Loudness Lightning Strikes 12" VINYL LP ALBUM

  "Lightning Strikes" is the sixth studio album by the Japanese heavy metal band Loudness. The album, was released on July 25, 1986.

 

High Resolution Photo LOUDNESS Lightning Strikes

Music Genre:

 
Japanese Heavy Metal Music

Collector Notes:

 
Lightning Strikes is a milder rock 'n' roll followup to "Thunder in the East."

Album  Production information:

Produced by Max Norman

Max Norman, also known as Max "On Yer Bike" Norman, is a highly acclaimed British record producer and recording engineer who has left an indelible mark on the music industry. With a career spanning several decades, Norman has worked with some of the most influential and iconic rock and metal bands, contributing significantly to the development and success of their sound.

Born and raised in England in the 1950s, Max Norman developed a deep passion for music at a young age. As a teenager, he immersed himself in the vibrant British rock scene, captivated by the raw energy and sonic possibilities that the genre offered. Inspired by the likes of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath, Norman set his sights on a career in music production and audio engineering.

In 1973, Norman embarked on his professional journey, starting as a staff engineer at Ridge Farm Studios in Surrey, England. This opportunity provided him with invaluable experience working on various recording projects and honing his skills behind the mixing console. He quickly gained recognition for his technical proficiency and meticulous attention to detail, establishing himself as a sought-after engineer within the industry.

Norman's career took a significant turn in the early 1980s when he crossed paths with legendary heavy metal band Ozzy Osbourne. Initially hired as a recording engineer for Osbourne's "Blizzard of Ozz" album, Norman's exceptional abilities soon propelled him to the role of producer. This collaboration marked the beginning of a fruitful partnership that would define Norman's career.

Read more...

With his distinctive production style characterized by powerful guitar tones, thunderous drums, and meticulous attention to song arrangements, Max Norman became synonymous with the emerging heavy metal sound of the 1980s. His work on Ozzy Osbourne's albums, including the iconic "Diary of a Madman" and "Bark at the Moon", solidified his reputation as a go-to producer for rock and metal acts.

Norman's skills extended beyond his work with Ozzy Osbourne, as he lent his expertise to other influential bands of the era. He worked with the likes of Megadeth, producing their landmark album "Rust in Peace", which remains a seminal release in the thrash metal genre. Norman's contributions to the album's sound and overall impact were instrumental in its success and critical acclaim.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Max Norman continued to produce and engineer for a wide array of notable artists, including Loudness, Armored Saint, and Y&T, among others. His sonic signature and ability to capture the essence of each band's unique sound remained constant, garnering him respect and admiration within the industry.

In addition to his work as a producer and engineer, Norman has also made significant contributions as a mixer and remixer, ensuring that the music he touched resonated with audiences worldwide. His technical prowess, combined with a deep understanding of the artists' vision, allowed him to elevate their work to new heights and leave an indelible mark on the final product.

Max "On Yer Bike" Norman's legacy as a British record producer and recording engineer is undeniable. His innovative approach to capturing the energy and essence of rock and metal music, coupled with his unparalleled attention to detail, has shaped the sound of numerous iconic albums. His tireless dedication and unwavering commitment to quality continue to inspire aspiring producers and engineers around the world, solidifying his place as a true master of his craft.

 

Bill Freesh - Sound Engineer

Masashi Got? - Sound Engineer

Bob Ludwig - Mastering Engineer

Hiro Itoh - Photography

Hiroyuki "Otosan" Yoshihama - Photographer

Joe Cornish - Photography

Jon Furley - Photography

George Azuma - Producer, Supervisor

Additional notes on the production team:

Max Norman, also known as Max "On Yer Bike" Norman, is a highly acclaimed British record producer and recording engineer who has left an indelible mark on the music industry. With a career spanning several decades, Norman has worked with some of the most influential and iconic rock and metal bands, contributing significantly to the development and success of their sound.

Born and raised in England in the 1950s, Max Norman developed a deep passion for music at a young age. As a teenager, he immersed himself in the vibrant British rock scene, captivated by the raw energy and sonic possibilities that the genre offered. Inspired by the likes of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath, Norman set his sights on a career in music production and audio engineering.

In 1973, Norman embarked on his professional journey, starting as a staff engineer at Ridge Farm Studios in Surrey, England. This opportunity provided him with invaluable experience working on various recording projects and honing his skills behind the mixing console. He quickly gained recognition for his technical proficiency and meticulous attention to detail, establishing himself as a sought-after engineer within the industry.

Norman's career took a significant turn in the early 1980s when he crossed paths with legendary heavy metal band Ozzy Osbourne. Initially hired as a recording engineer for Osbourne's "Blizzard of Ozz" album, Norman's exceptional abilities soon propelled him to the role of producer. This collaboration marked the beginning of a fruitful partnership that would define Norman's career.

