I’m Japanese, and I’ve always found it strange how so many reactors overseas ―― especially in the U.S. ―― are so fixated on genres. That’s because, in Japan, genre classifications aren’t nearly as important as you are in your country. It’s enough to just listen to music we like; there’s hardly any concern for what genre it falls under. Meaning, when it comes to music, the vast majority of Japanese people are “omnivorous” creatures.
Many music creators feel the same way; their top priority is simply making/performing the music they want to make/perform. Genre classifications are tools labels use to sort releases, and they carry about as much weight as a line drawn with the tip of a shoe on a dirt field.
At the very least, I think you’ll enjoy Japanese music more if you listen to it without being constrained by those artificial genre boundaries.

Finally, by the way, the kind of metal you’re talking about is also very popular in Japan. I’m sure there are many excellent bands that would surprise you. However, even bands labeled as “metal” don’t exclusively play metal. The fact remains that they play whatever they want to play, without worrying about genres.

I think calling them a hard rock band as opposed to a metal band is an attempt to generalize their sound over the whole extent of their catalog, which includes a lot of different sounds. Maidiacs are also fond of saying that Band-Maid's genre is Band-Maid 😊

Their music has no borders,Rock,Metal,Alternative and more.

MISA lead bassist extraordinaire

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

The members of BAND-MAID themselves have frequently stated, "While our foundation is hard rock, our musical style is diverse, and we aim to establish a genre of music that is uniquely 'BAND-MAID'."
Of course, how the listener perceives it is a different matter, but I believe they have already proven that they are successfully realizing this vision.

All metal is rock and Roll but not all Rock and Roll is metal. A lot of Maidiacs are old. We came up when dinosaurs roamed the earth and FM radio played entire albums late in the night. It's all nomenclature and is no good reason to argue about the Greatest Proper Rock and Roll band of the 21st Century.

Band-Maid fans and Maidiacs are a major motivator and source of passion for the Maids that not only influences their compositions, but also at their gigs where they get to personally interact. When you see them live, you'll see and feel how they are always leaning forward, projecting straight into your soul... especially Saiki. Thx, Z! 🤘🎀🤘

The Thunder Buddies in all their glory!  MISA and Akane are the bomb 💣!

You're tying yourself up in knots over this metal stuff. I don't know why people are so obsessed with putting bands into little boxes. Band Maid are not metal because metal is just one of the many elements they incorporate into their sound. You'll find pop, punk, jazz, blues, funk and many other genres stirred into the mix. It has nothing to do with screaming (both Saiki and Kobato can scream the house down when the song calls for it) and there's no stigma attached to metal in Japan. They refuse to be pigeonholed (pun intended) the genre is Band Maid.

I think we say they’re hard rock to set expectations appropriately. There are many reactors that want certain things like harsh vocals or guitars with a particular sound and being up front about where they tend to be on the music scale so that arguments don’t happen.

Band Maid manage themselves so they do whatever suits them 🤘

Hi from France:
I’ve been following Band-Maid since 2018 or 2019; I’m an old-timer—born back when rock 'n' roll was first emerging—and I can tell you I’ve seen plenty of musical styles and subgenres come and go over the years.
To me, it’s clear: Band-Maid plays the "Band-Maid style"—a sound that is instantly recognizable. The moment I hear a Band-Maid song—even one I don't know (though, rest assured, there aren't many of those)—I know right away it's them; there’s no mistaking it!
What’s more, Band-Maid (formed in 2013) isn't an "Idol" band; the musicians chose each other, the lineup hasn't changed since the beginning, and they manage themselves. Their song choices are entirely their own, and they stand out for having evolved significantly since their early performances...
Enjoy the music! Enjoy, Maidiacs!

I think it's only a small minority of Band-Maid fans who get upset if it the word metal is applied to their music, but they can be quite vocal about it. Band-Maid are both rock and metal (I'd say more rock than metal), and they also draw from a lot of other genres. Not that it matters. It's great music, however you classify it, and it really doesn't matter if someone else classifies it differently.

This has nothing to do with the band being Japanese. Remember that your commentors are mainly non Japanese. It might be that people get so adamant about it being a hard rock band because they themselves (the band) define their genre as hard rock. That doesn't mean they can't reach onto other genres, they often do, but they have defined their band as being hard rock (as their home genre, their musical starting point, or their musical identity if you will).  Remember that people, sometimes, maybe because they feel so passionate about them, get entangled in the labels and when someone "new" come and after hearing one or a couple or a few songs is suddenly ready to proclaim this is "X" or "Y" band, they feel like they need to make the correction. It is not malicious, for the most part. I've been following this band for a few months now and I can' assure you that most of their fans and loving, caring, cool people.

The Band-Maid members actually call themselves hard rock, so they prefer to be considered that rather than heavy metal. It is not a negative thing to be considered heavy metal in Japan. Again, Band-Maid just prefers their classification to be hard rock, even though they tend to veer off into other genres.

Screaming!! Listen to THAT song. That genre is BAND-MAID music👍

Who needs Les Claypool when there is Misa? 🎀😉

MISA and Akane's intros never get old. The two have a more recent one. It's labeled "Toi et Moi" with intro by MISA and Akane on YouTube. Well worth a lookup and reaction.
These Maids defy every rock genre and description in their catalog. They also have a more recent song that has a metalcore vibe. That song is "Cage" from their most recent "Energetic" three song release. There isn't a video (I wish there were), but the audio version is a banger. Again well worth a listen.
By the way, Flea from The Red Hot Chili Peppers is one of MISA's idols.

Band-Maid's sound is so diverse I call it Maid Rock since I think they are truly unique, but they definitely have some songs that stray into metal territory (Rinne, Shambles, Cage) to name just a few.

Metal, Schmedal... Band Maid plays Band Maid music.