LOUDNESS
Despite knowing full bloody well that I’m a bit of a Japanophile, I think our beloved webmaster thought I was being a bit sarcastic (me? Never) when, upon being given this to review I said, “Is this the LOUDNESS?” For those who don’t know, and silly names aside, LOUDNESS have been one of the stalwarts of the Japanese metal scene for about 30 years in one form or another and are one of the most recognised and regarded Japanese metal bands out there. It’s not difficult to see why really, they’re an immensely talented bunch who know how to put together a glam rock/power metal song and, by extension, album. ‘Eve to Dawn’ is no exception to this self-constructed rule and manages to keep the essence of what brought them success back in the 80s without leaving it sounding overly retro and/or camp…but there is some of that. In general, the songs are punchy with slightly Axl Rose-esque vocals leading the way.
As is to be expected, Akira’s guitar work takes main stage; he’s not regarded as one of the finest guitarists around for nothing. He’s a reliable guitarist and can shred like a fiend but isn’t so arrogant as to not let someone else take the limelight when the time is right. It’s not simply the Akira Show but he does play a main part and does it very well thank you very much.
At the end of the day, let’s face it, it’s a good album and thoroughly enjoyable to listen to, the musicianship’s fantastic and the vocals are pretty strong (here comes the but…) but there’s nothing massively different here. I’ve heard it before so you’ve probably heard it before. Should this put you off? Definitely not! They’ve adapted it just enough to move with the times so it’s not exactly like listening to an old album but they’re not reinventing the wheel here. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And LOUDNESS ain’t broke yet.
As is to be expected, Akira’s guitar work takes main stage; he’s not regarded as one of the finest guitarists around for nothing. He’s a reliable guitarist and can shred like a fiend but isn’t so arrogant as to not let someone else take the limelight when the time is right. It’s not simply the Akira Show but he does play a main part and does it very well thank you very much.
At the end of the day, let’s face it, it’s a good album and thoroughly enjoyable to listen to, the musicianship’s fantastic and the vocals are pretty strong (here comes the but…) but there’s nothing massively different here. I’ve heard it before so you’ve probably heard it before. Should this put you off? Definitely not! They’ve adapted it just enough to move with the times so it’s not exactly like listening to an old album but they’re not reinventing the wheel here. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And LOUDNESS ain’t broke yet.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Frostbyte
Album
EVE TO DAWN
Review by Siân Williams
RUNNING TIME:
53:50
RELEASE DATE:
1st Oct 2012
TRACK LISTING
1) A Light in the Dark
2) The Power of Truth
3) Come Alive Again
4) Survivor
5) Keep You Burning
6) Gonna Do It My Way
7) Hang Tough
8) Emotions
9) Comes the Dawn
10) Pandora
11) Crazy! Crazy! Crazy!
2) The Power of Truth
3) Come Alive Again
4) Survivor
5) Keep You Burning
6) Gonna Do It My Way
7) Hang Tough
8) Emotions
9) Comes the Dawn
10) Pandora
11) Crazy! Crazy! Crazy!
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Japan
"...manages to keep the essence of what brought them success back in the 80s without leaving it sounding overly retro and/or camp..."
