miyako does the lions share, compositionally, with the others tending to chip in occasionally. I love watching someone who knows what their music discover Lovebites because they always, always give due praise rather than express opinion. Because talent is talent and these girls have it in spades.
Thanks for the kind words and info, Alek!
Most informative reaction ever. If you like great guitar solos, my suggestion: Lovebites - Holy War (Live 2020)
I usually call this one "Miyako Magic"....well, it is! :)
They supported Dragonforce on their last UK Tour.
The bass player (Miho) is influenced greatly by Iron Maiden's Steve Harris. This entire band has so much talent. Definitely some Malmsteen influences as well. Twin guitar leads (Miyako is the more classical, Midori is a shred monster), trading solos/answering is pretty common in most of their songs I've heard. That drummer (Haruna) is a little nuclear plant....incredible energy.
These ladies are insanely talented, you're correct about influences, Iron Maiden definitely, 80's old skool metal too, Slayer, Helloween, also Gary Moore & Ritchie Blackmore, all this while adding their own melodic, positive and self emitting sound. I first discovered them at The Roadmenders, Northampton, England 2019 when they supported Dragonforce, they blew me and my 4 friends away, so once again you were bang on the money. Miyako composed the backing piano & ending to the song herself iirc. Fantastic reaction, one of the best I've come across. subscribed🤘
Thank you, Saul!
Asami, Lead Vocals; Haruna, Drums & co-founder; Miho, Bass & co-founder (recently resigned from band); Miyako, Lead Guitar and Keyboards; Midori, 2nd Guitar. All of them are beautiful in their own way. I have dubbed Haruna (the energizer bunny, because she just never slows down... or so it seems; I believe she could out kick an Ostrich). They are ALL masters of their instruments. Asami studied Ballet in the U S A, for a few years; you can tell by her gracefulness. Note: Asami is probably the smallest of the ladies: 4'11" I think I read somewhere. Miyako and Miho are both near the same height at 5'7" give or take a couple of inches.
You're the only reactor that I like who's analysis I always look forward to hearing. Keep up the great work. Lovebites "Holy War" Live is just savage as well.
Damn that's some deep knowledge on music history.
Great tecnical analysis. If you want to continue you can react to: "Epilogue" or "Empty daydream" with Rachmaninoff intro. Thanks!
Thank you for that. Rachmaninoff is one of my favourites so that would be worth checking!
@@JWSoundworks2 Rachmaninoff ? How about Above the Black Sea.
Great analysis - and I am learning something - thanks.
Iam in love from Bolivia Latinoamerica, LOVEBITES, Guitarists Miyako and Midori are both from the city of Osaka, both took piano lessons for years (Midori also learned organ), and both took up the guitar relatively late. Midori went to music school - Musicians Institute Osaka branch, where one of her instructors was the late Mikio Fujioka, lead guitarist of Babymetal's Kami Band - and Miyako is basically self-taught. Miyako made use of a well-known instructional book series, whose title literally translated into English is "Mechanical Training Phrases from Hell", working her way through the entire guitar series. There are versions of these instructional books for bass and drums too, and there's hardly a Japanese musician on those instruments who hasn't studied them.
The outro Midori solo guitar and Miyako solo piano is amazing.
Metal and classical is perfect combination.
This is the most information-rich Lovebites reaction I've heard since Wave Potter. Most are poverty-stricken from the point of view of content, the equivalent of meaningless heavy breathing. A VERY pleasant suprise.
Some Japanese bands. Take your pick: BAND-MAID [All their songs... really!], LOVEBITES [Raise some Hell, and all the other songs], MAXIMUM THE HORMONE [Yoshu Fukushu], DEXCORE [Red Eye], CROSSFAITH [Catastrophe], SiM [Killing Me], NINGEN ISU [Heartless Scat], UNLUCKY MORPHEUS [Black Pentagram], YOUSEI TEIKOKU [Astral Dogma], COLDRAIN [Die Tomorrow], CRYSTAL LAKE [The Circle], GIVEN BY THE FLAMES [Ronove], ANGRY FROG REBIRTH [2Step Syndrome], SILENTLY SHOOTING TRAITORS [Manipulate], ALDIOUS [Dominator], BRIDEAR [Light in the Dark], CINQ ELEMENT [Destiny], MARY'S BLOOD [Marionette], GRAUPEL [Bereavement], DOLL$BOXX [Take my Chance], SOKONINARU [Tenohira De Odoru], HELLO SLEEPWALKERS [Flying Saucer], TELECiDE [Tied up Memories], NEKO [Ghost on a Record], ROTTENGRAFFTY [Hallelujah], LYNCH [Devil], DIR EN GREY [Ningen wo Kaburu], X JAPAN [Kurenai], DAZZLE VISION [Second], JUPITER [My Enemy], GALNERYUS [Angel of Salvation], BLOOD STAIN CHILD [Del-Sol], NEMOPHILA [Dissension], DADAROMA [Lucid Dream], JILUKA [Suzaku], HANABIE [We Love Sweets], and many many more...
