Anthem (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 in Tokyo, Japan |
| Headquarters | Tokyo , Japan |
| Products | Heavy metal music |
| Website | www |
Anthem is a Japanese heavy metal group that originated in Tokyo during the early 1980s. Alongside bands like Loudness and Earthshaker, they rank among the most prominent and impactful heavy metal acts in Japan.
Formation and Initial Phase (1981–1985)
Established in Tokyo in 1980, Anthem began as a four-member ensemble consisting of vocalist Toshihito Maeda, guitarist Akifumi Koyanagi, bassist Naoto Shibata (nicknamed "Ski"), and drummer Takamasa Ohuchi. In late 1983, Koyanagi departed and was succeeded by Hiroya Fukuda. By December 1984, Maeda exited the band, leading to the addition of Eizo Sakamoto as the new singer. Their debut album was released in July 1985 through Nexus and distributed in Europe by Roadrunner Records.
Rise to Prominence (1985–1992)
The band's first album included enduring tracks such as "Wild Anthem" and "Warning Action." The 1986 EP Xanadu gained recognition for featuring the first song used to promote a video game—Nihon Falcom’s RPG Dragon Slayer II: Xanadu. Their sophomore release, Tightrope (April 1986), showcased a shift towards a more melodic approach with refined vocal performances by Sakamoto. The album Bound to Break marked Sakamoto’s final collaboration with Anthem for nearly twenty years; it contained notable songs like "Empty Eyes" and introduced producer Chris Tsangarides, famed for his work on Judas Priest’s Painkiller.
Following Sakamoto’s departure in 1988, Shibata recruited vocalist Yukio Morikawa. With Morikawa’s vocal style reminiscent of Graham Bonnet, the album Gypsy Ways emerged as Anthem’s most celebrated release. The 1989 record Hunting Time featured the single "The Juggler," which was accompanied by a promotional video. In the early 1990s, after releasing No Smoke Without Fire without Tsangarides’ involvement, guitarist Hiroya Fukuda left the band and was replaced by Hideaki 'Shadow Walker' Nakama. Nakama exited after touring, prompting another search for a guitarist.
Hiatus Period (1992–2000)
After an extensive audition process, Akio Shimizu joined as Nakama’s replacement. Anthem released Domestic Booty in 1992; however, with traditional heavy metal waning amid the rise of grunge in both the U.S. and Japan's visual kei scene, Shibata opted to dissolve the band. Their farewell tour across Japan culminated in the live VHS/CD set Last Anthem: Live, recorded at Nissin Power Station, which stood as their final performance for nearly eight years.
Reunion and Later Years (2000–2011)
In 2000, Anthem reformed with the album Heavy Metal Anthem, featuring former Rainbow and Alcatrazz vocalist Graham Bonnet. This release consisted of reimagined versions of classic tracks with English lyrics. The lineup comprised Bonnet on vocals, Shibata on bass, Shimizu on guitar, and Oouchi on drums.
Drummer Hirotsugu Homma—who had previously collaborated with Shibata in Loudness—replaced Oouchi, while Eizo Sakamoto returned to handle vocals. In 2001, they launched Seven Hills, followed by the more intense Overload in 2002. The live album Live’ Melt Down was recorded at Kawasaki’s Citta Club in 2003. The single "Onslaught" came out in 2004 ahead of the album Eternal Warrior, which maintained their aggressive musical direction.
To commemorate their twentieth anniversary in 2005, Anthem conducted a special tour featuring all members since 1985; their Kawasaki concert was filmed and issued as the "20th Anniversary Tour" DVD. The band released Immortal in 2006 along with the single and music video "Immortal Bind". Their 2008 album Black Empire incorporated stronger Power Metal elements, with its promotional video "Heat of the Night" receiving favorable reviews.
Their final release under JVC was the much-anticipated album Heraldic Device, issued in 2011.
2012–present
In 2012, Anthem entered into a contract with Universal Music, releasing the single "Evil One" in September, followed by the album Burning Oath in October.
On 10 January 2013, the group announced a pause in activities after Shibata received a diagnosis of stomach cancer. By 2021, he had confirmed being cancer-free. Following his recovery, Anthem resumed live performances between July and October 2013.
Vocalist Eizo Sakamoto left the band once more in February 2014, with Yukio Morikawa stepping in as his replacement. Additionally, drummer Isamu Tamaru—who had been a guest since 2012—was made a full-time member. The band began recording a new album in spring, supported by a kickoff tour across Nagoya, Osaka, and Kawasaki.
