Maximum the Hormone

Maximum the Hormone is a Japanese band formed in 1998 on the Vap label, known for blending nu metal, j-rock, punk, and heavier pop-punk and thrash-metal elements into a sharply contrasting sound. The group’s lineup includes Ryō Kawakita, Daisuke Tsuda, Nao Kawakita, and Futoshi Uehara, and its identity is shaped by Daisuke and Ryō’s screaming vocals, Futoshi Uehara’s rhythmic slap bass, and Nao Kawakita’s drumming. Nao is Ryō Kawakita’s older sister, a detail that has long been part of the band’s story and chemistry. Their songs and lyrics are often deliberately surreal, but that unpredictability is also part of what makes Maximum the Hormone stand out in Japanese rock and anime-related music circles. In June 2026, the band was also announced as the act behind the opening theme for a Chainsaw Man smartphone game project, adding another high-profile anime connection to their catalog.