Released June 10, 1992 Label Warner Music Japan | Length 46:57 | |
Studio Music Inn Yamanakako Studio, Yamanakako, Yamanashi, Japan,
Studio 900, New York City, United States,
Warner Music Japan Studios, Tokyo, Japan Genre Heavy metal, speed metal Producer Akira Takasaki, Jody Gray (vocal production) | ||
Loudness is the tenth studio album by Japanese band Loudness. It was released in 1992 only in Japan, after the band had terminated the recording contracts with US labels. Original bass player Masayoshi Yamashita was replaced with Taiji Sawada and the American vocalist Mike Vescera with former Ezo singer Masaki Yamada.
Contents
The sound of this album is much more aggressive and the rhythms much faster than the preceding offerings from the band. This fact has been interpreted as a reaction by composer and producer Takasaki to the many compromises he had to accept by US managers and producers to remain in the record market in the United States. Also, the music has a much more traditional heavy metal feel to it overall, whereas their previous output from the late 80's had a very glam-oriented melodic sound to it.
The cover art is designed by artist Tadanori Yokoo. The limited edition of the album came with a special booklet and CD case, guitar picks, band name logo sticker and a t-shirt signed by the band. The album reached No. 2 in Japan on the Oricon Charts, making it Loudness' highest-charting and best-selling album in Japan. A live album, recorded in 1992, Once and for All, and a live VHS, Welcome to the Slaughter House, also recorded in 1992 at Nakano Sun Plaza, were also released.
Track listing
All lyrics written by Masaki Yamada and Jody Gray; all music composed by Akira Takasaki except "Everyone Lies" by Masayoshi Yamashita.