View source for EPIC DAY

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{{Infobox Album |
| Name        = EPIC DAY
| Type        = Studio
| Artist      = [[B'z]]
| Cover       = EPIC DAY Cover.jpg
| Released    = March 4, 2015
| Genre       = Hard rock
| Recorded    = August 2014 - Early 2015
| Length      = 43:22
| Label       = [[Vermillion Records]]
| Producer    = [[Tak Matsumoto]]
| Reviews     = 
| Last album  = '''18th Album'''<br>[[File:18a.jpg|link=C'mon|border|65px|right]]<br>''[[C'mon]]''<br/>(2011)
| This album  = '''19th Album'''<br>[[File:19a.jpg|link=|border|65px|right]]<br>'''''EPIC DAY'''''<br/>(2015)
| Next album  = '''20th Album'''<br>[[File:20a.jpg|link=DINOSAUR|border|65px|right]]<br>''[[DINOSAUR]]''<br/>(2017)
| Misc        = {{Singles
| Name         = EPIC DAY
| Type         = studio
| single 1     = [[File:51s.jpg|link=Uchouten|border|28px|right]][[Uchouten]]
| single 1 date = January 14, 2015
}}
}}

'''''EPIC DAY''''' is the nineteenth [[B'z Albums#Studio Albums|studio album]] by [[B'z]], released on March 4, 2015. The album is the band's first in nearly four years after the 2011 release of ''[[C'mon]]''. Its release was preceded by their comeback single "[[Uchouten]]" in January which was collected for the first time on the album. As a first for the band, the album was released in several editions. Along with the CD version, a special [[LIVE-GYM]] edition containing [[B'z LIVE-GYM 2015 -EPIC NIGHT-|LIVE-GYM 2015]] memorabilia as well as the album was released, as was a CD and DVD version including a full concert from [[B'z LIVE-GYM 2012 -Into Free- EXTRA]]. Additionally, a special vinyl edition was announced to be available as a limited run item alongside the others. According to an interview with the band in [[Be With!]] issue 102 documenting the creation of the album, the idea of releasing the album on vinyl came about during the recording process. This would be the first vinyl album released by the band since their second effort ''[[OFF THE LOCK]]'' received the same treatment in 1989. 

The album was supported by [[B'z LIVE-GYM 2015 -EPIC NIGHT-]], which ran from March to July of 2015. Unusually for the band with the large amount of songs in their back catalogue, every song from the album has been performed live with none left [[B'z Songs Never Performed Live|unperformed]].

Upon release, the album debuted at the top of the Weekly Oricon Albums chart with 209,576 physical copies sold. The album quickly reached Platinum status with sales in excess of 250,000 copies and continued the band's streak of having all of their studio albums reach the distinction. Ultimately, this would be the band's twenty-seventh number one album release. Additionally, the album was the second highest selling of March 2015. On March 18, the album was made available for digital purchase on a variety of Japanese music platforms, including the Japanese iTunes store.

== Production and information ==
Following their year-long festivities for their 25th anniversary in 2013, the band took a break from B'z activities following the [[B'z Special LIVE at EX THEATER ROPPONGI]] show on November 30, 2013. This hiatus afforded the individual members time to dedicate to solo activities. [[Tak Matsumoto|Tak]] would go on to release his tenth studio album ''[[New Horizon]]'' in April and followed it up with his first true solo tour, [[Tak Matsumoto LIVE 2014 -New Horizon-]], from May to June. Meanwhile, [[Koshi Inaba|Koshi]] released three [[Solo Works#Koshi Inaba|digital exclusive singles]] leading up to his fifth studio album, ''[[Singing Bird]]'', in May. A special live engagement entitled [[Koshi Inaba LIVE 2014 ~en-ball~]] saw ten shows all played at [[Shinagawa Stellar Ball]] over a period of two weeks.

