Rajas - Kuniko Morikawa -Japan 80’s Heavy Metal

Описание: Rajas is a legendary Japanese heavy metal band that first formed in 1980. They are known for being one of the earliest female-fronted heavy metal bands in Japan. Rajas originally split in 1988, but reformed in 2002, and have been active since.

The female fronted group played in Osaka at the Jumping Live event at a hall on the grounds of Osaka Castle alongside Hurry Scuary, 44 Magnum, Presence (who would gain Rajas’ guitarist Shirota Kazuhide later), Marino and others in 1983.
The band was heard first on a compilation called Battle Of Metal before the Rajas EP of 1984, which also kicked off the pattern of depicting sexy women on the records’ covers. The band used a logo akin to Ratt’s at this time, but would change the design more than once along the way.
A European version of this was also issued with a different cover.
The group played at the Grand Metal Live 5th Japan Heavy Metal Fantasy festival in Osaka in 1984. Also on the bill was 44Magnum, X-Ray, Marino, Action, openers Arouge and Misako Honjo.
Drummer Sawamura and bassist Usui had already departed. The latter was the band’s founder alongside singer Morikawa.
The group would continue to lose bassists annually.
Yet another 1985 EP was Play The Game, which featured several live tracks as well. Rajas played at the Japan Heavy Metal Festival in 1985.
The EPs sandwiched the band’s full-length, which featured new bassist Kawauchi. The group toured Japan in 1986, but simultaneously found itself without a deal.
The band issued a demo called What's in 1986 the answer to which was ‘nothing’ as the band bit the dust.

The obligatory compilation preceded the band’s reformation and the 2002 demo, 遊行 Yougyou. The band’s formation happened in conjunction with an appearance at the Hard Rock Summit 2.

The band issued a 2003 Live Tour DVD and proceeded to the second album. Rajas and Earthshaker had a Rajas Vs. Earthshaker split release before the Mother Of The Earth demo and live tour demo of the said record. Believe was a 2014 demo and featured new guitarist Endo Kosuke.

Kawauchi and Yamamoto are a couple. Kawauchi was in Betty Blue in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, which was a fictitious pop band on a TV serial called Magical Road that turned into a bona fide act.


Battle of Metal Split 1984

Rajas 1st EP 1984

Turn It Up Full-length 1985

Liar Single 1985

Play the Game EP 1985

Grand Metal Live - 5th Japan Heavy Metal Fantasy Split 1986

遊行 ~Yougyou~ EP 2002