Saeko
Back To Life
Out: 22nd July 2026
Playing time: 24:35
Has it really been five years already? In August 2021, Saeko Kitamae released her comeback album *Holy Are We Alone* after a thirteen-year hiatus. Now the EP ‘Back To Life’ has been released. A second comeback? In the interview I was able to conduct with her at that time, she sounded very optimistic. It’s lovely to have another sign of life from Saeko, even if there aren’t any new songs on the EP.
Rather than presenting new material alone, this EP focuses on revisiting compositions written across different stages of her life, including songs that predate her official debut.
‘Seek The Light’ dates back to the early days of Saeko’s career. The track, taken from her debut album ‘Above Heaven, Below Heaven’ (2004), has been given a fresh, modern makeover. It really rocks. ‘Sinners For False Lights’ also dates back to the singer’s early days and served as a demo for her debut album at the time. Saeko had already written ‘Sins For The Gods’ back in 1990. Originally conceived as an initial demo, it was also released on the debut album. Here, too, the track has been adapted to modern tastes with a refined arrangement. ‘Glorious Day’ also dates back to the period before her debut as Saeko and was released in 2001 on the compilation ‘The Red Hot Burning Hell Vol. 2’ (as ‘Fairy Mirror’). Hard, fast riffs drive the singer to peak performance. Not quite as old is ‘A Verse To The Universe’. The bonus track from the Japanese edition of the album “Holy Are We Alone” has been digitally remastered for this EP.
‘Back To Life’ is finest European-style Melodic Metal. You wouldn’t guess the age of the individual tracks; such is the freshness of the sound. The mixing and mastering by V. Santura (Triptykon, Dark Fortress) is superb. I do hope that Saeko is now working on a new studio album. It’s about time.
Saeko – Sins For The Gods: https://youtu.be/GeJXWR0ZKCc?si=ACBDj3TVsI1_pySm
Lineup:
Saeko Kitamae – Vocals
Guido Benedetti (Trick Or Treat) – Guitars
Alessandro Sala (Rhapsody OfFire) – Bass
Michael Ehré (Metalium, Gamma Ray, The Unity) – Drums
Track list:
- Seek the Light (Reimagined)
- Sinners for False Lights (Reimagined)
- Sins for the Gods (Reimagined)
- Glorious Day
- A Verse to the Universe (2026 Remaster)
