SAKI

Japanese Heavy Metal Shredder, Seven-String Virtuoso & Songwriter

Biography

Born in Tokyo, SAKI is one of the most prominent and technically accomplished guitarists to emerge from the contemporary Japanese heavy metal scene. Originally inspired to pick up the guitar after discovering Queen and Seikima-II, she developed a fierce neoclassical foundation paired with extreme modern metal crunch.

In 2012, SAKI co-founded the all-female melodic power metal outfit Mary's Blood, serving as their principal shred guitarist, primary riff architect, and composer across six studio albums and international tours. In 2019, she joined forces with British power metal vocal legend Li-sa-X and DragonForce members to launch the all-female metal supergroup NEMOPHILA, showcasing crushing, low-tuned modern 7-string metal until her departure in 2024. In addition to her band projects, she formed the rock/metal duo AMAHIRU alongside DragonForce bassist Frédéric Leclercq and maintains an active solo career and clinic schedule.

Selected Discography

Solo Releases

BRIGHTNESS (2021)
Her high-octane debut solo instrumental single, arranged alongside Frédéric Leclercq, showcasing blistering neoclassical leads and melodic shred mastery.
GERMINANS (2022)
Follow-up single and video showcase emphasizing dynamic, hard-hitting rhythmic grooves and expressive lead voicings.

With Mary's Blood

Countdown to Evolution (2014) – Major-label debut featuring fast power-metal anthems like "Marionette".
Bloody Palace (2015) – Solidified their signature mix of speed metal and high-energy melodic hooks.
FATE (2016) – Included guest collaborations with Luke Takamura (Seikima-II) and Miki Sun-go (Show-Ya).
Revenant (2018) & CONFESSIONS (2019) – Showcased evolving progressive and hard rock dimensions.
Mary's Blood (2021) – Self-titled full-length marking the group's pre-hiatus creative peak.

With NEMOPHILA

REVIVE (2021) – Crushing debut album introducing their twin-guitar modern metal attack.
Seize the Fate (2022) – High-tempo release blending metalcore breakdowns, thrash, and twin-lead harmonies.
EVOLVE (2024) – Modern, riff-heavy evolution featuring aggressive 7-string rhythms.

With AMAHIRU

AMAHIRU (2020) – Cross-continental collaboration with Frédéric Leclercq, featuring Mike束 (ex-Soilwork) and guest appearances by Alicia Vigil.

Guitar Style & Virtuoso Technique

SAKI’s playing stands out for its blend of traditional 1980s Japanese hard-rock heritage and punishing modern 7-string metal:

Strict Alternate Picking & Speed Scales: Piercing, surgical alternate picking executed with stiff plectrums, allowing for clear articulation across high-speed scalar passages, three-note-per-string runs, and pedal-point riffs.
Swept Arpeggios & Neoclassical Cadences: Heavy use of 5-string sweep-picked minor and diminished arpeggios, frequently resolving into wide, singing finger vibrato influenced by classical harmonic progressions.
Low-Tuned 7-String Riffing: Driving, percussive downpicked rhythm work on low-B/drop-tuned 7-string guitars, combining syncopated modern metalcore chugs with thrash-metal gallops.
Vocal Melodic Phrasing: Balanced against technical velocity, her solos emphasize memorable melodic motifs, expressive pre-bends, and harmonized twin-guitar lines.
Rig & Gear: Longtime signature artist with Killer Guitars (playing custom Killer KG-Fascinator Seven the Curse and Fascist models equipped with Seymour Duncan and Fishman Fluence pickups), amplified through Marshall, Kemper, and Peavey high-gain tube rigs.

Protect & Display Your Guitar in Style! | SOUNDMAKER MLG-10 Humidity-Controlled Cabinet feat. SAKI