Last year, a Japanese 時代劇 (Japanese samurai period movie) movie was released titled 「メタル侍」 (Metal Samurai). And now it’s out on DVD.
In case you couldn’t tell by the title, this is not an average 時代劇 (Japanese samurai period movie). It’s quite tongue-in-cheek.
I can’t help but think that the writers of this movie were inspired by the success of the Japanese movie Detroit Metal City…because, besides both movies having the word “metal” in the title, in both movies the hero wears make-up similar to the make-up of the American band “KISS“.
Another unique thing about this movie is that not only does the hero wear KISS Kabuki-style make-up…but he’s also an 外人タレント (actor who’s a foreigner).
The movie’s website is in 日本語 (Japanese) with one page in English…click here to visit it.
+++
Also, there seems to be a number of Western (American / European) artists who are making Japan-themed work these days.
Of course, KISS is quite Japan-themed…with their kabuki style make-up and they have a song titled “God Of Thunder“…some people speculate that KISS got the title for that song from the Japanese 雷神 (God Of Thunder), who is usually with the 風神 (God Of Wind):
In fact, KISS‘s latest album 地獄烈伝 (“Hell’s Biography“) has the 雷神 (God Of Thunder) on the cover:
(It’s a Japan-only release, BTW. The English title is “KISSology“).
KISS also often uses the Japanese character for “Power“: 「力」…and their second album, “Hotter Than Hell“, had alot Japanese writing on it (albeit with many mistakes…for example: Ace Frehley‘s name is written in Japanese as: 「エース・フレーリー」…but on the KISS album it’s mistakenly written as: 「エイス・フューリ」):
More recently, Anthrax‘s 2004 album “The Greater Of Two Evils” has 「スラッシュ・メタル」 (“Thrash Metal”) written in Japanese on the cover:
Zebrahead released an album in 2001 titled “Stupid Fat Americans” with a Geisha on the cover:
Even more recently, both Eric Martin (of Mr. Big) and Andrew W.K. have each released an album on which they remake Japanese pop songs.
And Sum 41‘s new album is called 「ザ・ベスト・オブ SUM ★ 41」 (“The Best Of SUM ★ 41“). The album cover shows the band’s likeness in a Japanese 弁当 (lunch box) and says “8 Years of Blood, Sake and Tears” on a pair of 割箸 (disposable chopsticks).
Tokyo Five 
>I know OF Lordi, but I haven’t heard any of their music.
Really?
Look at:
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=OKS-ZRRstEE
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=QLbEw7rrVcQ&feature=channel
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=cQfsCOTV-H4&feature=channel
and if you like them…you can find more on YouTube.
>never cared for Slipknot
Not even:
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=1i_72iKvbtI
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=v_09wFxoaeQ&feature=related
or
their most popular song, probably… http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5FYQHsluDw&feature=related
LikeLike
I know OF Lordi, but I haven’t heard any of their music. I know that Bruce Kulick did a solo on one of their albums.
I like Alice and Marilyn…never cared for Slipknot. I just don’t like any of their songs.
LikeLike
GWAR! 😀
Have you heard of the band Lordi?
I like bands like that…KISS, Lordi, Slipknot, Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson, etc.
LikeLike
I got the first GWAR album that way. Long before Beavis and Butthead made them famous. I just saw the tape, started laughing and bought it.
LikeLike
>just playing it…all the way through, first song to last.
Of course! 🙂
And I discovered some great albums just because I bought it after seeing the album cover and deciding it looked cool.
For example, before I heard their music…I bought these albums (and was glad I did):
– Skid Row (debut album)
– Warrant “Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich”
– Dangerous Toys (debut album)
– Slaughter “Stick It To Ya”
– Guns ‘N Roses “Live ?!★＊Like A Suicide” (before their “Appetite For Destruction” album)
LikeLike
Oh…and Best Buy is one of the biggest retailers in America. They deal in electronics and appliances. (Computers, TVs, washers, dryers.) They also sell phones, mp3 players, video game systems, etc.
Along with all of that, they have a pretty huge CD/video game/DVD section.
LikeLike
Yeah. I miss it too in a way.
Where I grew up we had a ‘mom n pop’ place. Once a week I was in there…for hours. I would just look at everything and the owners would play all kinds of music.
Then picking out the album. Then just playing it…all the way through, first song to last. Reading the insert while listened.
Having said that…most of the time I order my music via iTunes now.
LikeLike
I never heard of Best Buy. And I can’t believe people buy music at K-Mart or Wal-Mart!
When I was a teenager in America, me and my friends all got records (then it became cassettes, then CDs) at the nearby Peaches Records.
