Loudness

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Japan (1981 – present)

Loudness is a Japanese band formed in 1981 by guitarist Akira Takasaki and drummer Munetaka Higuchi. They were the first Japanese heavy metal act signed to a major label in the United States, releasing twenty-three studio albums (five in America) by the end of 2009 and reaching the Billboard Top 100 in their moment of maximum international popularity. Despite numerous changes in their roster, the band continued their activities during the 90’s, finally reuniting the original line-up in 2000. On November 30, 2008 original drummer Munetaka Higuchi died from liver cancer at a hospital in Osaka at age 49. Loudness replaced him with Masayuki Suzuki and are still active to this day.

Back in the ‘70’s, drummer Munetaka Higuchi and guitarist Akira Takasaki played together in a pop-rock band called Lazy. In an effort to pursue their musical aspiration even farther, they split from the successful group and launched Loudness in May 1981. The duo was joined by former Earthshaker vocalist Minoru Niihara, who was devoted to soul music at the time, and Takasaki’s childhood friend Masayoshi Yamashita as the bassist.

The band went into the studio in August and three months later, the band’s debut album, The Birthday Eve, hit the stores. It was as if the relentlessly wild arming by Takasaki in the intro of the opening track was an omen of things to come, as this album ended up making a historical impact on the Japanese rock scene.
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Top Albums

  • Thunder in the East
    Loudness Play
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  • Soldier of Fortune
    Loudness Play
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  • Lightning Strikes
    Loudness
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  • Hurricane Eyes
    Loudness
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Top Tracks

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  • mistatwinkies

    I didn't know about Eve to Dawn until I saw that link to the review. It is such a guitar wankery album but I guess it's better than their recent offerings. Glad to know... Akira's still got the shred in him

    14 days ago
  • RebelAtHeart

    Ughh so good!

    16 days ago
  • unkldrtnp

    metalpsalter.com reviewed "eve to dawn" http://www.metalpsalter.com/review_loudness_eve_to_dawn.html

    17 days ago
  • mistatwinkies

    They got plenty of recognition OFF this site. I've gotten a ton of comments wearing Loudness shirts, mostly from 40+ year old dudes who were really into heavy metal back in the 80's. I'm sure most of those guys & older Japanese fans just don't use lastfm

    19 days ago
  • Rubberbandman16

    Yeah, talk about lack of recognition, not evn 1,000,000 plays yet?

    23 days ago
  • TemplarZH

    Forever in love with this band!!!! Loudness is one of those bands that never got the recognition that they deserve! They are just amazing!

    last month
  • Sakurazuka30890

    Is really the song Never Again from the movie A Nightmare on Elm Street 3??

    February 2012
  • Suhl

    http://www.lastfm.de/group/KNARCK%21%21%21

    January 2012
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