Saber Tiger (band)
Encyclopedia
Saber Tiger is a heavy metal
band formed in Sapporo, Japan
. It was founded in 1981 by guitarist Akihito Kinoshita, who is responsible for producing, engineering and composing most of the band's work. Saber Tiger has released nine studio albums, four compilation albums, a live album, two EPs and one single. Their latest release, Decisive, is seemingly becoming one of their best selling albums to date. They are currently signed to the record label VAP.
. Saber Tiger's 1997 major debut album, Project One, thrust the band to the front of the flourishing Japanese metal scene. The album started out as Kinoshita's "solo project" but evolved into a new Saber Tiger line-up of members; vocalist Ron Keel
(ex-Steeler
and Keel
), bassist Naoto Shibata (Anthem
), and drummer Hirotsugu Honma (ex-Ezo
and Loudness
).
Saber Tiger then went on to record and release three hit albums (as well as a few others) officially reformed with Takenori Shimoyama on vocals, Tomohiro Sanpei on bass, and Yoshio Isoda on drums.
Working together they produced two more albums, Paragraph 3 and Brain Drain. In 2001, Saber Tiger made their first release under their new major label, VAP
, naming the album simply Saber Tiger. With VAP they continued on to release F.U.S.E., The History of the New World -凶獣伝説- and the single "Eternal Loop". Paragraph 3 and The History of the New World -凶獣伝説- were re-recorded compilations of the bands signature songs, with the new line-up and a heavier, more driven sound. They also released a live album named Live 2002 Nostalgia, on both CD and DVD.
In 2002, due to different musical ideas and goals, Shimoyama left the band to pursue his own ambitions in the heavy metal music scene. He was formed the band Double Dealer
, with Norifumi Shima. They signed a European-wide record contract with NTS/Limb Music, traveling through Europe on a tour with Symphony X
.
After Shimoyama's departure, Saber Tiger continued to write and record new music, producing the album Indignation in 2005, with vocalist Katsuto Suzuki.
In 2010, Saber Tiger announced the reunion with Takenori Shimoyama and the reforming of the band. Former members; guitarist Yasuharu "Machine" Tanaka and bassist Tomohiro Sampei rejoined with Yasuhiro Mizuno as new drummer. Eventually Takanobu Kimoto (ex-Double Dealer and Concerto Moon
) replaced Sampei on bass.
Since their re-union Saber Tiger has been working on a new record at the studio in their hometown of Sapporo. They announced that the album, Decisive, will be released on August 3, 2011 and will be supported by a tour.
Guitar:
Bass:
Drums:
Release date: March 19, 2003 / VPCC-81456
Original release: May 1, 1991
Second issue: February 21, 1997
1992
Release date: March 19, 2003 / VPCC-81455
Original release: April 21, 1992
Second issue: March 4, 1998
1994
Release date: February 21, 2003 / VPCC-81453
Original release: April 23, 1994
Second issue: February 21, 1997
Release date: February 21, 2003 / VPCC-81454
Original release: August 25, 1994
Second issue: March 4, 1998
1995
Release date: February 21, 2003 / VPCC-81452
Original release: October 25, 1995
Second issue: March 4, 1998
1997
Release date: January 22, 2003 / VPCC-81449
Original release: February 5, 1997
1998
Release date: January 22, 2003 / VPCC-81450
Original release: February 21, 1998
Release date: January 22, 2003 / VPCC-81451
Original release: September 23, 1998
2001
Release date: January 24, 2001 / VPCC-81355
Release date: February 21, 2001 / VPCC-84147
Release date: November 21, 2001 / VPCC-82157
2002
Release date: March 13, 2002 / VPCC-81423
2003
Release date: April 23, 2003 / VPBQ-19010
Release date: April 23, 2003 / VPCC-81459
2005
Release date: January 26, 2005 / VPCC-81499
2011
Release date: August 3, 2011 / YZSS-30001
Release date: August 3, 2011 / YZSS-30001
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band formed in Sapporo, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. It was founded in 1981 by guitarist Akihito Kinoshita, who is responsible for producing, engineering and composing most of the band's work. Saber Tiger has released nine studio albums, four compilation albums, a live album, two EPs and one single. Their latest release, Decisive, is seemingly becoming one of their best selling albums to date. They are currently signed to the record label VAP.
Biography
Saber Tiger was formed in 1981 by Akihito Kinoshita. After releasing three albums through an independent record label, the band had what appeared to be a temporary break-up. However, Kinoshita worked around this and they signed their first major labelcontract with Tokuma Japan CommunicationsTokuma Shoten
is a publisher in Japan, that was established in 1954.The company was also the parent company for the film studio Daiei Motion Pictures, bought in 1974, and the record label Tokuma Japan Communications, bought in 1972, until both were sold off when Yasuyoshi Tokuma, who established this company,...
