UNITED

Bio:

.. UNITED started in 1981 originally as a cover band of JUDAS PRIEST. YOKO (B.), who is now the oldest in the band, joined in 1983, when they began to write their original material. It was 1985 that their 1st EP "DESTROY METAL" came out. In 1986 UNITED put their work in V.A. "DEVIL MUST BE DRIVEN OUT WITH DEVIL". Their sound had been described as Melodic Power Metal around this time until the release of their 2nd EP "BEAST DOMINATE" in December, 1986 which proved their evolution into a genuine Thrash Metal band. With the worldwide thrash metal movement, UNITED was gaining its popularity. After the enrollment of current two guitarists, Hally and Singo, UNITED released their 1st album "BLOODY BUT UNBOWED".

Contrary to the decline of the predominated thrash metal movement, UNITED continued to expand its fan base. In 1992 UNITED released 2 albums "BEAST DOMINATES '92" and "HUMAN ZOO", of which the former was the rerecorded version of "BEAST DOMINATE" EP containing newly recorded cover tracks to consist a mini album, and the latter was their 2nd studio full length "HUMAN ZOO". 1995 saw the release of their 3rd full length album "N.O.I.Q". They have continuously played gigs, including openers for SLAYER, EXODUS, SODOM, MACHINE HEAD, THE EXPLOITED etc.

Their first-ever show abroad was in LA's metal festival FOUNDATIONS FORUM in September, 1995. In the mid '90s, the music scene saw a big change especially in the US, The emergence of young bands with new interpretations of heaviness, had become a stimulating inspiration for UNITED. The band met the world renowned producer/engineer Vincent Wojno (MACHINE HEAD, TESTAMENT, etc.), which led him and UNITED to work together until up to their 6th album "INFECTIOUS HAZARD" (2001). Their 4th album "RELOAD" (1997), "BURST" (1997) and the 5th album "DISTORTED VISION" (1998) demonstrated the results of fusing their new thrash metal influences with their former.

In 2000 UNITED recorded their 6th album, but with their vocalist INAZOO leaving the band, the band couldn't help having mixed feelings about releasing the songs with his vocals in, that they decided to put the release on hold. UNITED then welcomed ex-DEATH FILE singer YUASA to replace INAZOO and rerecorded the vocal tracks entirely, but then UNITED had to face another bitter experience with YOKO's illness. After overcoming all of those troubles, the formally mentioned "INFECTIOUS HAZARD" was released in 2001. This album, which formally-mentioned Vincent Wojno plus Andy Sneep worked behind the board, was full of speed and intensity of a good thrash record should, which the band members still refer the album to this day to as their masterpiece.

In August, UNITED played in 2 day-long BEAST FEAST 2001, the biggest metal fest ever in Japan, held at YOKOHAMA ARENA with SLAYER and PANTERA as the headliners each day respectively. Following the release of their 7th album "CORE" in 2002, they launched an extensive tour in support of the release, and in December 2002 they performed at BEAST FEAST 2002 (Makuhari Messe, 2days) with SLAYER and SOULFLY headlining the fest.

In December 2003, the drummer left the band and in April 2004 ex-VACUUM member Akira replaced him. In September 2004, UNITED performed as the opening-act for all EXODUS dates in Japan. This era was their everything-goes-well period and YOKO describes it as "We had a feeling that we can even draw attention of those who are not into thrash metal."

UNITED's live performance around that time was regarded as a very high level one and the reason was largely due to YUASA's improvement as a singer and an entertainer but he ended up leaving the band in December 2004 due to personal reasons. YOKO says he couldn't help but feeling empty with his departure.

Going through all these, UNITED stands up again with their new member Nob (ex-DEFAME) and their 8th album to count, and their first studio full length on their current lineup, "NINE" was released in December 21, 2005.

This is definitely and positively the best and most brutal of all the UNITED masterpieces. Now is the time for us to see one of the most significant metal forerunners in Japan clearly define the true meaning of a huge metal monster. UNITED is readier than ever to prove what they're really made of.



CHECK OUR MUSIC VIDEO "Kill Your Sense" 　






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Member Since:

January 18, 2007

Members:

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Vocal--
KEN-SHIN

Guitar--
SINGO OTANI

Guitar--
YOSHIFUMI "Hally" YOSHIDA

Bass--
AKIHIRO "Yoko" YOKOYAMA

Drums--
AKIRA

Sounds Like:

Bloody but unbowed (1990)
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Beast Dominates'92 (1992)
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Human Zoo (1992)
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N.O.I.Q. (1995)
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Best Rare Trucks From Underground (1995)
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Relord (1997)
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Bust (1997)
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Distorted Vison (1998)
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Infectious Hazard (2001)
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Core (2002)
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Nine (2005)
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Record Label:

HOWLING BULL RECORD