44 MAGNUM – Danger [Japanese Remaster +1] (2016)

44 MAGNUM‘s debut “Danger” from 1983 is arguably one of the greatest debut by any Japanese metal / hard rock act ever, very much in style like Loudness but a little more on the ‘glam’ side. With the last reissue from 2012 out of print and with copies reaching U$D 200 in the market, this fresh 2016 Japanese remastered edition is more than welcomed as it’s being sold at very reasonable price.

When put in a historical context, I find it difficult to find another Japanese band who released a better album in the year 1983 (and there were multiple bands who released solid records that year such as Earthshaker, X-Ray and Loudness itself, among others).
Quite simply, “Danger” is a superb piece of catchy songwriting, stellar musicianship, and high energy classic, traditional metal / hard rock.

For 1983, “Danger” was a surprisingly fast, up-tempo rocket ride of killer riffs, soaring guitar leads, and very solid vocals. How this record is not held up as one of the Top 5 Greatest Japanese Metal Albums of All-Time is a mystery to me.
Sadly, I think the ‘answer’ lies in the fact that 44 Magnum (stylized as 44MAGNUM, all together) peaked too early in their career (therefore not leaving as large of a long-term impact) and the band never made another album quite as brilliant as “Danger”.

It has often been said that the most difficult album for many bands is their second album and I feel 44 Magnum is a perfect example of this phenomenon. While by all mean a solid and enjoyable follow-up, the band’s second effort didn’t quite succeed in furthering the band’s sound and songwriting.
That’s, from my point of view, is the reason 44 Magnum never become huge or more well known world-wide; none of the their following albums match the tremendously well-honed tunes nor the infectious level of energy featured on “Danger”.

However, when it comes to the ‘first wave’ (’80-’84) of legendary Japanese metal bands, 44 Magnum still hold up as well (if not better) than many other groups of the same period who are far more well known and sold countless records.
This 2016 remastered reissue (only in Japan by Warner Music) is a great opportunity to discover a truly good band – and essentially a truly good record – with all the charm of catchy, first half of the ’80s ‘American sounding’ metal / hard rock (think the early works of Motley Crue, Dokken).

You’ve seen it first here, at 0dayrox

Warner Music Japan 【WPCL-12312】
４４マグナム 「ＤＡＮＧＥＲ」

01 – I’m On Fire
02 – Your Heart
03 – The Wild Beast
04 – You Love Me Don’t You
05 – No Standing Still
06 – Dirty Lady
07 – Baby, Come Together
08 – At Last I’m A Free Man
09 – Satisfaction
10 – I Don’t Know What You Say (Bonus Track)

Paul Umehara – Lead & Backing Vocals
Jimmy Hirose – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Ban Yoshikawa – Bass, Backing Vocals
Joe Miyawaki – Drums, Backing Vocals

BUY IT !
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/WPCL-12312
.