Maximum The Hormone: Sick

By Nick Pinder

おはようございま～す

Summer is almost here and I am READY. While I’ve been driving with my windows down and letting the wind blow past my head, I’ve been blasting some summer tunes and definitely surprising some Japanese people. I don’t intentionally do it. I just feel the music and need to dance around.

JUST LIKE THIS GUY. WHAT A BANGER.

 

I’ve been all over the place with music lately. By that I mean, I haven’t really been listening to a lot of music. This past month I’ve mainly been listening to Podcasts. They’re fun and a nice break because I feel like I can be apart of a conversation without having to actually exert any effort. (cue the meme)

 

 

Some of the podcasts I like and have been regularly listening to are:

• Abroad in Japan – The same YouTube guy
• H3 Podcast – Vape Naysh Y’all.
• Serial – Like the most popular podcast right now tbh
• S-Town – Serial’s little brother about a fascinating man from Alabama, USA.
• Strange Nerve – Taylor Madison from Superheaven (RIP) talks with people in the music scene
• Notes in Advanced Spanish – A married couple sit down and talk about life in Spanish

This month’s artist is rather eccentric. Maybe they could be the Japanese equivalent of System of a Down? They’re not quite metal, but they’re not quite rock. Hard rock sounds like an insult as well.

So here we go. This month’s artist is…

MAXIMUM THE HORMONE（マキシマム ザ ホルモン)

Name: マキシマム ザ ホルモン
Hometown: Hachiouji, Tokyo
Genre: Alternative Metal, Harcore Punk
Members :
*All descriptions come from the band’s English website. It’s a great site, go explore it*
– Daisuke-han – Jumping and Yelling Freak (Screaming Vocals)
– Nao – Thumping and Singing Big Sister (Drums/Vocals)
– Maximum the Ryo-kun – Singing and Plucking Little Brother (Guitar/Clean Vocals)
– Ue-chan – Slapping Bony Guy (Bass)

Most recent release:
耳噛じる 真打 (2017) – VAP

 

This band is sick.  They put out song after song, album after album of riff packed songs and haven’t lost any bit of energy. They first formed in the late 90’s, released a full length right away and then had a few members change. Since the member change, the band has been going strong—with the exception of a hiatus for the vocalist’s throat surgery and a 2nd one for the drummer’s pregnancy/maternity leave, and a 3rd one for the drummer to try to get pregnant again.

The only thing cooler than this band is the crowd that comes to see them. Everyone is bobbing their heads in unison and giving their all during the performance. It’s already incredible to see in video form; I can only imagine what it would be like to be on stage and see all that energy.

Here’s that video: 

The band is known for having a “quirky” aesthetic to them. I think the best way to explain this is that Ryo-kun constantly wears toilet sundals while he plays live. As you know the toilet sandals are only to be worn while using the restroom and always extremely small (at least for me). The fans noticed this and so naturally the band launched a merchandise package of a T-shirt and limited edition Maximum the Hormone toilet sandals. His reason is that he doesn’t like shoes and hates shopping for them. Ryo-kun is featured in his in his underwear in the following photo; notice the toilet slippers?

As a way to promote their latest full length “Yoshu Fukushu”, they filmed themselves dancing in front of a green screen to the last song entitled「恋のスペルマ」. It’s an incredible video and really gives you a good idea of the band’s personality. I’m not kidding when I say the entire video is just them dancing. It even gets better because at the end they change the green screen so that they’re dancing in front of world landmarks. It’s so good.

Like previously mentioned, the band could be described as the Japanese System of a Down. Their songs can be soft and delicate, anthemic, and borderline death-core/doom inspired at points. All four members contribute vocal efforts, both cleanly sung and screamed, throughout their songs. Let’s listen to a few right now.

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おすすめ：

小さな君の手

This video is actually two songs combined to make one song. The first song – 小さな君の手 – is a lovely little jingle about protecting someone’s happiness and making sure their future will be a pleasant one. Everyone sports their singing voice, with countless cute, happy and fun melodies accompanied by sharp, poking guitar chords, a bouncy drum beat, and a fun bass line to tie it all together. It’s cute, triumphant and easily the soundtrack to your favorite anime about friendship.
Truly a pleasant sound to your ears.

The video then goes into the second song – Maximum the Hormone – starting out with a slow, anthemic metal riff. It’s hard not to bob your head. The drummer Nao splits the riff up well by having slower drums to make you bob your head slowly and then a little bit faster. The does this by mixing up when the kick comes in during the riff. The stadium metal riff is followed a bass riff resembling something from a Tool record and Buddhist chants. It’s a really interesting section which is abruptly interrupted by an aggressive, sporadic, in-your-face chorus where everyone is screaming and being “scary”.

This was the first Maximum the Hormone song I was introduced to and I was surprised as every single corner.

 

What’s Up People!?

If you watch anime, you will probably already know this song. One of the opening lyrics is “Death Voice” is very fitting because it was the theme to Death Note for the second half of the show. Fitting.

The song is fast paced and surprisingly bouncy – but not in the way 小さな君の手 is. Ryo-kun is pretty much the star of this song with nonsensical lyrics, weird faces, and RIFFS. His riffs are full of chugs/gallops (series of quickly plucked notes sounding like horses galloping, hence the name) and make you want to either bob your head like the people at their live shows or get up and run around. Everyone else is pretty much just following his lead with the first half of the song. Daisuke-han provides excellent vocals throughout the song and gives a very metal feel.

The song later on features a build up to a very satisfying breakdown and a highlight of Ue-chan’s dirty bass tone and some fun slaps. The song builds up for a good while while Ryo-kun changes the lyrics from 「人間不安か」(ningen fuan ka) “People are you worried?” to another dirtier version that features a play on his pronunciation of “fuan ka”. Listen to the song and you’ll get it. The song ends with climatic chaos and mayhem. It’s a short section but easily the most energetic part of this energetic song.

 

え・い・り・あ・ん

The song begins with lightning fast picking which is sort of reminiscent of aliens I would say – a very clear reference to the song’s title. It builds into a chaotic, mess with Daisuke-han coming in on the vocals for a little bit followed by a quick System of a Down feel song with slow drums but high energy guitars. Out of nowhere, the band slows their roll and it get HEAVY. A heavy death metal influence is here with the guttural vocals and slow doomy feeling. After the slow, sludgy, death breakdown, Ue-chan starts slapping and picking the bass to create a heavy Red Hot Chili Peppers feel.

The song is constantly changing its vibe and is one of the most sporadic songs they’ve written in my opinion. Halfway the song takes a turn for the bizarre. I can’t explain it without spoiling it. After listening to the song you’ll be asking yourself “Who’s Winnie?”

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Conclusions

This band revels in their craziness and love to surprise people at every turn. The majority of their music is heavier featuring screaming, but a surprising amount is very fun, accessible light-hearted comedy. This band is great for parties, birthdays, and honestly any event or situation where you’re trying to surprise people.

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Did you like what you heard? Are you craving more similar artists? Do you want me to review a specific Japanese artist? Do you just want to talk music and memes? Let me know what you think! Contact me through Facebook, Line, or at goodmorningaomori@gmail.com!