Info
Back To Life marks a significant moment in Saeko Kitamae’s artistic journey, a project that looks both backward and forward, reconnecting with the roots of her songwriting while redefining its sound through a modern lens.
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. Some of these tracks trace back to the earliest expressions of her musical identity, shaped long before her move to Europe and her emergence on the international metal scene.
Working alongside an established international line-up, Guido Benedetti (Trick Or Treat) (guitars), Alessandro Sala (Rhapsody Of Fire) (bass) and Michael Ehré (Metalium, Gamma Ray, The Unity) (drums), Saeko approached each song with a clear intention: to preserve its core identity while expanding its sonic weight, clarity and structure. The result is a set of tracks that feel cohesive and current, while still carrying the emotional imprint of their origins.
The EP was mixed and mastered by V. Santura (Triptykon, Dark Fortress), who also worked on Saeko’s second and third albums. His contribution plays a key role in maintaining the sonic continuity of Saeko’s work, connecting this new chapter with her previous releases.
The title Back To Life reflects both a creative and personal transition. Following a period that forced her to step away due to injury, surgery and other circumstances, this release represents a return, not simply to activity, but to a deeper awareness of her own artistic direction.
Across the EP, there is a strong sense of continuity. Despite being written years, in some cases decades, apart, the songs share a consistent voice, revealing how Saeko’s musical identity has remained intact while evolving over time.
Track by track
- Seek the Light (Reimagined)
Originally written in the early stages of Saeko’s career, this track sets the tone for the EP. The new version emphasizes structure and contrast, bringing forward elements that were less defined in the original. It reflects the search for direction and clarity, both musically and lyrically.
- Sinners for False Lights (Reimagined)
One of the earliest key pieces in Saeko’s catalogue, originally used as an audition track leading to her debut album in 2004. The reimagined version deepens its darker atmosphere, reinforcing its themes and giving it a more solid and focused arrangement.
- Sins for the Gods (Reimagined)
Originally written in the 1990s and first recorded as a demo, the song was shaped by a strong emotional response to global conflicts, questioning the silence of a higher power in the face of human tragedy. It was later included in Saeko’s debut album in 2004 and revisited again in a piano version in 2017. In this new version, the track evolves beyond its previous forms, introducing new lyrical elements and an expanded arrangement that leads to a different conclusion, while retaining its core intensity and relevance.
- Glorious Day
Also originating from her pre-Saeko period, this song carries a more immediate and uplifting character. In its current form, it stands as a point of contrast within the EP, highlighting a different side of her songwriting while maintaining a strong sense of identity.
- A Verse to the Universe (2026 Remaster)
Originally released as a bonus track on the Japanese edition of Holy Are We Alone, this marks the first time the song is available outside Japan. Its origins trace back to the 1990s, when it was part of a key piece from the band Saeko was involved in before moving to Europe. Presented here in a remastered version, the track retains its original structure while benefiting from improved balance and clarity, offering a sense of closure to the journey outlined by the release.
TRACKLIST:
- Seek the Light (Reimagined)
- Sinners for False Lights (Reimagined)
- Sins for the Gods (Reimagined)
- Glorious Day
- A Verse to the Universe (2026 Remaster)
SAEKO LINE-UP:
Saeko – Vocals
Guido Benedetti – Guitars
Alessandro Sala – Bass
Michael Ehré – Drums
