LOUDNESS shadows of war P-13264

A crucial release in the Loudness discography, this entry focuses on their sixth studio album, “Shadows of War.” This is the original Japanese pressing released on March 24, 1986, via Warner-Pioneer Corporation (under ATCO Records) with the catalog number P-13264. This particular copy includes the original obi strip.

This 12-inch vinyl LP holds a unique place in the band’s history. It served as the domestic Japanese counterpart to the album “Lightning Strikes,” which was released internationally. While both albums were produced by Max Norman, “Shadows of War” features vocals sung entirely in Japanese by Minoru Niihara. It also has a different tracklist, most notably featuring the tense, cold title track “Shadows Of War” instead of “Ashes In The Sky,” which appeared on the international version.

Recorded in Tokyo and mastered by the legendary Bob Ludwig at Masterdisk, the album boasts a clear, sharp, and high-fidelity sound that many fans argue is superior to the international mix. Musically, “Shadows of War” is considered one of the band’s most complex and meticulously crafted albums. While perhaps lacking a single massive hit like “Crazy Nights,” it’s packed with high-quality, intricate heavy metal. It showcases Akira Takasaki’s piercing, precise guitar tone and technical phrasing, alongside the classic lineup’s powerful performance.

The album blends catchy, poppy tracks like “Let It Go” with more complex, technical songs like “Who Knows (Time To Take A Stand),” offering a sound that many fans feel is even more representative of the classic “Loudness” melodic style than its predecessor, “Thunder in the East.” For collectors, P-13264 is an essential acquisition, offering the definitive Japanese-language version of these iconic songs.