ZZ TOP made their long-awaited first visit to Japan in 1987, riding the backdrop of the successive hits “ELIMINATOR” and “AFTERBURNER.” This superb live album captures the scene of this historic event in Japanese Western music history. This work captures the performance at Osaka Castle Hall on February 19, 1987, with a truly exceptional audience. To date, ZZ TOP has only visited Japan twice. This is a great opportunity to look back at their history. 1987: * February 17, “AT BUDOKAN”; February 18, Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium; * February 19, Osaka Castle Hall This work; 1999, August 1, “Astoundingly clear sound that transcends both the Fuji Rock era and recording methods.” These four performances were held over two visits to Japan. While the classic “AT BUDOKAN” from their first visit has become a staple, this Osaka performance comes two days later. This was the final concert of their first visit to Japan. This vacuum-packed release captures that historic night with a blisteringly vivid, ultra-clear sound. This legendary recording, much talked about in the analog era, is unmistakably audience-pleasing, but the timbre is exceptional, with a powerful core, meticulous detail down to the finest details, and a distinct separationall of its essence is soundboard-quality. Even the bass, often a weak point in audience recordings, has a crisp attack, while the complete lack of buzz is unparalleled. With such a clear sound, the phrase “for the ’80s” no longer even needs to be used. Even in 2025, it’s rare to encounter such a tight sound at Osaka Castle Hall. I wish the taper from 38 years ago could tell me the secret. Moreover, this is the pinnacle update of this legendary recording. While the master released online was significantly out of tune and even the track order was messed up, this release reconstructs everything exactly as it was recorded. This is the definitive album that seamlessly connects faded parts and pursues the utmost perfection as a live album. A masterpiece from the AFTERBURNER Tour, a treasured treasure worldwide. The crystal-clear, impactful sound depicts the full show from their first visit to Japan, a historic landmark in Japanese Western music history. While the set is the same as “AT BUDOKAN,” it also includes plenty of repertoire not heard on their return visit 12 years later. Let’s compare and organize the tracks here. London Records era (6 songs): Tres Hombres: Waitin’ for the Bus, Jesus Just Left Chicago, La Grange, Fandango! : Heard It on the X () / Tush; Tejas: Arrested for Driving While Blind (); Warner Bros. era (12 songs); Massacre Elegy: Manic Mechanic () / Cheap Sunglasses; El Loco: Ten Foot Pole () / Tube Snake Boogie; The Eliminator: Got Me Under Pressure / Gimme All Your Lovin’ (incl. Woke Up with Wood) / Legs / Sharp Dressed Man; Afterburner: Sleeping Bag () / Rough Boy () / Can’t Stop Rockin’ () / Velcro Fly () *Note: * indicates original 1987 songs not performed during their 1999 return to Japan. The sound is astoundingly clear. This legendary live album allows you to experience their legendary first visit to Japan with a refreshing feeling. No, with a sound this good, Japan alone is not enough. It is sure to become a treasured part of the “AFTERBURNER Tour” worldwide. A truly world-renowned masterpiece from Japan. A transcendent audience recording of the legendary first visit to Japan, “February 19, 1987: Osaka Castle Hall” performance. A legendary recording that became a hot topic in the analog era, with a thick core, detailed details down to the finest details, a distinctly separate feel, and more… all of its essence is soundboard-quality. A treasured part of the “AFTERBURNER Tour” worldwide. Osaka-Jo Hall, Osaka, Japan 19th February 1987 TRULY PERFECT/ULTIMATE SOUND (76:14) 01. Got Me Under Pressure 02. Sleeping Bag 03. Waiting for the Bus 04. Jesus Left Chicago 05. Gimme all Your Lovin’ 06. Ten Foot Pole 07. Manic Mechanic 08. Heard It On The X 09. Rough Boy 10. Cheap Sunglasses 11. Arrested for Driving While Blind 12. Legs 13. Sharp Dressed Man 14. Can’t Stop Rocking 15. Velcro Fly 16. Tube Snake Boogie 17. La Grange 18. Tush Billy Gibbons – Guitar & Vocal Dusty Hill – Bass & Vocal Frank Beard – Drums