Customer Reviews

Thunder in the East

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Loudness ranks as one of my all time favorite metal bands. They were technical, had an excellent guitarist, and a fine singer who sang in the upper register, and they wrote catchy songs. Thunder In The East, one of 1985's best albums, was Loudness at their peak.

Produced by Max Norman, who was THE metal producer of the time, the record is terrific from start to finish. The production is outstanding and one of Norman's best ever. The song that was pushed by the label and by rock radio as the single, "Crazy Nights" is OK but actually one of weaker songs on the album. Unfortunitely, as is often the case, labels and radio stations don't look past one song in which to define a band, where if they had more forsight, they could increase the shelf life of the CD by releasing more songs as singles.

Back to Loudness. "Like Hell" is an up tempo rocker with a fabulous solo, and a progression similar to song #4 "Get Away", which offers up another terrific solo very reminiscent of a fast Richie Blackmore solo from his Deep Purple days."Heavy Chains" and "We Could Be Together", are both quite good, but it is "Run For Your Life" which is the standout track here. A slow, ballad-like build up to a great chorus and melodic solo, this should have been a hit. "Clockwork Toy" is next and is also excellent and heavy. Another song which I just love is the albums closer, "Never Change Your Mind", which despite its unintentionally humorous lyrics (got a new hairstyle I see, you're dressed to kill, bright colored lipstick for me against my will) due to the language gap, is a stellar track. It builds up and builds up with great hooks and is one of their best songs.

While Loudness put out many more albums after "Thunder", none were as consistant, and none had as many great songs packed into one album.

Huge amounts of respect must be given to them as a band for their ability to pen decent lyrics in English and rock the western world at a technical level that few western bands can attain.

Loudness' "Thunder In The East" is a must for any complete metal collection, and in this writers opinion, their best work.

Listening to this album without seeing the title of the album or the cover artwork, one probably would never know they were listening to a band from Japan with names like Akira Takasaki and Minoru Niihara. They sound like a typical 1980s metal band from America or Western Europe. Thunder in the East was the band's big breakout album in the west and, as it turns out, their last big album. They took a more pop-metal path after this release, then brought in an American-born vocalist and never found the same success. This 1985 release, however, is excellent. It is not pop metal, in fact, it sounds a lot like Accept without the raw Udo Dirkschneider vocals. Niihara's voice is closer to Queensryche's Geoff Tate, although not as powerful. This album is very solid but my favorite track is "No Way Out." The first time I heard it, I was amazed. I played it over and over and still can't get enough. The guitar is blazing on that track! Unbelievable! The rest of the songs showcase great guitar work as well. I recommend Thunder in the East to any fan of 1980s metal.

Loudness simply Rocks.

My friend Scott introduced me to this band in the mid-80s, describing them as "a Japanese band that sounds like Judas Priest, Dokken and Scorpions combined". I saw them soon after at San Francisco's Kabuki Theater, with Keel, and they blew the roof off the place. LOUDness is right!

The first album in their brief American career (followed by Lightning Strikes and the overpopped Hurricane Eyes, and concluding with the Americanized Soldier of Fortune and On The Prowl), Thunder... showcases HEAVY riffs, incredible musicianship and manic-but-tuneful vocals. The best track for rock fans is "Crazy Nights", but don't discount the ballads either-- "Never Change Your Mind" is right up there with KISS's "Reason to Live".

The biggest nit on this album is Minoru Niihara's vocals. Since the band are still learning English here, some of the lyrics and the way he pronounces them are a bit off-center (just what the heck is MZA anyway?).

I'd give this one a 4.9 if I could, but I'll round it up to 5 just so new fans will be more likely to buy it.