I think Miyako also turns to Dvorik some
I attended a Chopin recital a few years ago in the arts theatre Armagh where Nikolay Demidemko performed and also talking about the specific pieces in terms of their history and composition!! Your take on the "etude" was done in similar fashion, good to hear!! As for the song there is a classical theme running through the piece but if you are talking about a classical derived melody " Whiter shade of pale" is the go to which is highly influenced by Bach!! Great reaction 😎
Thanks dude! Yeah - hard to beat Whiter Shade of Pale. You should check out the King Curtis (saxophone) live recording of it. It's incredible. If you've ever seen Withnail And I you'll have probably noticed it in the soundtrack.
Seen Demidenko perform over here, too. Does he live here now? Seems to pop up performing fairly regularly.
Not influenced by DragonForce, but the two bands have played together and are friends. Massively influenced by Iron Maiden, Helloween, 80s Thrash Metal bands, and basically 80s metal generally. I'm sure DragonForce have many of the same influences, especially where it comes to Power Metal.
They have two lead guitar players, neither is a main or secondary guitarist. Midori's more of a shredder of the Yngwie variety, whereas Miyako's influences are more on the Gary Moore side. Bluesy type playing with lots of feeling behind it. Midori on the other hand is a speed demon. This particular piece was a Miyako showpiece, but Midori's equally talented and I'd venture to say she's arguably the technically superior player, even though now people are going to yell at me in the comments.
They do in fact have a "sixth member" who also plays keyboards. His name is Mao, and he's the secondary composer, Miyako being the primary one. They both have classical backgrounds. She composed Swan Song, and based it around Chopin's Revolutionary Etude and Dvorak's New World Symphony. You can hear distinct phrases from the Chopin piece in her solo. I think it was a stroke of genius to use the actual Chopin Etude the song was based on as the song's intro in this live version (it's not on the album version).
Really enjoyable reaction/analysis video. Long, but not boring.
Excellent info, thanks for that! Interesting to hear about the sixth member. I was chastised by someone else for suggesting such a thing and now I know it is actually true lol. Thank you! 😊🤘
@@JWSoundworks2 Just to avoid some potential confusion, Mao the "sixth member" works with LOVEBITES in the studio only.
He doesn't play with them Live. All extra tracks you hear in their Live performances are backing tracks controlled by the drummer Haruna.
Just brilliant ! That is all.
LOVEBITES 🐺 INCREDIBLE
They even played together with dragonForce. Amazing Analysis, really enjoyed it. Maybe you can do some more of them (Holy war live, Shadowmaker)
Miyako is more for Gary Moore and Blackmore
Thank you for a very informative analysis. I like how you breakdown the songs, and I hope you can give a listen to Dystopia Symphony, one of my favorites from Lovebites' newest EP album. I think the song is written by Miyako as a tribute to Beethoven. She references the Moonlight Sonata and the Pathetique as basis for this composition. There are no videos, but the audio "video" is readily available.
Glory to the World (official video) is pretty solid song, maybe less classical and more powermetalish but worth checking out
The two guitarist are just unreal
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based on your intro song, which is awesome, you definitely were the right person to react to chopin+swan song!
not sure if someone else mentioned it, but Miyako stated she didn't really like the Roland. Evidently it has plastic keys, and she prefers wood. In later videos she plays on a different piano.
Wow, "Picardy third" !! Would have never known there was a name for that progression. Thanks!!
This band reminds me of Rising Force/Yngwie Malmsteen, is it just me?
Nice choice of VH albums :) And yes, big Yngwie vibes!
man, you really know your shit from all musical genres. most excellent!
Midori the blonde guitarist loves Malmsteen
And Kiko Loureiro, and Michael Romeo!
@@TheCyberMantis never heard of them
@@evilvolts Oh Yikes. Well.... you have some serious homework to do.
Great analysis and breakdown! I'm subscribing!
You're one of the first reactors/commentators to mention shades of Testament in their style and form. I noticed that in another couple of songs of theirs. Even as you were mentioning the waves of Chopin piano I was thinking "wait for it.." hehehe. Nice one man. Have a dig into their stuff.. they're quite brilliant, as this suggests.
Miyako is so taleted. She revoded that playback part beforehand. She is incredible to mach the speed of the song whilst recording backtrack.
Wow what a breakdown. Bravo.
