Loudness are probably the best metal/rock band to come from Japan. This live album was released in ’83 before their biggest albums were released in the west. I’m a huge fan of Akira Takasaki whose guitar playing is exceptiona, he is also a bit of a hero in his homeland.
If you only know them by Thunder In The East and Dissolution then you may not have heard any of these songs before. A lot more hard rock than metal, this is still a killer live album and worthy of buying just to hear Akira killing it. Highlights for me are the slow brooding and almost Sabbath track I Was The Sun, it has a superb solo. As well, Black Wall which builds from a Scorpions sounding intro to a double kick melodic metal romp where Akira really rips in. Akira gets his solo spot as part of Heavenward with over six minutes worth of fretwork destruction. My favourite track is Tusk Of Jaguar which is serious guitar overload with a drum solo at the end.
Great band and a great early live recording.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
