LOUDNESS never stay here, never forget you AF-7436

A Look Back at Glory Days: Loudness’ ‘Never Stay Here, Never Forget You’ Compilation (AF-7436)

Today’s entry focuses on a compilation album summarizing the explosive early years of Japan’s heavy metal pioneers, Loudness. We are looking at “Never Stay Here, Never Forget You – Loudness Best Tracks,” released on the Columbia label (Nippon Columbia) with the catalog number AF-7436.

Issued on December 10, 1986, this 12-inch vinyl LP, presented in a gatefold sleeve, served as a retrospective of the band’s highly influential period on the Nippon Columbia label, spanning from their 1981 debut up to their international breakthrough era. At a time when Loudness was gaining significant global attention via Warner/Atco, this compilation offered both longtime fans and newer listeners a powerful collection of their foundational J-Metal anthems.

The album gathers essential tracks that defined early Loudness, showcasing their raw power, technical virtuosity, and burgeoning melodic sensibilities. It includes iconic songs like “Loudness,” “Angel Dust,” and “In The Mirror” from their initial albums, alongside key tracks representing their transition towards international success, such as the English versions of “Crazy Doctor” and “Crazy Night,” as well as “Run For Your Life.”

“Never Stay Here, Never Forget You” (AF-7436) functions as an excellent summary of Loudness’ formative years on their original Japanese label. For fans and collectors, it’s a potent reminder of the band’s roots and the groundbreaking heavy metal sound they forged before conquering the world stage.