Miho from LOVEBITES has a well metal Slaylist.
The Lovebites bassist is metal as fuck, so chances are you’ll dig the mix she’s made us
“MY FIRST ENCOUNTER
with heavy metal was NIGHTWISH’S Fantasmic. Up until this point in my life I mostly listened to classical music and anime theme songs (the more intense, the better). I can still remember the goosebumps this song originally gave me! It’s a long song containing loads of development while keeping the beauty and elegance of classical music. I love it.
When it comes to melodic power metal, Denial of Fate by LOST HORIZON is my absolute favourite. I’ve yet to find a song more exhilarating than this, I want you to go and listen to it right now. While you’re there, also go and listen to the metal beast that is Prowler by IRON MAIDEN. For me, this song is the soul of metal and is the reason I started to play bass. Although it has sharp guitar riffs and one hell of an intro, it also has a heavy emphasis on the importance of its bass sound. Listening to this made me look at bass in a whole new way.
The Sentinel off of JUDAS PRIEST’S Defenders Of The Faith is one of their tracks that expresses this metal legend’s charm to the fullest. A clear, catchy and emotional guitar vocal melody and plenty of dramatic development – some of my favourite things! There’s a sad impression to this song, and I’ve noticed that that kind of melancholy draws me in.
Speaking of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, my metal playlist isn’t complete without a bit of MANOWAR. Kings Of Metal is at the level that I can only wish to achieve one day. It oozes levels of power I can only dream of possessing.
A few years ago I made a promise to myself that I’m not allowed to die until I get to sing the chorus back during one of their shows, and in 2014 I finally got that chance when they came to Japan.
I listen to all sorts of metal, not just the classics. When I was in high school I was in a PANTERA cover band with some friends. I used to listen to Cowboys From Hell over and over. There’s a masculinity to it that I really enjoyed being absorbed in when covering it. The guitar riffs and rhythmic unisons are so much fun to play too, I really enjoyed playing it when I was starting to play bass. It’s difficult for beginners, and I wasn’t very good at it at the time but I would love to cover it again someday.
My favourite thrash metal band is ANTHRAX. Many of their songs are bright and melodic. Lone Justice from Spreading The Disease starts with a bass guitar and continues to have a wonderful chorus, I love the way the words sound. The whole song’s exhilarating. I like the emotion placed in the mid-tempo of the band’s John Bush era. The contrast between the verse guitar riffs and the melodic guitar solos is also beautiful. I have to sing along when this song plays.
Getting Away With Murder from PAPA ROACH is one of my top heavy rock songs. The rap elements of their previous work started to fade in favour of more emotional vocals and I think this song shines brightest from this period of their career. Also, gotta love that distorted bass sound.
When I need a bit of metalcore, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE’S Rose Of Sharyn is my go-to song. I like the combination of its intensity with the tranquillity of the vocals and lyrics, written about the loss of Howard Jones’s grandmother.
I’m also really enjoying AS I LAY DYING’S latest album, Shaped By Fire. It was released after a seven-year blank period, and I believe it’s one of the finest metalcore records out there. The album’s intro slowly builds until being torn apart by Blinded’s brilliant intro riff that’s packed with identity. If you haven’t guessed yet, I’m partial to a melodious chorus and solos mixed with explosive emotions. This song has them all! I hope they never falter from their path.”
LOVEBITES’ FOUR-TRACK SINGLE, GOLDEN DESTINATION, IS OUT NOW VIA JPU
“I WAS IN A PANTERA COVER BAND”