Loudness (band)
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| Loudness | |
|---|---|
 Members of Loudness in March 2006 |
|
| Country | Japan |
| Genres | Heavy metal |
| Members | Minoru Niihara (vocals) Akira Takasaki (electric guitar) Masayoshi Yamashita (bass guitar) Munetaka Higuchi (drums) |
- This article is about the rock band Loudness. For other uses, see loudness.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Loudness is a Japanese heavy metal band formed in 1981 by Akira Takasaki, known locally in Japan as a guitar virtuoso.
Their Japanese-language debut album was Birthday Eve; quite successful for a debut album, especially one of the heavy metal genre, which had not produced much domestic output. In 1983, after recording their 3rd album The Law of Devil's Land, they decide it was time for them to go outside of Japan and conquer the world. They moved to Europe to record their 4th album Disillusion, and they performed on a few stages there.
Finally in 1985, through the management of former Twisted Sister tour manager Joe Gerber, they inked a contract with Atlantic Records. Their 5th album Thunder in the East became a very successful album for them, peaking at #74 in the Billboard charts, making them the only Japanese rock group which has ranked in the Billboard Top 100. It had the hit "Crazy Night", noted for the repeated chant of "MZA," which vocalist Minoru Niihara finally admitted in a series of 2006 interviews as being an improvised abbreviation that sounded good at the time. On the album, all songs were sung in English, which has become a trend in many Japanese bands, indeed the vast majority of non-English-speaking metal bands.
Following "Thunder," their 6th album Lightning Strikes was charted at #64 and they became a famous band worldwide. Touring with the likes of Mötley Crüe, AC/DC, Poison, and Stryper likely helped this. However, their success in the United States moved the group to write more commercial pop-metal -- a prime example being the single "Let It Go" -- which was quite different from what they had in done their previous albums, and lost much of the supportive fanbase. Niihara was eventually fired from the band, as replaced by former Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist Mike Vescera, with Takasaki and group hoping to establish more credibility with English-speaking audiences. However, such did little to improve the band's status in America and also took its toll on the Japanese fanbase of Loudness. Vescera eventually exited, as would eventually Yamashita and Higuchi. However, much like Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, Takasaki never disbanded Loudness as the group -- eventually featuring EZO members Masaki Yamada and Hiro Homma in its lineup -- remained prolific.
The original and classic lineup of the band reunited in 2001, at the urging of Takasaki, for its 20th Anniversary. Although intended to be a one-off, the popularity of the band's reunion in its native Japan was overwhelming and the lineup decided to continue. At least one studio album and one DVD release have followed every year since the 2001 reunion, in addition to one-off recordings, like 2005's theme song for famed K-1 fighter Musashi ("The Battleship Musashi").
2006 brings the 25th Anniversary of Loudness, which has seen its first tour dates of the United States and Canada -- as headliners -- in nearly 20 years. A followup North America tour is said to be in the works, in addition to dates in Europe, a studio album, concert DVD, and solo albums from all 4 members of the band.
[edit] Additional background information
The most famous member of Loudness is Akira Takasaki. Born in Osaka, on February 22, 1961, he first started his music career as a member of the band Lazy. His musical style didn't gel with the band and he decided to make his original band, "Loudness". His guitar works had attracted many fans over the world. He is known as the best metal guitarist in Asia, and influenced many guitarists such as Paul Gilbert (Racer X, Mr.Big).
Minoru Niihara was born on March 12, 1960. His first band was Earthshaker, in which he played bass as he sung. He was influenced by blues music and became a member of the band in 1981. He departed the band in 1989, but after working with several bands (including Ded Chaplins and XYZ-A, he returned to Loudness. He released a solo album in 2006 in addition to recording an album with XYZ-A.
Masayoshi Yamashita supports the band's music with his Earth-rumbling bass sound. He was asked to join Loudness since he was friends with Akira.
Munetaka Higuchi played in "Lazy" with Akira, and later formed "Loudness" with him. His unique drumming style has made him one of the most famous drummers in Japan.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio Albums
- 1981 - The Birthday Eve
- 1982 - Devil Soldier
- 1983 - The Law of Devil's Land
- 1984 - Disillusion (Loudness album)|Disillusion]]
- 1985 - Thunder in the East]]
- 1985 - Odin EP
- 1986 - Lightning Strikes/Shadows of War
- 1987 - Hurricane Eyes/Strike of the Sword
- 1988 - Jealousy EP
- 1989 - Soldier of Fortune
- 1991 - On the Prowl
- 1992 - Loudness (album)
- 1994 - Heavy Metal Hippies
- 1997 - Ghetto Machine
- 1998 - Dragon
- 1999 - Engine
- 2001 - Spiritual Canoe
- 2001 - Pandemonium
- 2002 - Biosphere
- 2004 - Terror Hakuri
- 2004 - Racing
[edit] Live Albums
- 1983 - Live-Loud-Alive
- 1984 - Eurobounds
- 1986 - 8186 Live
- 1995 - Loud 'n Raw
- 2001 - The Soldier's Just Came Back
- '
[edit] Compilations
- 1996 - Masters of Loudness
- 1997 - The Very Best of Loudness
- 2002 - ReMasterpieces: The Best of Loudness
- 2004 - RockShocks (Re-recorded Greatest Hits)
- 2005 - The Best of Reunion
- '
[edit] Singles
- 1982 - Burning Love / Bad News
- 1983 - Geraldine / In the Mirror
- 1983 - Road Racer / Shinkiro
- 1991 - Slap in the Face
- 2005 - The Battleship Musashi
