United  

Japan's United was formed way back in 1981, originally as a Judas Priest cover band (hence their name, taken from the classic Priest song), with bassist Akihiro Yokoyama being the only member from that long ago. By 1990 a stable lineup had finally materialized. 1995's N.O.I.Q. album is the first to get a US release (by Metal Blade), and is thus the only album reviewed here. N.O.I.Q. sounds nothing like Judas Priest, but does sound a lot like 80's Bay Area thrash, with vocals that occasionally border on hardcore. Over the years, the band has opened for many bands in Japan, including Laaz Rockit, Nuclear Assault, Exodus, Machine Head, and Slayer, and is considered one of Japan's leading thrash bands.

Current Members Ken-Shin (Al-Salem Faisal) vocals Yoshifumi Yoshida guitars Shingo Otani guitars Akihiro Yokoyama bass Akira drums

Former Members/Guests Yoshiaki Furui vocals Shinichi Inazu vocals Masatoshi Yuasa vocals Nobu vocals Hirokazu Uchino drums Yusuke Nakamura drums

Discography

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Bloody But Unbowed 
1990 Howling Bull

Sniper Welcome To Amazing World The Plague Power Rage Don't Trust! (It's So) Hard To Breathe Take A Bite Of Crime Suck Your Bone Unavoidable Riot

Yoshiaki Furui Yoshifumi Yoshida Shingo Otani Akihiro Yokoyama Hirokazu Uchino

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Human Zoo 
1992 Howling Bull

human zoo violence jack machinery days jungle land false majesty the sea of silence can't see the light over the ocean brothers in arms don't let peace break out

Yoshiaki Furui Yoshifumi Yoshida Shingo Otani Akihiro Yokoyama Hirokazu Uchino

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Beast Dominates '92 
1992 Howling Bull

s.r.s. do you wanna die? holy dive screamer combat! ultra q yesterday's hero

Yoshiaki Furui Yoshifumi Yoshida Shingo Otani Akihiro Yokoyama Hirokazu Uchino

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N.O.I.Q. 
1995 Victor

Revenger Bad Habit Run Through The Night Kill Yourself For Business Hit Me (One More Card) Words In Disguise Outta My Way Obsession

Yoshiaki Furui Yoshifumi Yoshida Shingo Otani Akihiro Yokoyama Hirokazu Uchino

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Best Rare Tracks From Under Ground 
1995 Victor

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Reload 
1997 Victor

untied skin-deep shameless thrill kill monkey brains mourning l.o.u. ex-friend suicide? mata slave style

Shinichi Inazu Yoshifumi Yoshida Shingo Otani Akihiro Yokoyama Hirokazu Uchino

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Distorted Vision 
1998 Victor

Flash Back Trust Yourself Color Who Am I Sick and Angry Locked Inside So Damn Low Tiger Change Revenger

Shinichi Inazu Yoshifumi Yoshida Shingo Otani Akihiro Yokoyama Hirokazu Uchino

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Infectious Hazard 
2001 Howling Bull

cross over the line the ruin of a memory temporary sanity sonic sublime blckend lies mosh crew solid ground penetrate low dealer 10 distorted vision

Masatoshi Yuasa Yoshifumi Yoshida Shingo Otani Akihiro Yokoyama Yusuke Nakamura

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Core 
2002 Howling Bull

Nightmare Continue Bust Dying Mind Hate Yourself, Hate Your Own Kind Hell Breaks Loose Purify Crucify The Weak Monsters In The Pit They Come With The storm Overcome Indecsion Core Insane Howl Loss And Again

Masatoshi Yuasa Yoshifumi Yoshida Shingo Otani Akihiro Yokoyama Yusuke Nakamura

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Nine 
2005 Howling Bull

Rock 'n' Roll Hand on the Trigger You Got it Right Fires Across America Don't Push me Man Cave in

Nobu Yoshifumi Yoshida Shingo Otani Akihiro Yokoyama Akira

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Tear Of Illusions 
2011 SpiritualBeast

Kill Your Sense Deathtrap Undersea Suffering The System of Terror Tears Breeding Fear Land of Blood Return Welcome To My Pain

Ken-Shin Yoshifumi Yoshida Shingo Otani Akihiro Yokoyama Akira

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Scars Of The Wasted Years 
2012

Sniper Don't Trust! (It's So) Hard To Breathe Unavoidable Riot S.R.S. Combat! Violent Jack Jungle Land Don't Let Peace Break Out Revenger Bad Habit Untied Color Cross Over The Line Mosh Crew Distorted Vision Bust Dying Mind Hell Breaks Loose Kill Your Sense

Ken-Shin Yoshifumi Yoshida Shingo Otani Akihiro Yokoyama Akira