Surely one of Japan's best-kept heavy metal secrets, Nagoya-based thrashers Outrage have been actively touring and releasing records in their homeland since 1987, but have precious little recognition to show for their illustrious career beyond their homeland's borders. Originally formed in 1982, the band only hit their stride once vocalist Naoki Hashimoto replaced founding frontman Kazutoyo Ito in 1986, joining a well-oiled thrash metal machine built by guitarist Yousuke Abe, bassist Yoshihiro Yasui, and drummer Shinya Tange, and launching Outrage's career via an eponymous 1987 EP. This was followed by a string of Metallica-influenced albums in 1988's Black Clouds, 1989's Blind to Reality, 1990's The Great Blue, 1991's The Final Day, 1993's Spit, 1995's Life Until Deaf, and 1997's Who We Are -- most of them unavailable outside Japan despite being released by major labels domestically. Sadly, Hashimoto broke rank with his bandmates in 1998, yet they proceeded to experiment with mainstream metal and even stoner rock hallmarks on subsequent LPs like 2002's 24-7 and 2004's Cause for Pause (released amid several EPs, compilations, and DVDs), which saw guitarist Abe also handling vocals. But when Hashimoto returned in 2007, Outrage immediately revived their thrashing ways for their loyal fans with 2009's eponymous Outrage album. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia