Album Review: LOUDNESS – Rise To Glory

Album Reviews
By The Hellion
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LOUDNESS – Rise To Glory

Label: earMusic

            Release Date: January 26, 2018          

Oh yes, Loudness is one of those bands that I can’t help but love. I was hooked the first time I heard them in 1985 with their Thunder In The East record. Now in 2018 they have continued to impress me with their latest release Rise To Glory. 

Thankfully they have decided to release Rise To Glory in North America as well as Japan this time (the last North American release was On The Prowl in 1991). I have always felt that guitarist Akira Takasaki has a unique sound and tone and Rise To Glory sure showcases it. Combine that guitar sound with the stellar vocals of Minoru Niihara and you have a killer wall of sound coming at you. Here are some standout tracks: the anthemic  “Why and For Whom”, the kick you in the ass “I’m Still Alive” and also “Go For Broke”, which is reminiscent of that 80’s metal we all love so well.

I have to talk about one of the two instrumental tracks on Rise To Glory – “Kama Sutra” I feel this track showcases the true musical talents in this band. While not the typical sound for  Loudness, it is like a heavy jazz sound and it works, trust me on this. If I had to pick a favorite track and one that I feel embodies the soul of the record it would be “Let’s All Rock” I can just see the audience, fists raised, singing the lyrics on this one. Loudness is not trying to reinvent the wheel with their new music, which is fine by me, they are just adding another layer to their legacy of great rock n’ roll. Solid band, solid release, make sure and pick this up and then pick up their back catalog as well. 8 out of 10 record right here.

Loudness has 26 studio albums under their belt only five of which received a U.S. release. Like many other bands they have undergone several lineup changes throughout the years with Akira being the only constant member. In 2000, the original lineup reunited, consisting of Akira Takasaki – guitar/backing vocals, Minoru Niihara – lead vocals, Masayoshi Yamashita – bass/backing vocals, and Munetaka Higuchi – drums. Sadly in 2008, Munetaka passed away after a year long struggle with cancer. In 2009, Masayuki Suzuki was brought on board and has been behind the kit ever since. Thank you Loudness for all the years of killer music.

it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!!!

-the Hellion

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My mom introduced me to music at a very young age. There was always some kind of music playing somewhere in the house. One of my earliest musical memories is running around with my cousins screaming in our tiny off key voices “Yellow Submarine” by the Beatles.

The music my mom listened to was across the map, but mostly rock oriented. My stepfather, however, was a country man and there was no alternative. I learned to appreciate the sounds I was hearing from songs that they both listened to. I felt the stories they were telling, and that was how I interpreted them, as stories. These “stories” would end up becoming my best friends as my childhood took some nasty turns. They were always there and wouldn’t ever let me down. I ultimately developed an affinity for rock and that became my preferred style of music. I never did lose my appreciation for classic country music though.

The 70’s were a great time for music on the radio. I could hear a broad spectrum of artists on one rock station from ABBA to ZZ Top. I LISTENED and devoured all of the music that I could, often staying up until the wee hours with a small radio under my pillow. I remember a conversation with my mom once where I asked her why she liked music so much her reply was “Because the songs take me away to different places.” I got it, and found myself taking the same journeys. The music was fresh and entertaining and never ever seemed to go stale for me. There was no sub, sub, sub genres, just good music.

This was a time when it was cool to one day wear a Bee Gees shirt and a KISS one the next. We just loved the music. We were clueless and we loved it. We used our imaginations to think about what our favorite musicians were doing and what they would do next, there was bliss in our ignorance.

…it was just music and we simply loved it.

-the Hellion

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