LOUDNESS long distance / good things going P-3607

Let’s explore another key 12-inch single from Japanese heavy metal giants Loudness, “Long Distance Love / Good Things Going.” Released on May 25, 1988, via Warner-Pioneer Corporation (under ATCO Records), this maxi-single (catalog number P-3607) captures the band at the end of a major era. This particular copy includes the original obi strip.

Issued concurrently with their “Jealousy” mini-album, this 45 RPM 12-inch single features two tracks sung entirely in Japanese:
A: Long Distance Love
B: Good Things Going

Produced by the band and engineered by Bill Freesh, these songs showcase the classic Loudness lineup delivering their signature powerful and melodic heavy metal sound. This release is historically significant as it represents some of the final studio recordings featuring original vocalist Minoru Niihara before his departure later that year.

Interestingly, this 12-inch version of “Long Distance Love” is noted by some fans for featuring a sampled introduction, possibly an attempt to appeal to club or disco audiences at the time, showcasing a unique twist on their sound. P-3607 (which came with an obi and lyric sheet) is a valuable item for collectors, offering two strong, Japanese-language tracks from a pivotal, transitional period in the band’s history.