The legendary Loudness release Sunburst, celebrating their rich history with the first official double studio album in an impressive career which has spanned over 40 years.
The 16 songs on Sunburst represent the classic Loudness sound and style. Original member and guitarist Akira Takasaki wrote the primary portion of the music and lyrics. What makes the record unique is that most of the lyrics are in Japanese, so this release is highly authentic and shows a nod to their origins. However, a few songs are also sung in English. Sunburst is available as a 2CD digipak edition with an extensive booklet that includes the English translation of all lyrics.
Loudness have been a vital part of the heavy metal scene ever since their birth in 1981 with classic albums such as Thunder In The East (1985) and Lightning Strikes (1986). Hits like “Crazy Nights,” “In The Mirror,” and “Crazy Doctor” made them one of the most exciting metal acts in the mid '80s and saw them tour with Mötley Crüe in 1985, making them the first Japanese band ever to play the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York.
Since the band's inception in 1981, Loudness have led the Japanese heavy metal scene. After their first European and North American tour in 1985, Twisted Sister’s co-manager helped the band strike a deal with the US label Atco Records. This made Loudness the very first Japanese metal band to have toured and be signed by an American label. The albums that followed, Thunder In The East (1985) and Lightning Strikes (1986) both reached the Top 100 Billboard charts with Thunder In The East remaining in the Billboard Top 200 for 23 weeks.