Product Description

TAKARA was originally formed in August of 1987 by guitarist Neal Grusky. In 1990, Takara with Jeff Scott Soto producing and singing, entered into the studio to record new songs what would become their debut CD. In 1992 Takara added new members, Robert Duda/Drums and Gary Schutt/Bass who would become a part of the Takara debut CD. Zero Corporation (Japan) and Now and Then records (Europe) offered Takara a record deal and 'Eternal Faith' was released in December 1993. This CD entered the Burrn Charts at number 16, and European charts at number 8. Things were beginning to happen for this young rock band. After a short break the band began pre-production for their 2nd CD. Neal, Jeff, Robert and new bassist Carl Demarco, set out to pick up where Eternal Faith left off. In late 1994 the band entered the studio with fresh music and an exciting outlook. The band had some very special surprises in store for their fans as they enlisted Bob Daisley on bass, from Ozzy Osbourne, Rainbow, etc to guest perform on 2 tracks. 'Taste of Heaven' was released in May of 1995 and with this new CD who could deny this was a band to be reckoned with. Taste Of Heaven had broken into the Billboard charts for Japan at number 96! Quite an accomplishment for a American band. A new U.S. record label, Saraya recordings, asked to release Eternal Faith and Taste of Heaven as it's first releases and in 1996, now for the first time Takara had a U.S. label and the momentum was starting to build. Because of this, the band wasted no time in going back to work for it's next release. In 1998 Takara released it's third CD 'Blind in Paradise' through Zero corp (Japan), Point Music (Europe), and Saraya recordings (US). . Shortly after the release of Blind in Paradise all of Takara's record labels celebrated their short but very successful career by releasing 'Eternity-Best Of 1993-98". This CD was celebrated by press and radio alike to glowing reviews. The sale of the Eternity was nothing short of excellent. As 1999 emerged, the Takara line-up went through an enormous change. Two thirds of the members had exited the band for various reasons. After the smoke cleared all that was left were Neal and Carl as the search was on for new band mates. Enter newcomer, Portland native vocalist extraordinaire Michael James Flatters and keyboardist Brook Hansen. Brook and Neal had known each other for years and always shared similar ideas on music. With the band complete, Takara entered the studio in February of 2000 to record their 4th CD. 'Perception of Reality' was released on November 21, 2001 on Avalon Marquee entertainment (Japan) and Lion Music (Europe). Soaring sales in Japan & Europe once again proved that Takara has what it takes to be a permanent staple in the world of hard Rock. Since the release of Perception Of Reality, Lion Music has reissued all previous Takara releases. The band also contributed the Rainbow classic 'Can't Let You Go' to 'Blackmore's Castle volume 2'. Shortly after this, the band took a long hiatus for professional and personal reasons. During this time Michael, Carl, Brook had left the band, which once again had Neal scratching his head in wonder. Bjorn Englen and amazing player & person was recruited on bass and has been working & with Neal ever since. Now in 2008, Takara is returning with once again new band members and new attitude. Fans who have stuck by the band through all the changes and years of waiting will be pleased with what's in store. The band is reemerging with several albums coming out at consecutively. First with the new studio album, 'INVITATION TO FOREVER' on November 18th and then a live/best of DVD/CD. To follow will be the unreleased demo's with JSS from 1988'. In '09 Takara will follow up with it's next studio album already in progress. Takara have added Brazilian vocal sensation Gustavo Monsanto to the band, as well as Yngwie Malmsteen drummer and bassist Patrick Johannson and Bjorn Englen, as well as long time Takara keyboardist Brook Hansen. This next Takara album will be one of it's finest work to date! Be sure to check out the new album for yourself when it's released soon. Watch out also for Takara shows too!!! If you enjoy amazing melodic hard rock, with great songs and hooks, and amazing musicianship, then you will enjoy This band. Known for their versatility of having neo-classical, melodic hard rock, bluesy hard rock,straight forward hard rock songs, and earth shattering ballads all have which been the earmark of their music since their first album until there new album released now in 2008 These melodic hard rockers have been a truly great Melodic Hard rock music since 1993 with the release of there first album. Known for their amazingly consistent and great melodic hard rock classic albums. Journalists and fans agree that this band is one of the truly legendary melodic hard rock bands to ever grace the worlds stage. With legendary guitarist/ songwriter, producer Neal Grusky and the truly legendary vocal king, the great Jeff Scott Soto on vocals these guys went on to release 4 of the most classic melodic hard rock albums ever! These albums featured the likes of Ozzy Osbourne bassist Bob Daisley whom co-wrote and played with Randy Rhoads on the firsy Ozzy albums. Jeff Scott Soto of course known for his work with Yngwie Mamlsteen, Talisman, and Journey of course. Guitarist extraordinaire Neal Grusky known for having worked with members of Dokken, UFO, Scorpians, Ratt, Great White, Lynch Mob. His has has proved beyond a doubt of what he capable of! This band has scored chart toping album success in Japan, and Europe. All their albums are highly acclaimed by journalists on a regular basis. California/ Los Angeles best keep secret of all time. We think if you like any of the styles that this band performs your sure to love this band music!!!

