Loudness

LINE UP
Guitar : Akira Takasaki
Vocal : Minoru Niihara
Drums : Munetaka Higuchi
Bass : Masayoshi Yamashita
Bass : Sawada Taiji [gone : 1994]
Bass : Naoto Shibata [gone : 2000]
Vocal : Mike Vescera [gone : 1991]
Vocal : Masaki Yamada [gone : 2000]
Drums : Hirotsugu Homma [gone : 2000]

OFFICIAL LINKS
Hiro Homma - official site
LOUDNESS - official site

PROFILE
Loudness are the pioneers and mainstays of Japanese metal. Internationally, they are the most recognized Japanese rock band, having toured every major continent since the beginning of their career. Their early material is standard 80s rock/metal, but lately they've opted for a more aggressive sound.The band's line-up changed often during the height of their success, even incorporating American vocalist Mike Vescera and Taiji of X-Japan fame. However, the band returned to its original line-up in 2000.

BIOGRAPHY
Loudness was created in May 1981, comprised of drummer Munetaka Higuchi and guitarist Akira Takasaki (both ex-Lazy), vocalist Minoru Niihara (ex-Earthshaker) and bassist Masayoshi Yamashita. Seeing as ¾ of the band were experienced musicians, the band went directly into studios and released their debut album, The Birthday Eve, in November 1981. This album created Japanese rock history as being the first "true" heavy metal album released in the Land of the Rising Sun, courtesy of Takasaki's shredding and Niihara's relentless vocals.Still, the Japanese record industry doubted that a hard rock act could be a marketable asset. They soon began to think otherwise once Loudness held their debut concert at Asakusa International Theater. A sold-out crowd of 2,700 fans watched the 100+ minute concert in awe as the foursome blasted its way into their hearts.Not too long afterwards, it was time for another album. However, the band wanted to achieve a better sound on their next recording, something that would rival American metal acts. They hired an American sound engineer known for his work on American heavy metal albums to record Devil Soldier (2nd album, released 1982) and Law of Devil's Land (3rd album, released 1983). The result surpassed anything previously released on the Japanese rock market. Summer 1983 arrived and Loudness embarked on a World Tour that led them from the US to Europe. During the shows, crowd response was amazing. The band knew they had won over some new fans.The band toured in the US again in 1984 after releasing Disillusion, which caught Atlantic Records' attention. Eventually, a contract was signed and Loudness had their first international record deal, releasing Thunder in the East in 1985 as their first worldwide album.It climbed to No.4 on Japan's domestic charts and No.74 on the US Billboard charts. It remained there for 19 consecutive weeks, a record that has yet to be broken.In August 1985, they opened for Motley Crue on their US tour. On August 14, they became the first Japanese band in history to play at the prestigious Madison Square Garden in New York. Three more albums were released in the years following, including the Japanese-only mini-album, Jealousy (this was to show Japan that even though Loudness was now a worldwide act, they had not forgotten their homeland).Niihara left the band in December 1988. The news came as a shock not only to the Japanese rock community but to the entire rock world as well.After countless auditions, the remaining band members came to the conclusion that they would never be able find a Japanese singer that could match Niihara's ability. They opted to look overseas for an English speaking vocalist. American MIKE VESCERA (ex-Obsession) was hired. He recorded three albums with them, and left in 1991, replaced by Masaki Yamada of EZO fame. More line-up changes were to occur: bassist Yamashita left in 1992, being replaced with Taiji of X-Japan fame. Taiji then left in 1993, as did Higuchi. Hiro Homma (ex-EZO) and Naoto Shibata (ex-Anthem) replaced them.This line-up remained until the year 2000, when it was announced that the original Loudness members were back together. Takasaki on guitars, Niihara on vocals, Yamashita on bass and Higuchi on drums.The band went into preproduction soon after. An album with the original lineup, Spiritual Canoe, hit the stores in March 2001. As the band embarked on a domestic tour, fans went crazy to see the four guys back on stage together2006 marks the band's 25th anniversary, and they are working extremely hard to celebrate this amazing event with everyone that made it possible (a.k.a. the fans). Watch for Loudness, because odds are they'll take the world by storm very soon!

METAL MAD

February 20, 2008

1. FIRE OF SPIRIT
2. METAL MAD
3. HIGH FLYER
4. Spellbound#9
5. Crimson Paradox
6. Black and White

7. WHATSOEVER
8. CALL OF THE REAPER

9. CAN'T FIND MY WAY
10. GRAVITY
11. TRANSFORMATION

~PART 1, PART 2~