LOUDNESS thunder in the east MFN38

The Storm Hits Britain: Loudness’ ‘Thunder in the East’ UK Pressing (MFN 38)

Today we revisit the monumental album that broke Japanese heavy metal onto the world stage, Loudness’ “Thunder in the East.” This entry focuses specifically on the UK vinyl pressing released by Music for Nations in 1985, carrying the catalog number MFN 38.

While released concurrently in Japan (Nippon Columbia) and the US (Atco), this Music for Nations version represents the album’s crucial introduction to the fervent UK and European metal markets. MFN was a powerhouse label for metal in the 80s, making this release a significant step in Loudness’ global campaign.

“Thunder in the East,” the band’s fifth studio album, was a calculated and powerful strike for international recognition. It featured lyrics entirely in English and a sound perfectly honed for the global heavy metal audience, while retaining the band’s unique musical identity. Its success, including charting in the US Billboard Top 100, was unprecedented for a Japanese band.

The album is a defining statement of 80s heavy metal, driven by Akira Takasaki’s mind-blowing guitar wizardry, Minoru Niihara’s powerful and distinct vocals, Masayoshi Yamashita’s solid bass lines, and the late Munetaka Higuchi’s thunderous drumming. It’s packed with iconic anthems like the international hit “Crazy Nights” and the blazing speed of “Like Hell.”

The Music for Nations pressing (MFN 38) brought this Japanese metal masterpiece directly to the legions of metal fans in the UK and Europe. It stands as a vital piece for collectors, representing not only a landmark album but also its specific arrival and impact within one of the world’s most important heavy metal scenes.