LOUDNESS - Exclusive BW&BK Overview Of Munetaka Higuchi "Sorrowful Night" Tribute Show Available, New Drummer Introduced

November 30, 2009, 14 years ago

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BW&BK;'s Japanese colleague and supporter Takashi Kanazawa has submitted an overview of the "Sorrowful Night" tribute show to LOUDNESS' founding drummer Munetaka Higuchi, who passed away on November 30th, 2008 following a long battle with liver cancer. Kanazawa played host for the interview portion of the night, which included the official introduction of the band's new drummer, Masayuki "Ampan" Suzuki:

"Loudness concert entitled Sorrowful Night was held at Ebisu Liquidroom in Tokyo on November 29th, the night before one year anniversary of the death of Munetaka Higuchi.

Milky Z, whose songs were produced by Munetaka before he passed away, opened the show. Along with band's original songs, they played a cover of Loudness' ballad 'So Beautiful' from 2002's Biosphere album.

Loudness opened with 'Fire Of Spirit and followed by 'Flame Of Rock', 'Hit The Rails' and 'I Wonder' from their latest release, The Everlasting. Along with post-reunion songs like 'Cross', 'Metal Mad', 'Breaking The Taboo', classics such as 'Let It Go', 'Crazy Nights', 'Crazy Doctor', 'Never Change Your Mind' and 'S.D.I.' were played. One of surprises that wowed the audience was 'Shadows Of War (Ashes In The Sky)', played in the encore. The song has not been played for years.

After the concert, a talk show / interview was held with all four members attending to talk over memories with Munetaka including a lot of behind-the-scene stories. Masayuki 'Ampan' Suzuki (seen in the 'Metal Mad' clip below) expressed his mixed feeling of being a replacement of Munetaka and how hard it is technically to play with monstrous players in this band.

During the talk show, which lasted well over one hour, Akira revealed that the band will start writing in December and possibly release new album around spring 2010. To coincide with the release, Thunder In The East North American and European tour are being planned.

Never-before seen footage of Munetaka giving lesson to members of Milky Z, 'Ares' Lament' from the tribute concert held two weeks ago and 'S.D.I.' from Shibuya-AX concert in February 2006 were shown.

To clear up the delicate position in the band (though Akira stated earlier that he is the official drummer, not support), Masayuki 'Ampan' Suzuki was officially appointed as the drummer of Loudness."


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