As the band's solo activities wound down, it was revealed in ''[[Be With!]]'' issue 102 that the duo would immediately be returning to the studio come August to work on their next B'z album. It was unknown whether the album would be released by the end of the year as few public announcements were made during the recording process. [[Shane Gaalaas]] and [[Barry Sparks]] were both involved in the recording from the onset, with the former providing social media updates as he came to and from Japan. However, in October, the 103rd issue revealed twenty-seven tour dates from a then-untitled 2015 tour, with more dates promised in the near future.
[[Image:Young Guitar Magazine Tak Matsumoto and Slash Cover.png|thumb|left|143px|Tak Matsumoto and Slash on the cover of ''YOUNG GUITAR''.]]
The first song to be revealed from the sessions was "Exit To The Sun", an acoustic ballad that was simultaneously announced as the theme to NHK drama series ''Dark Suit''. The series began airing on November 22nd and featured the song throughout its run. One week later, another song could be heard on television and online when "NO EXCUSE" began airing as the theme to a line of Smirnoff Ice commercials. The title of the album was first publicly revealed shortly thereafter in various morning newspapers across Japan on December 3, 2014. Along with mentioning the title ''EPIC DAY'', the spread unveiled lead single "[[Uchouten]]" along with its release date and the details of its two editions. At the same time, the previously untitled [[LIVE-GYM]] to begin in March  received its final title of [[B'z LIVE-GYM 2015 -EPIC NIGHT-]].
[[Image:EPIC DAY Promo Image.jpg|thumb|right|240px|The photograph of B'z uploaded to the official website during the ''[[EPIC DAY]]'' promotions and distributed to various press outlets at the time.]]
The lead and only single from the album, "[[Uchouten]]" was much-anticipated as it was the band's first in the nearly three years since 2012's "[[GO FOR IT, BABY -Kioku no Sanmyaku-]]". A sample of the song was briefly available on the band's [[B'z Official Website|official website]], but it would not be heard in full until it premiered on radio in the last weeks of 2014. The first live performance of the song came on ''[[Music Station|Music Station SUPER LIVE 2015]]'' on which B'z was one of the premiere guests. A [[B'z Music Videos|music video]] was shot for the single, clips from which began airing on various Japanese news and music-themed television programs as well as being featured in commercials leading up to its release.

On January 1, it was announced that the February issue of ''YOUNG GUITAR'' magazine would feature Tak Matsumoto and [[Slash]] on the cover together as well as the subjects of a special joint feature. The two guitarists sat down for a lengthy discussion, during which they discussed their influences, playstyles, and the two of them both having worked with Koshi in the past.

With the tour start date looming, "[[Uchouten]]" was released on January 14, 2015 and debuted at the top of the Weekly Oricon Singles chart for the band's forty-seventh consecutive number one single as it moved over 75,000 physical copies in its first day on shelves. Two days later, on January 16, it was revealed that a new ''EPIC DAY'' song, "Amari ni mo", would serve as the theme to a pair of commercials for H.I.S, a travel company based out of Japan.

After a long wait, the release details for ''EPIC DAY'' were confirmed on January 26, 2015 with an update to the band's official website. In an unprecedented move for the band, the album was announced for release in four separate editions. In addition to the CD version, special vinyl and [[LIVE-GYM]] merchandise bundles were also made available, with this being the first occasion on which B'z officially issued a vinyl for retail purchase. A longbox edition including both the CD album and a bonus DVD included the full performance from [[B'z LIVE-GYM 2012 -Into Free- EXTRA]] in Osaka. The [[B'z Home Videos|home video]] thus marks the proper video debuts of "[[B'z The Best XXV 1988-1998|HEAT]]" and English versions of "[[B'z (English Album)|Love Bomb]]", "[[B'z (English Album)|Ultra Soul]]", "[[B'z (English Album)|Juice]]", and "[[B'z (English Album)|Into Free -Dangan-]]". It also marks the first time both "[[MOTEL]]" and "[["Itoshii Hito yo" Good Night...|Itoshii Hito yo Good Night...]]" appear in an uncut home video concert recording. Along with pricing and pictures of the various editions, the update also confirmed the final tour dates for [[B'z LIVE-GYM 2015 -EPIC NIGHT-]], with its final date being scheduled for July 26 at Nagoya Dome.

On February 12, a short music video for album opener "Las Vegas" was added to the band's [http://youtube.com/bz|official YouTube channel]. Additionally, the previously-aired video for the album's single "[[Uchouten]]" was also uploaded in shortened form as well. Along with the updates came news that "Las Vegas" would be serving as the theme to the 2015 Red Bull Air Race in Chiba come May 16 and 17. Short music videos for "Kimi wo Ki ni Shinai Hi Nado" and "Classmate" were likewise uploaded to the channel shortly thereafter.

The cover of the album went through a number of variations. B'z were presented with various concept pieces from famous locations around the world, but none were considered suitable and were rejected. The band then suggested they try using a location in Japan and from that came renditions of Roppongi and Shibuya—the latter of which was ultimately used as they felt it was most recognizable.

== Track listing ==
All music and guitar by [[Tak Matsumoto]]. All lyrics and lead vocals by [[Koshi Inaba]].

'''''NOTE: The vinyl edition splits "Las Vegas" through "Amari ni mo" into SIDE A and "EPIC DAY" through "Man Of The Match" on SIDE B.'''''

# '''[[Las Vegas (Lyrics)|Las Vegas]]'''
#: [[File:a19_01.ogg]] A hard-hitting rock number with a carefree atmosphere, "Las Vegas" was not written in the typical B'z fashion. Tak had composed most of the music foremost and had played it for Koshi. In the conversation, he said, "I'm writing a song like this; does any sort of keyword come to mind?" Koshi said "Las Vegas" came to mind and that became not only the title but the entire inspiration for the main part of the melody. This is at odds with their usual method in which Tak would create all of the music and its accompanying melody and have Koshi apply lyrics at the end. Lastly, the song was used as the event theme to the 2015 Red Bull Air Race in Chiba though it was not written for the occasion.
# '''[[Uchouten (Lyrics)|Uchouten]]''' — ''Ecstasy'', 有頂天
#: [[File:a19_02.ogg]] {{Uchouten Song}}
# '''[[Exit To The Sun (Lyrics)|Exit To The Sun]]'''
#: [[File:a19_03.ogg]] The first song to be heard from the album by the public, "Exit To The Sun" was written for and served as the theme to the Takumi Saito-starring drama ''Dark Suit'' which began airing on NHK in November 2014. The announcement served as the first official confirmation that the band had resumed activities after the year's earlier solo efforts. Tak and Koshi only began production on the song after reading the script for the start of the series. Regarding the its status as a ballad, this was a direct request from the series' production company. The song begins with acoustic guitar and strings before building to an ending that involves electric guitar. Regarding the arrangement, Tak stated, "The original plan was to rely on piano and not put in any guitar until the last chorus."
# '''[[NO EXCUSE (Lyrics)|NO EXCUSE]]'''
#: [[File:a19_04.ogg]] The second song to be previewed from the album, "NO EXCUSE" was used in a Smirnoff Ice commercial in Japan. As has occasionally been the case, such as with the single "[[ARIGATO]]", the lyrics in the commercial version differ from those found here on the eventual album. In fact, when the [[B'z Tie-in Promotions|tie-in promotion]] was announced in November of 2014, the album title had not been revealed. The song was written specifically for the tie-in with their only directive being that it be made with such a beat. Tak recalled it was a "very intelligible request" and that the song came together very easily, with it happening almost instantly after he heard the request. However, Koshi did not have as easy a time with the lyrics. "Since I wasn't given any direction as to what they thought would fit the tie-in, I wrote one version of the lyrics that I thought may work. Later, I reconsidered them with the rest of the song in mind and rewrote them."
# '''[[Amari ni mo (Lyrics)|Amari ni mo]]''' — ''And More'', アマリニモ
#: [[File:a19_05.ogg]] At the time of release, "Amari ni mo" was used as the theme song to commercials supporting H.I.S.—an international travel agency promoting numerous destinations at the time. The song came early in the album's production process. Koshi relayed in an interview that he had been borrowing an apartment by the seaside in Los Angeles when the idea for the lyrics came to him. He had been listening to internet radio and had heard really old songs that would normally not be broadcast; it made quite an impression and ultimately became the image that formed the lyrics.
