Loudness (band)

Loudness was formed in Osaka, Japan, in 1981 by guitarist Akira Takasaki and drummer Munetaka Higuchi, both formerly of the band Lazy. They recruited vocalist Minoru Niihara and bassist Masayoshi Yamashita, completing the classic lineup. The band's name was inspired by the loud volume of their performances and the emerging heavy metal scene.¹

Their early sound was rooted in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) and American hard rock, but they quickly developed a distinctive style characterized by Takasaki's virtuosic guitar work and Niihara's high-pitched vocals. They released their debut album, The Birthday Eve, in 1981, followed by Devil Soldier (1982) and The Law of Devil's Land (1983), which established them as a leading force in the Japanese metal scene.²

In 1985, Loudness became the first Japanese metal band to sign with a major American label, Atlantic Records. Their album Thunder in the East (1985) was recorded in Los Angeles and released worldwide, reaching No. 74 on the Billboard 200 chart. The follow-up, Shadows of War (1986), peaked at No. 64, and Hurricane Eyes (1987) reached No. 190.

Despite this success, the band faced challenges in the American market, including pressure to adopt a more commercial sound. In 1988, they released Jealousy, which featured a more melodic approach, but it did not achieve the same commercial success. The band's international visibility declined in the early 1990s, and they returned to focusing on the Japanese market.³

In 1989, vocalist Minoru Niihara left the band and was replaced by American singer Mike Vescera, who appeared on the album Soldier of Fortune (1989). This lineup was short-lived, and by 1991, Niihara returned, and the band continued with the original lineup until 1994, when drummer Munetaka Higuchi departed. He was replaced by Hirotsugu Homma, and the band continued with various drummers over the years.⁴

In 2001, the original lineup reunited for a series of concerts and released the album Spiritual Canoe in 2001. They have remained active since, releasing albums such as Breaking the Taboo (2006), King of Pain (2010), and Rise to Glory (2018). In 2020, drummer Munetaka Higuchi passed away, but the band has continued with new drummers, including Masayuki Suzuki.⁵

Loudness is known for their technical proficiency, particularly Akira Takasaki's guitar solos, which often feature fast alternate picking and sweep picking. Their music blends elements of traditional heavy metal, speed metal, and power metal, with occasional forays into progressive rock and hard rock. They have cited influences such as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Judas Priest.

Their influence on the Japanese metal scene is profound; they are often credited with inspiring a generation of Japanese metal musicians, including bands like X Japan, Anthem, and Bow Wow. They also helped pave the way for other Japanese acts to gain international recognition, such as Babymetal and Band-Maid.⁶

Beyond their mainstream success, Loudness has several lesser-known facets. For instance, their album Disillusion (1991) was recorded with a different vocalist, but it was never released in the US due to legal issues. Additionally, guitarist Akira Takasaki has released solo albums and collaborated with other artists, including a project called Takasaki's Rock 'n' Roll Band.⁴

The band's early albums were originally released only in Japan, and some of their 1980s albums were reissued with bonus tracks in the 2000s. They have also been featured in video games, such as Brütal Legend (2009), which included their song "Crazy Doctor" from Thunder in the East.⁶

Another notable detail is that their song "Crazy Nights" was used as the theme song for the Japanese professional wrestling promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling's annual event, Wrestle Kingdom, in 2016. This connection to sports entertainment is a niche but interesting aspect of their cultural impact.⁵

NWOBHM

New Wave of British Heavy Metal, a musical movement in the late 1970s and early 1980s that influenced many metal bands.

Speed metal

A subgenre of heavy metal characterized by fast tempo and aggressive guitar work.

Power metal

A subgenre of heavy metal that combines melodic vocals with fast, often epic instrumentation.