Known as Japan's 'Heavy Metal Queen,' Mari Hamada is Japan’s premier female heavy metal and rock singer. With a powerful and distinct emotional voice, Mari Hamada has established an unparalleled career. More than a vocalist, she is also a successful songwriter and producer now celebrating an incredible 40 years as a professional recording artist.

 

Beginning her career in 1983, her major debut album Lunatic Doll introduced Mari as one of Japan's first female heavy metal artists. In 1984, the follow-up album Misty Lady saw her talents as a songwriter emerge beginning a string of iconic albums and singles including her first career single and live concert mainstay, the title track from her 1985 album Blue Revolution.

 

In 1987, Mari began working with top international talents in Los Angeles for the album In the Precious Age including producer Mike Clink (Guns n’ Roses, Whitesnake, Megadeth) as well as Toto’s Mike Porcaro and Jeff Porcaro (also of Steely Dan). In 1989, Mari released the hit single "Return To Myself" which went to number one in Japan starting a run of hit albums including Colors, Tomorrow, Anti-Heroine, Inclination, and more.

 

Mari’s venture into a pop-rock sound was responsible for numerous hit ballads such as "Hold On" and "Fixing A Broken Heart" (with Australian pop-rockers Indecent Obsession) in the 1990's. Additionally, she was the biggest selling artist in Asia that decade on MCA International and released the album Introducing...Mari Hamada throughout South-East Asia and Europe in 1993.

 

After a few pop-rock albums, Mari Hamada returned to heavy metal with the 2010 album Aestetica featuring a guest performance from Loudness guitarist Akira Takasaki. Unforgettable sets at the major festivals Summer Sonic and Loud Park saw Mari reclaim her throne as Japan’s metal queen and her return to touring easily sold out venues across Japan.
 

In 2018, Mari signed to JVC Records and released the epic album Gracia. Recorded at sessions in Los Angeles, California and Tokyo, the album was a huge success seeing Mari work again with numerous international talents. Guest musicians included bassist Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big, David Lee Roth, Winery Dogs), guitarist Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big), Akira Takasaki (Loudness) and more. Returning to the road, her 35th anniversary tour brought her to the legendary Budokan where her sold-out performance was captured for a career defining Blu-ray release in 2019. In 2020, Mari became the first Japanese singer to win the reader's poll for Burrn! magazine's 36th Heavy Metal Championship, cementing her status as Japan's most definitive metal voice.

 

In 2023, Maria Hamada releases her 27th original album, Soar. Marking her 40th anniversary, the album is a triumphant statement of purpose assuring her reign as metal queen will continue! Soar will be released in the United Kingdom, Europe, and North America on digital (April 19th) and CD (May 26th) via Setsuzoku Records.

​