# '''[[EPIC DAY (Lyrics)|EPIC DAY]]'''
#: [[File:a19_06.ogg]] The title song of the album, "EPIC DAY" is one of the band's hardest rock songs in recent memory. It was the second song to enter production but the vocals were not recorded until the latter half. Due to the album being divided amongst two sides to accommodate the vinyl release, it was decided shortly after they began working on the song order to put "EPIC DAY" at the top of SIDE B. During the compositional stage, Tak had thought of the guitar work formed by Rainbow and Deep Purple and was surprised that the song became the title song. It would later serve as the closing song for the main setlist during [[B'z LIVE-GYM 2015 -EPIC NIGHT-]].
# '''[[Classmate (Lyrics)|Classmate]]'''
#: [[File:a19_07.ogg]] A song originally recorded during their activities in 2012, "Classmate" became a standout favorite from the album with regard to ballads especially. When selecting tracks for the album, the band returned to it and decided to re-dub the vocals and give the mixing an overhaul. With regard to the track, Tak stated: "I thought it was a really nice song during rehearsal. It's only one out of every 500 or 600 songs in which the melody and the song [lyrics] match well but this is one of them." He also speculated that the sentimental lyrics written from the perspective of a young student were drawn from Koshi's own youth.
# '''[[Black Coffee (Lyrics)|Black Coffee]]'''
#: [[File:a19_08.ogg]] As had been the case with album opener "Las Vegas", the complete music behind "Black Coffee" was also written by Tak after Koshi provided a "keyword" to form the rest of the song's image, which also became the title. Originally, the second part of the melody was completely different but in the arrangement phase, Tak decided to re-write it to improve the song and thus it came to be released in its current form. The song also ends on a thirty second guitar-led outro, which is not the norm for the band.
# '''[[Kimi wo Ki ni Shinai Hi Nado (Lyrics)|Kimi wo Ki ni Shinai Hi Nado]]''' — ''The Day I Don't Care About You'', 君を気にしない日など
#: [[File:a19_09.ogg]] As one of the few B'z songs to be premiered live, "Kimi wo Ki ni Shinai Hi Nado" was first performed live as part of [[B'z Special LIVE at EX THEATER ROPPONGI]] at the end of 2013, following their [[B'z LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2013 -ENDLESS SUMMER-|twenty-fifth anniversary touring efforts]]. The latter tour also used the song as an [[Ending SE]]. Interestingly, it is also the oldest song on the album after having been initially produced in 2010 as an out-take from the summer 2011 album ''[[C'mon]]''. The song was re-recorded like "Classmate" had been, although Tak thought the guitar solo was sufficient and re-recorded it exactly as it had been previously written. Although both were performed as part of [[B'z LIVE-GYM 2015 -EPIC NIGHT-]], the song replaced fellow ballad "Classmate" for the stadium portion of the tour. After release, it was used as the commercial theme to the "Festival of 1.1 Million Roses" event held at the Huis Ten Bosch theme park in Japan. 
# '''[[Man Of The Match (Lyrics)|Man Of The Match]]'''
#: [[File:a19_10.ogg]] Although the music for the song was created and recorded at the beginning of production as the first song, the vocals to "Man Of The Match" were the last to be done. The title, like its lyrics, are a reference to soccer's player of the match honors. The final chorus of the song was completely overhauled from the initial demo to the final result at the very end of the album's production. The chorus to the song is performed by support members [[Shane Gaalaas]] and [[Barry Sparks]], marking one of the very few occasions in which support members held such a role. The idea behind the jazz-infused guitar solo set at 4 beats was proposed by Shane. Although Tak had previously released the Grammy Award-winning jazz collaboration ''[[TAKE YOUR PICK]]'' with American jazz legend [[Larry Carlton]], he still did not feel he had enough jazz knowledge in his repertoire and sought out a jazz teacher for a guitar lesson. Regarding the fact that the song was last one to be recorded, Tak and Koshi both looked to one another and said, "Is this the last one?" 

