V.A. – Siam Shade Tribute (2010)

Siam Shade was a five-piece Japanese rock band, which broke onto the ‘visual kei’ scene alongside a multitude of other artists in the early 1990s.

Outside Japan, the group is best known as the band who performed “1/3 no Junjou na Kanjou”, one of the many ending themes of ‘Rurouni Kenshin’, the popular anime series.

Siam Shade enjoyed a decade of great popularity on the Japanese music market before disbanding in early 2002.

Producer Marti Frederiksen, who is best known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne, Aerosmith and Def Leppard, was looking to do something creative with Japanese bands when he discovered Siam Shade, which popularity is unbroken until today.

Many famous occidental melodic hard rock musicians as Sebastian Bach (ex SKID ROW), Eric Martin (MR. BIG), John Corabi (ex MOTLEY CRUE), Mike Vescera (ex LOUDNESS, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), George Lynch (DOKKEN)

were called to record a tribute album with lyrics translated to english.

The first thing that impressed me is the terrific production quality. All tracks are wonderfully recorded and mixed.

Besides, these japanese guys really know how to write good songs, and each occidental artist was perfectly chosen for each track.

“Don’t Tell Lies” is a melting hard rock that fits like a glove to Sebastian Bach vocals, in his best performance in years here.

Nik Frost from the band The Bangkok Five (unknown to me) does a good job on “Get Out”, a modern hard rocker with strong guitars.

The anime tune “1/3 no Junjou na Kanjou” is sung by ex Warrant Jani Lane. After hearing this catchy melodic track and the accurate performance by Jani, I am still wondering why this good singer isn’t more active today. The mix on this particular track is awesome.

Next song is “Setsuna Yori mo Tooku e” and surely was reworked completely by Richie Kotzen. An amazing melodic rocker that sounds like a Mr. Big track. Seems Richie has been taking vocal lessons, he has improved his vocals abilities reaching a tone very close to Eric Martin’s finest moments. A standout track, very very good.

Talking about Mr. Eric Martin, he shines on the following song “Love”. A beautiful bluesy ballad fully of emotion. A must have for any melodic lover.

The raspy vocals of John Corabi are perfect for the midtempo “Life”. Another great song written by these japanese guys from Siam Shade.

“Get A Life” is a hard rocker full of energy with dirty lyrics. Again, the pick of the singer was excellent. It’s a pleasure listen Mike Vescera sing with melody and not gritty as his last works with metal bands.

“Kumori Nosa Hare” is an extremely melodic rock very well performed by Mark Slaugher. What a great tune.

Next, “Dreams” by Cinder Road’s vocalist Mike Ruocco (another unknown to me). This track is a bit alternative but very melodic with a hooky chorus.

The crazy George Lynch plays the instrumental “Triptych”. I don’t know the original but George’s version is great, featuring his typical fireworks but with sense and melody. Fat guitar tone and very interesting arrangements.

Last track has nothing to do with the rest of the disc. It’s the japanese version of “1/3 no Junjou na Kanjou” by the local band Acid Black Cherry featuring ex-members of Siam Shade. A melodic pop/rocker version with some good guitar playing.

This album was an unexpected great surprise to me.

First of all, all these songs are like ‘new’ to us. The songwriting is melodic rock / hard rock oriented and skillfully arranged.

The artists performances are first rate, the best job they’ve done in recent years for the most part. And the production is excellent, crisp and glossy.

These tracks by your favorite artists won’t be available on any other release, I strongly recommend you to grab this album now.

Very Good.

1. Don’t Tell Lies / Sebastian Bach (ex – Skid Row)

2. Get Out / Nik Frost (The Bangkok Five)

3. 1/3 no Junjo na Kanjo (Alt Ver.) / Jani Lane (ex – Warrant)

4. Setsunasa yori mo Toku e / Richie Kotzen (ex – MR. BIG, Poison)

5. Love / Eric Martin (MR. BIG)

6. Life / John Corabi (ex – Motley Crue)

7. Get A Life / Mike Vescera (ex – Loudness, Yngwie Malmsteen)

8. Kumori nochi Hare / Mark Slaughter (Slaughter)

9. Dreams / Mike Ruocco (Cinder Road)

10. Triptych(Alt Ver.) / George Lynch (Dokken)

11. 1/3 no Junjo na Kanjo / Acid Black Cherry -Special Track-

IF YOU LIKE IT, BUY IT!