For release - March 29th, 2023 Setsuzoku Records is proud to welcome legendary artist Mari Hamada to the roster!
Japan’s ‘heavy metal queen’ will release her 27th album, Soar, in the UK, Europe, and North America via Setsuzoku Records. The album will be released on digital platforms April 19th and CD May 5th. The album’s powerful opening track, ‘Tomorrow Never Dies,’ will see advance release as a digital single on April 5th.
‘It’s an honor to have a release in our catalog for the incredible Mari Hamada’ says Setsuzoku Records CEO Christopher Morris. ‘She’s an uncontested legend and has truly earned the moniker of Japan’s 'metal queen.' Soar proves she still wears that crown.’
With a long list of chart-topping singles and albums, as well as sold-out concert tours in Japan, Mari Hamada has established herself as Japan’s premier female solo artist. Celebrating her 40th anniversary as a recording artist, Soar is an 11-track masterpiece from the acclaimed vocalist, songwriter and producer.
The Setsuzoku Records CD release of Soar will feature an alternative booklet layout to the Japanese release plus romaji lyric transliteration.
1. Tomorrow Never Dies
2. Escape From Freedom
3. Prism
4. Noblesse Oblige
5. Zero Gravity
6. Dramatica
7. Dancing With Heartache
8. The Fall
9. River
10. Diagram
11. Last Leaf
SZR021 – Mari Hamada, Soar
UK, EU, North America release:
Digital – April 19th
CD – May 5th
Drums: Gregg Bissonette, Marco Minnemann, Hideki Harasawa
Bass: Leland Sklar, Billy Sheehan, Philip Bynoe, BOH
Guitar: Michael Landau, Akira Takasaki, Michael Romeo, Chris Broderick, Takashi Masuzaki, ISAO
Keyboards: Jeff Bova, Derek Sherinian, Masafumi Nakao
Violin: Lili Haydn, Saori Hoshino
Produced and directed by Mari Hamada
Please send all inquiries to contact@setsuzokurecords.com
About Mari Hamada
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 5th) via Setsuzoku Records.
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