It’s been some time since we’ve come to the Land of the Rising Sun. Not since the summer of 2021 have we ventured into the nation of samurai & sake, but a nice surprise came out last year in the form of Anthem’s 19th studio release. For almost 40 years since their very first record, the band have shown that not just fluffy & cutesy (Even though I like some of it) songs can come from Japan. Heavy Metal can come from there as well. Some damn good Heavy Metal, as a matter of fact! So, sit back, relax, and enjoy my review for Crimson & Jet Black. Let’s begin!
Background
With Nucleus finally getting Anthem their foot in the door in Europe, and in the United States for a 2nd time, the band managed to gain footholds that had long alluded them. From there, the played at Keep It True festival in Europe, and they ultimately stole the show despite having a cult status in the nation. From there, we enter 2020, and I don’t need to say what happened in that year. However, even a plague that isolated everyone on the world didn’t keep these guys down! In that year (Around the end of December to be exact), the band released Explosive -Studio Jam-, which was mostly a compilation of covers, and it saw the return of Graham Bonnet a little after 20 years. Then, on the 21st of April, 2023, Crimson & Jet Black was released!
Basic Description
Nucleus 2.0.
Okay, maybe that’s not an exact description. Yes, the vocal work by Yukio Morikawa is completely done in English, and the recording/production of Crimson & Jet Black is just as crisp and clean as the previously mentioned album, but this record is not composed of prior material. For the first time in nearly 7 years (As of 2023), the crew of Anthem have produced all original songs, and they’re absolutely killer! They still continue the tradition of performing classic Heavy Metal, but it’s that touch of Power Metal that they’ve been using since the 2000s that’s fleshed out their music that really expanded their musical identity. It’s a testament that almost 4 decades after they came onto the scene, they still manage to stay relevant thanks to the quality of their work, and I respect them for that!
Best Track
Blood Brothers is the living embodiment of wholesome & badass. On the initial surface you might mistake this for a cover of the Iron Maiden song of the same name, but that’s not what this song is. This track is incredibly energetic & fast, but like all of Anthem’s tracks in this style, they never veer off the tracks. The lyrics, while aggressive & anarchistic (In a good way), are also uplifting and exceptionally energetic. As we continue to move past the beginning of this decade, it’s songs like Blood Brothers that’ll keep us going until we’re in the clear, and even then we’ll probably still be listening to it.
Blood Brothers
Worst Track
To be perfectly honest, Crimson & Jet Black is about as perfect of a modern day Anthem album as one can get. Coming in on nearly 40 years since their first release, everybody in the band still continue to be amazing in their respective role! If I had one small gripe, it would be with Yukio Morikawa’s vocals. Like on Nucleus & as I said above, he is singing completely in English, and he kills it! That being said, I can’t help but hear tiny cracks when he sings at the higher notes. They don’t impede the overall experience, but if you’re someone that knows about this kind of stuff, you might spot it easily.
Other
If you’re curious about listening to this album, then click on the link below:
Crimson & Jet Black
Overall Impression & Rating
Crimson & Jet Black was a lovely metallic tsunami. There was the small issue with the higher end vocal work, but that doesn’t take away the overall amazing quality the album provides. Coming in on almost 40 years since their self-titled debut was release, Anthem continue to show the worth that they can still crank out amazing music after all this time. A modern release from the band you definitely don’t want to miss!
Crimson & Jet Black gets a 9 to 9.5 out of 10.
So that was Crimson & Jet Black. Nearly 40 years after their very first album, Anthem continue to prove that they’re a force to be reckoned, and show that Japan can be just as much of a source of Heavy Metal as just about anywhere else. Well everybody, we’re leaving the Land of the Rising Sun & the number 3 spot, and making our way to no. 2. There, we’ll be in the nation of Germany taking a look at some iconic titans. See you next week!
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