Editor’s Note: It was a great time talking with one of the Minoru Niihara, the vocalist of Loudness recently! Loudness has been one of the unsung heroes in the history of metal as they are master craftsmen of creating powerful riffs, dynamic songs, while paying close attention to detail in their arrangements. On January 26th, Loudness released their latest record entitled “Rise To Glory” via earMUSIC. Fans can find Loudness at the following locations:
www.facebook.com/LOUDNESS_OFFICIAL
Madness To Creation: This will be your 27th studio album, what motivates you to keep the ideas fresh and the like?
Minoru: It is like a hungry lion with its prey in front of him. Once the recording started, instinctively our motivations are heated up. It is like a nature of musicians.
Madness To Creation: What went into the writing process for “Rise To Glory”?
Minoru: It has been 4 years since the last album released. The band got into the studio again after 4 years, our motivations were already very high. When we progress from the fundamental writing songs to the recording of rhythm tracks, we already had a strong feeling that “this will be a terrific album!”, and when I wrote the vocal melodies, I was sure about that.
Madness To Creation: What are some plans going into promoting the album?
Minoru: There is nothing unconventional. First of all, we made a music video for “SOUL ON FIRE” which is the leading song of the album. It will be released shortly. And as what we are doing now, answering interviews from different media, having meet & greet with our fans at the record shops, and appear on TV or radio. And at last, we will finish off with a tour around the world with the album. And also the promotion through SNS, by word of mouth? I think that is the most effective way, isn’t it?
Madness To Creation: Favorite experience from performing on the 2014 Monsters Of Rock cruise?
Minoru: Thousands of rock fans and about 200 rock musicians staying on a cruise for 4 days under the same roof, that is crazy and yet the best event! From day to night, there were rock concerts and interesting events held everywhere on board! Like when you were drinking a cup of coffee in the morning at a restaurant, you found Graham Bonnet also drinking a coffee nearby! And next, Y&T and Cinderella were also having breakfast. And then next to them there were hard-core fans having breakfast together. What a dream place!
Madness To Creation: One New Year’s Resolution that you have?
Minoru: I hope to make people in the world happy with our performances.
Madness To Creation: One thing that you want Loudness to accomplish in 2018?
Minoru: South America tour!
Madness To Creation: Absolute craziest memory that you have as a band or whatnot?
Minoru: Those are the things that I couldn’t say in public! *laughs* Just Joking. I think the craziest was we went on tour in California in around 1983 without even releasing an album in US that time. Who would come to see the show? *laughs* However, it tuned out great and we were welcomed by many crazy audiences! Core fans are really crazy!
Madness To Creation: I give you $10,000 and you go on a one week vacation, where do you go?
Minoru: I would like to have an mysterious experience in Peru. Honestly, Japan is the best!
Madness To Creation: Lastly, what advice do you have for upstart bands out there?
Minoru:
“Don’t fear of what will happen if you keep going on this road,
There will be no way to go if you are afraid,
If you take one step forward, that step will become the road,
Step forward and go on without fear, then you will find out”
by Antonio Inoki & Tetsuo Kiyosawa
Madness To Creation: Anything else you would like to add in regards to “Rise To Glory” and a message to the fans!
Minoru: This album is filled with the passionate soul of rock of LOUDNESS!
Enjoy it with all your heart and soul!
Fans can pick up a copy of “Rise To Glory” by Loudness via earMUSIC here!
