LOUDNESS thunder in the east AF-7337

The Storm Arrives: Loudness’ Breakthrough ‘Thunder in the East’ (AF-7337)

Few albums hold such a pivotal place in the global history of Japanese heavy metal as Loudness’ “Thunder in the East.” This entry focuses on the original Japanese pressing, released on January 21, 1985, via the Columbia label (Nippon Columbia) with the catalog number AF-7337.

As their fifth studio album, “Thunder in the East” marked a bold and calculated move towards international stardom. Produced by Max Norman (renowned for his work with Ozzy Osbourne) and recorded entirely in English at Sound City Studios in Los Angeles, the album was meticulously crafted for the Western market. Mastered by the legendary Bernie Grundman, every aspect aimed for world-class impact.

The result was a landmark achievement. The album perfectly captured the signature Loudness sound – Akira Takasaki’s breathtaking guitar wizardry, Minoru Niihara’s powerful vocals (delivered entirely in English), Masayoshi Yamashita’s driving bass, and Munetaka Higuchi’s thunderous drumming – and presented it in a polished, powerful package. It spawned iconic anthems like “Crazy Nights,” “Like Hell,” and “Heavy Chains,” becoming the first album by a Japanese heavy metal band to chart in the US Billboard Top 100.

While released internationally to great acclaim, the Japanese pressing AF-7337 represents the album’s origin point. It stands as a monumental release, signifying Loudness’ successful bid for global recognition and forever changing the perception of Japanese heavy metal worldwide.