EARTHSHAKER - Midnight Flight 12" Vinyl LP Album

- The Defining Sound of 1980s Japanese Metal with a Global Edge

High Quality Photo of Album Front Cover  "EARTHSHAKER - Midnight Flight"

Released in 1984, Midnight Flight marks the third full-length album by Japanese heavy metal pioneers Earthshaker. Produced by metal journalist Masa Itoh and recorded at San Francisco's legendary Automatt Studio, this album bridges East and West with a powerful blend of melodic hard rock and aggressive metal riffs. Featuring standout tracks like "T-O-K-Y-O" and "Radio Magic", the band delivers tight musicianship and emotive vocals, highlighted by Masafumi “Marcy” Nishida’s dynamic range and Shara’s razor-sharp guitar work. With its polished production and cross-cultural energy, Midnight Flight remains a defining statement in Japan’s 1980s metal movement and a fan favorite among collectors worldwide.

Earthshaker's "Midnight Flight": A Kamikaze Dive into the Heart of Heavy Metal

Album Description:

Forget those hairspray-drenched LA bands parading around like peacocks. Earthshaker's "Midnight Flight" is a sonic samurai sword, slicing through the bloated excess of '80s rock with the precision of a master swordsman. Straight out of Japan, this ain't no cheap imitation; it's a full-on cultural exchange, a collision of Eastern spirit and Western metal muscle.

While the rest of the world was busy perfecting their spandex and guitar solos, Earthshaker was in San Francisco's Automatt Studio, crafting an album that would redefine heavy metal's global reach. With Masa Itoh at the helm (the godfather of Japanese metal journalism) and Ken Kessie (the sonic sorcerer behind Anthem's sonic thunder) twisting the knobs, "Midnight Flight" wasn't just an album, it was a sonic declaration of independence.

This ain't no gentle joyride, folks. It's a kamikaze dive into a maelstrom of sound. From the opening chords of "T-O-K-Y-O," a fist-pumping anthem that became an instant live favorite, to the galloping rhythms of "Radio Magic," an infectious track that had fans singing along in no time, Earthshaker delivers a non-stop barrage of riffs, solos, and powerhouse vocals that'll leave you gasping for air. Let's not forget the blistering guitar work on "Little Queenie," which has become a staple for air guitarists worldwide.

"Midnight Flight" is a genre-bending thrill ride. It's got the raw energy of early Judas Priest, the melodic sensibility of Rainbow, and a touch of Japanese mystique that sets it apart from the pack. The album's diverse range, from hard-hitting tracks like "Night After Night" to the melodic "Sail Away," showcases the band's versatility and songwriting prowess. It's heavy metal with a soul, music that'll make you bang your head while pondering the meaning of life.

This album wasn't without its critics. Some Western metalheads dismissed it as a mere imitation, while some Japanese traditionalists balked at the Western influence. But those who got it, got it hard. Earthshaker wasn't trying to copy anyone; they were forging their own path, blending their cultural heritage with a love for heavy metal.

With "Midnight Flight", Earthshaker proved that great rock and roll transcends borders and language barriers. It became a commercial success, propelling the band to international fame, and remains a beloved classic among metal fans worldwide.

Album Fact Sheet: EARTHSHAKER - Midnight Flight

Album Summary:

"Midnight Flight" is the third album released by the Japanese Heavy Metal/Hard Rock band "Earthshaker". The album was produced by "Masa Itoh". It was recorded from 3 until 17 July at "The Automatt". Sound engineers are "Ken Kessie" and "Ray Pyle". Album design and artwork was done by "Masatgugu "Max" Takahashi".

Music Genre:

 Heavy Metal / Hard Rock 

Album Production Information:

The album: "EARTHSHAKER - Midnight Flight" was produced by: Masa Itoh

Masa Itoh a successful producer and author (of album liner notes) and has produced albums for bands like "Earthshaker" and "Loudness".

Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Ken Kessie, Ray Pyle

This album was recorded at: The Automatt from 3 until 17 July 1984.

The Automatt was a sound recording studio in San Francisco, California, promoted for its early mix automation system. During its eight active years, 1976 to 1984, it was one of the top recording studios in the region. The Automatt was founded by producer David Rubinson and opened in an existing studio subleased from Columbia Records, who continued to record in the same building for a few years; thus it was sometimes referred to as CBS/Automatt. Rubinson leased the whole building in 1978 and from that point, operated three rooms for recording and mixing, a mastering room, a rehearsal room, and offices. The studio complex was known for its top-notch equipment, for the hit records it produced, and for the famous artists who recorded there. Under Rubinson and chief engineer Fred Catero it served as the training ground for respected recording engineers such as Leslie Ann Jones and producers such as Scott Mathews.

Album cover design: Fumihiko Shiozawa , Masatsugu "Max" Takahashi

Album cover photography: Masatsugu "Max" Takahashi

Record Label & Catalognr:

 RoadrunneR RR 9809

Record Format:

12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record

Total Album (Cover+Record) Weight: 230 gram

Year & Country:

  1984 Made in Holland
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: EARTHSHAKER - Midnight Flight
  • Band-members, Musicians and Performers:
  • Masafumi "Marcy" Nishida – Vocals
  • Shinichiro "Shara" Ishihara – Guitars
  • Takayuki Kai – Bass
  • Yoshihiro Kudo – Drums
  • Mitchell Froom – Synthesizer
Complete Track-listing of the album "EARTHSHAKER - Midnight Flight"

The detailed tracklist of this record "EARTHSHAKER - Midnight Flight" is:

Track-listing Side One:
  1. T-O-K-Y-O
  2. Midnight Flight
  3. Radio Magic
  4. Family
Track-listing Side Two:
  1. Zawameku Tokieto
  2. Ushinawareta 7224
  3. Money
Front cover of Earthshaker's Midnight Flight LP, showing a stylized grayscale view from inside a vintage car during a storm, with a female hand on the steering wheel and lightning outside.

