Loudness (album)
| Loudness | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Loudness | ||||
| Released | June 10, 1992 | |||
| Genre | Heavy metal, hard rock | |||
| Length | 46:57 | |||
| Label | Warner Music Japan | |||
| Producer | Akira Takasaki, Jody Gray (vocal production) | |||
| Loudness chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
| "Black Widow" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Loudness | ||||
| from the album Loudness | ||||
| A-side | "Black Widow" | |||
| B-side | "Racing the Wind" | |||
| Released | May 25, 1992 | |||
| Format | CD | |||
| Genre | Heavy metal | |||
| Length | 8:55 | |||
| Label | Warner Music Japan | |||
| Writer(s) | Jody Gray, Akira Takasaki, Masaki Yamada | |||
| Loudness singles chronology | ||||
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| "Slaughter House" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Loudness | ||||
| from the album Loudness | ||||
| A-side | "Slaughter House" | |||
| Released | August 25, 1992 | |||
| Format | CD | |||
| Genre | Heavy metal | |||
| Length | 3:53 | |||
| Label | Warner Music Japan | |||
| Writer(s) | Jody Gray, Akira Takasaki, Masaki Yamada | |||
| Loudness singles chronology | ||||
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Loudness is the tenth studio album by Japanese band Loudness. It was released in 1992 only in Japan, after the band had terminated the recording contracts with US labels. Original bass player Masayoshi Yamashita was replaced with Taiji Sawada and the American vocalist Mike Vescera with former Ezo singer Masaki Yamada.
The sound of this album is much more aggressive and the rhythms much faster than the preceding offerings from the band. This fact has been interpreted as a reaction by composer and producer Takasaki to the many compromises he had to accept by US managers and producers to remain in the record market in the USA.[1] Also, the music has a much more traditional heavy metal feel to it overall, whereas their previous output from the late 80's had a very glam-oriented melodic sound to it.
The cover art is designed by artist Tadanori Yokoo. The limited edition of the album came with a special booklet and CD case, guitar picks, band name logo sticker and a t-shirt signed by the band. The album reached No. 2 in Japan on the Oricon Charts, making it Loudness' highest-charting and best-selling album in Japan.[2] A live album, recorded in 1992, Once and for All,[3] and a live VHS, Welcome to the Slaughter House, also recorded in 1992 at Nakano Sun Plaza, were also released.
Songs
Pray for the Dead
The lyrics depict a figure of peace praying for the victims of war and hoping for the end of war. The song is also featured on the "best of" CD, Masters of Loudness. Japanese professional wrestler Magnitude Kishiwada has used this song as his ring entrance theme. The song was played live by the band.
Slaughter House
The lyrics depict a scene inside a slaughterhouse. The song was released as a single.[4] It is also featured on the "best of" CD, Masters of Loudness. The song was played live by the band.
Waking the Dead
"Waking the Dead" details a horrific resurrection of the dead. The song was played live by the band.
Black Widow
One of the first songs written when Taiji Sawada joined the band, it is about a dangerous woman likened to a black widow spider. It was released as a single, featuring the b-side "Once and For All". The song is also featured on the "best of" CD, Masters of Loudness. The song was played live by the band.
Racing the Wind
"Racing the Wind" is one of the faster songs on the album. The lyrics depict a figure speeding on the road, breaking all the rules.
Love Kills
"Love Kills" is one of the slower songs and a semi-ballad, but still heavy and very 90's-sounding.
Hell Bites (From the Edge of Insanity)
"Hell Bites" picks up the pace again, and is basically divided into two halves, the second half of the song being a melodic outro section. The song was played live by the band.
Everyone Lies
"Everyone Lies" is written and composed by Masayoshi Yamashita, who had left the band during this era of Loudness. The lyrics are about distrust and disbelief. The song was played live by the band.
Twisted
This song features vocal producer Jody Gray as a demon rapper during the funky midsection of the song. The song was played live by the band.
Firestorm
"Firestorm" is the album ender and the fastest, almost speed-metal-like, song on the album. The song was played live by the band.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Pray for the Dead" | 4:15 | |
| 2. | "Slaughter House" | 3:53 | |
| 3. | "Waking the Dead" | 3:55 | |
| 4. | "Black Widow" | 4:50 | |
| 5. | "Racing the Wind" | 4:04 | |
| 6. | "Love Kills" | 5:14 | |
| 7. | "Hell Bites (From the Edge of Insanity)" | 5:54 | |
| 8. | "Everyone Lies" | 4:43 | |
| 9. | "Twisted" | 5:20 | |
| 10. | "Firestorm" | 4:49 |
All music by Akira Takasaki except "Everyone Lies" by Masayoshi Yamashita. Lyrics by Masaki Yamada and Jody Gray.[5]
Charts
- Album
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Oricon Albums Chart[2] | 2 |
Personnel
Band members
- Akira Takasaki - guitars
- Masaki Yamada - vocals
- Taiji Sawada - bass
- Munetaka Higuchi - drums
Additional musicians
- Jody Gray - Demon rapper on "Twisted"
- Neil Coty - Backing vocals
- Phil Goodbody - Backing vocals
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Loudness Loudness review". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "ＬＯＵＤＮＥＳＳのアルバム売り上げランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2012-04-13.
- ↑ "Loudness - Once and For All". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
- ↑ "Loudness - Slaughter House". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
- ↑ "Loudness - Loudness". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
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