Loudness - The Everlasting - 2009 - Traditional Heavy Metal

Loudness
Genre(s)
Traditional Heavy Metal
Lyrical theme(s)
Rocking, Freedom
Origin Formed in Current label Status
Japan (Osaka) 1980 Tokuma Japan Communications Active
Current line-up
Minoru Niihara - Vocals (1980-1988, 2001-) (X.Y.Z.->A, Sly, Earthshaker, Ded Chaplin, Akira Takasaki)
Akira Takasaki - Guitar (1980-) (Lazy (Jpn), Ji-Zo)
Masayoshi Yamashita - Bass (1980-1992, 2001-) (Spaed, Blood Circus, guest on 5X)
Former/past member(s)
Vocals:
Michael Vescera (1988-1991) (Killing Machine, The Reign of Terror, Obsession (US), Palace of Black, Safe Haven, Roland Grapow, MVP, Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Dr. Sin, Stygia (US))
Masaki Yamada (1991-2001) (EZO, Flatbacker, Firesign)

Bass:
Yasushi "Taiji" Sawada (1992-1993) - Bass (X Japan, Loudness, Kings, Dementia (Jpn), Dirty Trashroad, Otokaze)
Naoto Shibata (1993-2001) (Anthem (Jpn), Saber Tiger)

Drums:
Munetaka Higuchi (R.I.P. 30th November 2008, liver cancer) (1980-1992, 2001-2008) (Lazy (Jpn), Sly, Rose of Rose, Blood Circus, Akira Takasaki)
Hirotsugu Homma (1992-2001) (Ezo, Saber Tiger, Anthem (Jpn), Flatbacker)

Artist: Loudness
Album: The Everlasting

Year: 2009
Genre: Traditional Heavy Metal
Country: Japan (Osaka)
Format: mp3@CBR320kbps
Size: 138MB

Tracklist:
01. HIT THE RAILS
02. FLAME OF ROCK
03. I WONDER
04. THE EVERLASTING
05. LIFE GOES ON
06. LET IT ROCK
07. CRYSTAL MOON
08. CHANGE
09. ROCK INTO THE NIGHT
10. I'M IN PAIN
11. THUNDER BURN
12. DESPERATE RELIGION

Back in the Seventies, drummer MUNETAKA HIGUCHI and guitarist AKIRA TAKASAKI played together in a pop/rock band called Lazy. In an effort to pursue their musical ambitions even further, they split from the successful group to launch LOUDNESS in May 1981. The duo was joined by former EARTHSHAKER vocalist MINORU NIIHARA, still devoted to soul music at the time, and Takasaki's childhood friend MASAYOSHI YAMASHITA as the band's bassist. LOUDNESS ensconced themselves in 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 to be an omen of things to come, as the album went on to make a historical impact on the Japanese rock scene.

Exceeding industry experts' expectations, a debut concert held at Asakusa International Theater attracted a sold-out show with an audience of 2,700. Watching the legendary concert, which lasted more than 100 minutes, they were forced to admit that the claim "hard rock is not marketable" could no longer be upheld. The second LOUDNESS album, "DEVIL SOLDIER", was released in July 1982, followed by "THE LAW OF DEVIL'S LAND" in January 1983. Since there were no acclaimed heavy metal sound engineers in Japan at the time, the support of the American Daniel McClendon was enlisted for these recordings. Thanks to his contribution, the albums surpassed the quality expected from an Japanese rock act, and the band's style and technique established themselves.

In July 1983, the band conducted their first American tour, followed by a European tour one month later. Enjoying the overwhelming response, the band felt confident to launch fully into the worldwide market. In September, the 4th album, "DISILLUSION", was recorded in Britain. It was a dream come true for the band to record an album abroad. Julian Mendelsohn, known for his work on Yes' "90125", was enlisted as sound engineer.

An A&R man from Atlantic Records was impressed by the American LOUDNESS shows between July 1983 and May 1984, which led to the band being signed by the label for an international record deal – a first in Japanese music history. In August '84, LOUDNESS went into a studio in Los Angeles with producer Max Norman, renowned for his work with Ozzy Osbourne, among others, to record their first worldwide release, later to be launched under the title of "THUNDER IN THE EAST". The album arrived at the stores in January '85 and went all the way to No.4 in Japan's domestic charts. The band then went on to embark on a US tour in April, and a month later the album made no.74 in the American Billboard album charts. The record stayed in the charts for 19 consecutive weeks after entering the charts on March 2 – a chart record which is still hasn't been broken. In August, LOUDNESS opened for M