SABER TIGER

Legendary Japanese metal band SABER TIGER continue their collaboration with Sliptrick Records for the release of their new Maxi-EP The Shade Of Holy Light. The title track is a dark power ballad that was originally released as part of the critically acclaimed 2018 Sliptrick Records release Obscure Diversity. For this EP, the band recorded an exclusive orchestral arrangement of the title track which will be featured alongside the album version and a live version recorded in Tokyo in November 2018.

The international (or “Extended”) version of The Shade Of Holy Light greatly exceeds the usual running time of a regular EP because it includes no less than 6 bonus live tracks recorded at the same concert, 4 of which are exclusive to the international Sliptrick Records release. Among these are beloved Obscure Diversity tracks like The Worst Enemy and The Crowbar Case, as well as classic tracks, such as Angel Of Wrath. These live tracks prove that the guitar interplay between Akihito Kinoshita and Yasuharu Tanaka is every bit as tight and creative on stage as it is in the studio. The same can be said about the raw and passionate vocal performance of Takenori Shimoyama, as well as the intricate progressive leanings of drummer Yasuhiro Mizuno and bassist hibiki.

In recent years, Saber Tiger have been taking their live reputation abroad to audiences in Russia, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, including a well-received slot at Estonia’s prestigious Hard Rock Laager festival earlier this year. Even after almost four decades of activity, Saber Tiger’s international ambitions have not dwindled. The Shade Of Holy Light is a great treat to fans that have followed Saber Tiger for many years, but also the perfect way for newcomers to become acquainted with their unique classic heavy metal sound with contemporary touches. The international version of The Shade Of Holy Light is released in Europe and North America by Sliptrick Records.

The Maxi-EP was produced by Saber Tiger with co-production by Fubito Endo.

The Shade Of Holy Light | Released December 18th, 2019 via Sliptrick Records

Tracks 04, 05, 08 & 09 are an exclusive bonus for the Sliptrick Records release.

Legendary Japanese Group SABER TIGER was founded in 1981 by guitarist Akihito Kinoshita and they have been illuminating the Japanese metal scene ever since. In recent years, they have been more prolific than ever, leading to the international release of “Bystander Effect” [Expanded Edition] via Sliptrick Records on March 13th, 2018. The album illustrates the broad appeal of SABER TIGER. The riffs are intricate, yet catchy. The songs are heavy, yet melodic. And the vocals of Takenori Shimoyama are raw, but extremely passionate. As a result, the groups heavy metal is classic and timeless while at the same time having the potential to appeal to both traditional metal-heads and fans of contemporary power metal. There are even some progressive influences in their music. The band may have been around for a long time but there is a freshness and commitment to the music that belies their many years and the band certainly sound nothing if not contemporary.

The release of “Bystander Effect” is not just a simple re-issue for the international market; four of the tracks, originally in Japanese, have been re-recorded with English lyrics, while the brand new acoustic instrumental Ship Of Theseusand a new recording of the SABER TIGER classic First Class Fool are exclusive to the Sliptrick Records release. Also, demo recordings of the spectacular tracks Sin Eater and What I Used To Be are included. There is no better way to get acquainted with Saber Tiger’s unique brand of heavy metal.

SABER TIGER commenced life in the same year as their famous compatriots Loudness and Anthem. Their somewhat remote location on the northern island of Hokkaido and the numerous line-up changes they had to endure in their early years have slowed down the band’s rise a little, but Kinoshita’s “never say die” determination has resulted in a legacy of first class metal. Besides Kinoshita and Shimoyama, Saber Tiger now consist of guitarist Yasuharu Tanaka, drummer Yasuhiro Mizuno and young bass wizard Hibiki, the most recent addition to the band.

In June of 2016, the band played its first two shows on European soil, which finally opened the door to introduce Japan’s best kept metal secret to the rest of the world. In case you missed that, the international release of “Bystander Effect” is your chance to get to know SABER TIGER.

More information at http://www.sabertiger.net