is the first full-length album by Japanese novelty heavy metal band

Animetal was a Japanese heavy metal band who specialized in metal covers of theme songs from classic and modern Japanese anime and tokusatsu television series. They were composed of several luminaries of the Japanese metal scene, most notably vocalist ...

, released through

Sony Records Sony Records was a record label founded by R&B duo Ike & Tina Turner in 1963. It was not affiliated with Sony Group Corporation. Ike Turner produced singles by members of the Kings of Rhythm and the Ikettes on Sony Records. Records on the label ...

on March 21, 1997. The album consists of a non-stop

marathon The marathon is a long-distance foot race with a distance of , usually run as a road race, but the distance can be covered on trail routes. The marathon can be completed by running or with a run/walk strategy. There are also wheelchair div ...

of metal covers of anime themes from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. A

karaoke Karaoke (; ; , clipped compound of Japanese ''kara'' "empty" and ''ōkesutora'' "orchestra") is a type of interactive entertainment usually offered in clubs and bars, where people sing along to recorded music using a microphone. The music is ...

version of this album was also released on April 21, 1997. This is also the only studio album to feature the band as a quartet; all other releases have the band as a trio with a guest drummer. "Gatchaman no Uta," "Combattler V no Theme," "Yūsha Raideen," "Tatakae! Casshan," "Mazinger Z," "Getter Robo" and "Devilman no Uta" were previously recorded as a six-minute marathon and independently released as the band's self-titled 1996 EP. "Uchū Senkan Yamato," "Umi no Triton," "Great Mazinger," "Tatakae! Polymar," "Tiger Mask," "Babel II" and "Taga Tame ni (''Cyborg 009'' theme)" were recorded as a separate marathon titled ''This is Animetal''. Majority of this album was mixed with tracks from ''This is Animetal'', ''Tokusatsu de Ikou!'', ''Animetal Summer'', ''Animetal Lady Sanjo!'', ''Animetal Lady Kenzan'' and ''Animetal Lady Marathon'' and released internationally as '' This Is Japanimetal Marathon''. Some songs in the marathon incorporate guitar riffs from classic hard rock and heavy metal songs. For instance, "Suki da Danguard Ace" uses the intro riff of

Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. With a heavy, guitar-driven sound, they are ci ...

's " Communication Breakdown." The album cover's unnamed skeleton mascot is a parody of

Iron Maiden Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. While fluid in the early years of the band, the lineup for most of the band's history has consisted of Harri ...

's Eddie and

Megadeth Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by vocalist/guitarist Dave Mustaine. Known for their technically complex guitar work and musicianship, Megadeth is one of the "big four" of American thrash metal along wit ...

Vic Rattlehead Vic Rattlehead is the illustrated mascot of the American thrash metal band Megadeth. Vic is a skeletal figure wearing a suit who embodies the phrase "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" as well as a symbol of censorship. His eyes are cover ...

. He also appears on Animetal's albums and singles released by Sony Records. A female counterpart is used on ''

Animetal Lady Marathon is the first album by Animetal unit Animetal Lady, featuring Mie of Pink Lady as the vocalist in place of Eizo Sakamoto. Released through Sony Records on February 21, 1998, the album consists of a non-stop marathon of metal covers of shōjo a ...

'' and its associated singles.

Track listing

All tracks are arranged by Animetal.

Personnel

* -

Lead vocals The lead vocalist in popular music is typically the member of a group or band whose voice is the most prominent melody in a performance where multiple voices may be heard. The lead singer sets their voice against the accompaniment parts of t ...

* -

Guitar The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected stri ...

*Masaki -

Bass Bass or Basses may refer to: Fish * Bass (fish), various saltwater and freshwater species Music * Bass (sound), describing low-frequency sound or one of several instruments in the bass range: ** Bass (instrument), including: ** Acoustic bass gui ...

* -

Drums A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...

Footnotes

References

External links

* * * * {{Authority control 1997 debut albums Animetal albums 1990s Japanese-language albums 1990s covers albums Sony Music Entertainment Japan albums