Band:
Minoru Niihara - Vocals (Loudness, Sly, Earthshaker, Ded Chaplin, Akira Takasaki, M.T. Fuji)
Fumihiko Kitsutaka - Guitar (Arouge, King-Show)
Tatsuhiko "Barbecue" Wasada - Bass
Funky Suetoshi - Drums
Discography:
Don't Let the Sun Go Down EP, 1999
Asian Typhoon Full-length, 1999
Miracle Single, 2000
Asian Typhoon (English Version) Full-length, 2000
Metalization Full-length, 2000
A Million Carats EP, 2001
Metalization (English Version) Full-length, 2001
Nobody Knows Me (But Only Heaven) Single, 2001
The X.Y.Z.->A Story 2 The End of Century 100 Gigs World Tour Video/VHS, 2001
Pure Single, 2002
Life Full-length, 2002
Labyrinth Single, 2002
IV Full-length, 2003
Rock to the Future 2002 (Bow Wow vs X.Y.Z.->A) DVD, 2003
X.Y.Z.->ALIVE Live album, 2004
Wings Full-length, 2006
A To Z Best of/Compilation, 2008
Learn From Yesterday! Live For Today! Hope For Tomorrow! Full-length, 2009
As the founding vocalist of LOUDNESS, Minoru Niihara is
well-known as one of Japan’s top heavy metal exports. Through tours with the
likes of AC/DC and Motley Crue, LOUDNESS stood out from the metal masses with
unforgettable MTV hits like "Crazy Nights" and "Let It Go." Niihara left the
band in the late 1980s to pursue a new sound, eventually winding up in X.Y.Z.-A
with legendary Japanese guitarist Fumihiko Kitsutaka.
Re-titled ASIAN TYPHOON for the North American market, Niihara and Kitsutaka
are joined in X.Y.Z.-A by virtuoso bassist Tatsuhiko Wasada and acclaimed
drummer/producer Funky Sueyoshi. The quartet formed in 1999 and has since put
out 6 albums, 6 singles, and 2 DVDs. Featuring heavy-hitters like "Heavy Road"
and For Whom The Bell Tolls," WINGS is the band’s first North American release.
WINGS shows the band at its heaviest yet also its most melodic with Kitsutaka’s
shredding still on full display.
In addition to his work with Kitsutaka and crew, Niihara recently released
"Ashes To Glory" -- his first solo album -- as produced by Wynn Davis of Guns N’
Roses fame. He also re-joined LOUDNESS, who in 2006 did their first U.S. tour in
more than 15 years. Although it would be impossible to predict the future, one
can only assume that Minoru Niihara will continue to sing his trademark
high-pitched wails for many years to come.
http://www.blasty.jp/xyz/e/index.htm
http://www.myspace.com/asiantyphoonxyza
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