LOUDNESS – Soldier Of Fortune [Japan SHM-CD Remastered] Out Of Print

Requested by a reader, it’s a true pleasure to feature here “Soldier Of Fortune“, the awesome LOUDNESS album released in Japan some years ago in remastered form on SHM-CD, now out of print.
“Soldier Of Fortune” is one of the best hard rock albums appeared in 1989, criminally underrated but a true blast from start to finish.

As you may know, Loudness is a Japanase hard rock band at times bordering metal, lead by terrific guitarist Akira Takasaki, often compared in style with Eddie Van Halen.
“Soldier Of Fortune” was Loudness’ and their recording label move to launch the band in America, and for that matter they recruited awesome American vocalist Mike Vescera.
Also, skilled producer Max Norman provided a glossy, truly slick ‘American sound’ to the recording, that alongside the more ‘catchy’ songwriting and melodic approach, resulted in a terrific Melodic Hard Rock album.

To appeal US listeners Loudness needed an American born singer, and a powerful one. Mike Vescera gives the performance of his life on “Soldier Of Fortune”. Every song he sings, from the title track all the way to closer “Demon Disease”, is filled with power and emotion.
Akira Takasaki’s guitar work is godly. No, beyond godly, it’s simply awe inspiring. Akira is known around the world as one of the greatest guitarists to ever come out of the East, and he surely proves it on this album. Every song’s lead is amazing, every riff and melody is played with technique and taste in mind, it’s just something you have to hear to believe.
And the songs… mixing kick-ass hard rockers with terrific midtempos in the vein of Dokken, Icon, McAuley Schenker Group, etc, the album rocks with melody all over.

Loudness’ “Soldier Of Fortune” is one of the most unknown US-style hard rock records released at the end of the ’80s, and one of the best.
Despite the good critical reception and the strong support given by the label, the album failed to chart in the USA eclipsed by the major local acts in the genre.
Seriously, Loudness’ “Soldier Of Fortune” is a monster album. This Japanese SHM-CD remaster sounds fabulous, you gotta listen how crisp and punchy it comes out of the speakers.
For me, a must have in any US Hard Rock collection.

You’ve seen it first here, at 0dayrox

Warner Music Japan ~ WPCL-10751 【ＬＴＤ ＳＨＭ－ＣＤ】
ＬＯＵＤＮＥＳＳ 「 ＳＯＬＤＩＥＲ ＯＦ ＦＯＲＴＵＮＥ」

01 – Soldier Of Fortune
02 – You Shook Me
03 – Danger Of Love
04 – Twenty-Five Days
05 – Red Light Shooter
06 – Running For Cover
07 – Lost Without Your Love
08 – Faces In The Fire
09 – Long After Midnight
10 – Demon Disease

Mike Vescera vocals
Akira Takasaki guitar
Masayoshi Yamashita bass
Munetaka Higuchi drums

Out Of Print
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/WPCL-10751
.