There is no denying that the opening riff is one of the best heavy metal riffs in history. I was surprised to see Loudness, a Japanese band playing on MTV's Headbanger's Ball back when I was in middle school. Pure 1980's nostalgia.
Akira Takasaki is likely the greatest guitarist you never heard of. Formed in 1981, major break through Album, Thunder in the East in 1985. Yes, they toured in the west in the 80's. The current Japanese rock/metal bands were influenced by Loudness. FYI, they are still together, performing and awesome!
First japanese band I ever heard, almost 30 years back in time (not this song... it was 'Run for your life'). And then I searched for other bands and found WoW and EZo and others I can't recall. And I remember my teenage self thinking: 'There's something between Metal and Japan... like they seem both quite fond each with another'. I happened to be prophetic.
In the 8-0's Akira Takasaki was called the Japanese EVH, which is a lazy take imo because Akira has his own unique style, specifically how he can alternate pick arpeggios in a sequence that's usually swept and it still comes out as cleans as if you were sweeping. Saki and Hal-Ca from Asterism use this method a lot. Its crazy to me because it looks chaotic and doesn't look like it should sound that clean. Fun Fact about Saki; she's the only artist endorsed by Killer guitars, a brand started by Akira and distributed by ESP. The Killer brand name is a homonym taken as a jab on how Japanese pronounce their "L"s like "R"s. So saying ki-LL-er sounds like Ki-RR-er which is a homonym on Takasaki's 1st name, (A)kira. A Killer➡Akira. I've heard that came from Akira being described as "a-killer" (a-kirrer) guitarist, but not 100 sure on it.
Metal Shop, the old syndicated radio show, 1985 heard this tune. Went out and bought the album, Thunder in the East. This band kicks total ass and unfortunately got lumped in with hair metal by look. Fuck Poison or Winger played nothing close to the bone crushing music Loudness was playing. Allen these years later and they still kick ass. Akira Takasaki is by far the most under appreciated guitarist in the West. I really love Akira’s solo in Heavy Chains: ruclips.net/video/Pl1vhqaRvTM/видео.htmlsi=XfXP40BM6_Y1G_SF
![LOUDNESS / CRAZY NIGHTS [Cover by NEMOPHILA] - Roadie Reacts](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bHjlROMI-l4/mqdefault.jpg)
There is no denying that the opening riff is one of the best heavy metal riffs in history. I was surprised to see Loudness, a Japanese band playing on MTV's Headbanger's Ball back when I was in middle school. Pure 1980's nostalgia.
Loudness are THE epitome of 80s hair metal.
Akira Takasaki is likely the greatest guitarist you never heard of. Formed in 1981, major break through Album, Thunder in the East in 1985. Yes, they toured in the west in the 80's. The current Japanese rock/metal bands were influenced by Loudness. FYI, they are still together, performing and awesome!
Facts 🤘🏿
I was in high school when this came out and was such a huge fan. Akira was truly killer.
Please look for LOUDNESS live at Pennsylvania 13.aug.1985 and watch all the songs.
Akira Takasaki is the No. 1 guitarist in Japan.
Thank you for the Flashback 🤘🏿
I've loved this song since, well...back then. Still sounds fantastic. And Nemophila's cover is more of the same.
Cool track. Yep the chunka chunka is great. Nemophila as a four piece are up for some chunka chunka.🎸🥁🤘
First japanese band I ever heard, almost 30 years back in time (not this song... it was 'Run for your life'). And then I searched for other bands and found WoW and EZo and others I can't recall. And I remember my teenage self thinking: 'There's something between Metal and Japan... like they seem both quite fond each with another'. I happened to be prophetic.
In the 8-0's Akira Takasaki was called the Japanese EVH, which is a lazy take imo because Akira has his own unique style, specifically how he can alternate pick arpeggios in a sequence that's usually swept and it still comes out as cleans as if you were sweeping. Saki and Hal-Ca from Asterism use this method a lot. Its crazy to me because it looks chaotic and doesn't look like it should sound that clean. Fun Fact about Saki; she's the only artist endorsed by Killer guitars, a brand started by Akira and distributed by ESP. The Killer brand name is a homonym taken as a jab on how Japanese pronounce their "L"s like "R"s. So saying ki-LL-er sounds like Ki-RR-er which is a homonym on Takasaki's 1st name, (A)kira. A Killer➡Akira. I've heard that came from Akira being described as "a-killer" (a-kirrer) guitarist, but not 100 sure on it.
Good old 80's Sound.🤘🤘🤘🤘
I saw Loudness open for Motley in 85. Joel check out the whole album Thunder in the East. It is still bad ass today top to bottom.🍺
It's kind of strange how I prefer the Nemophila cover over the original version
Metal Shop, the old syndicated radio show, 1985 heard this tune. Went out and bought the album, Thunder in the East. This band kicks total ass and unfortunately got lumped in with hair metal by look. Fuck Poison or Winger played nothing close to the bone crushing music Loudness was playing. Allen these years later and they still kick ass. Akira Takasaki is by far the most under appreciated guitarist in the West. I really love Akira’s solo in Heavy Chains: ruclips.net/video/Pl1vhqaRvTM/видео.htmlsi=XfXP40BM6_Y1G_SF