Category: LOUDNESS

Year by year, legendary Japanese metal icons LOUDNESS continue commemorating the 30th Anniversary of their albums, and now it’s time for the self-titled “Loudness” from 1992. Instead from remastered, the band has chosen to give the album a fresh sound with a new 2022 remix, at charge of renowned Jacob Hansen. The results are stupendous.
By 1991, Loudness had terminated the recording contracts with US labels, and leader Akira Takasaki wanted a much more aggressive sound than the previous albums, oriented for the American market. Original bass player Masayoshi Yamashita was replaced with former X Japan bassist Taiji Sawada, and entered former EZO singer Masaki Yamada at the mic.
“Loudness 1992” is an edgy, melodic metal album plenty of razor riffs and metallic rhythm section, however, the sound production is clean & clear much in the vein of Metallica’s Black album or Skid Row’s Slave To The Grind.
This new 2022 remix is fantastic, giving the songs a much more crisp output…

Celebrating its 30th Anniversary, LOUDNESS‘ “Soldier Of Fortune” was released in Japan in a 3-CD remastered version a couple months ago. A ”Soldier Of Fortune [30th Anniversary]” Limited Edition which is already sold out.
Featuring the impressive Mike Vescera on lead vocals, “Soldier Of Fortune” is one of the best hard rock albums appeared in 1989-1990, criminally underrated but a true blast from start to finish.
This expanded version includes a marvelous remastering job, an extra disc of rough-mix recordings from the “Soldier” sessions, and other CD with previously unreleased demos / songs.
The remaster is fantastic, believe me, and you have the extras to enjoy.
For us, a must have into any serious Hard Rock collection.

To commemorate the 30th Anniversary of one LOUDNESS‘ most iconic albums, Nippon Columbia released this awesome “Hurricane Eyes [30th Anniversary Limited Edition Premium Box 5-CD]”, a true collector’s piece.This monster box includes the main album both in its English and Japanese sung versions freshly remastered 2017, comes with a special giant 72-page booklet booklet including commentary, lyrics, and tons of...

To commemorate the 30th Anniversary of LOUDNESS‘ most iconic albums, Nippon Columbia were doing some very special packages, as with this “Lightning Strikes [30th Anniversary Ltd. Edition Box]”, a true collector’s release requested here at this blog.The box includes the main album fully remastered, but what marks special interest is the extra CD featuring previously unreleased material. In the box...

We have been presenting here some of LOUDNESS remastered reissues released on occasion of their 35th Anniversary. Now, as part of the celebration, the band has re-recorded some of their classics with the current lineup titled “Samsara Flight“.This 2CD Limited Edition (boxed with alt. artwork) includes an extra disc featuring also re-recorded songs but selected by their fans; “Fan’s Best...

Pioneer Japanese metal band LOUDNESS just released “8186 Now and Then“, a 4-CD pack only available in Japan including their legendary double live album ‘8186 Live’ (originally appeared in the ’80s) fully remastered, plus the recent concert the band did at Zepp Tokyo, April 13, 2017.These were the only series of shows LOUDNESS performed this year, playing the entire ‘8186...