EARTHSHAKER midnight flight K28P488
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Artist = EARTHSHAKER
Title = midnight flight
Label = NEXUS
Catalog# = K28P488
Barcode = none
Release = JAPAN
Year = 1984
RPM = 33rpm
Disc Size = 12"
Number of Discs = 1
Mono/Stereo = stereo
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EARTHSHAKER – *Midnight Flight,
The Defining Sound of Early EARTHSHAKERReleased on October 25, 1984, under the Nexus label (K28P-488), stands as a definitive early masterpiece in the Japanese rock and heavy metal scene. This album, the band’s third release, firmly established the unique “SHAKER style” they had begun to form with their previous work, Fugitive.
While categorized generally as Rock and Heavy Metal, Midnight Flight is celebrated as a work that transcended the boundaries of the strict heavy metal genre. The production was handled under a robust system, featuring Masa Itoh (伊藤政則) as Producer and Ken Kesay (ケン・ケシー) as Engineer, echoing the successful team from their second album.
Interestingly, the band’s musicality on this album is sometimes viewed less through the lens of hard rock or heavy metal and more closely aligned with kayōkyoku, New Music, or what is now known as J-POP. This accessibility and familiarity make their music easy for Japanese audiences to listen to. The sources suggest that albums released by EARTHSHAKER around the 1980s were so well-completed that they could pass for modern music even today. Midnight Flight itself is often considered the album where the quintessential, beloved image of EARTHSHAKER was truly established.
A Relentless Barrage of MasterpiecesThe album immediately pulls the listener in with a powerful configuration of famous tracks lined up consecutively at the start:
1. “T-O-K-Y-O”
2. “Midnight Flight”
3. “Radio Magic”
The momentum from “T-O-K-Y-O” through to “Radio Magic” is described as relentless.
The Miracle of “Radio Magic”“Radio Magic” is arguably the most significant track, recognized as EARTHSHAKER’s No. 1 hit song and a signature piece. It features a popular melody line and a light, brisk rhythm. Due to its catchy nature, it is frequently sung in karaoke.
Listeners are drawn to the song’s incredibly high level of perfection. Its intro, which starts with a strong impact, is praised for shattering the lingering feeling left by the second track, “Midnight Flight”. This original version is celebrated for its specific tempo, balance, and effects—a “miraculous balance that can never be replicated”—offering a wonderful groove. While the song was re-recorded for live performances or other albums, changes in arrangement and tempo (often becoming slower in later live shows) sometimes compromised the original’s “sparkling feeling”.
Poetic and Melancholy DepthsWhile the opening tracks are hard-hitting, the second half of the album showcases the band’s more lyrical side. Tracks like “Zawameku Tokieto” (ざわめく時へと), “Ushinawareta 7224” (失われた7224) (which is noted as an excellent song), and the closing track “Tada Kanashiku” (ただ悲しく) present beautiful melodies combined with Marcy’s unique, poetic world. This combination creates a deeply lyrical and slightly sorrowful atmosphere while still retaining the coolness of hard rock.
Marcy is known as a vocalist who sings melodies rather than shouting (シャウト). This style lends itself perfectly to slightly dark and sad ballads, making songs like “Tada Kanashiku” especially moving and poignant.
The album is not noted for having any “throwaway songs”. While the drumming sometimes features “strange sound processing” that slightly reduces the momentum, the construction is generally praised; for example, “Tada Kanashiku” incorporates sophisticated elements like a catchy intro riff, interesting guitar effects (shifting from affected to clear when the vocals begin), and complex drumming rhythms. Overall, Midnight Flight is considered a cornerstone of 80s Japanese Metal.
For those new to EARTHSHAKER, this album—along with *Fugitive*—comes highly recommended. It is a representative work of the NEXUS era and the album that propelled EARTHSHAKER into the spotlight, not just within the Japanese metal scene, but also onto the hit charts.
Let’s focus on a true monument of 80s Japanese rock, Earthshaker’s third studio album, “Midnight Flight.” Released on October 25, 1984, this 12-inch vinyl LP (Nexus label, K28P-488) is widely regarded by many as the band’s definitive masterpiece and the album that perfected their signature style.
Produced again by Masa Itoh with Ken Kessie engineering, this 8-track album solidified the “Shaker style” established on “Fugitive.” It’s celebrated for its perfect balance of hard rock power and accessible, catchy melodies, moving beyond the strict “heavy metal” label into a sound that resonated widely with Japanese audiences, often compared to J-Pop or New Music in its accessibility.
The album is famous for its flawless sequencing, especially the legendary opening run of “T-O-K-Y-O,” the title track “Midnight Flight,” and their definitive, No. 1 hit song, “Radio Magic.” “Radio Magic” in particular is praised for its sparkling, perfectly balanced original studio groove, which many fans consider superior to later live versions.
The second half of the album maintains this high quality with beloved tracks like “Zawameku Tokieto,” “Ushinawareta 7224,” and the poignant ballad “Tada Kanashiku,” which perfectly suits the melodic, singing vocal style of Marcy.
“Midnight Flight” (K28P-488) is often hailed as the band’s finest work and the best starting point for new listeners. It’s an 8-track “no filler” classic that captures Earthshaker at their creative and commercial peak, delivering a timeless, melodic hard rock sound.