EARTHSHAKER midnight flight K28P488

Let’s dive into an album widely regarded as Earthshaker’s ultimate masterpiece and a landmark of 80s Japanese rock: their third studio LP, “Midnight Flight.” Released on October 25, 1984, via the Nexus label (King Records), this 12-inch vinyl (catalog number K28P-488) truly solidified their signature style. This copy retains its original obisticker on the shrinkwrap.

Produced again by Masa Itoh, this album built upon the “Shaker style” established on “Fugitive” and propelled the band to new heights, creating music that transcended the “heavy metal” genre tag. It’s a concise, 8-track album celebrated for having no filler, just high-quality, memorable songs.

The album kicks off with an incredible one-two-three punch of classics: “T-O-K-Y-O,” the title track “Midnight Flight,” and their No.1 hit song, “Radio Magic.” “Radio Magic,” in particular, is noted for its incredible pop sensibility and catchy rhythm, a timeless track whose original studio version captures a perfect, sparkling groove.

The second half of the album maintains the quality with beloved tracks like “Zawameku Tokieto,” “Ushinawareta 7224,” and the poignant ballad “Tada Kanashiku.” These songs perfectly showcase the band’s blend of hard rock power, beautiful melodies, and emotive vocals singing unique, lyrical themes. The guitar work is praised for being highly melodic, and the arrangements, while sounding huge, are often deceptively simple and brilliant.

“Midnight Flight” (K28P-488) is often recommended as the perfect starting point for new listeners (alongside “Fugitive”). It’s considered by many to be Earthshaker’s finest work, capturing a perfect balance of hard rock, catchiness, and melody that defines the very best of 80s Japanese rock.