For Fans Of Testament, Megadeth, Judas Preist, Kreator and other progressive metal acts On the eve of the bands 35th Anniversary, their popularity in Japan remains as high as ever and their worldwide fan base continues to grow. Thus the idea of an all English re-record of their biggest hits came to be! Mixing and mastering for Nucleus were done by the legendary Jens Bogren. Nucleus is heavy with Jens' fat sound and rich low-end that he has made the worldwide heavy metal standard! This re-recorded greatest hits, including a variety of their classics is a monumental work, which perfectly shows the musical quality of Anthem and proves that they can be ranked as a global act in the international metal scene. ANTHEM Line-Up: Naoto Shibata (Bass) | Akio Shimizu (Guitars) | Yukio Morikawa (Vocals) | Isamu Tamaru (Drums) ANTHEM Official Biography as of 4th February 2019. Line up: Naoto Shibata (Bass) Akio Shimizu (Guitars) Yukio Morikawa (Vocals) Isamu Tamaru (Drums) Formed in Tokyo in 1981, ANTHEM turned heads with their intense and heated performances. They released their major debut, “ANTHEM” in 1985 and continued to tour relentlessly. The band's popularity grew with the release of their 2nd album, “TIGHTROPE” (1986), and they were able to break into the American market with their 3rd full length, “BOUND TO BREAK” (1987). Vocalist Eizo Sakamoto left shortly after, and was replaced by Yukio Morikawa for “GYPSY WAYS” (1988) and “HUNTING TIME” (1989), both extremely successful releases which cemented their reputation as leaders of Japanese traditional heavy metal. Following the release of “NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE” (1990) and many auditions, ANTHEM found their new guitarist, Akio Shimizu, who was 21 at the time. Impressed with his talent, leader Naoto Shibata decided to finish their next album, “DOMESTIC BOOTY” (1992) with Shimizu, before disbanding after the release tour. The band’s return was spurred by 2000’s “HEAVY METAL ANTHEM” - an album of ANTHEM songs rearranged by Naoto and Akio, featuring Graham Bonnet’s vocals. Its release and subsequent Japan tour led to huge demand among fans for an ANTHEM comeback. Instead of reforming the original lineup, Shibata decided to move forward by writing new music with a new lineup of Akio Shimizu (guitar), Eizo Sakamoto (vocals) and Hirotsugu Honma (drums). They released a total of 6 studio albums between 2001-2010 - “SEVEN HILLS”, “OVERLOAD”, "ETERNAL WARRIOR”, “BLACK EMPIRE” and “HERALDIC DEVICE” - proving that ANTHEM was very much an “active” band. To further strengthen their position at the top of Japan’s metal scene, ANTHEM switched labels for the 2012 release of “BURNING OATH” - on which guest musician Isamu Tamaru played drums on all but one song. Though still an official member at the time, a performance-affecting injury that Homma could not fully recover from led to his eventual departure. At the end of 2013, Naoto recruited Yukio to rejoin the band, and support drummer Isamu became a permanent member to finalize the current lineup of Shibata Naoto (bass) , Akio Shimizu (guitar), Yukio Morikawa (vocals) and Isamu Tamaru (drums). Akio Shimizu also works as a producer for other Japanese artists, and has shared the stage with Michael Schenker Fest as a guest guitarist on their September 2018 Japan tour. ANTHEM put out 15th album, “ABSOLUTE WORLD” in 2014 and celebrated a successful 30th ANNIVERSARY TOUR the following year. From the release of 2016’s “ENGRAVED” to its subsequent nationwide tour, the band found themselves busy on nationwide tours of Japan, proving that ANTHEM to be at an all time high - all of which was captured for tour documentary “ATTITUDE 2017 -Live and documents-“ released in February 2018. Published by The Manamal | February 23RD 2019
For Fans Of: Melodic Rock & Metal
Dokken | Night Ranger | Autograph
Fugitive announce new album, cover art and tracklisting
"The Awakening" Liverpool hard melodic rock quartet, Fugitive, have announced that their brand new album worldwide release on Fri 05 April 2019, through CAT Records.
Fugitive - "All Fired Up" official video
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"The Awakening" Tracklisting
"The Awakening" was recorded at AMP Studios in Wrexham, Wales during the latter part of 2018.