Morikawa’s first album with Anthem since Domestic Booty (1992), titled Absolute World, was released on 22 October 2014 and was followed by a tour throughout November.
On 17 April 2017, Anthem revealed plans for their next studio album Engraved, which was released on 21 June and included a music video for the track "The Artery Song."
Their compilation album Nucleus, featuring English versions of selected songs, was issued on 29 March 2019 through Nuclear Blast Records. The single "Black Empire," originally performed by Sakamoto and re-recorded with Morikawa’s vocals, was released on 17 December 2018. Additionally, Anthem announced a combined tour titled Anthem 2001 vs. Anthem 2021 for the year 2021, showcasing both former and current members.
Current members
- Yukio Morikawa: lead vocals (1988–1992, 2014–present)
- Akio Shimizu: guitars, backing vocals (1991–1992, 2000–present)
- Naoto Shibata: bass, backing vocals (1981–1992, 2000–present)
- Isamu Tamaru: drums (2012–present)
Former members
- Toshihito Maeda: lead vocals (1981–1984)
- Eizo Sakamoto: lead vocals (1984–1988, 2000–2014)
- Akifumi Koyanagi: guitars (1981–1983)
- Hiroya Fukuda: guitars (1983–1990)
- Hideaki Nakama: guitars (1990–1991)
- Takamasa Ohuchi: drums (1981–1992)
- Hirotsugu Homma: drums (2000–2012)
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Member | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vocals | Guitars | Bass | Drums | ||
| 1985 | Anthem | Eizo Sakamoto | Hiroya Fukuda | Naoto Shibata | Takamasa Ohuchi |
| Ready to Ride EP | |||||
| 1986 | Tightrope | ||||
| 1987 | Bound to Break | ||||
| 1988 | Gypsy Ways | Yukio Morikawa | |||
| 1989 | Hunting Time | ||||
| 1990 | No Smoke Without Fire | ||||
| 1992 | Domestic Booty | Akio Shimizu | |||
| 2000 | Heavy Metal Anthem | Graham Bonnet | |||
| 2001 | Seven Hills | Eizo Sakamoto | Hirotsugu Homma | ||
| 2002 | Overload | ||||
| 2004 | Eternal Warrior | ||||
| 2006 | Immortal | ||||
| 2008 | Black Empire | ||||
| 2011 | Heraldic Device | ||||
| 2012 | Burning Oath | ||||
| 2014 | Absolute World | Yukio Morikawa | Isamu Tamaru | ||
| 2017 | Engraved | ||||
| 2019 | Nucleus | ||||
| 2020 | Explosive!!: Studio Jam | Graham Bonnet
Yukio Morikawa | |||
| 2023 | Crimson & Jet Black | Yukio Morikawa | |||
Live albums
| Year | Album Title | Band Members | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead Vocals | Guitarists | Bassist | Drummer | ||
| 1987 | 'The Show Carries On!' | Eizo Sakamoto | Hiroya Fukuda | Naoto Shibata | Takamasa Ohuchi |
| 1992 | 'Last Anthem' | 'Yukio Morikawa' | 'Akio Shimizu' | ||
| 2003 | 'Live' Melt Down' | 'Eizo Sakamoto' | 'Hirotsugu Homma' | ||
| 'The Show Carries On! – Complete Version' | 'Hiroya Fukuda' | 'Takamasa Ohuchi' | |||
| 'Prologue Live Boxx' | 'Akio Shimizu' | 'Hirotsugu Homma' | |||
| 'Prologue Live Boxx 2' | 'Akio Shimizu' | 'Hirotsugu Homma' | |||
| 'Trimetallic' | 'Yukio Morikawa' | 'Isamu Tamaru' | |||
Compilations
- 1990: Best 1981–1990
- 1992: Best II 1981–1992
- 1998: The Very Best of Anthem
- 2001: Anthem Ways
- 2005: Official Bootleg (available as CD and boxed edition)
- 2007: Core: Best of Anthem 2000–2007
- 2015: Anthems 2000–2011 (includes 2 CDs plus DVD)
- 2019: Nucleus
Singles
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
- 2009: Live Immortal
- 2013: Live Unbroken
- 2016: 30+
External links
| Year | Title | Associated Album |
|---|
- Articles with short description
- Japanese heavy metal musical groups
- Musical groups from Tokyo
- Musical groups established in 1980
- Musical groups disbanded in 1992
- Musical groups reformed in 2000
- Japanese musical quartets
- Universal Music Japan artists
- Victor Entertainment artists
- King Records (Japan) artists
- Nuclear Blast artists
- English-language musical groups from Japan
- Musical groups disestablished in 1992