LOUDNESS (Heavy Metal – Japan) – Album review for SUNBURST – MY WARRIOR ( SUNBURST～我武者羅 ) #loudness

The legendary band LOUDNESS have released a new double album (the first time in their long career) of new songs title SUNBURST – MY WARRIOR aka SUNBURST～我武者羅 . First off, the above video is the only sharable sample of music from this album to date. The band released the first of the 2 cds in the set for fans who attended their shows the last month or so of 2021. There have been no promo videos, and the album is yet to available in digital format. There have been no plans of releasing the album outside of Japan to date either. This album is special to the band as it commemorates and celebrates the band’s 40th anniversary of existence!

The band has a long and rich history, filled with numerous different line ups over time. Band members have been from other legendary Japanese metal bands like X JAPAN, Anthem and EZO. This double disc, 16 song album, is chock full of the classic Loudness sound and style, borrowing a little from each era. This album has been a labor of love for guitarist extraordinaire Akira Takasaki. He is the only original member to have been in every line up of the band, and it feels like this album, for the 40th anniversary, was to be made special for him and the band’s fans. Akira wrote most of the music and evern the lyrics, which shows the band’s songs being mostly with Japanese lyrics, something they haven’t done in a long time. Akira also assumes some vocal duties on the album.

This collection of songs really covers a lot of ground as the band continues to cement it’s legacy as one of the most talented bands in metal history. As mentioned already, the guitar work is second to none as Akira Takasaki, who in the past has been heralded as the Eddie Van Halen of Japan, but his usual fretboard fireworks on full display! Longtime vocalist Minoru Niihara is singing as good as he ever has, not losing a step after a long and busy career. The rhythm of bassist Masayoshi Yamashita and drummer Suzuki “Ampan” Masayuki is incredible, intricate and never boring. This band has always had it all and on this double album effore, it’s all systems go!

Album track list:

[DISC 1 (CD)]
1.Rising Sun -instrumental- Composition: Akira Takasaki
2. OEOEO Lyrics / Composition: Akira Takasaki
3. Tamashii Yamato Lyrics / Composition: Akira Takasaki
4. Virtual Reality Lyrics / Composition: Akira Takasaki
5.Crazy World Lyrics / Composition: Akira Takasaki
6. STAND OR FALL Lyrics / Composition: Masayoshi Yamashita
7. The Sanzu River Lyrics / Composition: Akira Takasaki
8. Japanese Heart Lyrics / Composition: Akira Takasaki

[DISC 2 (CD)]
1 Shining 80’s Lyrics: Akira Takasaki Composition: LOUDNESS
2. Emerald Sea Lyrics: Akira Takasaki Composition: LOUDNESS
3. Door of Heaven Lyrics: Akira Takasaki Composition: LOUDNESS
4. All will be Fine with You Lyrics / Composition: Akira Takasaki
5. Fire in the Sky Lyrics / Composition: Akira Takasaki
6. HUNGER for MORE Lyrics: Minoru Niihara / Akira Takasaki Composition: Akira Takasaki
7. The NAKIGARA Lyrics: Masayuki Suzuki / Minoru Niihara Composition: Akira Takasaki / Masayuki Suzuki
8.wonderland / Composer: Akira Takasaki

[DISC 3 (DVD)] 1.LOUDNESS
2.ROCK SHOCK (MORE AND MORE)
3.HIGH TRY
4.IN THE MIRROR
5.MILKY WAY
6.CRAZY DOCTOR
7.ESPER
8.CRAZY NIGHTS
9.LIKE HELL
10.HEAVY CHAINS
11.SO LONELY
12.ROAD RACER
13.LET IT GO
14.ROCK’N ROLL GYPSY
15.METAL MAD
16.SOUL ON FIRE
17.I’M STILL ALIVE
18.SDI

Ah, did you notice that is also a track list for a DVD?! Limited edition version of the album came with a live DVD – 40th Anniversary Special Live THANK YOU FOR ALL -extra-. It captures the band’s eighteen-song set filmed at EX THEATER ROPPONGI on December 11th last year. I just watched the DVD and it is stacked with a bunch of older Loudness classics like IN THE MIRROR, ESPER, LET IT GO, S.D.I. and of course CRAZY NIGHTS. There are also a few gems in there like HIGH TRY, ROAD RACER and MILKY WAY.

There are many ways to get this album outside of Japan but be forewarned it could get pricey. There are sites like WARD RECORDS, CD JAPAN, TOWER RECORDS (still exists in Japan), DISK UNION that you can get the album, even try eBay. This album is an amazing celebration of 40 years of great music from a top notch metal band. Do your best to check it out!!!

Band Links:
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Review by John Erigo