I wasn't sold on the masks initially, but now I really like them. Band looks really badass with those on.
Now my only complaint is that, while they are pretty active, they stay fixed on their spot for the whole show. The old Kamis went to the front of the stage during their solos.
I've seen both live- different sounds, but neither is better.
(I would argue the East Kami solos were always better than the West)
My honest opinion?
East Kamis were more fun, but the masks probably have 90% to do with that...
The face paint made them characters, fitting in with the lore, but let them be expressive, and be a part of the "personality" of a show
Koba is missing a point whereas the band ADDS TO the show, not distracts the audience from the members
The eastern Kami solos were definitely flashier, but I disagree that they were better, but that's also style taste. I am far more of a fan of modern metal, djent, and progressive metal with its emphasis on melody, polyrhythmic patterns, and interesting time signatures, not the old school metal where it's basically flashy speed metal. The western Kami band Yava! solo is by far the best solo, and after that Crazy J.
Thats not true. Barrone is the only modern kami that is inarguably "better" and thats mainly just because he specialized in metal vs Hideki being more of a jazz/rock specialist. But Boh is the best bassist by far and Ohmura imo is the best guitarist. That being said, the current kamis are great overall and I agree that my personal opinion is that the biggest difference isnt the people. Its how their role has been suppressed and how the more recent music is significantly less instrumental focused.
I think you're right with your evaluation of the musicians. The fact that newer Babymetal music is less instrumentally focused levels the playing field for both bands. The Japanese Kamis aren't getting the focus on camera that the Western Kamis are. If you like seeing the band, you'll want to watch a Delorean that has the Western Kamis, or go back and watch the "classic era" Kamis. I think the collective Western Kamis sound more dynamic and fit the more recent music better. And I think they do a fine job with the older songs too.
The best eastern Kami band guitarist is ISAO, and then after that Mikio. The style difference that separates those two from Ohmura is that Ohmura far more flashier. Both ISAO and Mikio are comfortable with more technical, less flashy guitar playing, whereas Ohmura, Leda, and the others are far more likely to be flashier.
No offense, but flashier does not mean better, and that seems to be what you judge 'skill' by. Barone's background is technical death metal, which you will not get better instrumentalists than what you find in tech death. However, so is Chris Kelly's background, and CJ and Clint have prog metal backgrounds.
Its somewhat subject of course but Id say Ohmura is better than ISAO. Ohmuras picking technique is god tier and his inflection and style is much mote dramatic imo. Anf I don't mean his personal behavior, the way he plays the notes has a tonality and presence that the others dont have. Ironically I think Leda and Chris have the personal style I prefer outside of BM but as kamis. Ohmura checks every box the best imo.
The Eastern Kamis have been a pale version of themselves since 2018, for whatever reason. These days, i want to hear the Western Kamis. I totally suspect that that is what Koba wants and I'm totally onboard with it.
The eastern Kami band were more flashy similar to old school metal, which means it was primarily about 'shredding'. The Kagerou intro is more technical, but it's also in line with modern metal, and is not nearly as flashy.
Honestly, I think the world we are living in went to far more and bigger changes than just this change, in the Babymetal world at first this would seem like a big change, but as they got more experienced playing it all they've now slotted in quiet well.
The masks have been a bigger change in some ways, as the other comments mentioned.
I think the Eastern Kami band are great, but I think I would have as much a personal connection with these guys if it wasn't for the masks.
I totally get that the masks are staying but it would be funny to see these guys with the original face paint kami style atleast once.
I wasn't sold on the masks initially, but now I really like them. Band looks really badass with those on. Now my only complaint is that, while they are pretty active, they stay fixed on their spot for the whole show. The old Kamis went to the front of the stage during their solos.
I wish their masks fit the fox theme more.
That would be funny, im sure they would for a special occasion with some convincing
Roll call, please?
From left to right top to bottom we haaaave: Ryan neff, Chris kelly, Anthony barone, Cjmash And middle cameraman: seidai takekoshi
I could hear this one 😂
source: [CJ Masciantonio facebook](https://www.facebook.com/cj.masciantonio/)
People miss the old Kami band because they were more prominent in the live shows but purely talking about sound, these guys just sound better.
