07-10-2016, 12:05 AM
Artist: Anthem
Release: Anthem (1985)
Rating: 9/10
Anthem is a legendary Japanese heavy metal band that never quite got that much credit outside of their native country. While Loudness was one of the lucky few to break the American music market in the 1980s, Anthem was quickly brushed off by the ignorant masses expecting the next Mötley Crüe to hit the scene. Anthem had the looks and the substance to get them touring the whole world in support of mainstream labels, but the one thing that separated them from their peers was their determination to play true metal, and that was never acceptable in the eyes of corporate greed. Fortunately, metalheads in the United States could find their albums in stores, distributed nationwide by Restless Records.
There isn't a more fitting opener than the bombastic "Wild Anthem", with a key riff that's catchier than an STD. Amazing chorus, drumming, and bass playing throughout the song. "Red Light Fever" and "Racin' Rock" are fast-paced tunes that remind me a lot of Van Halen in their glory days, albeit structured more in the Loudness style. One of the best ANTHEMS off this album is unmistakably "Lay Down". Very plodding stuff a la Accept's "Princess of the Dawn". "Warning Action!" brings back the speed of the previous songs, sounding like total "Freewheel Burning" worship. It's definitely another high point for me. The rest of the album is more or less the same kind of fun as the previous songs, but "Steeler" is the other standout of that side worth mentioning. It's a killer speed metal tune, and a fitting number to close off the album.
Now, being that this is the band's first album, most people would probably think that they mellowed out since then. Totally incorrect on that assumption, as the band would only go on to release more killer albums, improving their songwriting skills further. Vocalist Eizo Sakamoto is clearly not at his very best, due to not being able to fully control his voice. Likewise, bassist Naoto Shibata and guitarist Hiroya Fukuda were just getting around to developing their own style of riffs, although everything that is heard on the album gets an easy pass for me. Even Takamasa Ohuchi's drumming, albeit very impressive, isn't as intricate and developed as on Tightrope or Bound to Break. Other than that, Anthem's self-titled debut album is a competent release, and a great starting point to discovering one of Japan's biggest metal bands. To put it another way, Anthem is to Japan what Iron Maiden is to the United Kingdom.