J-Metal Reviews: ANTHEM "ANTHEM"

By Badman

Here we go again Metal Maniacs, The Badman is here to deliver more kickass J-Metal madness!  This week I am revisiting a band from an earlier review. They are the lord of lords, the king of kings, the band other bands wish they could be. Bend your knee! Grovel at the blackened leather clad boots of the legendary cornerstones of J-Metal. Back on the steel studded throne is ANTHEM! Choo, choo motherf**ckers! We are full steam ahead! So Keep your seatbelts fastened and your asses snug in those seats because this runaway train ain’t stopping until its destination. Here is your one way ticket to ANTHEM’s self-titled album!

"ANTHEM" is the band’s debut album released in 1985. With a total of ten tracks, it runs for forty and a half kickass minutes. Out of the gate, the record starts off strong with "WILD ANTHEM". It pulls no punches by delivering unfiltered sonic steel while setting the pace for the entire album. Stand out tracks such as "WARNING ACTION!", "STEELER", "RED LIGHT FEVER", and "TURN BACK TO THE NIGHT" follow up in the same vein with the electrifying intensity that gets heads banging! Each track is laced with tasty licks/riffs, high-registered vocals, and relentless bass and drums. Although they churned out all these kickass tunes, there are clear signs of the band’s unpolished musical competition. I chalk this up to this recording being the band’s first record and first real experience in the studio. Despite the unpolished song writing, it added a captivating rawness to ANTHEM’s overall sound.

What is my verdict this week? It’s a hell-to-the-yeah molly whopping album. ANTHEM knew what they were doing with their debut. Yes, it's unpolished. Yes, it's unrefined, but god damn this record is nothing short amazing. The songs are catchy, packed with attitude, and exerts the purest form of Heavy Metal. There is no wonder why ANTHEM (the band) reached so many ears all over Japan. It is this record that truly made them a cornerstone of Japanese Metal.

Standouts:
WILD ANTHEM
RED LIGHT FEVER
LAY DOWN
RACIN' ROCK
WARNING ACTION!
TURN BACK TO THE NIGHT
STEELER

The entire album can be listened to (probably not the most authorized of sources) via the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ihAQl4uubk