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Loudness, Japan’s No. 1 heavy metal band, was formed in May 1981 after Akira Takasaki and Munetaka Higuchi left the Japanese pop band Lazy to explore heavier styles of music. Joined by the extremely capable vocalist Minoru Niihara and Takasaki’s childhood friend, Masayoshi Yamashita on bass guitar, the band recorded its first album in August 198. The album quickly stormed up the charts upon its release. It was clear that Japan was looking for hard rock, and Loudness was the answer! The band toured Japan constantly for the next several years while pumping out more albums for its fans. In 1984, Loudness traveled overseas to record its fourth album Disillusion. After recording, the band toured Europe, gaining its first dose of popularity on the international metal scene. Success in the US followed with 1985’s Thunder in the East, perhaps the band’s most popular album.Over the course of the next 15 years, Loudness underwent several lineup changes and gradually transformed its sound into a more basic rhythmic expression, combined with edgy, almost surreal vocals. While this style sound like much when stacked up against the operatic Loudness of old, the sheer power of the band’s music had a tendency to grow on the listener. In 2000, Akira began toying with the idea of a Loudness reformation, featuring the group’s original lineup. The news was formally announced in May, and in 2001 the original lineup released Spiritual Canoe. The band soon embarked on a 20th anniversary tour, commemorated by a live DVD. Several new albums and supporting tours followed over the course of the next decade.
In 2011, the three surviving members of Loudness united for a 30th reunion tour that saw the band bring its earth-shattering show to B.B. King Blues Club and other venues across the US. The band also released its latest album, Eve to Dawn. Tonight, Loudness returns to the club’s stage, giving an NYC audience a rare opportunity to hear classics hits like “Crazy Nights” and other cuts from the band’s illustrious career performed live.
