Well, we’re back on the Anthem portion of our trip through Japan. We’ve seen their beginning in the 80s, and one of only 2 releases in the 90s. Today, we’re coming to the year 2000. The year that Anthem would return, and what a return it is! Not only that, but a very special guest would come along for the ride, and prove that he still had the skills behind the microphone. So, let’s sit down for a nice bowl of ramen, say a prayer of thanks, and enjoy my review for Heavy Metal Anthem. Let’s begin!
Background
With the release of Domestic Booty, Anthem’s tour venues kept getting smaller & smaller, until the point where it just wasn’t worth it anymore, and the gas in their tank finally ran dry. Feeling the strain, the band finally called it quits, and went their separate ways throughout the rest of the 90s. Then the dawn of the new millennium came by, and the weirdest thing took place. Naoto Shibata was in a restaurant one night, apparently quite shitfaced, but he just so happened to be sitting opposite from iconic Japanese Metal producer Hisatake Yamasa. Mr. Yamasa said to Naoto that he’d be up for doing another Anthem album, but only if the legendary yet obscure Graham Bonnet would sing on the album....and that’s exactly what happened!
Basic Description
Black from the Past
Though I do have one rather big issue with the album (More on that below), I find that the music on Heavy Metal Anthem is quite welcome. The songs on here are a variety of tracks from all throughout Anthem’s past, though a little bit more in the Yukio Morikawa side of the band. The production is a big step up from their time in the 80s to early 90s, as things come across more crisp and clean than before, the instrumentation feels more polished, and Graham’s singing is particularly refreshing since you can finally understand the lyrics. It’s not a precise translation however, as Graham Bonnet said in some interviews that he did take some liberties, but it’s still neat!
Best Track
Though I would have loved to have hear Graham belt out Voice of Thunderstorm, he still manages to sing his ass off another No Smoke Without Fire classic, Hungry Soul. The instrumentation & production are certainly an improvement in the 8 years since the track’s original, and it’s interesting to hear Graham Bonnet sing a complete English version of this song. Mr. Bonnet hadn’t lost his vocal talent since his Alcatrazz days & his ventures afterwards, and on here he’s king.
Hungry Soul
Worst Track
Heavy Metal Anthem was a pretty strong return for Anthem. It proves that they weren’t rusty in any way, and Graham Bonnet still knows how to belt out a tune. The album’s only fault isn’t with the music per se, but more to do with the fact that I heard these songs before. Yes, there’s improved instrumentation & production, and there is English-language vocals, but all of the songs on here have been on other albums before it. This will be an issue with the last album I’m looking at towards the end of the month......but I’ll get to that when the time comes.
Other
If you’re curious about listening to this album, then click on the link below:
Heavy Metal Anthem
Overall Impression & Rating
Heavy Metal Anthem is proof positive that Anthem were back! Sure, the music they did here have been on other records before hand, but that doesn’t mean the quality is bad. This release was a message to the Japanese people that the band never truly died, and they’re still ready to kick all kinds of ass. If you like the band’s older material, but improved & with English vocals, then Heavy Metal Anthem might be what you’re looking for.
Heavy Metal Anthem gets a 7.5 out of 10.
And that was Heavy Metal Anthem. The first release from Anthem in the new millennium, the back would go on to have a wondering resurgence in Japan, release a horde of new classic albums. Well, we’re about to start on the next leg of our tour, so join me in a few days when we’ll take a look at what is the anchor that finally landed the band here in the U.S. & the rest of the western world. See you soon!
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