Release date: Oct. 24, 2025

BLAZE, is a heavy metal band from Osaka, Japan, formed in 1998 by band guitarist, Hisashi Suzuki with the addition of vocalist Wataru Shiota, Kenichi Kuwahara on Bass, and Tsuneo Shibatani on drums. The band realized their first performances by 1999, and in 2001, they released the 2 track demo: “See The Light”. Fast-forward a couple years, in 2007, BLAZE independently released their widely known full length album “Blaze”.

After a lineup change and a re-release of their debut album, the 6-song EP, “The Rock Dinosaur” was released in 2014 through High Roller Records, in which that same year the band made a badass first appearance at European festival, Up The Hammers Festival in Athens, Greece. The band has also performed at Pyrenean Warrior Open Air in Torreilles, France and are already set to make another return to Up The Hammers Fest next year!

It has been long awaited, as their last full album was released in 2007; Blaze are finally ready to come back with a kickin’ new full-length album, “Out Through The Door” set to release in October 24 through No Remorse Records!

Review

Starting off with the first track, “1335” is an all instrumental song that begins with a slow, melodic tempo that sets you easily further into the song as it continues to play. It instantly had that rich Heavy Load sound to it, which got me hooked right away. The song then eases into a more upbeat tempo with a whole galloping sound by the guitars and bass, it has that really cool true, old school heavy metal sound all over. It is a nice little “intro” to the whole album with a rich, yet raw and electrifying sound.

“Let The Right One In” is a catchy upbeat track with a very solid intro, which immediately gets you into a heavy, rockin groove straight away. I can instantly pick up on the Heavy Load and 70’s era Scorpions sound that Blaze has been influenced by. Personally enjoyed this track, the bass sound, the guitar harmonies are all there for an epic heavy metal track such as this one!

“Man in White Boots” is the following track, and it instantly starts with a fiery tempo and sound/ intro overall. This one sounds a bit more heavier than the two previous tracks. The musical aspect of the track gives the listener that sense of almost cautious- danger? As if this “Man in White Boots” is some sort of menace. It’s a cool song, one of those tracks that I would personally recommend and one I also really liked myself!

“Picture on The Wall” is a long track, just about on the 9 minute mark, it begins slow, almost evil sounding. The intro has that Black Sabbath feel/ vibe to it, but soon molds up into a more faster upbeat tempo that just has that signature sound of Blaze as a band. There is a really crisp, melodic, intricate guitar showcase towards the middle section of the track, which was very pleasant to hear. After that there’s a slower, very melodic temp that sounds melancholic but for some reason it is really nice and beautiful in a way. And of course, it picks up the tempo once again up until the end. Real interesting track, and lots of highlights throughout it.

“Thrilled to Pieces” is a fun little track on the album, it is more packed with the general overall sound of the band which is nice of course. The sound is all around pure heavy metal, like that of late 70’s early 80’s metal and rock bands. The chorus line is very catchy, the song overall is very lively and light but does not let you forget that it can also still make you rock and it does put you in a good mood as well!

“Someone Special” begins with a quick hook and reel type of feeling, and I say that because of the hard hitting straight heavy metal that welcomes you in. The track is actually fun, the little icing on the cake is towards the middle of the track with that guitar solo, but of course overall the song is fun and has those small undertones of speediness to it as well.

“Rock ‘n Roll Man” reminds me of UFO, specifically the song”Doctor, Doctor”. It is also sleazy in a way, but still strongly maintains that classic, old school sound that truthfully seems to be more, in a way, obvious in this track. I feel as though I really am listening to a track released in the late 70’s. Probably one of my personal favorites in the album, just really enjoyed that very old school vibe and sound.

“Fort of Sand” is another of the longer tracks in the album, just a bit over 6 minutes of this nice, well written composition. The melodies are soft, yet just raw at the same time. It is like a flowy heavy metal ballad, as it has more heavier parts but also slows down at times to really let the listener marinate the sound and feeling that the band is conveying with the music. The track is honestly really good, loved the sound and tempo changes throughout it.

“48 Parts” begins with a sort of slowed drum part with guitars doing their legato with smoothness and fluidity before it then switches up to a more quicker, galloping, almost frantic sound and tempo. I believe the vocals are good for this kind of track (and music), it just really meshes well with giving the music and melodies that roughness and rawness that I personally also enjoyed

The album closer is a “Hidden Track” that is a quick and short musical excerpt, like a last hurrah, right after “48 Parts” concludes!

Conclusion

I walked into this album not knowing about BLAZE, did my quick research on them, listened to their previous releases before checking “Out Through the Door”; I was pretty surprised by how underrated the band is! This album specifically was a really pleasant experience all throughout. And as a fan of Scorpions, Heavy Load, Saxon, etc, this album really checked off all the boxes on what kind of music I personally enjoy and look for; “Out Through the Door” is an album that fans of that real old school sound would enjoy listening to!

TheNwothm Score: 8/10

Links

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/p/Blaze-OsakaJapan-100063468263977/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/blaze_osaka_japan/

Label:https://www.noremorse.gr/products?searching=blaze%20out%20through