Loudness is a pioneering Japanese heavy metal band founded in 1981 by guitarist Akira Takasaki and drummer Munetaka Higuchi. They became the first Japanese metal group to sign with a major American label, making an international impact. Over their career, Loudness released dozens of studio and live albums, achieved spots on the Billboard Top 100, and consistently charted on Oricon. Despite frequent changes in the line-up, Takasaki has remained the driving force behind the band. In 2000, the original members reunited and continued to release music until the passing of Higuchi in 2008, after which Masayuki Suzuki joined as drummer. Loudness is widely recognized for their influential role in bringing Japanese metal to a global audience.