UNITED

United is a Japanese thrash metal band formed in 1981. They have had many personnel changes in their four-decade career. No member of the original lineup remains. Bassist Akihiro Yokoyama joined in 1983, became the band leader in 1988, and appeared on every recording until his death in 2014. Guitarist Yoshifumi "Hally" Yoshida joined United in 1988, and is currently the longest-serving member. He and guitarist Shingo Otani, who joined in 1990, are the only two members to have performed on all 10 studio albums. Yuichi Masukawa of Headbang magazine called United one of the "Four Heavenly Kings of Japanese Thrash", alongside Doom, Casbah and Jurassic Jade.