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Imari Tones

 
Imari Tones
Yokohama, Japan
April 27, 2005
17,315 plays
40,819 views
Of the long list of factors that make ImariTones stand out from the world around them, it is their drive, their reach that tops it all. An unapologetically Christian heavy metal band out of Japan, Tak, Hassy, and Jake have a passion to reach beyond their culture to make the music they love, and to reach beyond their music to bring Jesus into their culture. While drawing comparisons to legends like Van Halen, Rush, and Stryper with their hybrid of old school metal/glam/Brit/70's prog rock, they are one of very few bands in the world that can claim true originality. How so? They are the first Christian heavy metal band ever to come out of Japan. "There are very few Japanese bands who say 'Hey, we're a Christian band.' A Christian band from Japan almost sounds like a joke, since most people in Japan are Buddhists, or Atheists," says Tak, founder, guitar/vocalist, and frontman of ImariTones. Things didn't start out Christian for Tak, though. Having started playing electric guitar at age 14 and joining his first band at 15, Tak gained local teen success in his hometown of Toyohashi and won awards for his songwriting. However, he quit the band at 17 to pursue a career as a lawyer. Music stayed with him, though, and while playing an acoustic show in Harajuku Tokyo in December of 2007, Tak was impressed by several Christian performers who were playing as well. Feeling that Jesus may be the larger meaning behind music that he always felt was there, his mind and heart opened to Christianity. Breaking many written and unwritten rules of Japanese culture, Tak, Hassy on bass/background vocals, and Jake on drums/background vocals, are reaching upward and forward to see changes happen in the world. Currently based in Yokohama, their astonishing 15-album discography includes Hero of the Lights, Color of Hers, fireworks, Japanese Pop produced by metal legend Sascha Paeth (Angra, Edguy, Rhapsody of Fire, Avantasia, Kamelot), Welcome to the School, and their most recent release Victory in Christ. Not content to play the standard soft pop/rock of the major label Christian industry, their music is 100% heavy metal and 100% independently recorded and produced. Victory in Christ hit the street in October 2010 with the single "Faith Rider" leading the charge. Originally written as a parody of the big 80's metal of Judas Priest and Stryper, it quickly became a fan favorite and was put on Victory in Christ. With both their commitment to making stellar heavy metal music and their driving passion to share Jesus with their native Japan and the rest of the world, ImariTones is always reaching to join these two primary goals together. "Since we are a Christian band, our goal is not business success," says Tak. "We are not chasing glory in this world. We are chasing the glory of God." Staying independent and record label-free is an important part of the process for them. "We don't believe in 'music business', especially in Japan, and have chosen to go independent, looking for our own way. We really want to change something about society and about what people think and believe. That's our ultimate goal." That ultimate goal, to see their native Japan embrace Christianity, is what they reach for most of all, even while their sights are set on the USA and the rest of the world. Some think they're a joke, or a contradiction, that Christianity, Japan, and heavy metal just don't belong together. Some think they're ahead of their time. But if you ask Tak, Hassy, and Jake, they'll say they're doing exactly what they love at exactly the right time, and they're never going to stop reaching for more.
Band/artist history
It was not so a big surprise for me when the belief in Rockn'Roll eventually changed to belief in God. For me as a teenager, Rock was always my philosophy, belief, and faith. Since when I wrote my first song, I knew that ideas of songs come from heaven, given by God. It was quite natural and I had no doubt. I wrote more than 100 songs in my highscool days. When I play music live, I didn't care so much about if people in front of me liked it or not. I always thought I was playing for God of Rockn'Roll, watching me from somewhere above. But at that time, I didn't know or care about who he is, or what he is called. At the age of 18, I had some "accident" in my life. It changed my plan of life so much, but it also showed me a vision of new world, where human and rockn'roll has to go. No matter how hard I tried to escape, eventually I had no choice and I decided I would devote myself to music, art, and rockn'roll. I named my music after my wife, who I have been together with since those days. And I have wandered in a clueless journey for 10 years. Sometimes I asked myself, why am I doing this? That's when I knew of people who play their music for their faith, not for their success. I realized that is what I had been looking for, and what Rockn'Roll is really for. Instantly I was very interested in Christianity. Soon I knew, God of Rockn'Roll I always believed in, was nobody but Jesus. I saw Jesus in new testament, and he was just like the first rockn'roller in the world. And I realized it was Jesus who gave us freedom, and rockn'roll. In the vision I was given when I was 18, people's mind is completely free, free from everything. Rockn'Roll can set people's mind free. And I believe that's where the Victory is, Victory In Christ is. I have decided to give my music to God and Jesus. I hope my music can deliver you the same vision and feeling that God has given me. In Jesus name I pray. Takahiro "Tone"/ IMARi ToNES
Have you performed in front of an audience?
Yes. And we want to play abroad, outside Japan.
Your musical influences
Led Zeppelin,Van Halen,Jimi Hendrix,AC/DC,Queen,John Lennon,Judas Priest,Bloodthirsty Butchers,Number Girl,Yuming,Sachiko Kumagai,Living Colour,Electric Eel Shock
What equipment do you use?
Love and passion;)
Anything else?
Tone : Guitars, Vocals Hassy : Bass Jake : Drums
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