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Legendary Loudness Returns to Arizona

By CrpnDeth, Staff Photographer/Writer
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 @ 6:19 PM

Club Red Gets the Roof Torn Off

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This show was fubar from the get go. When it was announced that Loudness was coming to Club Red, metalheads rejoiced. Then it was announced that it was on Thursday. Not that big of a deal, but Friday morning is going to suck. Then the ever changing line up of bands’ set times. The band you wanted to see at 10:45pm on one stage was now on another stage at 7:30pm. Another band you thought was on at 9:30pm was now on at 8:30pm. Made for a very frustrating night.

Regardless, Loudness hit the stage to the cheers and yelling of a pumped up crowd and immediately tore in to Fire of Spirit. At this point, I couldn't tell who was louder - the fans or the band. Throughout the night, the band definately looked like they were having fun. It goes without saying that the biggest reaction of the night came when the first few riffs of Crazy Nights were played. Every person in the club was singing along. The band did a nice blend of material, including Ashes in the Sky, Black Star Oblivion, Let it Go, King of Pain and many others. They were very tight, and the crowd constantly roared with approval. Akira Takasaki absolutely shredded every note he played, and Minoru Niihara sang his ass off like nobody's business. Masayuki Suzuki proved to be a monster on the kit, definately doing Munetaka Higuchi proud behind his massive kit. The band simply tore the club up from the first note.

However, it was a great night of music all the way around. Local crowd favorites Chemicals of Democracy had an amazing set. You couldn't have asked for a better band to start the night off, as the crowd immediately gravitated towards the stage as the band ripped through Enemy, Judas, Toxic and Paradise. Richard Darrin has just a gruff enough voice to be able to smoothly sail in and out of the riffs perfected by guitarists Kevin David and Harrison Walters. Newest member, bassist JQ and drummer Greg Andrew kept the back end moving right along. Expect huge things from this band, as they are getting ready to go to England to have thier new disc recorded by Chris "CT" Tsangarides (Judas Priest, Anvil, Gary Moore, Thin Lizzy, Helloween).

Next up was Dagger who kept the momentum going right from the start. Why Not and Down Like Thunder came racing out of the PA at full force. Vocalist Howie Macreno demanded - and got - the crowd's attention as soon as he got on stage. Guitarists Scott Allan and Bill Mehlhouse then tore in to Evil, Wicked, Mean & Nasty followed by Facedown, Tribe, Nightmares before ending the night with In For the Kill. Drummer John Harper (animated as always) and bassist Joseph Mente provided the solid backbone to stay in your face throughout the entire set.

Direct support for the night was provided by The Hollywood Saints, the band led by the infamous Naked Dave (owner of Naked Dave's Music in Tempe, Arizona). While the crowd was still dizzy from the COD and Dagger performances, the Saints kept the groove going with Stand Up and Shout, Panama, Tooth and Nail, Cold Sweat, Rebel Yell, Whole Lotta Rosie and finished the night off with Highway Star. Definately a band not to miss next time they play.

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