F U L L . R E V I E W S



Loudness
2.0.1.2

Company: Tokuma Japan Communications
Release: 2012
Genre: Power
Reviewer: EC

  • Another solid slab of ample wattage



    • Six albums in six years. Even considering Munetaka's death in the mix these Jap vets have not slowed down a bit. "2.0.1.2" checks in with another solid slab of ample wattage from the boys in Loudness. Geez, talk about the band's mammoth volumes of bruised and uncompromised music and how it all seems to stay so consistent and steady. This band never seems to disappoint and we get more of the same here. You could look at a band like Grave Digger and immediately come to the conclusion that the scope of their catalogue is borrowing from about a dozen or so riffs (mostly all ripped from Accept). When you throw a virtuoso in the mix like Akira Takasaki, his mad shred skills just take the band over the top in terms of innovation and technical prowess. Here the band captivate with much of the same theatrics that made the last five albums so illustrious. Check out the "Voice Of Metal" as an easy choice for "Best Of Loudness" material, doped up on Sabbath bottom heavy but still spinning the traditionalism behind Nihara's insane screams. We get some speed metal on charging opener "The Stronger" (similar to "King Of Pain" stuff) as well as the more thrashy opus in "Behind The Scene" (like Megadeth meets a truck). Those looking for the retro Loudness cut look no further than "Break New Ground", a bit of a throwback while cautiously skirting the same theme that made "The Everlasting" such an addictive addition. Overall this is another monumental effort and surely doesn't disappoint. Loudness are God-like.


    About this Writer:
    Eric Compton // Eric Compton lives in the most haunted city in the world, St. Augustine, Florida with his family and two yorkies. He has contributed to MaximumMetal.com since it's conception in 2003. His reviews, interviews and social commentary has been featured on websites like Brave Words, Blabbermouth, Metal Temple, Metal Rules, Ultimate Metal, Metal Maniacs and Wikipedia. You can also find him on his paperbackwarrior.com blog discussing all things action and adventure.

    Maximum Metal Rating Legend - Click for Full Details
    5 Excellent - Buy it and say a prayer to the metal gods that you were tuned on to this masterpiece. A classic.
    4-4.5 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a clunker or a lacking somewhere to keep it from perfection. You won't feel bad about dropping some bones on these.
    3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler. This is the OK range where you'd search for the record on sale or used.
    3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio. Could show skills but be dull overall. Redeeming qualities for indy bands are effort and passion. Majors that don't try or suck outright end up here.
    2-2.5 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors. There is much better metal out there.
    1-1.5 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
    0 Terrible or an otherwise waste of your life and time.

    Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

    Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

    The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.



    ALL FULL REVIEWS FOR: LOUDNESS
    CD
    		 TITLE BAND
    DOR
    		 REVIEWER DATE
    		2.0.1.2Loudness
    2012
    		Eric Compton1/11/2013
    		BiosphereLoudness
    2002
    		Eric Compton1/21/2003
    		Eve To DawnLoudness
    2011
    		Eric Compton1/30/2012
    		Rock ShocksLoudness
    2006
    		Eric Compton3/15/2006


    ALL SUMMARY REVIEWS FOR: LOUDNESS
    TITLE BAND
    DOR
    		 REVIEWER DATE
    King Of PainLoudness
    2010
    		Eric Compton7/20/2010
    Rise to GloryLoudness
    2018
    		Eric Compton4/9/2018


    ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: LOUDNESS
    INTERVIEW BAND INTERVIEWER DATE


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