Well, here we are. We’re now at the end of our 2nd leg of this metallic trip through Japan, and so far Loudness has been treating us well. Everything I’ve listened to so far has been fantastic, but today’s review might be it. Today’s album might be the one that’s genuinely perfect, and one that you should not avoid. So, sharpen your katana, check the rooftops for any shinobi that might be spying on you, and get ready for my review of 2018's colossus, Rise To Glory. Let the review begin!
Background
On September the 1st, 2006, original bassist Hiroyuki Tanaka died from heart failure at 46 years of age, and his replacement came. In April of 2008, just two months after the release of Metal Mad, Loudness would take a hiatus when drummer Munetaka Higuchi got a diagnosis of liver cancer. They would play with Mötley Crüe in October of that year at the Greater Tokyo Area's Saitama Super Arena, and have session drummer Kozo Suganuma filling in. Just a month later on the 30th of November, Higuchi would sadly pass away because of said illness at the age of 49. As stated by the band:
“Munetaka Higuchi passed away from liver cancer at a hospital in Osaka city in the morning of 30 November 2008. With permission from his family, we are officially announcing his passing. We realize this announcement came late and we apologize for that. With his and his family's request, a wake and funeral will be held privately. For the press and the fans, we will make sure that you have an opportunity to say your goodbyes to him at later time. For the last eight months since he was diagnosed with liver cancer, he had been in and out of the hospital several times for the treatment. For the entire time, he was very positive and bravely fighting this disease. He had this strong desire to come back to the stage to play for the fans again. His death came very suddenly and was a very immature one. He lived his life to the fullest as a rock drummer who always gave us hopes and dreams. His heart and soul for music will be succeeded for a long time to come. Munetaka, we are grateful for all your hard work and the great 49 years you lived with us here in this world. We would like to express our appreciation for all your condolences sent here for him.”
As stated by Wikipedia:
“The band confirmed through Takasaki that, despite the recent loss of drummer Munetaka Higuchi, they would be recording a new studio album titled The Everlasting, which was released in May 2009. The new material was based on drum tracks recorded by Higuchi before his death. Upon the album's release, they introduced their new drummer in Masayuki Suzuki. The band went on tour in 2009, presenting only material from their first four albums and announced their following album titled King of Pain, which was released in May 2010. Also in 2010, Loudness was featured at the Bang Your Head!!! festival in Germany and did a brief European tour. Loudness returned to America for their 30th Anniversary tour in May and June 2011.”
The band would continue to rock Japan & the world, and this would all eventually lead to the subject of today’s review. In January of 2008, the band’s 27th studio album, Rise To Glory, to much fanfare in Japan (And probably in other parts of the world also). However, there would be some tragedy, as Suzuki would suffer a mild stroke and be hospitalized for it. The band would call upon the services of Ra:IN drummer Ryuichi Nishida to fulfill the tour until Suzuki's full recovery & return to the band in September of 2018.
Basic Description
Modern Metal Mastery.
Loudness has managed to withstand the test of time. For nearly 4 decades by the time this album came out in 2018, one of Japan’s finest bands has managed to roll with the punches & adapt to the changing times. In regards to Rise To Glory, it can be safe to say that the band aren’t going anywhere! They’ve got one foot in the past: many of the beats & rhythms have a distinct old-school feel, and Minoru Niihara’s vocal work sounds just as beastly now as it did back in the 80s. As for their other foot, it just so happens to lie within the present. More specifically, this album has modern day recording & production behind it. This makes for the crispest & most clean Loudness album to date, and while that might be an issue with some (More on that below), it does make it a little easier to access when it comes to listening to it.
Best Track
Soul On Fire, as a statement of intent, is just so good. It has the energy of something like This Lonely Heart from Hurricane Eyes (A great track in it’s own right. Listen here.), but the instrumentation is heavier, and the vocal work has more depth to it. You’ll definitely headbang as you listen to this, and I can think of no other way to start off this album than this track.
Soul On Fire
Worst Track
Can’t pick one out. Apart from the fact that maybe things sound a little too clean sometimes (Which might cause some sticklers to turn away), and that it can be tricky to find outside Japan like the majority of their work, Rise To Glory from top to bottom is a modern day classic. Loudness have always been at the top of their game, and even when they may have experimented a little too much on some releases, the band always has a seal of quality that listeners could recognize.
Other
If you’re curious about listening to this album, click on the link below:
Rise To Glory (Download Link)
Overall Impression & Rating
Rise To Glory is modern Loudness at their best. Things may be a little too clean for some people, but the band are on their A-game regardless. If there is a modern album from this group that’s essential to sit down & listen to, it’s this one. Just be sure to pet your wallet, cause it’s definitely going to bleed a little when you buy this.
Rise To Glory gets a 9.5 out of 10.
And that was Rise To Glory. Even by the late 2010s, Loudness prove that they’re still metallic titans, and they can still make their native Japan shake. So with that, part 2 of our metallic trip through the land of the rising sun comes to an end. Join me in August, when we’ll travel down some more obscure paths in the final leg of our trip. See you soon!
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