LOUDNESS “Shadows of War/Lightning Strikes” – A 1986 Heavy Metal Blast From The Past
The Heavy Metal genre and all of it’s mind bending sub genres can be quite the vast musical Universe to explore. There are countless bands that make these Heavy Music genres quake and explode with excitement at every turn. For me to say I have listened to every band out there would be an outright Metal lie… I have stated this before. Come forward please, Loudness and their 1986 album Shadows of War. Whoa. Whoa again. Why on Metal Earth, did it take me 23 years to finally listen to Loudness and Shadows of War? (See previous explanation within this paragraph for the Metal answer). Man, the outright powerful, Heavy Metal thunder of Loudness, is overwhelmingly great on Shadows of War. This album is the Japanese version with a different album/CD cover of it’s twin – American release Lightning Strikes. The only differences between Shadows of War and Lightning Strikes are: the order of the track listing, slight differences in the vocal melodies and Ashes In The Sky (from Lightning Strikes) and Shadows of War (from Shadows of War) are the same song. Buying one version over the other is basically an identical listen of Loudness Heavy Metal here. In this Metal situation, recommending either version is the way to go.
Yes Virginia, there is a Metal Santa Claus and his name is my best buddy Scott. You see, Scott gets quite giddy about sending CD’s of Metal through the mail to me… especially CD’s of Metal Bands that I have never delved into with unrestrained Metal abandon. Loudness Shadows of War came in the mail last week, courtesy of my buddy. This album is so damn cool, the songs on Shadows of War is yet another reminder to me, that 1986 was an incredible year, from an amazing decade for Heavy Metal album releases. Loudness could have easily named this album – psyche you out of your Heavy Metal mind – for all nine songs encompass a continuous and momentous listen in electrifying Heavy Metal power. Believe me, the last thing I want to come across as doing here is being rah, rah, rah, about Loudness and this album. I could never be more Metal serious by stating… Loudness and their 1986 album, Shadows of War, is one fine Heavy Metal blast from the past.
This is the Shadows of War cover! (Japanese version)*****************************************************************************************
Check out LOUDNESS on their myspace page:
Check out LOUDNESS on http://www.takasaki.net/Loudness/
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Loudness – 1986 Band Lineup on Shadows of War/Ligtning Strikes:
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LOUDNESS – Shadows of War/Lightning Strikes – Track Listing:
1. Let It Go (4:13)
2. Dark Desire (4:19)
3. 1000 Eyes (4:35)
4. Face To Face (3:49)
5. Who Knows (Time to Make A Stand) (4:02)
6. Shadows of War (Ashes In The Sky) (6:02)
7. Black Star Oblivion (3:55)
8. Street Life Dream (4:28)
9. Complication (4:00)
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
September 30, 2009 at 2:25 am
my favorite Loudness album by far. Shadows of War is fun to listen to for hearing the subtle differences in production and vocal melodies.
http://themetalfiles.wordpress.com/2008/10/15/ill-throw-the-ashes-to-the-sky/
RIP Munetaka
September 30, 2009 at 4:24 am
I second the RIP for Munetaka. I was so caught up in the Thrash and “Speed” Metal when this album came out, catching up on Metal Music is a never ending experience for me.
September 30, 2009 at 4:26 am
Increditble Album…After I read your blog I had to go dig up my copy and give it a listen….
October 3, 2009 at 4:27 pm
That’s right: Whoa. Whoa again.
I just tried it out and it was pretttttttttty neat. You get a thumbs up for this one, man.
Is it okay if I blog-rolled on my crazy blog thing?
October 3, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Yeah man, cool by me. Shadows of War/Lightning Strikes is that Metal drop kick that really serves me right.
July 16, 2011 at 12:09 am
Seen them with AC/DC on the Who Made Who tour!