Actually, I don’t buy music so much anymore (getting older)…but I think buying music “pre-internet” was more fun! Finding out (from a radio station or magazine) that a band you like had released a new album…then going to the record store and buying the album and enjoying, not just the music but also the album cover’s art and liner notes!
LikeLike
I wouldn’t say people don’t buy CDs anymore…but it’s definitely dying off. I don’t know of ANY “mom ‘n’ pop” music stores anywhere near where I live. It’s all the big-box stores. (Best Buy, Kmart, Wal-Mart, etc.)
Chains focused on entertainment/music are disappearing: Tower, Sam Goody, Coconuts, etc. They still exist, but they used to be all over the place.
LikeLike
Sir Pent…
Do people still buy albums in America? I heard that noone buys them there anymore…only downloading songs! And that record stores are all closing up in America.
In Japan, people have MP3 players…but buying (and renting) CDs is still popular. HMV record stores, Tower Records (including the world’s biggest Tower Records), and many used CD / record shops are all over Japan (and are popular still)!
LikeLike
@CDs:
Depending on where you get a CD and what kind of goodies are included, you are looking at anywhere from $9.99 up to $17 for a single or even up to $22-$23 for double albums. Older releases go at discounts, new releases go for more.
@Kissology:
The version I saw available on Amazon didn’t appear to make mention of the bonus DVD…but I can’t say that I read all the details. Getting that concert would definitely make it worth it.
I’m sure Peter DID complain…as he always does about everything…but after his ONE FOR ALL album, nobody is listening to him anymore.
@Ikons:
I had actually done that in the past when I first got a CD burner…I made my own greatest hits collection for each member. Threw them out when I switched to iPod.
(I’ll bet my collections were better song choices than what’s going to end up on Ikons!!)
LikeLike
Sir Pent…
>I can get it through Amazon for $41.
What’s the average price of a CD in America nowadays? They were US $10-12 when I lived there.
>LOT of people are hating that album.
Really? The limited edition version comes with a bonus DVD of KISS’s concert in Tokyo in 1977.
And on the CD, there’s a great version of Black Diamond with Eric Singer on vocals! (I’m surprised Peter Criss didn’t complain like he did when Eric Carr sang Beth on “Smashes…”!)
>Have you heard about the new Ikons boxset?
I’ve heard about it…but I won’t buy it. As you said…I have enough KISS Greatest Hits albums!
LikeLike
You probably did mention it, but I’m a doofus.
I can get it through Amazon for $41. Having read many of the reviews there, though…whew…LOT of people are hating that album.
Have you heard about the new Ikons boxset? In essence it’s a greatest hits package, but with a disc dedicated to each original member. I like the idea but it’s just the idea of ANOTHER greatest hits album. Tired of them. How many times am I going to pay for the same songs over and over? (Who am I kidding? I’ll end up buying it.)
LikeLike
>I didn’t realize that the songs on that Japanese album were RE-recorded.
I’m sure I mentioned it. But, yes, those songs are all re-recorded by KISS with their current drummer and lead guitarist.
>Did you say whether or not it was worth it?
Yes…I think it is. Especially to a KISS fan!
How much does it cost in the U.S.?
LikeLike
What I’ll never understand is that people keep financing Gene’s endeavors and business ventures…even though he has failed at everything unrelated to KISS.
Of course, that is all addressed in my posting about Gene:
– – – – – – – – – – – –
I didn’t realize that the songs on that Japanese album were RE-recorded.
Maybe I should see if I can order it? Did you say whether or not it was worth it?
LikeLike
Sir Pent…
Re: #1…He’s always trying some business venture, it seems.
Re: #2…I hope they make a new album (even though, a while back, they said they’re not going to make anymore KISS albums).
KISS’s only album with Tommy and Eric Singer is a remake of their greatest hits (the for Japan only album that I mentioned in this post, called 「地獄烈伝」 (”Hell’s Biography“)…I’d like to hear some more new songs (that are good!).
LikeLike
1) Gene is about to fail in Canada now. After failing twice at launching Simmons Records…he’s now going to try a third time strictly in Canada. Teaming up with Universal Records in Canada he is going to make 3 acts famous up north…and THEN take them worldwide.
2) Gene and Paul are both saying that KISS might actually record a new album for next year with Eric and Tommy. Paul is slated to produce. (Why not…they did such great jobs producing themselves on Asylum and Hot In The Shade.)
LikeLike
Before I came to Japan, I thought 「力」 must’ve meant “kiss”, too!
There’s a reason KISS uses that character…but it’d take a bit of explaining to make it clear.
I haven’t seen the movie yet…but I don’t think there are any other KISS references in it.
LikeLike
I never knew that “力” meant power. I always assumed it meant kiss.
So have you seen this movie Metal Samurai? Is there any KISS reference other than the make-up?
LikeLike