BAND-MAID reflects on writing process for album “Epic Narratives”

Hope everyone is rocking out to the latest BAND-MAID album Epic Narratives! Lead guitarist KANAMI, rhythm guitarist and vocalist MIKU, and lead vocalist SAIKI shared with us their takes on penning each of the 14 mesmerizing tracks. From the flesh-tearing heaviness to the wistfully sentimental, tap into each member’s inner core as they recall pouring everything into their most emotionally charged record to date.

Read on below as you enjoy BAND-MAID’s latest music video to album cut Forbidden tale. And make sure to stay tuned for more BAND-MAID info and reports right here on JROCK NEWS!

1. Magie

KANAMI: This is an evolved form of NO GOD. I wrote it envisioning everyone jumping up and down together. I wanted to turn this into an okyuji (live) staple.

MIKU & SAIKI: Magie means “magic” in German. We knew upon hearing the demo tape that it would become an okyuji hit. When our bodies and hearts move to live music, it’s as if a spell has been cast on us. And so, “magic” became a fitting word for the title.

2. Shambles

KANAMI: This song is centered on the main riff. It’s supposed to evoke feelings of combat.

MIKU & SAIKI: Within each chaotic battle in the anime Kengan Ashura, emotions collide as the characters speak with their fists. We wanted to express their red-hot passion through the lyrics. We also worked in lots of kanji phrases, since they were essential to the imagery.

3. Protect you

KANAMI: It’s the ending theme to the anime [Grendizer U], so while the tempo is brisk, I didn’t intend to write a song that sounded too intense. The intro kicks off with a pretty impactful melody. The tune is easy to follow along. I inserted “ulalala” in the lyrics initially as a placeholder, and we ended up leaving it as is.

MIKU & SAIKI: We wrote the lyrics about the twin sisters Teronna and Rubina [in Grendizer U], whose thoughts become one as they grapple with their resentment for the story’s protagonist. But deep down, they actually want to believe in him, and we wanted to convey their determination in fighting through conflicting emotions. There was a lot of colorful imagery in the source material, so we utilized words like “red” and “blue” as hooks throughout the lyrics.

4. SHOW THEM

KANAMI: Since this was a collaboration with The Warning, we wanted to make something that sounded nothing like what either band had done before. I pictured a song that everyone could sing to.

MIKU & SAIKI: We aimed to depict powerful female figures. There were subtle nuances and tones that we fine-tuned in our discussions with The Warning. This new approach in creating and feeling out material together was a very stimulating experience for all of us.

5. Forbidden tale

KANAMI: I wrote this while pondering the meaning of life—what it means to truly live. I set out to express “life” through music. Embedded within the themes is the message that life has its ups and downs. I was told I should compose a very progressive piece with lots of scenes unfolding, and I think I accomplished this here.

MIKU & SAIKI: What does it mean to live? What is the meaning of life? How do we express life through music? We felt tasked with capturing a colossal message. Even though we live only in this time and place, others could carry on our legacy long after our bodies perish. Our music will likely live much longer than us, and so we wanted to leave behind our words and songs for future generations. We wonder if music has the power to connect us to people we’d never meet in our lifetime.

6. Bestie

KANAMI: Mikey [Einziger, guitarist of the band Incubus] bore the main riff, and it was like an entirely different flavor from what I usually output. I really struggled to work this into an arrangement. Mike is so kind, with so much outpour of love, that I could sense his warmth from the riff. I made it my goal to warm the hearts of everyone who heard it.

MIKU & SAIKI: This was our first song entirely in English. Since meeting Mikey and writing this, we just felt consumed by kindness and warmth. We used “bestie” as an allegory for these feelings and couldn’t help but hope we would remain forever close.

7. Brightest star

KANAMI: I wondered what it would be like if I wrote for [rhythm guitarist MIKU’s side-project and alter ego] cluppo, but in the end, it ended up sounding very typical of BAND-MAID. I think MIKU can shine both as a guitarist and a vocalist in this one. I wanted to lay down a guitar solo with her, so I turned the leads into something of a duet.

MIKU & SAIKI: When we heard the demo tape, we saw stars, so we incorporated them into the theme. We also realized that many people are balancing a duality —we can’t be bright and cheery all the time. Sometimes, we’re negative and insecure, and that’s reflected in the lyrics. The post-chorus section is sung with subtle changes in the delivery, almost in a speaking tone. You can see quite a bit of contrast within this one song.

8. Letters to you

KANAMI: Songs that sound a tad melancholic tend to linger in our hearts. I know we’re all fighting our own battles—there are times when we can wear ourselves out and get dragged into darkness—and so, I thought it would be nice if this feeling of compassion could spread within all of us.

MIKU & SAIKI: We sensed both sweetness and sorrow from the demo tape and began linking together all the complex emotions that come with caring for another person. Just imagine writing a letter to someone you’re longing to see, wishing the wind would carry you anywhere and everywhere.

9. The one

KANAMI: I wrote this thinking we ought to play this at Yokohama Arena. SAIKI wanted a piece that she could really lean into and emote, so I kept those wishes in mind.

MIKU & SAIKI: At one point, we planned to close out our Yokohama Arena set with this one. It’s a love song that gently envelopes you with a sense of kindness.

10. Memorable

KANAMI: Parts of the melody were written while touring in the US. Being able to finally play live and see everyone’s faces in person brought so much happiness that I wanted to pack my joy into this song.

MIKU & SAIKI: We recalled feelings of gratitude to be able to tour the US following the pandemic and to spend time together with our masters and princesses [fans]. There are bits from our speeches on stage that we worked into the lyrics. The title Memorable itself was one of the topics that we talked about with our US audience.

11. Go easy

KANAMI: I wanted a song that would pull in the listener from the get-go. It’s another fast-paced track that’s a bit different in taste from what I was aiming for in Unleash!!!!!

MIKU & SAIKI: We wanted to tear down all barriers as we sought to be free. For MIKU, it’s a modern take on the lyrics in the song FREEDOM.

12. Tot et moi

KANAMI: I poured my energy into the main riff in order to create a more aggressive song. It’s supposed to showcase the power behind BAND-MAID.

MIKU & SAIKI: The lyrics are more straightforward than anything we’ve written. The title translates to “you and me” in French, because our impression is that French movies tend to portray very powerful women. The words also fit the feel of this song, so Tot et moi it is.

13. TAMAYA!

KANAMI: Things start off wistful, but those sentiments gradually break away after the intro. Everybody, let’s dance!

MIKU & SAIKI: For a long time, we wanted to make our next four-on-the-floor beat into a summer tune. The melody instantly reminded us of a Japanese matsuri summer festival, and we wanted to share fireworks, which are part of the Japanese summer tradition, with the rest of the world. We hope you also enjoy the sporadic twin vocals throughout this song.

14. Get to the top

KANAMI: The theme here is “circus”. We had finished the album, but then SAIKI mentioned that a BAND-MAID record isn’t complete without an instrumental. Composing this made me feel like we found the missing piece to a puzzle.

MIKU & SAIKI: The title is all about climbing higher, even still. We can do it!

JROCK NEWS thanks KANAMI, MIKU, SAIKI, and all the staff supporting BAND-MAID for the comments on the album.