Produced by Nino Errico and Fugitive | Engineered by Nino Errico Additional mastering by LANDR |
Fugitive - "The Awakening" Album Review
Fugitive kicks off the jams with "Serendipity's" pounding drumming and souring vocals, followed by some great guitar riffs throughout. The song really gets interesting with the lead guitar sprints. "Light It Up" is a solid rocker that'll take you straight back to the' 80's with a vintage heavy metal sound and feel that we all fell in love with. "The Weekend" is one of my fav's and had that Stryper sound that gained fans worldwide, the song has a really great sound and felt familiar. "Slave To Love" has some great drum and basslines and the lyrics are really good, the song picks up the beat a little and has a lot to offer heating up with fast rhythm guitars and enticing vocals. "All Fired Up" does just that, this is a song that you just can't crank up loud enough - High Voltage Rock N' Roll! "Two Hearts" slows down the groove and ignites the dance lights, the song flows with strong baselines, excellent drumming and some great harmonic's from the guitar all complimented by great vocals. A sure hit for the album! "Message prelude" sets up the following track with easy acoustics and a lovin' message. "Message" jumps out from the prelude with a bang and has a great rockin beat and excellent guitar work on the track. "Race The Rain" brings out some great funky rock roots in the band and will have your heads bopping along with the beat. I really enjoyed the lyrics in the song, and think it's the best on the album for lead vocals and overall band performance as everything is timed just right! Super Jam! "Standing At The Edge" borderlines on being a "Metal Ballad" and I love Ballads, this jam carries it's weight with the steady beat, strong vocals and steady guitar work it has a nice feel and flow. "Moonshine" picks up the pace with some great pounding drumming, bluesy guitars, and excellent vocals including backing chorus lines, a real good time! "No Resurrection" has a lot to offer with strong elements from all sides of the band ,smooth and steady. "Payback" comes out swinging, the hardest track on the album and sounds great. The song shows the harder side of the band and it sounds great! A real heavy hitter and rocker from start to finnish! "Awaecnan" closes out the album with a acoustic farewell to it's listeners with a message of good will.
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often nowadays and are treasured by fans worldwide when they do make an appearance. The album has every metal fans dream inside with heavy rockin' tracks, funky bluesy rock and metal tracks, and even a couple slower dance-able tracks that we won't call ballads. With 14 tracks for your listening pleasure and a variety of sound and feel to the album
"The Awakening is a great addition to every collection. Get your copy on pre-order before the official sales arrive on April 5TH 2019!
Album sleeve artwork and design by Michael Angel
Band photography by Swilly’s Photography Service
Additional musicians:
Steffan Rhys Owens - Drums : Light It Up, Race The Rain, Slave To Love, Two Hearts, All Fired Up, Message, Standing At The Edge.
Nino Errico - All Keyboards
Light It Up (single) – Fri 28 Sep 2018
Watch On YouTube Come on light me up Found this old place where the whiskey flows And conversation is fine There’s a reason – everybody knows Why every man’s got the time… …maybe she’ll tell me to go to hell But girl I’ve been there before Nothin’ to lose ‘cause I know that place What are we waitin’ for? I found your halo – girl, don’t say no You’re lighting up my heart Light it up – light it up (I found your halo) Light it up – light it up (I found your halo) You’re lighting up my heart It’s 12:01 - an’ a brand new day D’ya feel like takin’ a ride? Just lean on me, you’ll find your way Into the new sunrise… I found your halo – girl, don’t say no You’re lighting up my heart Light it up – light it up (I found your halo) Light it up – light it up (I found your halo) You’re lighting up my heart (Light it up – light it up for me) (Don’t give up – don’t give up on me) I found your halo – girl, don’t say no You’re lighting up my heart Light it up – light it up (I found your halo) Light it up – light it up (I found your halo) You’re lighting up my heart |
Serendipity (single) – Fri 26 Oct 2018
Watch On YouTube Don’t you see? Meant to be I believe, here with me I used to be broken, could not be saved My dreams in the gutter, my heart in a cage You lifted me higher We can try a little more Don’t you see it’s serendipity? Don’t you see? Meant to be… Broke though the ashes and brought me alive Found our direction, foundations survive You lifted me higher We can try a little more Don’t you see it’s serendipity? Don’t you see? Meant to be… Don’t you see? Meant to be I believe, here with me Don’t you see it’s serendipity? Don’t you see? Meant to be… I can feel it when you’re here with me Can’t you feel? Don’t you see? |
All Fired Up (single) – Fri 07 Dec 2018
Watch On YouTube Well the first time – that I saw her It was 1986 She was so bad – that it felt good And she blew my heart to bits So I called in – to the doctor He confirmed what I’d been told He said “that girl is dangerous” “there’s no cure – your soul is sold” She’s high voltage Rock and roll She’s all fired up And I’m way too old….! Doesn’t matter – little to her If you’re young or if you’re old ‘Cause she’ll reach out – put a spell on you And she’ll never let you go She’ll take you down the highway And she’ll show you around It’s whiskey love – yes she’ll be alright Don’t pray for me – I’m goin’ down She’s high voltage Rock and roll She’s all fired up And I’m way too old….! She’ll promise to take you And heal all your scars Don’t stop what you’re doing She’ll steal your heart Cause she’s high voltage Rock and roll She’s all fired up And I’m way too old…. Cause she’s high voltage (too hot for love) Rock and roll She’s all fired up (too hot for love) And I’m way too old…. |
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The Manamal | February 1ST 2019
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