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The Gauntlet: Aiming High |
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Aiming High is a Japanese band formed in 1989 by Yasuhiro Kawaguchi and Daisuke Kawamata. After some personnel changes, Kazuya Shiina and Makoto Daimon joined the band in 1994 and the line-up was complete.
Aiming High released its first demo in 1995, a two-track effort called Under My Flag. The following year, the band released a second demo, also containing two songs. Called Laser Sniper, the demo was received very well by the Japanese metal community and earned the band praise from such respected underground `zines as Aeternus and Kabbala.
In 1997 Aiming High contributed a track called "Vengeance Is Mine" to Ultimate Network's killrt power metal compilation CD Kill `Em All Fakin' Metals 2. This compilation is highly recommended and features songs from other well-known Japanese bands like such as Guardian's Nail and Vigilante.
In January 1999 Aiming High released its awesome debut CD, Metal Fighter Squadron, available NOW through Metal Crusade Productions in Japan.
Aiming High plays 100% power metal with tons of melody and emotion. The band lists influences ranging from standards like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest to more obscure bands like Savage Grace, Silver Mountain, Warlord and French metallers Sortilege. Aiming High takes these diverse inspirations and produces music that is full of power and grace, catchy as hell and very memorable.
This debut disc features the two tracks from the "Laser Sniper" demo plus six new tunes, including the blistering title track, "No Turning Back," "Flight Of The Intruder," "The Messiah," the guitar interlude "Tombstone With No Name," and a monster instrumental called "Hero in Solitude."
Every song is on the disc is excellent. The title track opens the disc with speed and melody, featuring a killer lead section with a very cool riff break in the middle. Demo track "Dark Man" is next, and upon hearing the intro riff, I thought I was listening to "High Treason" by the mighty Obsession! The tune moves on to be a terrific midtempo tune and one of my favorites on the disc. Other standout tracks include "Flight of the Intruder" and closing track "Laser Sniper."
Yasuhiro's vocals are deep and smooth, layered in some places to give a full sound to the choruses. The overall sound retains the characteristic flavor of Japanese metal while also managing to incorporate varying influences into the melodies and harmonies. The disc's production is quite good, a bit muddy when "Demon" kicks in the double bass drums, but otherwise very pleasant. This is a great debut disc and is recommended to fans of powerful, melodic metal. Check `em out!! |
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