Read more...

With his distinctive production style characterized by powerful guitar tones, thunderous drums, and meticulous attention to song arrangements, Max Norman became synonymous with the emerging heavy metal sound of the 1980s. His work on Ozzy Osbourne's albums, including the iconic "Diary of a Madman" and "Bark at the Moon", solidified his reputation as a go-to producer for rock and metal acts.

Norman's skills extended beyond his work with Ozzy Osbourne, as he lent his expertise to other influential bands of the era. He worked with the likes of Megadeth, producing their landmark album "Rust in Peace", which remains a seminal release in the thrash metal genre. Norman's contributions to the album's sound and overall impact were instrumental in its success and critical acclaim.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Max Norman continued to produce and engineer for a wide array of notable artists, including Loudness, Armored Saint, and Y&T, among others. His sonic signature and ability to capture the essence of each band's unique sound remained constant, garnering him respect and admiration within the industry.

In addition to his work as a producer and engineer, Norman has also made significant contributions as a mixer and remixer, ensuring that the music he touched resonated with audiences worldwide. His technical prowess, combined with a deep understanding of the artists' vision, allowed him to elevate their work to new heights and leave an indelible mark on the final product.

Max "On Yer Bike" Norman's legacy as a British record producer and recording engineer is undeniable. His innovative approach to capturing the energy and essence of rock and metal music, coupled with his unparalleled attention to detail, has shaped the sound of numerous iconic albums. His tireless dedication and unwavering commitment to quality continue to inspire aspiring producers and engineers around the world, solidifying his place as a true master of his craft.

Masashi Got? is a Japanese Sound Engineer and has been engineering some of Japan's major heavy metal bands: Earthshaker and Loudness.

  Bob Ludwig Bob Ludwig is an American mastering engineer and record producer. He is widely regarded as one of the best mastering engineers in the music industry, and has worked with a diverse range of artists across various genres, including classical, rock, pop, and jazz.

Ludwig has been active in the music industry since the 1970s and has worked on numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums, including records by Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, and many others. He has also been recognized for his contributions to the industry and has won several Grammy Awards for his work.

Throughout his career, Ludwig has been known for his technical expertise, attention to detail, and his ability to bring out the best in recordings. He has also been a strong advocate for the preservation of audio quality and has worked to promote the use of high-quality analog and digital technologies in the recording and mastering process.

Overall, Bob Ludwig is a highly respected and accomplished mastering engineer who has made a significant impact on the music industry through his work with many of the biggest and most influential artists of our time.

Hiro Itoh a photographer from Japan who has during the 1980s has made photos for most album covers of the Heavy Metal band Loudness, as well as for bands like Dokken, Stryper, Testament.

 

Record Label Information:

 
ATCO 790 512 / LC 0120

Media Format:

 
12" LP Vinyl Gramophone Record 

Year & Country:

 
1986 Made in USA
Album cover photos of : Loudness Lightning Strikes
Photo of Front Cover 
High Resolution Photo LOUDNESS Lightning Strikes  
Photo of Album's Back Cover  
High Resolution Photo LOUDNESS Lightning Strikes  
Photo of Record Label 
High Resolution Photo LOUDNESS Lightning Strikes  

 Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone ).

Band Members and Musicians on: Loudness Lightning Strikes
    Loudness' Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Guitars: Takasaki Akira ( Takasaki Akira (Guitars) is an experienced guitarist having played guitar since 1973 in at least half a dozen bands, notable Loudness and M.T. Fuji.)
  • Vocals: Niihara Minoru (Niihara Minoru (Lead Vocals) is an experienced singer having sung since 1978 in at least half a dozen bands, notable Loudness, Earthshaker and M.T. Fuji.)
  • Bass: Yamashita Masayoshi (Yamashita Masayoshi (Bass) is an bass player having played bass since 1982 in half a dozen bands, notable Loudness, and M.T. Fuji.)
  • Drums: Higuchi Munetaka (Higuchi Munetaka (1958-2008) (Drums) is a drummer having played drums since 1981 in half a dozen bands, notable Loudness, Blood Circus, Lazy, Misako Honjoh, Sly.)
Track Listing of: Loudness Lightning Strikes
    The Song/tracks on "Lightning Strikes" are:
  • Let it Go (4'13 )
  • Dark Desire (4'19 ) Sample
  • 1000 Eyes (4'35 )
  • Face to Face (3'49 )
  • Who Knows (4'02 )
  • Ashes in the Sky (6'02 )
  • Black Star Oblivion (3'55 )
  • Street Life Dream (4'28 )
  • Complication (4'00 )