Saber Tiger

is a Japanese heavy metal band from Sapporo. It was founded in 1981 by guitarist and sole-constant member Akihito Kinoshita - as well as two other musicians - who is responsible for producing, engineering and composing most of the band's work. Biography Saber Tiger was formed by guitarist Akihito Kinoshita and the Iwai brothers in 1981. After releasing three albums through an independent record label, the band had what appeared to be a temporary break-up. However, Kinoshita worked around this and signed a major label contract with Tokuma Japan Communications. Saber Tiger's 1997 major debut album, Project One, thrust the band to the front of the flourishing Japanese metal scene. The album is essentially a solo album from Kinoshita, with famous guest musicians; vocalist Ron Keel (ex-Steeler and Keel), bassist Naoto Shibata (Anthem) and drummer Hirotsugu Honma (ex-Ezo and Loudness). Saber Tiger then went on to record while officially reformed with Takenori Shimoyama on vocals, Tomohiro Sanpei on bass and Yoshio Isoda on drums. Working together they produced two more albums, Paragraph 3 and Brain Drain. In 2001, Saber Tiger made their first release under their new independent label VAP, naming the album simply Saber Tiger. With VAP they continued on to release F.U.S.E., The History of the New World -凶獣伝説- and the single "Eternal Loop", which was featured in Season 1 of Hajime no Ippo. Paragraph 3 and The History of the New World -凶獣伝説- were re-recorded compilations of the band's signature songs, with the new line-up and a heavier, more driven sound. They also released a live album named Live 2002 Nostalgia on both CD and DVD.