JCC E-Magazine April 2025

Special Feature

JCC speaks to ANTHEM, a Japanese heavy metal band celebrating their 40th anniversary, and who will be here to perform in Singapore for the first time this May. They are among the many heavy metal bands founded in Japan during the early 1980s and are considered to be one of the most successful and influential.

Congratulations on your 40th anniversary! What are the unforgettable memories that have kept you going for so many years?

The first one is when we restarted the band in 2001 after having disbanded.
Another one is when we were able to form the current line-up in 2013.
Because Morikawa, Shimizu, and Tamaru are all talented and very wonderful musicians.

先ずは解散していたバンドを2001年に再始動させた事だね。
もう一つは、2013年に今のラインナップになることが出来たという事だ。
森川も清水も田丸も、みんな実力があり、とても素晴らしい音楽家だからね。

As a heavy metal band, how do you incorporate Japanese elements in your music?

Basically, I don’t think we are particularly conscious of Japanese elements or being Japanese, but of course we are still Japanese, so maybe it is done unconsciously. For example, being reflected in the melodies.

基本的に日本の要素や日本人である事を特に意識はしていないと思うけど、もちろん日本人だから、もしかすると意識せずとも、例えばメロディなどに反映しているはずだよ。

What are your goals for your career and music moving forward?

We will continue to focus on our activities in Japan, but also plan to release our works internationally and perform abroad.

これまで通り日本の活動を軸にしながら、作品を世界でリリースし、演奏活動でも海外に出て行くつもりだよ。

Have you been to Singapore before (as a tourist or to perform)? What do you look forward to the most about performing in Singapore?

I’m not sure about the other members, but it is my first time in Singapore. I look forward the most to playing our music in front of the metalheads in Singapore. They’ll be able to see what an awesome metal band we are.

他のメンバーはわからないが、僕はシンガポールに行くのは初めてなんだ。
シンガポールのメタルヘッズ達の前で僕らの音楽をプレイできる事が、何よりも楽しみだ。
僕らがどんなヤバいメタルバンドかわかってもらえるはずだよ。

Do you have a message that you would like to relay to Friends of Japan Creative Centre or your Singaporean fans who are looking forward to the concert in Singapore?

Hello! I am Shibata Naoto of Anthem. I’m really, really looking forward to our first concert in Singapore. Please come and hear us! And please soak up and feel the metallic groove of Anthem with your whole body!

どうも！アンセムの柴田直人です。
初のシンガポール公演を今からとてもとても楽しみにしています。
是非会場にお越しください！
そして、僕らのサウンドを全身に浴びて、アンセムのメタリックなグルーヴを体で感じてください！

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