SAEKO’s Metal Resurrection Begins: Two Japan Dates, New EP Incoming
- Rock Metal Machine
- 24 hours ago
- 2 min read
SAEKO
Japanese power metal vocalist Saeko is set to return to the stage with two exclusive shows in Japan this May, under the banner “SAEKO LIVE IN JAPAN 2026”, while also revealing the upcoming release of her new EP, Back to Life, scheduled for July 18, 2026.
The two special events will take place in Osaka (May 12, Panhead Groove) and Tokyo (May 14, SUNRIZE) and will feature a unique format combining a talk session and an exclusive live showcase, including the performance of two songs from the upcoming EP.
These concerts represent a rare and exciting collaboration between artists from different musical traditions, bringing together European melodic power metal and the rich heritage of Japanese neoclassical metal.
The live line-up for these shows includes: Saeko Kitamae on vocals, Guido Benedetti (Trick or Treat) on guitars, Masashi Okagaki on keyboards (Terra Rosa, Jill’s Project, Aphrodite) and Kaz Nakamura on bass (Kelly Simon’s Blind Faith, Rachel Mother Goose).
The presence of legendary keyboardist Masashi Okagaki, a key figure in Japan’s neoclassical metal scene and leader of Terra Rosa, adds a distinctive and historically significant element to the performances, while bassist Kaz Nakamura brings his experience and technical mastery to complete a powerful and dynamic line-up.
Saeko is widely recognized as a pioneering artist in the international metal scene. Originally from Osaka, she moved to Germany in the early 2000s to pursue her musical career, collaborating with prominent European musicians and releasing her debut album Above Heaven Below Heaven in 2004. That same year, she toured Europe with metal icon Doro Pesch, and in 2005 she made history as the first Asian female artist to perform at Wacken Open Air, the world’s largest heavy metal festival. Following her second album Life (2006), Saeko returned in 2021 with Holy Are We Alone, marking a powerful comeback after a long hiatus and reaffirming her unique artistic identity: Melodic Power Metal with emotional depth and a cross-cultural perspective.
Now, with the upcoming EP Back to Life, Saeko continues to build on her legacy, connecting past and present through a renewed creative vision.
EVENT DETAILS
OSAKA
May 12, 2026
Panhead Groove
Open: 18:30 / Start: 19:00
TOKYO
May 14, 2026
SUNRIZE
Open: 18:30 / Start: 19:00
Buy tickets: https://linktr.ee/SaekoLive2026
SAEKO ON THE WEB:
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