Home » »
By 

 

( Image Source : Metal Archive.com )


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 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.

Compilation Appearances

- "Esper" on Hell Comes to Your House (Music For Nations, 1984)
- "Crazy Nights" on Welcome to the Metal Zone (Music For Nations, 1985)
- "In the Mirror (live from Tokyo)" on Time to Rock (WEA, 1987)
- "1000 Eyes" on Hard and Heavy (Warner Music Group, 2017)
- "Like Hell" on Headbangers Heaven Hits (Warner Music Group, 2017)

LOUDNESS DISCOGRAPHY

The Birthday Eve~誕生前夜 Full-length 1981
Devil Soldier~戦慄の奇蹟 Full-length 1982
The Law of Devil's Land~魔界典章 Full-length 1983
Live-Loud-Alive Loudness in Tokyo Live album 1983
Disillusion -English Version- Full-length 1984
Thunder in the East Full-length 1985 
Gotta Fight EP 1985
Shadows of War Full-length 1986
Lightning Strikes Full-length 1986
Risky Woman EP 1986
8186 Live Live album 1986
Best Tracks- Compilation 1986
Hurricane Eyes Full-length 1987
Hurricane Eyes (Japanese Version) Full-length 1987
Jealousy EP 1988
A Lesson in Loudness EP 1989
Early Singles Compilation 1989
Soldier of Fortune Full-length 1989
On the Prowl Full-length 1991
Loud 'n' Rare Compilation 1991
Loudest Compilation 1991
Loudest Ballad Collection Compilation 1991
Loudness Full-length 1992
Loudness Box Compilation 1992
Once and for All Live album 1994
Heavy Metal Hippies Full-length 1994
Loud 'n' Raw Live album 1995
Best Songs Collection Compilation 1995
Masters of Loudness Compilation 1996
The Very Best of Loudness Compilation 1997
Ghetto Machine Full-length 1997
Dragon Full-length 1998
Engine Full-length 1999
Eurobounds Live album 2000
Spiritual Canoe ~輪廻転生~ Full-length 2001
Best of Loudness 8688 - Atlantic Years Compilation 2001
The Soldier's Just Came Back Live album 2001
Pandemonium ~降臨幻術~ Full-length 2001
Re-masterpieces - The Best of Loudness Compilation 2001
The Very Best of Loudness - The Days of Glory Compilation 2002
Biosphere Full-length 2002
Loudness Live 2002 Live album 2003
Terror ~剥離~ Full-length 2004
Rockshocks Full-length 2004
Racing/音速 Full-length 2004
Racing -English Version- Full-length 2005
The Best of Reunion Compilation 2005
Breaking the Taboo Full-length 2006
Loudness Complete Box Boxed set 2007
Metal Mad Full-length 2008
The Legend of Loudness ~Live Complete Best~ Boxed set 2008
Golden Best - Early Years Collection Compilation 2009
The Everlasting -魂宗久遠- Full-length 2009
Live Loudest at the Budokan '91 Live album 2009
Original Album Series Boxed set 2010
King of Pain~因果応保 Full-length 2010
Eve to Dawn Full-length 2011
Loudness Best Tracks - Columbia Years Compilation 2012
Loudness Best Tracks - Tokuma Japan Years Compilation 2012
Loudness Best Tracks - Warner Years Compilation 2012
2･0･1･2 Full-length 2012
Single Collection Compilation 2012
Super Best Compilation 2013
The Sun Will Rise Again〜撃魂霊刀 Full-length 2014
Thunder in the East 30th Anniversary Boxed set 2015
Samsara Flight ~輪廻飛翔~ Full-length 2016
Buddha Rock 1997-1999 Compilation 2016
8186 Now and Then Live album 2017
Rise to Glory -8118- Full-length 2018
Live in Tokyo Live album 2019