Band: Loudness

Loudness would probably be the most influential and best-known of all Japanese metal bands, with amazing guitar work courtesy of Takasaki. After a couple of distinctive early albums they began to adopt a commerical American style, eventually even employing American vocalist Michael Vescera in an attempt to conquer the US market. The shift in the musical environment there stifled this however. Loudness has continued regardless, maintaining immense popularity in Japan. The original line-up regrouped in 2000.

Munetaka Higuchi died from liver cancer on 30 November, 2008.