AFTER THE DOUBLE CROSS
VAP Inc. (Japan)
First off, I got to give props to my friend Donna Danica for keeping me posted and sending me the latest and greatest metal releases coming out of Japan. Not only has she turned me onto the new releases from Concerto Moon and Loudness (both reviewed here) but the latest releases from other such Japanese luminaries as Alhambra, Bow Wow (aka Vow Wow), Anthem, Volcano, Outrage, Sex Machineguns, and X Japan - all brilliant bands who portray that uniquely exceptional brand of classic Japanese high-tech metal. The Japanese metal bands have rightfully been considered some the most technically competent musicians in rock music-and Concerto Moon reconfirm that very notion with their latest release After The Double Cross. Concerto Moon's sound and style is very similar to that of early Loudness, especially in vocalist Takashai Inoue (although he has a richer, deeper voice than Minoru Niihara), combined with the classical metal tinge of early Rising Force. All ten tracks are high-energy explosive metal anthems highlighted by the intricate guitar mastery of Norifumi Shima who displays mind-blowing leads that would send shivers down Malmsteen's spine. The guitar riffs are absolutely brutal! Not only heavy as shit but very technically sophisticated. Shima also handled the production duties and did an impeccable job, especially with the guitar tones, which sound so unbelievably thick and powerful. Great classic metal influences are intertwined throughout the disc showing traces of early Rainbow, MSG, and Queen. Highlights include the opener "30min. In The Darkness," "Waiting For A Miracle," "Fall Down," and their theme song "Concerto Moon." And if that's not enough to keep you heart pounding, After The Double Cross also includes a bonus disc featuring the Moon's renditions of the five classic metal songs "Smooth Dancer" (Deep Purple), "Point Of Know Return" (Kansas), "Hiroshima Mon Amour" (Alcatrazz), the Brian May song "Too Much Love Will Kill You" and The Russ Ballard song (best known for Rainbow remake) "I Surrender." The songs are covered well adding a great bonus making this pricey Japanese import well-worth purchasing.
LOUDNESS
RACING
Tokuma (Japan)
It's a real shame that this incredible band will most likely forever be looked at in the eye of America as the band with the cheesy "Rock And Roll Crazy Nights" video. Back in the '80s the Japanese music companies did everything in their power to crossover great Japanese metal bands such as Loudness to the ever-growing American metal-buying public, which essentially meant the artists (just as with many of the classic NWOBHM bands of that time) had to soften and 'commercialize' their sound and image to gain mainstream respect in the States. Thank God the Japanese metal bands today aren't concerned with success in the States and are staying true to their trademark technical, power-metal complexity that has earned them praise in their homeland as well as throughout Europe. Loudness has indeed changed their sound and style...in fact, the band sounds heavier and more potent then ever before. No longer hanging on to their classic Euro-metal roots, the band has now recreated a much more contemporary, bone-crushing brand of thrash-metal that is compatible to the new-breed of Japanese metal bands such as Outrage and Volcano. Formed in '81, Loudness followed in the footsteps of the legendary, hugely underrated '70s metal-troop Bow Wow and paved the way for the likes of Earthshaker, Anthem and EZO in the mid '80s. Being the first all-Japanese rock band to break into the American market, Loudness is recognized in their native country as well as the underground metal circles as groundbreaking Japanese rock legends. And when it comes to superior musicianship, it doesn't get any better than Loudness! Racing marks Loudness' first studio release featuring the return of original vocalist Minouru Niihara, bringing the classic original lineup back together once again. [Niihara actually returned with the band in 2001recording the unsurpassed live CD The Soldier's Just Came Back - Live Best]. All 14 songs on Racing display technical-thrash at its finest! Phenomenal, riff-roaring guitar work is performed throughout this disc by axe hero Akira Takaski and Niihara's vocals soar rampant with extreme power and anger. Drum-master Nunetaka Hguchi performs brilliantly as usual providing some jaw-dropping drum fills and bassist Masayoshi Yamashita does an incredible job of holding together the thrash-attack! After the short intro-title-track the next couple numbers leave you breathless..."Exultation" assaults you like a Sherman tank while "Lunatic" features one of the heaviest power-metal riffs of all-time! This album is relentless-the pulverizing riffs are enough to make any fan of extreme/hardcore metal drooling for more, and the technical complexity performed within will surely suffice even the snobbiest jazz/fusion virtuosos. Other tracks worthy of mention include; "Speed Maniac," "Crazy Samurai," and "R.I.P." As far as I know, Racing is only available on Japanese import, but don't let the price or anomaly prevent you from purchasing this metal masterpiece!
Shockwaves CD REVIEWS ISSUE 11 Page 13