Loudness

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Loudness (ラウドネス, Raudonesu^?) is a Japanese heavy metal band formed in 1981^[1] by guitarist Akira Takasaki and drummer Munetaka Higuchi.^[2] They were the first Japanese heavy metal act signed in the United States, releasing seven albums (three in America) by the end of 1987 and reaching the Billboard Top 100.^[1]

Biography

Their Japanese-language debut album was The Birthday Eve; a relatively successful debut album^{[citation needed]}, especially given that the heavy metal genre did not have much presence in Japan^{[citation needed]}. In 1983, after recording their third album The Law of Devil's Land, they went on their first United States tour, followed by a tour in Europe.^[1] They moved to Europe to record their fourth album Disillusion, performing several concerts there.

Finally in 1985, through the management of Twisted Sister co-manager Joe Gerber, they inked a contract with Atco Records. Their fifth album (produced by Max Norman) Thunder in the East became a very successful album for them.^[3] Their first American release, it peaked at #74 in the Billboard charts on the strength of the single Crazy Nights. The album was significant in that all songs were sung in English, which had become a trend for many Japanese hard rock and heavy metal bands.^{[citation needed]}

Their sixth album, Lightning Strikes, charted at #64 and they became a famous band worldwide. However, their success in the United States moved the group to write more commercial pop-metal^{[citation needed]} - a prime example being the single "Let It Go"- which was quite different from what they had done in their previous albums, and lost much of the supportive fan base.^{[citation needed]}

Following the Jealousy EP in 1988, Niihara was fired from the band and replaced by American vocalist Mike Vescera with the group hoping to establish more commercial success with English-speaking audiences.^{[citation needed]} Together, they recorded two albums, Soldier Of Fortune (1989) and On The Prowl (1991). However, such did little to improve the band's status in America and also took its toll on the Japanese fanbase of Loudness. Vescera left during their 1991 American tour, and was replaced by Ezo vocalist Masaki Yamada to finish the tour. Soon after, Masayoshi Yamashita also left and was replaced by former X Japan bassist, Taiji Sawada and this resulted in the 1992 self-titled album Loudness and the 1993 live album Once And For All.

In 1993, the band nearly split up, with the departure of Higuchi and Sawada. However, Takasaki never disbanded Loudness as the group - eventually featuring Anthem bassist Naoto Shibata and Ezo drummer Hirotsugu Homma in its line-up - continued to release material. This new incarnation of Loudness released four studio albums (Heavy Metal Hippies, Ghetto Machine, Dragon and Engine) and one live album (Loud 'n' Raw) between 1994 and 1999.

The original members of the band reunited in 2001, at the request of Takasaki, to celebrate the band's 20th Anniversary.^{[citation needed]} Although intended to be a one-time event, the popularity of the band's reunion in its native Japan was overwhelming and the band decided to continue.^{[citation needed]} 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").

In April 2008, just two months after releasing Metal Mad, they decided to go on hiatus, when drummer Munetaka Higuchi was diagnosed with liver cancer.^{[citation needed]} They played with Mötley Crüe in October 2008 at the Greater Tokyo Area's Saitama Super Arena, with session drummer Kozo Suganuma (Fragile, Ded Chaplin) filling in for Munetaka. On November 30, 2008 Munetaka died from his illness at a hospital in Osaka at age 49.^[4]

In December 2008, the band issued the following statement on their website about passing of their dearest friend and original drummer Munetaka Higuchi:

"Munetaka Higuchi passed away from liver cancer at a hospital in Osaka city in the morning of Nov. 30, 2008. With permission from his family, we are officially announcing his passing. We realize this announcement came late and we apologize for that. With his and his family's request, a wake and funeral will be held privately. For the press and the fans, we will make sure that you have an opportunity to say your goodbyes to him at later time. For the last eight months since he was diagnosed with liver cancer, he had been in and out of the hospital several times for the treatment. For the entire time, he was very positive and bravely fighting this disease. He had this strong desire to come back to the stage to play for the fans again. His death came very suddenly and was a very immature one. He lived his life to the fullest as a rock drummer who always gave us hopes and dreams. His heart and soul for music will be succeeded for a long time to come. Munetaka, we are grateful for all your hard work and the great 49 years you lived with us here in this world. We would like to express our appreciation for all your condolences sent here for him."^{[citation needed]}

The band confirmed (through Takasaki), despite the recent loss of drummer Munetaka Higuchi, they would be recording a new studio album^[5] titled The Everlasting. The new material is based on drum tracks recorded by Higuchi before his death.

