Have you ever heard of the Japanese heavy metal band “Animetal“?
The Japanese band "Animetal".
They were an extra band made just for fun by members of other established Japanese metal bands. Animetal played heavy metal versions of Japanese anime theme songs.
The artwork of the cover of Animetal's first album (released in the mid-90's).
Animetal disbanded about five years ago…but this year, Marty Friedman (who was the lead guitarist of the American heavy metal band Megadeth but quit that famous band so that he could live in Tokyo with his Japanese wife) helped organize the formation of “Animetal USA“.
"Animetal USA"
Animetal USA consists of Mike Vescera (formally the lead vocalist of the Japanese band “Loudness” for a short time), Chris Impellitteri (of the band “Impellitteri”), Rudy Sarzo (from “Quiet Riot”) and Scott Travis (of “Judas Priest”).
Just like the original “Animetal”, this band sings heavy metal versions of Japanese anime theme songs…but, unlike the Japanese band, only some of their songs are in Japanese—the rest are in English.
They will be releasing their debut album on 2011 October 12 and on October 15, they will perform at this year’s Loudpark Heavy Metal Festival in Saitama, Japan.
The cover artwork for Animetal USA's debut album...due for release on 2011/10/12.
Here is the official video for “Animetal USA“‘s first single…the theme song of the anime 「宇宙戦艦ヤマト」 (“Space Battleship Yamato“):
Tokyo Five 
Aren’t they just copying the KISS rock band? Do they sound the same? I was never into Kiss. Maybe they were after my time… probably.
LikeLike
>Aren’t they just copying the KISS rock band?
They wear kabuki-type make-up like KISS does…but I wouldn’t say they’re copying them.
>Do they sound the same?
No, this band plays a more “melodic” type of metal compared to KISS (actually I’m not really a big fan of the “melodic” type metal)…and they sing Japanese anime theme songs.
KISS’s music is quite different…but, I suppose that people who don’t like hard rock or heavy metal music might think all of the bands in those genres sound the same.
>I was never into Kiss
But they made a big impact on many people of my generation.
Others who impacted me and my generation include Evel Knievel, Star Wars, and “The Fonz”. 🙂
I guess “Generation X” is a very pop-culture generation.
LikeLike
Oh… I forgot to mention, fye is a fantastic CD retailer too, only the “imports” are very pricey, around $17 to $19 there, depending too on if the CD is a deluxe edition or 2/CD release. This fye chain has the “tendency” to “raise” their CD prices after the title has been out for a few months too… so grabbing them when they are cheap is key. I know, it does not make much business sense to “raise” the CD prices like fye does.
LikeLike
>it does not make much business sense to “raise” the CD prices like fye does.
Yeah. Why would they do that? Especially in this day and age where fewer people buy actual CDs anymore.
LikeLike
Excellent coverage on this one! All Hail ANIMETAL USA! \m/
I will put this on my Metal “want list”… like, right now.
LikeLike
>Excellent coverage on this one!
Thanks.
>I will put this on my Metal “want list”
I wonder if it will be available outside of Japan.
LikeLike
Uh, oh and good point… those hard-to-find and super cool Japanese imports are always wicked expensive over here in the States. I’ll have to investigate around and see, if any, what online retailer is selling Animetal USA at a “domestic” price.
LikeLike
>a “domestic” (U.S.) price.
How much do CDs sell for in America these days? When I last lived there (until 1990), LPs, cassettes and CDs sold for about US$10, if I remember correctly.
LikeLike
CD’s here in the States go for anywhere between $10 to $15 new… it depends on which retailer you shop at (or online retailer). Walmart has the best CD prices around, with Best Buy being competitive on “new releases” with their pricing. It’s a waiting game sometimes, if the “new” CD I want is $13 or more, I’ll wait a week or two and find it for $10 somewhere. It is worth shopping around, especially since I do buy quite a bit of CD’s during the year! 🙂
CM Distro (Century Media Records) is an excellent, excellent online Record & CD shop. Many imports and “hard to find” issues circulate there, with mega-deal$ galore too! 😉
LikeLike
>CD’s here in the States go for anywhere between $10 to $15 new
It’s inexpensive…especially at today’s $←→¥ exchange rate (the U.S. dollar is very weak and the Japanese ¥en is strong).
US$10 – $15 is equivalent to ¥767 – ¥1,150.
CDs in Japan cost about ¥2,500…which is about US$32.59.
>if the “new” CD I want is $13 or more, I’ll wait a week or two and find it for $10
Even US$13 (¥997) is cheap.
I like to rent CDs from a CD Rental Shop for ¥200 (about US$2.61) for a week and put a copy onto my I-pod.
LikeLike