A classic hard rock masterpiece. A must-listen recommended album.

Horse Called WarPRIDE & GLORY

Zakk Wylde Pride & Glory Horse Called War

The album by Pride & Glory, led by Zakk Wylde, features a distinctive sound that fuses Southern rock and metal.

Formed after he left Ozzy Osbourne’s band, the project released its album in 1994.

It includes roots-driven tracks like “Losin’ Your Mind” and “Horse Called War.” Wylde’s commanding guitar work and powerful vocals stand out, and the barrage of heavy riffs and technical solos makes the guitar sound a must-hear.

It’s highly recommended not only for Southern rock fans but also for hard rock enthusiasts.

Doctor DoctorUFO

UFO – Doctor, Doctor (early live Schenker)

It’s written “UFO” and read “Yū-Ef-Ō.” They are one of the quintessential British hard rock bands that peaked in the ’70s, also famous for having the prodigy Michael Schenker—known for his trademark Flying V, which he played with dynamic flair—in their lineup.

Formed in 1969 around vocalist Phil Mogg, they brought in the German guitarist Schenker in 1973—then a member of Scorpions and still in his teens—and released the highly acclaimed classic Phenomenon in 1974.

Beginning with exemplary British hard rock staples like Doctor Doctor and Rock Bottom, Schenker’s passionate guitar tears across the record—at times hard, at times melodic—letting you fully revel in a hard rock sound imbued with distinctly British melancholy.

Parisienne WalkwaysGary Moore

Gary Moore – Parisienne Walkways – Live HD

Gary Moore, the legendary guitarist from Ireland.

Active as a professional guitarist since his teens in the 1960s, he played in bands that made their mark on rock history, such as Thin Lizzy and Colosseum II, and is highly respected by many musicians as a true guitar hero—enjoying great popularity here in Japan as well.

In 1978, Moore released Back on the Streets, his first album under his solo name.

The classic Parisienne Walkways, co-written with Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott and later one of his signature instrumental numbers in live performances, is incredibly famous.

That soul-stirring, crying guitar tone is quintessential Moore.

From hard-hitting tracks showcasing technical, loud playing to sounds steeped in roots like jazz and blues, it’s an outstanding album you can fully savor.

(Don’t Fear) The ReaperBlue Oyster Cult

Blue Oyster Cult – (Don’t Fear) The Reaper (Audio)

Many of you are probably familiar with the song “Godzilla,” which baseball player Hideki Matsui used as his walk-up music around 2003 when he joined the New York Yankees.

The track was created by Blue Öyster Cult, a hard rock band from the United States.

They formed the precursor to the band in New York in 1967 and made their full-fledged debut in 1972.

While they may not be widely known to the general public, they are a monumental presence that has had an enormous influence on later artists and bands.

Their 1976 album Agents of Fortune, which earned a Gold record, is one that can be called a signature work.

It features their biggest hit, the melodic “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” as well as rock ’n’ roll numbers like “True Confessions,” showcasing music that is far from being just hard rock; every track boasts high quality.

At the same time, the album’s distinctive character is marked by an occult-tinged madness that shimmers throughout.

The Boys Are Back In TownTHIN LIZZY

Thin Lizzy – The Boys Are Back In Town (Official Lyric Video)

Centered around Phil Lynott, who stood at the front as bassist and vocalist, Thin Lizzy’s hard rock sound—anchored by two Les Pauls weaving melancholic twin leads and drums that are both tight and supple—looked and sounded impossibly cool.

Ireland’s pride on the world stage, Thin Lizzy initially pursued an experimental sound that fused traditional Irish music with rock, but later shifted to the lineup mentioned above and joined the ranks of popular bands.

Their signature work, Jailbreak, released in 1976 as their sixth album, is well known in Japan by its translated title, “Datsugoku” (Escape).

Packed with fan favorites that became hit singles—foremost among them the famed and irresistibly catchy The Boys Are Back in Town, with its flowing twin-lead riffs—this classic captures the band’s momentum and distinct personality at their peak in pure sonic form.

It’s also highly recommended for newcomers to hard rock, thanks to its abundance of catchy, pop-leaning melodies that make for an easy, enjoyable listen.

HELL IS REALmiwa

HELL IS REAL by MIWA

The second album from MIWA, a Japanese female vocalist based in Los Angeles, and her band project.

Powerful shouts that reaffirm the allure of ’80s heavy metal, and a high-velocity sound that rumbles like an earthquake.

The backing lineup is star-studded, featuring guitarist Mitch Perry and bassist Billy Sheehan, both active in projects around the world.

It’s an unadorned, straight-ahead sound that, in today’s scene, even feels rare—a must-have for hard rock fans.

Here’s hoping we’ll be able to experience it live up close at clubs and small venues.

Ace Of SpadesMotörhead

Motörhead – Ace Of Spades (Official Video)

Motörhead is a band that puts smiles not only on fans of hard rock and heavy metal, but also on those who love punk and hardcore.

Since their formation in 1975 until the passing of their charismatic frontman Lemmy Kilmister in 2015, they blasted out fast, hard, runaway rock ’n’ roll at full volume for four decades, earning outspoken admirers from musicians across genres.

While their musical style remained fundamentally consistent, the first album to pick up should be the 1980 masterpiece Ace of Spades.

It’s no exaggeration to say it contains everything about the band’s hard-edged sound; faced with the runaway rock ’n’ roll unleashed by their trio’s stripped-down ensemble, any fussy theorizing just melts away.

Try their wall-of-sound approach—distinct from the more “orthodox” brand of hard rock—and crank it up!