Randy Uchida Group - Crazy Bomber (CJHM)

Artist: Randy Uchida Group

Song: Crazy Bomber

Album: Deathly Fighter

Year: 1985

Label: Dogma

Presenting another one of the forgotten gems in Japan -- Randy Uchida Group plays slower midtempo heavy metal with plenty of shreddy solos and leads. Being the only output of the band, RUG puts out some pretty impressive heavy metal songs that give most guitarists their run for the money. These songs are very melodic and their vocalist, Ronny Wakamats, harmonizes quite well with the complicated guitar riffing. The star of the show, as you may have guessed, is Randy Uchida with his guitar virtuosity. Owing much influence to the late Randy Rhoads (from whom he derived his name), the guitar playing leaves little to be complained about.

Sabbat - Curdle the Blood (CJHM)

Artist: Sabbat

Song: Curdle the Blood

Album: Born by Evil Blood

Year: 1987

Label: Evil

Taking heavy influence and cue from Venom, Sabbat is an over the top heavy metal band from Tokyo. Most of their releases are self financed and recorded, so the quality is poor at best -- and it really shows with this release. The guitars are muffled and the drums are faint, but it captures the energy of the band nonetheless. The vocals don't come in until midway, and it sounds especially tortured and mixes with the instrumental work pretty well. This menacing release shows that with lower production work and high intensity, you can create some of the most creepy and vile albums. Definitely not for the faint of ears!

Zadkiel - Highway Z (CJHM)

Artist: Zadkiel

Song: Highway Z

Album: Highway Z (Single)

Year: 1986

Label: Hero

This largely forgotten band was Japan's answer to the legendary Motorhead. With raunchy and simple riffs, this three piece played fast, down and dirty English rock and roll... except they were from Japan. The production on this single is especially poor, but it captures the raw and furious energy of the band, right down to their gruff vocals and sloppy guitar playing and drumwork. The song ends in traditional Motorhead fashion -- a crash and burn of all the instruments, coming to a momentous and disastrous halt.

Crowley - Stalker (CJHM)

Artist: Crowley

Song: Stalker

Album: Whisper of the Evil

Year: 1986

Label: Electric Ladyland

Crowley is one of the more well known 'traditional' heavy metal bands of Japan, and with Whisper of the Evil, one can quickly pick up on their charade. They wear make up, have overt references to the occult and satan and play mid tempo heavy metal. I start with them because they are what every parent thinks of when they think of 'heavy metal'. Although they may sound generic with the song Stalker, their riffs are more or less catchy and the solo is terrific. Although most throw this band under the "bedroom satanist" wagon, their hearts are still in the right place and there's no denying how rockin' these tunes are.

Blue Cheer - Summertime Blues (PHM)

Artist: Blue Cheer

Song: Summertime Blues

Album: Vincebus Eruptum

Year: 1968

Label: Philips

Despite being a psych rock band, Blue Cheer churned out one of the heaviest releases of its time with their cover of Eddie Cochran's 'Summertime Blues'. The bass is thundering, the drums sound manic and the guitars are out of control -- which was the perfect recipe for proto heavy metal. Listening to the song carefully, one will instantly remember how wild the drums are -- the drummer doesn't wait for the guitars to pick up on tempo, instead plays quickly and maniacally by itself.

The Kinks - You Really Got Me (PHM)

Artist: The Kinks

Song: You Really Got Me

Album: You Really Got Me (Single)

Year: 1964

Label: Pye

Short and sweet is the way the Kinks wanted their smash hit You Really Got Me to be -- with raunchy vocals and heavily distorted guitar (for its time), it would ignite the spark of rebellious garage rock in Britain. The Kinks, along with the Yardbirds, were cited to be one of the first 'heavier' rock groups in England, and inspired many psych rock bands to pick up their first guitars in Britain. The vocals are especially of note in this song, the chorus is sung with a snarky tone -- one that really foreshadows the rebellion in music to come.

Deep Purple - Highway Star (PHM)

Artist: Deep Purple

Song: Highway Star

Album: Machine Head

Year: 1972

Label: EMI

One of the most famous hard rock bands of the 70s was Deep Purple, and with Highway Star, they've solidified their status as one of the first heavy metal bands. The song Highway Star is about a maniac and his car, and the frantic speed of the song reflects on the chaotic audiotopic quality of the song. Ritchie Blackmoore's ability on the guitar, especially the solo, would lay the groundwork for metal guitarplaying for years to come.