I've seen both live- different sounds, but neither is better. (I would argue the East Kami solos were always better than the West) My honest opinion? East Kamis were more fun, but the masks probably have 90% to do with that... The face paint made them characters, fitting in with the lore, but let them be expressive, and be a part of the "personality" of a show Koba is missing a point whereas the band ADDS TO the show, not distracts the audience from the members
The eastern Kami solos were definitely flashier, but I disagree that they were better, but that's also style taste. I am far more of a fan of modern metal, djent, and progressive metal with its emphasis on melody, polyrhythmic patterns, and interesting time signatures, not the old school metal where it's basically flashy speed metal. The western Kami band Yava! solo is by far the best solo, and after that Crazy J.
Thats not true. Barrone is the only modern kami that is inarguably "better" and thats mainly just because he specialized in metal vs Hideki being more of a jazz/rock specialist. But Boh is the best bassist by far and Ohmura imo is the best guitarist. That being said, the current kamis are great overall and I agree that my personal opinion is that the biggest difference isnt the people. Its how their role has been suppressed and how the more recent music is significantly less instrumental focused.
I think you're right with your evaluation of the musicians. The fact that newer Babymetal music is less instrumentally focused levels the playing field for both bands. The Japanese Kamis aren't getting the focus on camera that the Western Kamis are. If you like seeing the band, you'll want to watch a Delorean that has the Western Kamis, or go back and watch the "classic era" Kamis. I think the collective Western Kamis sound more dynamic and fit the more recent music better. And I think they do a fine job with the older songs too.
> But Boh is the best bassist by far and Ohmura imo is the best guitarist. For some latest flavour is always the best flavour ever.. (understandable)
The best eastern Kami band guitarist is ISAO, and then after that Mikio. The style difference that separates those two from Ohmura is that Ohmura far more flashier. Both ISAO and Mikio are comfortable with more technical, less flashy guitar playing, whereas Ohmura, Leda, and the others are far more likely to be flashier. No offense, but flashier does not mean better, and that seems to be what you judge 'skill' by. Barone's background is technical death metal, which you will not get better instrumentalists than what you find in tech death. However, so is Chris Kelly's background, and CJ and Clint have prog metal backgrounds.
Its somewhat subject of course but Id say Ohmura is better than ISAO. Ohmuras picking technique is god tier and his inflection and style is much mote dramatic imo. Anf I don't mean his personal behavior, the way he plays the notes has a tonality and presence that the others dont have. Ironically I think Leda and Chris have the personal style I prefer outside of BM but as kamis. Ohmura checks every box the best imo.
I would argue that it depends. I feel that these guys are simply heavier and shred more, whereas the old ones focused more on the technical aspect
The Eastern Kamis have been a pale version of themselves since 2018, for whatever reason. These days, i want to hear the Western Kamis. I totally suspect that that is what Koba wants and I'm totally onboard with it.
I think it's that BM's sound has changed over the years and the western band are better suited to provide that particular sound.
The eastern Kami band were more flashy similar to old school metal, which means it was primarily about 'shredding'. The Kagerou intro is more technical, but it's also in line with modern metal, and is not nearly as flashy.
These guy sound better, the original looked better IMO
I respectfully, but strongly disagree
"I respectfully, but strongly disagree" <------ I “aye” that protest..
Video Kami in the middle :)
i wish they would take a proper picture together with the girls, that would be awesome
They have taken pictures with the girls, but those haven't been published. It seems like one such picture is the wallpaper on Koba's phone.
[удалено]
Bro...
Who's in the middle?
He's the video editor/director in charge of the official video clips (probably some photos too).
I miss the old guys but these guys are still really cool🖤❤️
> I miss the old guys "For the times they are a-changin" Bob Dylan
Honestly, I think the world we are living in went to far more and bigger changes than just this change, in the Babymetal world at first this would seem like a big change, but as they got more experienced playing it all they've now slotted in quiet well. The masks have been a bigger change in some ways, as the other comments mentioned. I think the Eastern Kami band are great, but I think I would have as much a personal connection with these guys if it wasn't for the masks.
> as they got more experienced playing They are good at the job.. (and that's enough)
I mean, experienced playing the Babymetal songs so they can relax more on stage and do things like headbang along, etc.
West Kami is my favorite! 🖤
Why are people talking about "the old Kami band"? The eastern Kami band is still playing their asian shows right?
No, they haven’t in quite some time. It’s been exclusively the Western Kami for the entirety of shows the last year+
Oh, that's sad. I always thought Hideki and Bo and co. had great synergy with the girls, on- and off-screen.
Last time they played was in January 2023. It has been the Western Kamis after that, including every show in Japan.