Loudness (album)

Loudness
Studio album by Loudness
Released June 10, 1992
Genre Heavy metal
Length 46:57
Label Warner Music Japan
Producer Akira Takasaki, Jody Gray (vocal production)
Loudness chronology

On the Prowl
(1991)		 Loudness
(1992)		 Once and for All
(1993)
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
"Sleepless Nights"
(1991)		 "Black Widow"
(1992)		 "Slaughter House"
(1992)
"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
"Black Widow"
(1991)		 "Slaughter House"
(1992)		 "Electric Kisses"
(1994)

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

Additional musicians

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Loudness Loudness review". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2011-07-13.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ "Loudness - Once and For All". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
  4. ↑ "Loudness - Slaughter House". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 2012-01-15.
  5. ↑ "Loudness - Loudness". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 2012-01-15.