Thunder In The East had the potential to put Loudness on the map of Heavy Metal back in the 80's; and in many ways, it did. Filled with 80's arena metallic anthems, Thunder was the breakthrough album for Loudness in the U.S. The success of Thunder landed them a U.S. Tour supporting MOtley Crue during the Theater Of Pain album and tour.
Probably most of the credit for Thunder goes to guitarist Akira Takasaki (I am SURE I butchered his name and many apologies...I could never get his name right, no matter HOW much I boasted about him!). His style and chops were a mix of Yngwie Malmsteen, Ritchie Blackmore and Eddie Van Halen mixed together. Lots of appregios, sweeps, hammer ons and pull offs...not to mention some nice Whammy work here and there like Blackmore. So for those interested, it's worth buying for sure!

Highlights include the hit Crazy Nights, Like Hell, Heavy Chains, Clockwork Toy Getaway and the excellent We Could Be Together, which I consider to be the peak of the album.

Unfortunately, Loudness' success went as fast as it came. They produced a few albums after Thunder In The East, but without much success...which saw them quietly fade back to Japan where; from what I have read are still very, very popular to this day. So, if the Loudness guys are reading, a toast to you, thanks for giving us a great album back in the day, and here's to more success and hopefully another round of it here in the States!

This is Loudness' 5th album (released in 1985), and my personal favorite. The music takes a lean to popular-rock when compared to Disillusion, but Akira Takasaki dispells any notion of selling-out with his performance throughout the album. This 24-bit remastered release includes two extra tracks: 'Gotta Fight' and 'Odin' (what happened to 'Flash out', which was part of the same EP these extra tunes came from?!?) -- these bonus tracks are great, and make the purchase worthwhile. I've jammed through the entire album many times, but 'Crazy Nights', 'Heavy Chains' and 'We Could Be Together' are my favorites from the original release.

Killer CD. Akira Takasaki has a great sound and plays some great riffs. Oh yeah, the solos are righteous as well. The band is tight and the songs are really good. I actually like the vocals. He's got a good voice with a heavy accent, it's cool. Best tracks are No way out, Lines are down and Heavy Chains. Take a step back in time, 1985 to be exact and remember when metal was king! This CD should be in your metal collection.

Look, here's the deal. This album sounds better now than it did when it came out in '85. And it sounded pretty good back then, too.
First off, the playing is superb and the sound is amazing even now. Second - while 'Thunder' isnt 'innovative' - the writing is INTELLIGENT, and every song has its own identity. There is definite Van Halen, Accept, Maiden influences. Even a slight progessive sound on "Run For Your Life". "Clockwork Toy" has early thrash influences. And there is more. Get past the rather cheesy chorus of the opening track though, and its a great listen.
There are a lot of different 'sounds' here. Which is good, right? The bottom line is this album sounds better than it did when I was in High School. Its a lost classic. You cant go wrong if you like this style of metal.

first off, I want to say I have no problem with Minoru Nihara's vocals, be they in English or Japanese. That experiment with vocalist Mike Vescera on vocals, for me, was a waste of time. A cheap attempt to Americanize the band. These guys are Japanese, take it or leave it. I decided to take it and have been a long time fan of this great rock band. This CD is chockful of great riffs and some wicked guitar playing. Akira Takasaki is a guitarist to be reckoned with. I have had the good fortune of seeing this band twice and have no problem recommending the CD if you want some solid rock music and great riffs. These guys can play, period!

www.electriceyes.us

This is great cd. It's a good listen at the progressive 80's hard rock movent that happened in Japan. All the players are extremely skilled musicians and the songs are very creative. The production of this album is outstanding.

I don't remember if I've reviewed this CD before but I have to say that Mr. Akira Takasaki is one of my favorite rock/metal guitarists, period! Akira is able to come up with classic riff after classic riff and his guitar playing is amazingly energetic and relentless. Folks, this guy can play! For me rock music doesn't get much better then what these guys throw down. They've had a few lineup changes but on this CD is the classic lineup that fans like me love.

And I want to take a moment to mention their great and criminally overlooked drummer, Munetaka Higuchi, who passed away a few months ago.
As a drummer myelf I have always loved his energetic and tasty playing and how he really complimented Akira's playing. If someone proclaims Loudness the greatest Japanese metal band ever they will get no argument from me. God Bless 'Em!
www.electriceyes.us