STILL ON FIRE

A long-awaited reissue of the comeback work that announced the "restart" of BOW WOW, pioneers of Japanese hard rock!! In 2024, as BOW WOW's restart once again draws intense attention to their history, "STILL ON FIRE," originally released in 1998 and long difficult to obtain, finally appears as a reissue. This work began in 1998 when the three original members, Kyoji Yamamoto (G / Vo), Mitsuhiro Saito (G / Vo), and Toshihiro Niimi (Ds), gathered and enthusiastically said, "Why don't we even record a demo tape?" Although it initially carried the meaning of a sampler for various related parties, its exceptionally high level of completion led to its release as a prelude to a full-scale reunion, making it an essential recording for fans. One highlight is the overwhelming 9-minute and 36-second medley. Signature songs from the 1st album "Hoero! BOWWOW" through the 3rd album "CHARGE" are revived in a powerful ensemble through matured musicianship. In addition, as a bonus track, it contains "Chaser," a song provided for the PlayStation game software "R," which had long been difficult to obtain. Kyoji Yamamoto's characteristically exhilarating guitar work shines with a value that goes beyond documentary importance. Following each member's path after the breakup of BOW WOW, this work fills in the missing link leading to the moment they once again bore the name "BOW WOW." It can be called an indispensable masterpiece for understanding the history of Japanese rock, not only for those who missed it at the time but also for listeners who are encountering their achievements for the first time through the recent renewed interest.

Special Feature / Bonus Track: bonus track(s)

日本のハード・ロック先駆者BOW WOW、その"再始動"を告げた復活作が待望の復刻!! 2024年、BOW WOW再始動により、再びその歴史に熱い視線が注がれるなか、長らく入手困難となっていた1998年発表の『STILL ON FIRE』が遂に再発盤として登場。本作は、山本恭司 (G/Vo)、斉藤光浩 (G/Vo)、新美俊宏 (Ds)というオリジナル・メンバー3人が1998年に集結した際、「デモテープでも録ってみようか」という熱いノリから制作が始まった1枚。当初は関係各所へのサンプラー的な意味合いを含んでいたものの、あまりの完成度の高さに、本格的な再結成の前哨戦としてリリースされるに至った経緯を持つファン必携の音源。聴きどころは、9分36秒に及ぶ圧巻のメドレー。1st『吼えろ! BOWWOW』から3rd『CHARGE』までの代表曲群が、円熟味を増したミュージシャンシップによって強靭なアンサンブルで蘇る。さらにボーナストラックとして、長らく入手困難だったPlayStation用ソフト『R』への提供曲「Chaser」を収録。山本恭司らしい爽快感溢れるギターワークは、資料的価値を超えた輝きを放っている。BOW WOW解散後の各メンバーの歩みを経て、再び"BOW WOW"の名を掲げるまでのミッシングリンクを埋める本作。当時買いそびれた方はもちろん、近年の再燃で初めて彼らの偉業に触れるリスナーにとっても、日本のロック史を紐解く上で欠かせないマスターピースと言えるだろう。

ボーナス・トラック収録