Anthem

Anthem (アンセム, Ansemu^?) is a famous Japanese Heavy Metal band that was formed during the early 1980's, Tokyo. They are considered to be a handful of Japanese heavy metal bands formed in Japan during that time; and are considered to be both successful and influential metal bands from Japan, alongside contemporary bands Loudness and Earthshaker. The group disbanded during 1992, and reformed in 2000 with their return album 'Heavy Metal Anthem', a reworking of some older Anthem tunes in English featuring noted vocalist Graham Bonnet. It was a one time collaboration with Graham. Since then, the original vocalist Eizo Sakamoto (who hadn't sung with the band since 1987) has returned to the group.

Beginning of Anthem

The band was founded in Tokyo during 1981 as a quartet of singer Toshihito Maeda, guitarist Akifumi Koyanagi, bass player Naoto Shibata (柴田直人) (also known as "Ski") and drummer Takamasa Ohuchi. Koyanagi left in late 1983 to be replaced by Hiroya Fukada. In December 1984 vocalist Toshihito Maeda also left and Anthem drafted Eizo Sakamoto (坂本英三) for their debut eponymous album issued in July 1985 by Nexus and licensed to Europe via Roadrunner Records. Their first release was the self-titled "Anthem" album, featuring classics songs like 'Wild Anthem' and 'Warning Action'. The next release, "Tightrope" showcased a more catchy, melodic sound with an improved vocal performance by Eizo. "Bound to Break" was to be the last album featuring Eizo Sakamoto for nearly two decades, and was by far his most impressive vocal performance to that point. The album was full of classics (Empty Eyes, Bound to Break, Soldiers) and introduced the band's long-time world-famous Producer, Chris Tsangarides (Perhaps best known for producing Judas Priest's classic 1990 album, Painkiller. With the departure of Eizo in 1988, Naoto recruited Yukio Morikawa to the band's vocal position.

Success and Disbandment

With Yukio came the album Gypsy Ways, considered the band's most enduringly popular album. the voice of Yukio made the band a great success at that time, and he was similar in style, vocal range and ability to Graham Bonnet. In 89, the album "Hunting Time" was released, in which the song "The Juggler" was used as a PV. In the beginning of 90's Anthem dealt with another departure, this time Hiroya Fukuda (guitar) left and was replaced by Hideaki 'Shadow Walker' Nakama which recorded the album "No Smoke Without Fire", this time without the band's staple Producer / Engineer Chris Tsangarides. Hideaki left the band after recording just the one album and the search for a new guitarist began. After many auditions the young Akio Shimizu joined the band. In 1992, the band release "Domestic Booty", one of their best albums, with amazing and technical songs (courtesy of Akio): Venom Strike, Renegade, and The Dice of No Mercy. Unfortunately, classic-style Heavy Metal was out of fashion in the early 90's, and with the explosion of Grunge in the U.S. and the Visual Kei movement in Japanese music, Naoto decided to put an end to the band. The members of Anthem followed the album's release with a very big tour covering many cities of Japan and finally they released the VHS/CD "Last Anthem - Live" recorded at Nissin Power Station, which was to be the band's last show for nearly eight years.

Reform and Present

After the long hiatus, Anthem returned in 2000, with the album "Heavy Metal Anthem" which featured the vocalist Graham Bonnet (from Rainbow), the album is entirely composed by classic band songs rearranged to English. The lineup on Heavy Metal Anthem was: Graham Bonnet (vocals), Naoto Shibata (bass), Akio Shimizu (guitar) and Takamasa Oouchi (drums).

Later, Hirotsugu Homma (who played together briefly with Shibata in Loudness) replaced Takamasa on the drums and Eizo returned to the vocals. In 2001 they released Seven Hills, showcasing an entirely new musical direction for the band, although still firmly rooted in 80's Heavy Metal. In 2002 came "Overload", which is considered by most critics to be much more aggressive than Seven Hills. In 2003 the band recorded "Live Melt Down" in Citta Club Kawazaki, with a setlist full of classics and an amazing performance by Eizo. 2004 the band release the single "Onslaught" followed by the album "Eternal Warrior" following the sound direction of Overload. In 2005, Anthem celebrates the 20th Year Anniversary with a amazing tour where all the member of the band since 1985 played the band songs in their respective formations. At the final show of this tour was filmed the DVD "20th Anniversary Tour" (again at Club Citta in Kawazaki).

In 2006 Anthem released "Immortal", followed by the single and PV of "Immortal Bind". The most recent output has seen Anthem push even further into the Power Metal-tinged style showcased on 'Domestic Booty' and 'Eternal Warrior' with 2008's "Black Empire". A PV of 'Heat of the Night' was released shortly after the album hit in November, '08 and has thus far garnered even more positive critical reviews than "Immortal".

Present members

• Vocals - Eizo Sakamoto (23.02.1964)
• Electric guitar - Akio Shimizu (26.09.1970)
• Leader/bass guitar - Naoto Shibata (10.05.1958)
• Drums - Hirotsugu Homma (18.11.1964)

Discography

Studio Albums

• 1985 - Anthem
• 1985 - Ready to Ride EP
• 1986 - Tightrope
• 1987 - Bound to break
• 1988 - Gypsy ways
• 1989 - Hunting time
• 1990 - No Smoke Without Fire
• 1992 - Domestic Booty
• 2000 - Heavy Metal Anthem
• 2001 - Seven Hills
• 2002 - Overload
• 2004 - Eternal Warrior
• 2006 - Immortal
• 2008 - Black Empire

Live Albums

• 1987 - The Show Carries On!
• 1992 - Last Anthem
• 2003 - Live' Melt Down
• 2005 - The Show Carries On! - Complete Version
• 2005 - Prologue Live Boxx

Compilations

• 1990 - Best 1981-1990
• 1992 - Best II 1981-1992
• 1998 - The Very Best of Anthem
• 2001 - Anthem Ways
• 2005 - Official Bootleg (CD-Version)
• 2005 - Official Bootleg (Boxed set)
• 2007 - Core - Best of Anthem 2000-2007

Video/DVD

• 1987 - The Show Carries On
• 2001 - Back Then
• 2003 - Live' Melt Down: The Show Still Carries On
• 2005 - Anthem 20th Anniversary Tour 2005

Singles

• 1986 - Xanadu
• 2000 - Gypsy Ways (Win, Lose or Draw)
• 2001 - Grieve of Heart
• 2002 - The Voices
• 2004 - Onslaught
• 2006 - Immortal Bind
• 2008 - Heat of the Night

External links

• Anthem Official Homepage
• Anthem at King Records
• Anthem' Japanese fan site (Archived 2009-10-25)