Review

TAKARA returns with a new CD titled Invitation to forever , released on the US label PROGROCK RECORDS. The CD features lead singer GUS MONSANTO, who is also later in the year singing on the new REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE. Back to TAKARA, because the first 3 albums of TAKARA are almost classics, filled with superb Melodic Hardrock, just like on this new record and the previous CD Perception of reality , so all together 5 wonderful TAKARA albums. The only difference between the first 3 and the last 2 are the lead vocals, because nobody in this world is able to replace JEFF SCOTT SOTO, the original TAKARA singer. Although Jeff is singing some harmonyvocals here, the new TAKARA CD could have become the best Melodic Hardrockalbum of 2009 if Jeff had sung all leads here, just like on those first 3 TAKARA classics. It s not that Gus is a weak singer, because he is really showing he has some good vocal skills, but he is not as good as Vocal God Jeff, who would have definitely given this CD the additional touch in making it a real classic. Anyway, part from that, this new TAKARA CD is still a very good CD, with some fantastic Melodic Hardrocksongs and truly superb guitarwork by TAKARA s bandleader NEAL GRUSKY in songs such as Spotlight , Riders on the road , Nowhere to run and Looking for salvation . One will always wonder how it would have sounded if Jeff had sung all lead vocals, because then this CD would definitely have been one of the highlights of 2009. Nevertheless, it still is a highly recommended album to all Melodic Hardrockfans as it is loaded with great material. --Strutter 77

Well this is obviously THE come back that will shock all the fans of Hard Rock and traditional Heavy Metal. Takara have returned with a new album, seven years after their previous Perception Of Reality release. It is not only the re activation of this great band form North Hollywood, California that makes us all so happy. It is the fact that they simply have managed to release the best Hard Rock / Traditional Heavy Metal record of 2008.

If you want to listen something inspired, powerful, catchy and melodic in those beloved Hard Rock / Heavy Metal forms you are familiar with then your next move should be to check out this record. Here we got 12 fantastic songs that should be played loud and even louder! The difficult case in here is to pick some specific tracks as the entire record is a great piece of inspired rocking Steel and all the songs rule!

Gustavo Monsanto does the trick delivering some great vocals in here and if you still miss Jeff Scott Soto who was the trademark voice of the band- he is here to do some backing vocals. You will also enjoy the magic guitar playing of Neal Grusky that offers some great leads and melodies in here that slots in the correct place upon the rhythm wall of Bjorn Englen (Bass) and Patrick Johannson (Drums). Oh yes the keyboards of Brook Hansen are here to offer the final touch to the magic.

Invitation To Forever to forever is one of those records that really remains into your mind not only due to the inspired songwriting of the band but also due to the excellent instrument performances of the musicians and the crystal clear production. For me it is a huge must for all the fans of Hard Rock and Traditional heavy Metal, so do not miss it for all the gold of the world! --Forgotten Scroll

Takara was founded back in 1987 by guitarist Neal Grusky and since the early 90's they presented a couple of albums, but its been years since the last release. Now 7 years later they are back with Invitation To Forever - and with a new singer! With Jeff Scott Soto they had a well-known singer and he's still involved - doing backing vocals at this one -, but now Gustavo Monsanto is the new singer. Some might know the Brazilian from Adagio and a few probably remember him from Overdose...
Angels Of Lies kicks off symphonically, but becomes an up-beat hard rock tune. The warm voice of Gus Monsanto fits quite good to Takara's sound and they can hook you up with this one. But they add some progressive elements as well as neo-classical guitar parts to the 70's hard rock. At the same time they don't sound backdated, the songs sound alive. At Final Warning they are a bit heavier and even if there is a symphonic keyboard melody Neal Grusky's guitar riffs dominate. The lyrics for the heavy riff-based rocker Spotlight are written by Jeff Scott Soto, but still Monsanto is singing this catchy tune. The song is one of the highlights at Invitation To Forever. With harmony vocals they start into This Story Has To Be Told, a balladesque tune which is focused on Gus' voice. Due to the harmony vocals the song has the early 90's flair... Revives a bit the glam metal... One of my favorites is Looking For Salvation which hooked me up right away. The ingredients are the same, but somehow this one sticks out. An acoustic balladesque tune you get with This Photograph and again I think that in the early 90's this one would have get a lot attention... But a good song is a good song, no matter if it's the current trend or not. On the other hand there are songs like Nowhere To Run which aren't bad at all, but a bit repetitive and can't really hook you up. But even if there aren't just killers, there are no real fillers either.
If you don't know Takara, but like Axel Rudi Pell, then you should give it a try. Takara is presenting hard rock / melodic metal with symphonic and neo-classical passages - in a nutshell. Check them out, if you like hard rock and / or glam metal! --Ice Vajal

• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.72 x 0.38 x 4.97 inches; 3.2 ounces
• Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Progrock Records
• Original Release Date ‏ : ‎ 2008
• Date First Available ‏ : ‎ October 3, 2008
• Label ‏ : ‎ Progrock Records
• Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1