. Saber Tiger's 1997 major debut album, Project One, thrust the band to the front of the flourishing Japanese metal scene. The album started out as Kinoshita's "solo project" but evolved into a new Saber Tiger line-up of members; vocalist Ron Keel
Ron Keel
Ron Keel is a Heavy metal vocalist and guitarist for a number of bands from the 1980s to the modern day, including the glam metal band Keel.-Biography:...
(ex-Steeler
Steeler
Steeler was an early 1980s American heavy metal band from Nashville. Band members included: Ron Keel on vocals and guitar, Michael Dunigan on lead guitar, Bobby Eva on drums and Tim Morrison on bass. In 1982, they released the single Cold Day in Hell....
and Keel
Keel (band)
Keel is an American heavy metal band founded in 1984 in Los Angeles, California. They were known for their rock anthem "The Right to Rock." The band was active until 1989, with a brief reunion in 1998. Keel reunited in 2008 and is currently touring for their 25th anniversary.-History:Keel was...
), bassist Naoto Shibata (Anthem
Anthem (band)
is a Japanese heavy metal band that was formed during the early 1980s in Tokyo. They are among the handful of heavy metal bands founded in Japan during that time and are considered to be one of the most successful and influential, alongside Loudness and Earthshaker.-Early years :Anthem was founded...
), and drummer Hirotsugu Honma (ex-Ezo
Ezo (band)
was a Japanese heavy metal band originally formed as FRATVACKER in the spring of 1982 in Sapporo, Japan out of the remnants of two high school bands, POWER-STATION and SCRAP...
and Loudness
Loudness (band)
is a Japan-based heavy metal band formed in 1981 by guitarist Akira Takasaki and drummer Munetaka Higuchi. They were the first Japanese heavy metal act signed to a major label in the United States, releasing twenty-three studio albums...
).
Saber Tiger then went on to record and release three hit albums (as well as a few others) officially reformed with Takenori Shimoyama on vocals, Tomohiro Sanpei on bass, and Yoshio Isoda on drums.
Working together they produced two more albums, Paragraph 3 and Brain Drain. In 2001, Saber Tiger made their first release under their new major label, VAP
VAP
is a Japanese entertainment company headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan.-Current artists:*ALvino*Animals*Animetal*Eastern Youth*Edge of Spirit*Junko Ohashi*Yuji Ohno*Ogre You Asshole*Ono Ayako*Galneryus...
, naming the album simply Saber Tiger. With VAP they continued on to release F.U.S.E., The History of the New World -凶獣伝説- and the single "Eternal Loop". Paragraph 3 and The History of the New World -凶獣伝説- were re-recorded compilations of the bands signature songs, with the new line-up and a heavier, more driven sound. They also released a live album named Live 2002 Nostalgia, on both CD and DVD.
In 2002, due to different musical ideas and goals, Shimoyama left the band to pursue his own ambitions in the heavy metal music scene. He was formed the band Double Dealer
Double Dealer
was a Japanese hard rock/heavy metal band formed by Takenori Shimoyama and Norifumi Shima in 2000. They toured France in the same year as an opening act of Symphony X...
, with Norifumi Shima. They signed a European-wide record contract with NTS/Limb Music, traveling through Europe on a tour with Symphony X
Symphony X
Symphony X is an American progressive metal band from Middletown, New Jersey.Founded in 1994 by guitarist Michael Romeo, their albums The Divine Wings of Tragedy and V: The New Mythology Suite have given the band considerable attention within the progressive metal community...
.
After Shimoyama's departure, Saber Tiger continued to write and record new music, producing the album Indignation in 2005, with vocalist Katsuto Suzuki.
In 2010, Saber Tiger announced the reunion with Takenori Shimoyama and the reforming of the band. Former members; guitarist Yasuharu "Machine" Tanaka and bassist Tomohiro Sampei rejoined with Yasuhiro Mizuno as new drummer. Eventually Takanobu Kimoto (ex-Double Dealer and Concerto Moon
Concerto Moon
is a Japanese neo-classical/power metal band led by guitarist Norifumi Shima.The band's first two albums were reissued by InsideOut Music in 2003.-Members:* Norifumi Shima – guitar * Masayuki Osada – drums...
) replaced Sampei on bass.
Since their re-union Saber Tiger has been working on a new record at the studio in their hometown of Sapporo. They announced that the album, Decisive, will be released on August 3, 2011 and will be supported by a tour.
