Loudness
Background information
Origin	Japan
Genre(s)	Heavy metal, J-Metal
Years active	1981 - Present
Label(s)	Atco (subsidary of Atlantic Records)[1]
Members
Minoru Niihara (vocals) Akira Takasaki (electric guitar) Masayoshi Yamashita (bass guitar) Munetaka Higuchi (drums)
Former members
Hirotsugu Homma - (drums) (Ezo, Saber Tiger, Anthem, Flatbacker) Naoto Shibata - bass (Anthem, Saber Tiger) Masaki Yamada - (vocals) (Ezo, Flatbacker) Mike Vescera - (vocals) (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) (X Japan, Kings, Dirty Trashroad)

This article is about the heavy metal band Loudness. For other uses, see loudness.

Loudness (ラウドネス, Raudonesu^?) is a Japanese heavy metal band formed in 1981^[1] by Akira Takasaki and drummer Munetaka Higuchi. They were the first Japanese Heavy Metal act signed in the United States, releasing 5 albums before 1997 and hitting the Billboard top 100.^[1] Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Heavy metals, in chemistry, are chemical elements of a particular range of atomic weights. ... Japanese rock is the Japanese form of rock and roll music, often abbreviated to J-Rock or jrock, as J-Pop and jpop are used as an abbreviation of Japanese Pop. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Atlantic Records (Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American record label, and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Warner Music Group. ... Minoru Niihara (born March 12, 1960 in Osaka, Japan) is the original and current lead singer of the Japanese heavy metal band, Loudness. ... A singer is a musician who uses their voice to produce music. ... Akira Takasaki , born February 22, 1961, in Osaka, Japan) is the lead guitarist and founding member of the Japanese heavy metal band, Loudness. ... An electric guitar is a type of guitar that uses pickups to convert the vibration of its steel-cored strings into electrical current, which is then amplified. ... Masayoshi Yamashita (born November 29, 1961 in Osaka, Japan) is the original and current bass guitarist of the Japanese heavy metal band, Loudness. ... The electric bass guitar (or electric bass) is a bass string instrument played with the fingers by plucking, slapping,popping or using a pick. ... Munetaka Higuchi (born December 24, 1958 in Nara, Japan) is the original and current drummer of the Japanese heavy metal band, Loudness. ... For other kinds of drums, see drum (disambiguation). ... For other kinds of drums, see drum (disambiguation). ... Ezo is a Japanese heavy metal band originally formed and known as Flatbacker in Sapporo, Japan. ... This article is about the rock band Anthem. ... A singer is a musician who uses their voice to produce music. ... A singer is a musician who uses their voice to produce music. ... Yngwie Johann Malmsteen (IPA pronunciation: //) (born Lars Johann Yngve Lannerbäck, June 30, 1963) is a Swedish guitarist, composer and bandleader. ... Taiji Sawada Taiji Sawada (沢田 泰司 Sawada Taiji) (Born on 12. ... The electric bass guitar (or electric bass) is a bass string instrument played with the fingers by plucking, slapping,popping or using a pick. ... X Japan, or X which was their initial name, was a Japanese Visual kei band, the brainchild of Yoshiki (Yoshiki Hayashi). ... The horizontal axis shows frequency in Hz Loudness is the quality of a sound that is the primary psychological correlate of physical intensity. ... Heavy metal is a form of rock music characterized by aggressive, driving rhythms and highly amplified distorted guitars, generally with grandiose lyrics and virtuosic instrumentation. ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... Akira Takasaki , born February 22, 1961, in Osaka, Japan) is the lead guitarist and founding member of the Japanese heavy metal band, Loudness. ... Munetaka Higuchi (born December 24, 1958 in Nara, Japan) is the original and current drummer of the Japanese heavy metal band, Loudness. ... Heavy metals, in chemistry, are chemical elements of a particular range of atomic weights. ...

Biography

Their Japanese-language debut album was Birthday Eve; quite successful for a debut album, especially one of the heavy metal genre, which had not produced much domestic output. In 1983, after recording their third album The Law of Devil's Land, they made their first US tour, followed by a tour in Europe.^[1] They moved to Europe to record their 4th album Disillusion, and they performed on a few stages there. An album or record album is a collection of related audio or music tracks distributed to the public. ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ...

