ELIZA born to be wild to be free 12ELIZA-1 / FASTEN-006

Let’s explore another piece of the 80s Japanese independent heavy metal scene, this time from the Sapporo-based band Eliza. This entry focuses on their 1987 12-inch EP, “Born To Be Wild, To Be Free,” released on Fasten Up Records with the catalog number FASTEN 006.

This 45 RPM EP served as a key release for the band, arriving before their full-length album “Something Like Hot” (which came out the following year). It captures the band’s raw energy as a five-piece, featuring a twin-lead guitar lineup.

The EP delivers four tracks of pure 80s J-Metal:
A1: Born To Be Wild, To Be Free
A2: Shot!
B1: Never Say Die
B2: Burning (The King of Destiny)

Listeners can expect the classic, orthodox heavy metal sound that Eliza was known for: high-energy riffing, powerful high-pitched vocals, tight rhythms, and melodic, soaring twin-guitar solos.

As an independent release on Fasten Up Records, FASTEN 006 is a prized item for collectors of Japanese heavy metal, documenting the power and promise of the Sapporo scene. The original release came with a one-sided lyric insert.