The front cover of Earthshaker's Midnight Flight LP is a dramatic, stylized photo illustration seen from the interior of a classic car during a thunderstorm at night. The entire scene is rendered in moody black and white tones, with selective use of color for striking contrast.

In the foreground, a pale female hand with vivid pink fingernails rests lightly on the steering wheel, adding a human and subtly glamorous element to the otherwise mechanical scene. The car's dashboard is retro in design, with an old analog speedometer reading up to 140 km/h, and a push-button radio on the left side. The brand logo on the horn button suggests an older Volkswagen model.

Through the rain-speckled windshield, we see a menacing, storm-darkened sky pierced by a jagged bolt of lightning, rendered in electric blue. Droplets of rain cling to the glass, enhancing the atmosphere of isolation and tension. A dark urban skyline is visible in the distance, barely illuminated by scattered light reflections.

The album title Midnight Flight appears in stylized white and pink cursive text, while the band name Earthshaker is boldly written in jagged, electric red across the stormy sky, suggesting raw energy and power. The rearview mirror on the upper left shows the silhouette of a bird in flight, possibly symbolizing escape or freedom amidst chaos.

Album Back Cover  Photo of "EARTHSHAKER - Midnight Flight"
Back cover of Earthshaker's Midnight Flight LP, showing a rain-covered car windshield with city buildings, track listing in red text, and credits in yellow on a dark background.

The back cover of Earthshaker's Midnight Flight LP continues the immersive, cinematic perspective seen on the front. Shot from inside the same car, the view through the rain-drenched rear window reveals a blurred nighttime cityscape with high-rise buildings cloaked in storm clouds.

Raindrops scatter across the glass, reflecting urban lights, while a rearview mirror on the top right edge shows faint contours. A large circular blur at the center suggests the glow of a streetlamp or passing headlight, adding to the nocturnal ambiance. The tail end of the dashboard and window defroster lines are faintly visible in the lower corners.

The album title Midnight Flight appears diagonally across the upper left in bold, red script. Below it, the track list is split into two sections: Side 1 includes "T-O-K-Y-O", "Midnight Flight", "Radio Magic", and "Family"; Side 2 features "Zawameku Tokieto", "Ushinawareta 7224", "Money", and "Tada Kanashiku".

Band credits are listed in small yellow and white text at the bottom left, naming Masafumi “Marcy” Nishida (vocals), Shinichiro “Shara” Ishihara (guitar), Takayuki Kai (bass), and Yoshihiro Kudo (drums), along with guest musician Mitchell Froom on synthesizer. Production credits, licensing details, and distribution notes appear in the lower margin, confirming this as the 1984 Netherlands Roadrunner Records release, distinct from its Japanese original on Nexus/Allan Moo's label.

Enlarged & Zoomed photo of "EARTHSHAKER - Midnight Flight" Record's Label

Using the marked/"highlighted" rectangles below , you will be able to correctly identify this release of the album.

Close-up of Earthshaker Midnight Flight vinyl record label, showing Roadrunner logo, RR 9809 catalog number, tracklist, and text indicating Made in Holland and STEMRA rights.

This is a close-up of the Side 1 record label from the 1984 Roadrunner Records release of Earthshaker – Midnight Flight, pressed in the Netherlands. The label has a clean, light gray background with bold red and black text for high contrast and easy readability.

At the top center, the Roadrunner logo appears prominently in red with a large uppercase “R” inside a box. Around the perimeter of the label is a red legal warning in uppercase text: “All rights of the producer and of the owner of the work reproduced reserved. Unauthorised copying, hiring, lending, public performance and broadcasting of this record prohibited.”

The left side of the label shows the format as STEREO, with the catalog number RR 9809 and rights organization STEMRA. To the right of the spindle hole is the speed notation 33⅓ R.P.M. and the copyright notice: © 1984 Roadrunner Productions B.V.

The track listing for Side 1 is printed in bold black text:

  1. TOKYO (3:46)
  2. MIDNIGHT FLIGHT (3:30)
  3. RADIO MAGIC (4:34)
  4. FAMILY (6:33)
The total runtime is listed as 18'28".

Below the tracklist are production credits indicating that all songs were produced by Masa Itoh for Marionette Music Inc. and published by Watanabe Music Publishing Co. Ltd., with exceptions noted for Marionette Music Inc. It also confirms that the songs were written by Earthshaker and licensed from King Records, Japan. The right edge of the label reads MADE IN HOLLAND in vertical red text.

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EARTHSHAKER - Midnight Flight 12" LP
EARTHSHAKER - Midnight Flight

Earthshaker's "Midnight Flight" (1984) fuses Japanese intensity with Western hard rock finesse. Recorded at The Automatt in San Francisco and produced by Masa Itoh, this third LP packs melodic power, anthemic hooks, and electrifying solos. A bold cross-cultural statement, it's a cornerstone of 1980s Japanese metal with global ambition.

Midnight Flight 12" Vinyl LP