The dust has hardly settled on my “Top J-Pop songs of 2022” list and we’ve already got a contender for next year’s countdown! Violence arrives courtesy of rock group Queen Bee, who released their first work over a decade ago. I fully intend to explore their back catalog because – if it’s anything like this song – there are bound to be tons of hidden gems.
I will always be drawn to rock bands who play as if they’re targeting the dance floor. Violence is not a dance song per se, but it unfolds with the intensity of a great DJ set. The guitars propel forward in the same way a four-on-the-floor thump might fuel an EDM banger. But, there’s a dynamic texture to this instrumental. It’s wonderfully gritty yet incredibly potent, and when the full brunt of the production hits during the chorus it’s as if the seas have parted and you’re speeding forward on pure momentum.
Vocalist Avu-chan makes a beguiling tour guide through this sonic maelstrom. Their voice twists and turns in line with the melody. The verses feel almost stream-of-consciousness – very wordy and breathless in execution. In response to this, much of the chorus hinges on a single word: the song’s title, “Violence.” This contrast is key, especially given the intensity of the instrumental. That move from tense energy — with lyrics practically tripping over their own verbosity — to direct declaration makes for wonderful catharsis.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 10 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 9 |
| RATING | 9 |
Grade: A
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
What a surprise! I have been familiar with Queen Bee because of their song “Fire” from the anime Dororo. They are a group with a lot of charisma and stage presence.
I usually don’t listen to a lot of J-pop aside from anime tracks and such but maybe I should give it a chance. Tracks like “Violence” are energetic, which is my cup of tea.
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a biaslist review while scroling on twitter????? and the song is apparently good???????? goddamn i gotta check this out
oh btw you did an oopsie on the rating, its supposed to be a 9.25
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like how has the tail end of the year given us so many great stuff, is god giving some last minute christmas presents to make up for all the shit that happened these past months?
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Oops. No, I just forgot to change the “hooks” part.
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Highly recommend Inu-Hime!! It has less of a rock approach and more of a mesmerizing traditional sound, but mesmerizing all the same. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09n7YhOA3fg
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I’ve already heard this song since it’s an ending track of one of the episodes for the popular Chainsaw Man anime and I can safely say it has been one of the standouts of the year.
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Not in love with the vocals. Especially all the processing in the first verse. But the instrumental rocks out, and as a black metal listener I’m not one to let my distaste for the vocals ruin my enjoyment of a song. 😛
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