SilentScream213 An interesting transition from their previous attempts at mainstream universal appeal, but an appropriate reinvention for a self-titled album. “Loudness” is, in my opinion, their best release since the legendary underground masterpiece “Disillusion.” This album returns to their riff and solo driven Heavy Metal of old, mostly forgoing catchy anthems in favor of more aggressive edge and musical substance.

There’s a great variety of midtempo groove and speedy aggression. The plodding “Love Kills” has a riff heavier than concrete, and album closer “Firestorm” is easily the fastest thing they’ve ever done. The flow of the album usually has faster numbers complimenting the slower ones and works very well.

The lineup changes here have to be addressed because they bring some great changes. Filling in for bass is Taiji – THE Taiji – of X Japan fame, and yeah, it’s noticeable. As long as you’ve got decent listening equipment, you can hear that bass throwing out groovy melodies the whole time, and it’s wonderful. New vocalist Masaki Yamada has what may be considered an “acquired taste” vocal style, which is an aggressive, strained, and accented style. However, it fits the more aggressive musical style here, and he is very good at English, not only speaking, but writing. The lyrics to this one are far darker than anything Loudness have done before, and very well written, with some interesting topics such as the cruelty of animal testing on “Slaughter House.”

Possibly their best album yet, a real recapturing of their Japanese identity after their mixed attempts to sounds western.