Anthem Nucleus (2-CD)

Two CD set, a greatest hits album from the Japanese metal band masterminded by bassist Naoto Shibata. The four-piece was founded in Tokyo in 1980, since when they have gone on to be Japan's leading heavy metal band alongside compatriots Loudness and Earthshaker. Since the early '80s they have released some 17 studio albums, plus numerous compilations and live albums. Last year, Shibata decided to re-record the band's greatest hits in English language - the result is this album, packed with some of their best-known and most successful tracks, such as 'Black Empire', 'Immortal Bind', 'Eternal Warrior' and 'Ghost In The Flame'. The album was mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren (Sepultura, At The Gates, Opeth, Arch Enemy and countless others), who gave the tracks the right sound and Polish to please Western ears and tastes. This release is accompanied by a bonus disc containing 11 tracks, recorded live in Japan in July 2018.