===Special Editions===
{|class=wikitable width="75%"
|-
! width="11%"| Image
! width="55%"| Contents
|-
!style="valign:center; background:white"|[[File:EPIC DAY DVD Edition.jpg|x160px]]
!style="text-align:left; font-weight:normal; background:#f9f9f9; font-size:9pt; padding:8px 8px 8px 8px;"|
'''<big>''EPIC DAY'' CD & DVD Edition</big>'''
<br>In addition to the CD album, the DVD edition comes packed in a special longbox case and includes the full tour finale to [[B'z LIVE-GYM 2012 -Into Free- EXTRA]]—the end of the Japanese extension to the [[B'z LIVE-GYM 2012 -Into Free-|2012 North American tour]]. The tour included performances of seven [[B'z English Songs|English songs]], with many of them making their [[B'z Home Videos|home video debut]] with this release. This also marks the first occasion that a full live version "[[B'z The Best XXV 1988-1998|HEAT]]" has been included on a B'z home video.

'''[[B'z LIVE-GYM 2012 -Into Free- EXTRA|B'z LIVE-GYM 2012 -Into Free- EXTRA at Osaka Jo Hall]]'''
<br><font color="blue">☆ <small>English version or original English song</small></font>
<small>{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
:1. [[B'z (English Album)|Love Bomb]] <font color="blue">☆</font>
:2. [[GO FOR IT, BABY -Kioku no Sanmyaku-]]
:3. [[B'z (English Album)|Ultra Soul]] <font color="blue">☆</font>
:4. [[B'z (English Album)|Splash]] <font color="blue">☆</font>
:5. [[THE CIRCLE|Brighter Day]] <font color="blue">☆</font>
:6. [[Easy Come, Easy Go!]]
:7. [[MOTEL]]
:8. [[IN THE LIFE|Mou Ichido Kiss Shitakatta]]
:9. [["Itoshii Hito yo" Good Night...|Itoshii Hito yo Good Night...]]
:10. [[ZERO]]
{{col-break}}
:11. [[Mienai Chikara ~INVISIBLE ONE~]]
:12. [[Negai]]
:13. [[Into Free -Dangan-]] <font color="blue">☆</font>
:14. [[B'z (English Album)|Juice]] <font color="blue">☆</font>
:15. [[IT'S SHOWTIME!!]]
:16. [[Shoudou]]
:17. [[B'z (International EP)|Home]] <font color="blue">☆</font>
:18. [[HEAT]]
:19. [[BLOWIN']]
{{col-end}}
|-
!style="valign:center; background:white"|[[File:EPIC DAY Vinyl Edition.jpg|x160px]]
!style="text-align:left; font-weight:normal; background:#f9f9f9; font-size:9pt; padding:8px 8px 8px 8px;"|
'''<big>''EPIC DAY'' Vinyl Edition</big>'''<br>
The band's first release to be issued on vinyl in their history. Along with the special double-sided vinyl and slipcase, the package also comes with a special download card that allows purchasers to receive a full digital version of the album at no additional cost.

<small>{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
'''SIDE A'''
:1. Las Vegas
:2. Uchouten
:3. Exit To The Sun
:4. NO EXCUSE
:5. Amari ni mo
{{col-break}}
'''SIDE B'''
:6. EPIC DAY
:7. Classmate
:8. Black Coffee
:9. Kimi wo Ki ni Shinai Hi Nado
:10. Man Of The Match
{{col-end}}
|-
!style="valign:center; background:white"|[[File:EPIC DAY LIVE-GYM Edition.jpg|x160px]]
!style="text-align:left; font-weight:normal; background:#f9f9f9; font-size:9pt; padding:8px 8px 8px 8px;"|
'''<big>''EPIC DAY'' LIVE-GYM Edition</big>'''

The special [[LIVE-GYM]] edition includes the album CD and, for the first time ever, a bundle of original tour merchandise that is usually only available at tour venues and on [[B'z The Store]]. The items included are an [[B'z LIVE-GYM 2015 -EPIC NIGHT-]] tote bag, muffler towel, and tour pass, as well as a coupon for a rubber wristband to be exchanged at the venue for any of the tour's shows.
|-
|}

