AlphaMale

LOUDNESS - SUNBURST

April 26, 2022, a week ago

Two-disc studio effort, of all new music, from the venerable Japanese metal masters: 18 songs, evenly split, with six of them sporting titles in their native tongue. That's not to say that the English language choices are also sung in the same, as generally, that is NOT the case! In that regards, this album feels a bit like rarer, albeit often superior material, that predates the anglicized, Thunder In The East breakthrough. There are plans for an eventual North American release. Should be interesting to see how much of this remains intact.

Disc One begins with "Rising Sun" instrumental, before the otherwise mid-tempo "OEOEO" gives guitarist Akira Takasaki a chance to work through his scales. Like the old days, the Japanese language "Yamato Damashii" (meaning values of Japanese culture, it's soul, as translated from kanji) shows more aggression, both in terms of structure and vocalist Minoru Niihara's approach, feeling more comfortable in his own tongue. "Virtual Reality" is likewise in Nippon, a bit staccato, sing-song, in structure. There's the latest entry in the so-called "crazy" repertoire, ("Crazy Doctor", "Crazy Nights", "Crazy Go-Go", "Crazy Samurai", "Crazy! Crazy! Crazy!"), aka the speedy crunch of "Crazy World", which despite the western title, does not appear to be sung in English. It temporarily descends into s slow, skanking pop-blues section (with repeated enunciation of the title) that ultimately fades out to Takasaki burning up the fretboard. In contrast, "Stand Or Fall" begins acoustically, augmented by music box chimes, before lumbering into a Dio-era Black Sabbath riff, although with symphonic strings accompaniment. Meandering, bluesy ballad "The Sanzu River" gradual builds to a plodding stomp, with Niihara opting for a new/sinister tonality that sounds remarkably like the snarling shriek of Udo Dirkschneider (U.D.O./ex-Accept). The initial outing closes with another fast, aggro number, "Japanese Heart".

A trio of kanji monikers kicks of Disc Two, beginning with "Shining 80s". Initially a drum/cymbal workout, Takasaki turns the knob on his guitar in an Eddie Van Halen style. Gang vocals, practically throughout, guess (given the title) this is their throwback homage to the MTV era albums. "Emerald Sea" follow-up is a safe, if unremarkable, mid-paced rocker. Syncopated electronic effect starts otherwise commercial pop of "Door To Heaven". Get sort of a Mr. Big vibe, which isn't that surprising since they were, ahem, big, in Japan. Back to the subdued pacing for "All Will Be Fine With You", with just the titular chorus departing from the native language delivery. A staccato riffing rocker, "Fire In The Sky" is gritty, especially Niihara's emphasis. Then there's the fiery fingering mid-section, courtesy of Akira. Drum happy "Hunger For More" sees the guitarist laying down sweeps and spirited runs aplenty, while "The Nakigara" moves to a lilting gallop, apart from a chaotic cacophonous middle. Ends with sustained Niihara a cappella note. "Wonderland" finale is an ethereal mish-mash, complete with both acoustic and electric guitars, a flashback to the off-kilter psychedelia of mid-to-late ‘90s Loudness.

Not sure the extensive stylistic palette, dominated (almost exclusively) by non-English lyrics, will translate to North American tastes. Prove me wrong.

LOUDNESS (Heavy Metal – Japan) – Album review for SUNBURST – MY WARRIOR ( SUNBURST～我武者羅 ) #loudness

The legendary band LOUDNESS have released a new double album (the first time in their long career) of new songs title SUNBURST – MY WARRIOR aka SUNBURST～我武者羅 . First off, the above video is the only sharable sample of music from this album to date. The band released the first of the 2 cds in the set for fans who attended their shows the last month or so of 2021. There have been no promo videos, and the album is yet to available in digital format. There have been no plans of releasing the album outside of Japan to date either. This album is special to the band as it commemorates and celebrates the band’s 40th anniversary of existence!

