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New Music Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal, AOR, Alternative Rock, Alternative Metal
Recent Reviews
September 2023
- Rockett Love: Galactic Circus
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- Taz: Shipwrecked, Vol 2
- Taz: Wake Up & Sweat, Vol 1
- Ronnie Romero: Too Many Lies, Too Many Masters
- The Flower Kings: Look At You Now
- Vega: Battlelines
- Blackbird Angels: Solsorte
- Primal Fear: Code Red
- Eclipse: Megalomanium
- Seventh Wonder: Mercy Falls (Reissue 2008/2023)
- Seventh Wonder: The Great Escape (Reissue 2010/2023)
August 2023
- Hurricane: Reconnected
- U.D.O.: Touchdown
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- Icon Of Sin: Legends
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July 2023
- Turkish Delight: Volume Two
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- Scream Maker: Land Of Fire
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June 2023
- Night Legion: Fight Or Fall
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- Vypera: Race Of Time
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- Joel Hoekstra's 13: Crash Of Life
- The Defiants: Drive
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Loudness: Metal Mad
Of course you know Loudness. Their history dates back to 1981 and they were the first Japanese metal band signed to a Western label, Atlantic records. You can hardly forget there great works back in the day including 'Thunder In The East' and 'Lightning Strikes' or the great single 'Crazy Nights.' So here we are in 2008. Cripes, these guys are as old as me and still producing heavy metal. And that's what you get on 'Metal Mad,' raw and raucous heavy metal.
Frankly, though they mix some modern and progressive influences, I found myself extraordinarily bored when listening to this album. Sure, Loudness still has some fire in their bellies, but only a few tracks stood out on this work. This included 'Whatsoever' and 'Black And White.' For obligatory metal, the title track succeeds, but hardly inspires. Then there's the abusively long yet somewhat enjoyable 'Can't Find My Way,' hard, heavy and somewhat confused. I found the best song to be 'Gravity;' I didn't groan or grimace. Yet, it was still basically average. In the end, I didn't know what to make of 'Metal Mad.' Where was it going? Give Loudness and 'A' for effort, but I was disappointed. Maybe I should have listened to it more
Loudness has become much like the annoying relative that keeps showing up at your family reunions. He's well-intentioned, but has nothing new to bring to the party. I hate being this negative about such a metal stalwart as Loudness. But I simply did not enjoy this album. Other, particularly fans, may find it interesting.
- Craig Hartranft
In Short
Loudness has had a brilliant career, most of it being in the mid 1980's. On one hand with 'Metal Mad,' it's good to hear them pressing on. On the other hand, I think they should simply give it a rest. Rest on your laurels and enjoy your past success.
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Formed in 1999 by singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Erik Martensson, Sweden's Eclipse is well into their third decade of making music. In the recent past, their recordings and reputation have ... [ Read More ]