Not sure if anyone said anything about this, but from what I understand, the piano bits were played and recorded by Miyako, and are tracks that she controls with a pedal. The finale she actually plays live.
OMG 😸 whatta reaction.. i just enjoy the music. Now i know the details every minute 😲🤟
Your analysis and review is just wonderful. I don't mind all the pauses. I enjoy every comment of yours.
The Etude has meaning to be the introduction of Swan Song. The theme of Swan Song is death and dedication of heroes, and honor and glory. Chopin Revolutionary Etude is just for that, isn't it.
As you mentioned, Miyako the pianist confessed in an interview that she was uncomfortable with the Roland electronic piano to play Etude because the touch is totally different from a real grand piano.
Yes, the Dean USA Icon is modified. Miyako is explaining how it is in this clip. ruclips.net/video/9pYWabx3OXo/видео.html
Lovebites is formed in 2016 but actually became active in 2017.
Have a good one.
Interesting to find out I was on the right track regarding the digital/acoustic aspect. Thanks for that! Thank you for the info and kind words!
Nice, you nailed it about the backing tracks. Different level of hard to play to, allows Miyako to be two places at once, adds symphonic synth swells and choir…
Miyako’s first guitar solo, dunno for sure if the chords are from another piece, but the descending line near the beginning is lifted directly from the Etude she’d just played. The solo is on the recording, I’m guessing playing the Etude live was someone else’s idea who was in on that inspired bit, she’s said this show was divided for her around the Etude, she was nervous the whole time until she’d survived reciting it!
Re Deans and Fishman, here’s a long but good interview regarding her gear, signature model, approach to her evolving sound, etc. Part 1, good subtitles, but long tho (too much to react anyway) ruclips.net/video/_XgOvuh0kzk/видео.html
New sub here! I think You are gonna loooove Galneryus / Angel of Salvation (live) about powermetal with classical influences.
Welcome aboard, David. Thank you!
LOVEBITES - Break the Wall ( _SLAYER_ )
LOVEBITES - The Crusade ( _IRON MAIDEN_ )
Miho Miho Miho! wondered why you had soooo many down thumbs but you said Band-Maid in a Lovebites Reaction ps. I love them Both but there is a faction in each camp that is FANatical
Sad but true! I just love them both! 🙂
i think his reaction is great, very knowledgeable, but i think the down votes are the length 30 plus minutes, and other were complaining about the pauses, not sure about the band maid mention, probably didn't help...but i up voted the review, as i said before, i enjoyed it.
There is a track from their EP, also has Live concert from Battle in the East and Daughters of the red dawn, is hard to find in YT, which is heavily influenced by Sergei Rachmaninoff
Love Rachmaninoff, that'd be worth checking. Thanks!
I just don't like backing tracks if the current musicians are not able to play the parts themselves, that is not up for discussion with Lovebites, the technical skills are undoubtedly available, they don't hide anything so everything is at its best. Great deep reaction
Amazing commentary. Thank you.
23:30 I love your deep-end reactions going into the structure and substance of a musical piece. And its hard to do it on the fly - I am sure I couldn't! However, at this point, I am pretty sure these were not what you guess to be prerecorded ooh-ooh vocals, I would vouch it was the audience singing the melody over the top of the mayhem! You can see also the singer, Asami, encouraging the public, so I think what we get here is just the benefit of a Live performance in front of a rapturous fans. :)
Thats a very detailed but thank you. im tired watching some reactions from people who didnt even know music yet they said all lovebites songs sounded same to them (similar)
Anything of Lovebites from the 2020 Tokyo Zep Diver City concert is worth a listen. If you like the neoclassical influence and want to explore more Japanese metal, Unlucky Morpheus is another interesting band. They combine clean female vocals with scream and also feature a violinist. Black Pentagram is a good introduction to their music. Another of their songs, a bit of a two for one called Cadaver Revadac is played both forward and backwards. I suggest a sheet music video for that one.
My fav band from jpn, and all girl band rock like Aldious, Lovebites, Marryblood, Nemophila
It’s a backing track by Miyako though in one video she plays keyboards one handed while playing her guitar with the other.
Generally, Chopin, or romantic music for that matter, is not my cup of tea. I am more a Bach (I'm German after all) or Beethoven, Rachmaninow person. But in this context, it is really enjoyable.
I've seen this several times and this video is my favorite by Lovebites.
And those ladies definitely got balls. Like a friend of mine from Scotland answered to "Who can wear a kilt?": Everyone, you just need the balls to do so.
On another note are you a Scot? You sound at least like someone from the north of the island. For my German ears, this is more pleasing than RP.
Mary's Blood.another great band from Japan. $ ladies who are awesome. The 5th person you'll see at concerts is an employee'.