Devil Soldier
Loudness · 1982
46 min · 10 tracks · heavy metal
A frenetic blend of heavy riffs and soaring melodies that captures the raw energy of early 80s Japanese metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Angel Dust — This track showcases the band's ability to blend melodic hooks with powerful instrumentation, highlighting their progressive metal style.
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Devil Soldier — The titular track is an epic composition that encapsulates the band's themes of struggle and resilience, featuring complex guitar solos and dynamic shifts.
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Rock the Nation — A high-energy anthem that represents the essence of early 80s metal, combining catchy choruses with driving rhythms.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong melodies and energetic performances typical of early Japanese metal, with notable pacing shifts.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that features rapid guitar riffs and aggressive drumming, setting a fast pace for the first half.
- Several tracks incorporate dual guitar harmonies, particularly in the choruses, which enhances the melodic aspect of the heavy sound.
- The last two tracks slow down the tempo significantly compared to earlier songs, creating a contrasting dynamic before concluding.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- high-energy tracks for workouts
- live performance excitement captured
- engaging storytelling through song
- wave-like pacing keeps interest
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- dislike longer, unfolding narratives
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Helped establish Loudness's reputation internationally in heavy metal.
- Career context
- Released on July 21, 1982, 'Devil Soldier' was Loudness's third studio album, following their breakthrough effort 'The Birthday Eve'. At this point in their career, they were establishing themselves as a prominent force in the heavy metal scene, particularly in Japan, while starting to gain international attention.
- Stylistic neighbors
- X Japan· Galneryus· Concerto Moon
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Lonely Player 4:51
- 2 Angel Dust 4:47
- 3 After Illusion 5:59
- 4 Girl 2:34
- 5 Hard Workin' 3:29
- 6 Loving Maid 4:55
- 7 Rock the Nation 3:24
- 8 Devil Soldier 7:09
- 9 Geraldine 4:01
- 10 Lonely Player (live) 5:07
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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