== Live appearances ==
===Live Performances===
{{Las Vegas Live}}
{{Uchouten Live}}
{{Exit To The Sun Live}}
{{NO EXCUSE Live}}
{{Amari ni mo Live}}
{{EPIC DAY Live}}
{{Classmate Live}}
{{Black Coffee Live}}
{{Kimi wo Ki ni Shinai Hi Nado Live}}
{{Man Of The Match Live}}

===Home Videos===
{{Las Vegas Video}}
{{Uchouten Video}}
{{Exit To The Sun Video}}
{{NO EXCUSE Video}}
{{Amari ni mo Video}}
{{EPIC DAY Video}}
{{Classmate Video}}
{{Black Coffee Video}}
{{Kimi wo Ki ni Shinai Hi Nado Video}}
{{Man Of The Match Video}}

== Sales data ==
{{Main|B'z Sales Records}}

{|class=wikitable width="85%"
|-
!style="color:black; background-color:#e6f2ff; width:50px;" rowspan="2" | No.
!style="color:black; background-color:#e6f2ff; width:45px;" rowspan="2" | Cover
!style="color:black; background-color:#e6f2ff; width:370px;" rowspan="2" | Album
!style="color:black; background-color:#e6f2ff; width:150px;" colspan="2" | Physical Copies Sold
!style="color:black; background-color:#e6f2ff; width:150px;" colspan="3" | Chart Positions
!style="color:black; background-color:#e6f2ff; width:110px;" rowspan="2" | Certification

|-
!style="color:black; background-color:#e6f2ff;" | <small>FIRST WEEK</small>
!style="color:black; background-color:#e6f2ff;" | <small>LIFETIME</small>

!style="color:black; background-color:#e6f2ff;" | <small>WEEK</small>
!style="color:black; background-color:#e6f2ff;" | <small>MONTH</small>
!style="color:black; background-color:#e6f2ff;" | <small>YEAR</small>

{{EPIC DAY Sales}} 

|}

==Personnel==

'''B'z'''
*[[Tak Matsumoto]]: Guitar, Music Composition, Arrangement
*[[Koshi Inaba]]: Vocals, Lyric Composition, Arrangement

'''Support Members'''
*[[Shane Gaalaas]]: Drums <small>(TRACKS 1-6, 8-10)</small>
*[[Hideo Yamaki]]: Drums <small>(TRACK 7)</small>
*[[Barry Sparks]]: Bass <small>(TRACKS 1-6, 8-10)</small>
*[[Chiharu Mikuzuki]]: Bass <small>(TRACK 7)</small>
*[[Akira Onozuka]]: Piano & Organ <small>(TRACK 5)</small>
*[[Takanobu Masuda]]: Organ <small>(TRACK 6)</small>
*[[Kazuki Katsuta]]: Saxophone <small>(TRACK 7)</small>
*[[Shiro Sasaki]]: Trumpet <small>(TRACK 1)</small>
*[[Takushi Tohyama]]: Trumpet <small>(TRACK 1)</small>
*[[Makoto Igarashi]]: Trombone <small>(TRACK 1)</small>
*[[Atsushi Doyama]]: Horn <small>(TRACK 7)</small>
*[[Aya Kodaki]]: Oboe <small>(TRACK 7)</small>
*[[Hiroko Ishikawa]]: Strings <small>(TRACKS 3 & 7)</small>
*[[Maiko Sugiyama]]: Strings <small><small>(TRACK 9)</small></small>
*[[Lime Ladies Orchestra]]: Strings <small><small>(TRACKS 3, 7, 9)</small></small>

'''Production'''
*[[Hiroyuki Kobayashi]]: Recording & Mixing
*[[Satoshi Fukuda]]: Recording
*[[Tomoko Nozaki]]: Recording
**Mixed at Birdman West
**Recorded at Rodeo Recording, Birdman West
*[[Yoshinobu Ohga]]: Arrangement <small>(TRACKS 1, 2, 4-6, 8, 10)</small>
*[[Hideyuki Terachi]]: Arrangement <small>(TRACKS 1,-3, 7, 9)</small>, Vocal Direction