Members

Current

• Minoru Niihara (vocals, 1981–1988; 2001–present) — Minoru Niihara was born on March 12, 1960. His first band was Earthshaker, in which he sang and played bass. He was influenced by blues music and became a member of the band in 1981. He departed the band in 1988, but after working with several bands (including Ded Chaplin, Sly and XYZ-A), returned to Loudness. He released a solo album in 2006 in addition to recording an album with XYZ-A.
• Akira Takasaki (electric guitar, 1981–present) — Akira was 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.
• Masayoshi Yamashita (bass guitar, 1981–1991; 2001–present) — Masayoshi Yamashita supports the band's music with his bass sound. He was asked to join Loudness since he was friends with Akira.^{[citation needed]}

Previous

• Hirotsugu Homma — (drums) (1992–2001) (Ezo, Saber Tiger, Anthem, Flatbacker)
• Naoto Shibata — bass (1993–2001) (Anthem, Saber Tiger)
• Masaki Yamada — (vocals) (1991–2001) (Ezo, Flatbacker)
• Mike Vescera — (vocals) (1989–1991) (ex-Killing Machine, The Reign of Terror- , Obsession (US), Palace of Black, Safe Haven, Roland Grapow, MVP, ex-Yngwie J. Malmsteen, ex-Dr. Sin
• Taiji Sawada — (bass guitar) (1992–1993) (X Japan, Kings, Dirty Trashroad)
• Munetaka Higuchi (drums, 1981–1992; 2001–2008) — Munetaka Higuchi played in Lazy with Akira, and later formed "Loudness" with him. After leaving Loudness in 1993, he formed Sly with Minoru and ex-Earthshaker guitarist Shinichiro Ishihara. Sadly on November 30th of 2008, Munetaka died after an eight-month battle with liver cancer.

Discography

Studio albums

• The Birthday Eve (1981)
• Devil Soldier (1982)
• The Law Of Devil's Land (1983)
• Disillusion (1984)
• Disillusion (1984) - English version
• Thunder In The East (November 9, 1985) #74 (US)
• Odin (1985) - EP
• Shadows Of War (1986)
• Lightning Strikes (1986) - U.S. Remix of Shadows Of War #64 (US)
• Hurricane Eyes (1987) #190 (US)
• Hurricane Eyes (1987) - Japanese Version
• Jealousy (1988) - EP
• Soldier Of Fortune (1989)
• On The Prowl (1991)
• Loudness (1992)
• Heavy Metal Hippies (1994)
• Ghetto Machine (1997)
• Dragon (1998)
• Engine (1999)
• Spiritual Canoe (2001)
• The Pandemonium (2001)
• Biosphere (2002)
• Terror Hakuri (2004)
• Racing (2004)
• Breaking The Taboo (2006)
• Metal Mad (2008)
• The Everlasting (2009)

Live albums

• Live-Loud-Alive: Loudness in Tokyo (1983)
• 8186 Live (1986)
• Eurobounds (1986)
• Once And For All (1993)
• Loud 'n Raw (1995)
• Loudness Live 2002 (2002)
• The Soldier's Just Came Back (2002)

Compilations

• Never Stay Here, Never Forget You (1986)
• Early Singles (1989)
• A Lesson In Loudness (1989)
• Loudest (1991)
• Loudest Ballads (1991)
• Loud 'N' Rare (1991)
• Best Songs (1995)
• Masters of Loudness (1996)
• Very Best of Loudness (1997)
• Best of Loudness 8688: Atlantic Years (2001)
• Re-Masterpieces (2002)
• RockShocks (2004)
• The Best of Reunion (2005)
• Loudness Complete Box (2007)

Singles

• "Burning Love" (1982)
• "Geraldine" (1983)
• "Road Racer" (1983)
• "Road Racer" (1983) - English version
• "Crazy Nights" (1985)
• "Gotta Fight" (1985)
• "Let It Go" (1986)
• "Let It Go" (1986) - English version
• "Risky Woman" (1986)
• "Long Distance Love" (1989)
• "Dreamer & Screamer" (1989)
• "You Shook Me" (1989)
• "Slap In The Face" (1991)
• "Black Widow" (1992)
• "Crazy Samurai" (2004)
• "The Battleship Musashi" (2005)
• "Shadows Of War (Ashes in The Sky)"

Related works

• Messiah's Blessing (1982) - Misako Honjou
• 13th (1983) - Misako Honjou
• Metal Vibes (2002)
• #128 (2006)
• Ashes To Glory (2006)
• Drum Collection Vol. 001 (2006)

Videography

VHS

• Loudness Live: Loudness presents Loud'n Fest Vol.1 at Club Citta' (2002) - Official bootleg

DVD

• 20th Anniversary Pandemonium Tour: Live @ NHK Hall 2001.11.25
• Loudness Live Terror 2004 (2004)
• Rock-Shocking The Nation (2005)
• Loudness Live In Seoul (2005) - Official bootleg, series 2
• Loudness In America '06 (2006)
• Thanks 25th Anniversary: Loudness Live at International Forum (2006)

References

External links

• Loudness Official Homepage
• Takasaki.net Loudness
• Loudness' page on MySpace