Current members
- Akihito Kinoshita - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, leader - Yasuharu "Machine" Tanaka - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Takenori Shimoyama - vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Yasuhiro Mizuno - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Takanobu Kimoto - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Former members
Vocals:- Masahiro Imai
- Takayuki Takizawa
- Hiroyuki Yamaguchi
- Yasuo Sasai
- Youichi Koizumi
- Toru Watanabe
- Yoko Kubota
- Ron KeelRon KeelRon Keel is a Heavy metal vocalist and guitarist for a number of bands from the 1980s to the modern day, including the glam metal band Keel.-Biography:...
- Sakebi
Guitar:
- Hidetoshi Takeda
Bass:
- Masahiro Imai
- Fumiaki Sato
- Takayuki Takizawa
- Akira Mogi
- Masahiko Hoshiba
- Yuichi Hayase
- Tomohiro Sampei
- Takashi Yamazumi
- Satoru Takeuchi
- Naoto Shibata
- Tomohiro Sanpei
Drums:
- Yoshio Isoda
- Koji Imai
- Shinichi Shirai
- Masafumi Minato
- Hiroyuki Sugano
- Junichi Sasaki
- Mitsuhiro Tsuji
- Yuichi Sugiyama
- Nobuyuki Kodera
- Akihiro Iiyama
- Hirotsugu Homma
- Hideaki Yumida
Studio albums
- Invasion (1992)
- Agitation (1994)
- Timystery (1995)
- Project One (1997)
- Brain Drain (1998)
- Saber Tiger (2001)
- F.U.S.E. (2002)
- Indignation (2005)
- Decisive (2011)
Demos
- "Saber Tiger I" (1983)
- "Saber Tiger II" (1984)
- "Saber Tiger III" (1984)
- "Saber Tiger IV: Maboroshi & Tusk" (1985)
- "Saber Tiger V" (1987)
- "Saber Tiger VII" (1988)
- "Saber Tiger VI" (1989)
- "Saber Tiger VIII" (1990)
Compilation albums
- Paragraph (1991)
- Paragraph 2 (1994)
- Paragraph 3 - Museum (1998)
- The History of the New World (2001)
DVDs
- Agitation (1994)
- Rare "Agitation" Crips Live At The Penny Lane 24, Sapporo, 2nd April, 1994 (1994)
- Official Bootleg Live Video; Rare "Agitation Tour '94" Crips Vol.1 (1994)
- Official Bootleg Live Video; Rare "Agitation Tour '94" Crips Vol.2 (1994)
- Official Bootleg Live Video; Rare "Agitation Tour '94" Crips Vol.3 (1995)
- Realive Recorded Live At The Penny Lane 24, Sapporo, 21st February, 1993 (1993)
- Live 2002 Nostalgia (2003)
Overview
1991- Paragraph -
Release date: March 19, 2003 / VPCC-81456
Original release: May 1, 1991
Second issue: February 21, 1997
1992
- Invasion -
Release date: March 19, 2003 / VPCC-81455
Original release: April 21, 1992
Second issue: March 4, 1998
1994
- Paragraph 2 -
Release date: February 21, 2003 / VPCC-81453
Original release: April 23, 1994
Second issue: February 21, 1997
- Agitation -
Release date: February 21, 2003 / VPCC-81454
Original release: August 25, 1994
Second issue: March 4, 1998
1995
- Timystery -
Release date: February 21, 2003 / VPCC-81452
Original release: October 25, 1995
Second issue: March 4, 1998
1997
- Project One -
Release date: January 22, 2003 / VPCC-81449
Original release: February 5, 1997
1998
- Brain Drain -
Release date: January 22, 2003 / VPCC-81450
Original release: February 21, 1998
- Paragraph 3 -
Release date: January 22, 2003 / VPCC-81451
Original release: September 23, 1998
2001
- Saber Tiger -
Release date: January 24, 2001 / VPCC-81355
- The History of The New World -凶獣伝説- -
Release date: February 21, 2001 / VPCC-84147
- Eternal Loop -
Release date: November 21, 2001 / VPCC-82157
2002
- F.U.S.E. -
Release date: March 13, 2002 / VPCC-81423
2003
- Live 2002 Nostalgia (DVD) -
Release date: April 23, 2003 / VPBQ-19010
- Live 2002 Nostalgia (CD) -
Release date: April 23, 2003 / VPCC-81459
2005
- Indignation -
Release date: January 26, 2005 / VPCC-81499
2011
- Decisive (CD) -
Release date: August 3, 2011 / YZSS-30001
- Decisive (DVD) -
Release date: August 3, 2011 / YZSS-30001