LOUDNESS was formed in May 1981 in Japan, after Akira TAKASAKI and Munetaka HIGUCHI left the Japanese pop band Lazy to explore heavier styles of music. Based on their early sound, it would seem that they wanted to become the "Van Halen" of Japan. Joined by the extremely capable vocalist Minoru NIIHARA (formerly from EARTHSHAKER) and Akira's childhood friend, Masayoshi YAMASHITA on bass guitar. They were the first Japanese heavy metal act signed in the United States, releasing five albums by 1987 and reaching the Billboard top 100.The band recorded their first album in Augiust 1981, and upon release, it quickly made it up to the top of the Japanese charts. It was clear that Japan was looking for hard rock, and LOUDNESS was the answer! The band toured Japan constantly, while pumping out ever more albums for their fans, until in 1984, they went overseas to record their fourth album - Disillusion. After recording, they toured Europe, thus gaining popularity on the international Metal scene.
Finally in 1985, through the management of former Twisted Sister co-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. 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 done in their previous albums, and lost much of the supportive fanbase.
Following the Jealousy EP of 1988, Niihara was fired from the band (or Minoru decided to call it quits and pursue his own musical career) and replaced by American vocalist Mike Vescera with the group hoping to establish more commercial success with English-speaking audiences. Together, they recorded 2 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 eventually exited (and joined Yngwie J. Malmsteen in 1993) during their American tour in 1991,and was eventually replaced by Ezo vocalist Masaki Yamada to finish the tour. Eventually soon after, Masayoshi Yamashita also left and was replaced by ex 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, much like Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, Takasaki never disbanded Loudness as the group - eventually featuring Anthem bassist Naota Shibata and Ezo drummer Hirotsugu Honma in its lineup - continued to release material. This new incarnation of Loudness released 4 studio albums (Heavy Metal Hippies, Ghetto Machine, Dragon and Engine) and 1 live album (Loud 'n' Raw) between 1994 and 1998.
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 brought the 25th Anniversary of Loudness. 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.
Current members
Minoru Niihara (vocals, 1981-1988; 2001-present)
Akira Takasaki (electric guitar, 1981-present)
Masayoshi Yamashita (bass guitar, 1981-1991; 2001-present)
Masayoshi Yamashita (bass guitar, 1981-1991; 2001-present)
Munetaka Higuchi (drums, 1981-1992; 2001-present)
Former Members
Hirotsugu Homma - (drums) (1992-2001)
Naoto Shibata - bass (1993-2001)
Masaki Yamada - (vocals) (1991-2001)
Mike Vescera - (vocals) (1989-1991)
Taiji Sawada - (bass guitar) (1992-1993)
Discography
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 (2004)
Racing (2004)
The Battleship Musashi(2005) - EP
Breaking the Taboo (2006)
Metal Mad (2008)
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 (2004)
Racing (2004)
The Battleship Musashi(2005) - EP
Breaking the Taboo (2006)
Metal Mad (2008)
Official Website: http://loudness.jp/
Listen to Loudness' Music!
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