Loudness was formed in 1981 by Akira Takasaki, Munetaka Higuchi, and Hiroyuki Tanaka who were transitioning from rock band Lazy to trying their hand at a heavy metal band, unhappy with the musical direction of Lazy. Shortly after formation however Tanaka quit the band to pursue a career in anime soundtracks with the band Neverland. In turn Takasaki recruited childhood friend Masayoshi Yamashita as the new bassist and shortly after hired frontman Minoru Niihara formerly of Earthshaker through an audition.
In 1985 following the band's first North American and European tours Twisted Sister's co-manager Joe Gerber helped Loudness ink a deal with Atco Records. This was the first time in history that a Japanese heavy metal band had signed with an American label, or toured the US, and under Atco, the band released their American debut "Thunder in the East" which was met with good sales and commercial success reaching #74 on the Billboard 200 and remained there for 23 weeks, also a first for a Japanese metal band. After two more albums and two more billboard appearances, producer Max Norman suggested that the band hire an English speaking vocalist which would end up being Michael Vescera. Vescera would serve as vocalist for the next two Loudness albums before leaving in 1991 to join Yngwie J. Malmsteen.
Following a steady decline in popularity through the Vescera era, Loudness returned to Japan where Masayoshi Yamashita also left the band. He was replaced by Taiji Sawada of X Japan fame. But by 1993 Sawada quit to form Dirty Trashroad followed by founding member Munetaka Higuchi who joined Niihara's new band Sly leaving Takasaki as the only original member left. Later that year Loudness introduced replacement members Masaki Yamada and Hirotsugu Homma of Ezo on vocals and drums, and finally Naoto Shibata, band leader of Anthem on bass essentially turning Loudness into a supergroup. This lineup would release three albums before Yamada indicated his desire to leave the band in 2000.
Before leaving, Yamada suggested that Loudness hold a reunion tour to celebrate their 20th anniversary and by 2001 Higuchi, Niihara, and Yamashita had all returned to the lineup where they would remain for the next 7 years until the death of Munetaka Higuchi which was mourned greatly throughout Japan.
In 2009 the band indicated that they wouldn't be disbanding despite the passing of Higuchi and hired Masayuki Suzuki to fill the void left due to Higuchi's passing. Loudness remains active to date.
Country of origin:Japan
Location: Osaka
Status:Active
Formed in:1981
Genre:Heavy Metal
Lyrical themes:Rocking, Freedom
Current label:Tokuma Japan Communications
Years active:1981-present
Limited edition includes a bonus disc consisting of the band's greatest hits as chosen by their fans and a DVD featuring the full-length footage taken at their concert "Thunder in the East" held on September 7, 2015 at Shibuya Public Hall.
Disc 1 (CD)
1. Street Woman 06:11
2. The Law of Devil's Land 05:02
3. Loudness 06:05
4. In the Mirror 03:38
5. Black Wall 06:01
6. Rock Shock (More and More) 05:08
7. Lonely Player 04:56
8. Devil Soldier 07:45
9. Burning Love 03:58
10. Angel Dust 04:54
11. Rock the Nation 03:25
12. To Be Demon 06:48
Disc 2 (CD)
1. Crazy Doctor 04:12
2. Crazy Nights 04:05
3. In the Mirror 03:40
4. S.D.I. 04:17
5. Dream Fantasy (夢・Fantasy) 04:35
6. Soldier of Fortune 03:54
7. Loudness 05:10
8. Gotta Fight 03:45
9. Like Hell 03:47
10. Ares' Lament (アレスの嘆き ) 05:29
11. Slaughter House 03:53
12. Speed 05:31
13. Let It Go 04:13
14. The Sun Will Rise Again 05:48
15. Metal Mad 04:13
16. Milky Way 04:18
17. Ghetto Machine 05:03
Disc 3 (DVD)
1. Crazy Nights
2. Like Hell
3. Heavy Chains
4. Get Away
5. We Could Be Together
6. Run for Your Life
7. Clockwork Toy
8. No Way Out
9. The Lines Are Down
10. Never Change Your Mind
DVD video
MPEG2
PCM
MPEG2 VIDEO / 720*480 (16:9) / NTSC / 29.97 fps / 8000 kbps
PCM / 1536 kbps / 48.0 khz / 2 ch
/ XBTT (1) by Dejavu