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. Year 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar). ... Twisted Sister is an American heavy metal band from New York City. ... Atlantic Records (Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American record label, and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Warner Music Group. ... Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry. ... Minoru Niihara (born March 12, 1960 in Osaka, Japan) is the original and current lead singer of the Japanese heavy metal band, Loudness. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

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. Mötley Crüe (IPA pronunciation: ) is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. ... This article is about about the band. ... Poison is an American glam metal band which originally achieved popular success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. ... Stryper is a Christian metal band from Orange County, California, USA. Formed in 1983, they are pioneers in the mainstream popularization of Christian rock music. ...

Right after the Jealousy EP in 1988, Niihara was eventually fired from the band and replaced by american vocalist Mike Vescera with the group hoping to establish more credibility 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 (whom after which,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. Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... Yngwie Johann Malmsteen (IPA pronunciation: //) (born Lars Johann Yngve Lannerbäck, June 30, 1963) is a Swedish guitarist, composer and bandleader. ... Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... Ezo is a Japanese heavy metal band originally formed and known as Flatbacker in Sapporo, Japan. ... Masaki Yamada (born 1950) is a Japanese science fiction author. ... Masayoshi Yamashita (born November 29, 1961 in Osaka, Japan) is the original and current bass guitarist of the Japanese heavy metal band, Loudness. ... X Japan, or X which was their initial name, was a Japanese Visual kei band, the brainchild of Yoshiki (Yoshiki Hayashi). ... Taiji Sawada Taiji Sawada (沢田 泰司 Sawada Taiji) (Born on 12. ...

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. Year 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses, see Black Sabbath (disambiguation). ... Frank Anthony Tony Iommi (born February 19, 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, England) is a guitarist best known for his tenure in the heavy metal band Black Sabbath. ... This article is about the rock band Anthem. ... Ezo is a Japanese heavy metal band originally formed and known as Flatbacker in Sapporo, Japan. ...

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"). K. 1 is a designation given to two works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the original Köchel Verzeichnis. ... Musashi (武蔵, October 17, 1972-) is a Japanese kickboxer who fights in the K-1 ring. ...

2006 brought the 25th Anniversary of Loudness with its first tour dates of the United States and Canada in nearly 20 years. A follow-up North American tour is said to be in the works along with concert dates in Europe, a studio album, concert DVD, and solo albums from all 4 members of the band.

Additional background information

The most famous member of Loudness is Akira Takasaki. 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". His guitar works had attracted many fans over the world. He is known as the best metal guitarist in Asia, and influenced many guitarists such as Paul Gilbert (Racer X, Mr. Big). Akira Takasaki , born February 22, 1961, in Osaka, Japan) is the lead guitarist and founding member of the Japanese heavy metal band, Loudness. ... Paul Brandon Gilbert (November 6, 1966) is a guitarist best known for his work with Racer X and Mr. ... Daniel D says Fu3k1ng amazing Racer X is an American heavy metal band formed in 1985 in Los Angeles, California. ... Mr. ...

Minoru Niihara was born on March 12, 1960. His first band was Earthshaker, in which he played bass as he sung. He was influenced by blues music and became a member of the band in 1981. He departed the band in 1989, 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. This article is about the rock band Earthshaker. ...

Masayoshi Yamashita supports the band's music with his bass sound. He was asked to join Loudness since he was friends with Akira.

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. His drumming style has made him one of the most famous drummers in Japan.

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 (2004)
• Racing (2004)
• Breaking the Taboo (2006)

Japanese Heavy metal band Loudness 5th studio album and first english speaking studio album including hit single like Crazy Nights, their biggest hit in America. ... Soldier of Fortune is Japanese Heavy metal band Loudness 13th studio album, and their first with American vocalist Mike Vescera. ... Japanese Heavy metal band Loudness 14th studio album and their second and last with American vocalist Mike Vescera before his leaving to Yngwie Malmsteens band Rising Force, the album On The Prowl is a compilation of self-covers. ...

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)
• A Lesson In Loudness (1989)
• Loudest (1991)
• Loudest Ballads (1991)
• Loud n' Rare (1992)
• 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)

Singles

• Burning Love (1982)
• Geraldine (1983)
• Road Racer (1983)
• Road Racer (1983) - English version
• Crazy Night (1985)
• Gotto 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)
• Ashes To 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

• 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

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Yang Jeff, Dina Can, Terry Hong, (1997) Eastern Standard Time pg 264 New York: Mariner Books ISBN 0-395-76341-X

External links

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