Started in 1981 in Osaka, Loudness has become one of the biggest heavy metal bands in Japan. In 1985, they became the first Japanese metal band signed to a major American label with Thunder in the East and the single Crazy Nights. But meddling record companies and concern over the bands image would lead to their success in America being all too brief. This has been the most requested band since I started this channel and even though there are a staggering 27 Loudness albums to go through, it was a blast discovering their music. I hope you have a blast discovering them too and the awesome guitar skills of Akira Takasaki.