The band has a long and rich history, filled with numerous different line ups over time. Band members have been from other legendary Japanese metal bands like X JAPAN, Anthem and EZO. This double disc, 16 song album, is chock full of the classic Loudness sound and style, borrowing a little from each era. This album has been a labor of love for guitarist extraordinaire Akira Takasaki. He is the only original member to have been in every line up of the band, and it feels like this album, for the 40th anniversary, was to be made special for him and the band’s fans. Akira wrote most of the music and evern the lyrics, which shows the band’s songs being mostly with Japanese lyrics, something they haven’t done in a long time. Akira also assumes some vocal duties on the album.

This collection of songs really covers a lot of ground as the band continues to cement it’s legacy as one of the most talented bands in metal history. As mentioned already, the guitar work is second to none as Akira Takasaki, who in the past has been heralded as the Eddie Van Halen of Japan, but his usual fretboard fireworks on full display! Longtime vocalist Minoru Niihara is singing as good as he ever has, not losing a step after a long and busy career. The rhythm of bassist Masayoshi Yamashita and drummer Suzuki “Ampan” Masayuki is incredible, intricate and never boring. This band has always had it all and on this double album effore, it’s all systems go!

Album track list:

[DISC 1 (CD)]
1.Rising Sun -instrumental- Composition: Akira Takasaki
2. OEOEO Lyrics / Composition: Akira Takasaki
3. Tamashii Yamato Lyrics / Composition: Akira Takasaki
4. Virtual Reality Lyrics / Composition: Akira Takasaki
5.Crazy World Lyrics / Composition: Akira Takasaki
6. STAND OR FALL Lyrics / Composition: Masayoshi Yamashita
7. The Sanzu River Lyrics / Composition: Akira Takasaki
8. Japanese Heart Lyrics / Composition: Akira Takasaki

[DISC 2 (CD)]
1 Shining 80’s Lyrics: Akira Takasaki Composition: LOUDNESS
2. Emerald Sea Lyrics: Akira Takasaki Composition: LOUDNESS
3. Door of Heaven Lyrics: Akira Takasaki Composition: LOUDNESS
4. All will be Fine with You Lyrics / Composition: Akira Takasaki
5. Fire in the Sky Lyrics / Composition: Akira Takasaki
6. HUNGER for MORE Lyrics: Minoru Niihara / Akira Takasaki Composition: Akira Takasaki
7. The NAKIGARA Lyrics: Masayuki Suzuki / Minoru Niihara Composition: Akira Takasaki / Masayuki Suzuki
8.wonderland / Composer: Akira Takasaki

[DISC 3 (DVD)] 1.LOUDNESS
2.ROCK SHOCK (MORE AND MORE)
3.HIGH TRY
4.IN THE MIRROR
5.MILKY WAY
6.CRAZY DOCTOR
7.ESPER
8.CRAZY NIGHTS
9.LIKE HELL
10.HEAVY CHAINS
11.SO LONELY
12.ROAD RACER
13.LET IT GO
14.ROCK’N ROLL GYPSY
15.METAL MAD
16.SOUL ON FIRE
17.I’M STILL ALIVE
18.SDI

Ah, did you notice that is also a track list for a DVD?! Limited edition version of the album came with a live DVD – 40th Anniversary Special Live THANK YOU FOR ALL -extra-. It captures the band’s eighteen-song set filmed at EX THEATER ROPPONGI on December 11th last year. I just watched the DVD and it is stacked with a bunch of older Loudness classics like IN THE MIRROR, ESPER, LET IT GO, S.D.I. and of course CRAZY NIGHTS. There are also a few gems in there like HIGH TRY, ROAD RACER and MILKY WAY.

There are many ways to get this album outside of Japan but be forewarned it could get pricey. There are sites like WARD RECORDS, CD JAPAN, TOWER RECORDS (still exists in Japan), DISK UNION that you can get the album, even try eBay. This album is an amazing celebration of 40 years of great music from a top notch metal band. Do your best to check it out!!!