What makes Racing by Loudness notable?

Racing received critical acclaim in Japan and abroad, reaffirming Loudness as pioneers of heavy metal in Asia. The album's release helped them maintain relevance in a genre increasingly dominated by newer acts, showcasing their ability to evolve while staying true to their roots. Released in 2004, Racing marked Loudness' return after a five-year hiatus since their previous album, Ghetto Machine. This period saw the band solidifying their legacy in the international metal scene while navigating a changing musical landscape and internal lineup shifts.

Racing works well if you're into high-octane energy throughout, intense emotional peaks and gradual build to climax.

How many songs are on Racing?

Racing has 14 tracks, running approximately 67 minutes.

Racing

Loudness · 2004

67 min · 14 tracks · heavy metal

A thunderous blend of heavy riffs and intricate melodies driving an adrenaline-fueled journey through the heart of progressive metal.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Racing — The title track encapsulates the album's high-energy spirit with rapid-fire instrumentation and a relentless pace that sets the tone for the entire record.
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Power Generation — This track features compelling guitar solos and powerful vocals, showcasing the band's signature sound while also addressing themes of empowerment and resilience.
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Live for the Moment — With its anthemic chorus and uplifting lyrics, this song resonates as a rallying cry for seizing opportunities amidst life's challenges, demonstrating emotional depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

Racing combines intricate compositions with strong performances, though its cohesion is somewhat uneven.

What we noticed

The first track, 'Racing', opens with a rapid-fire guitar riff that sets a high-energy tone for the album.
The final track, 'Unknown Civilians', slows down significantly compared to the preceding songs, providing a contrasting conclusion.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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

high-octane energy throughout
intense emotional peaks
gradual build to climax
for adrenaline seekers

Maybe skip if you

prefer mellow, slow tempos
avoid complex song structures

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Reaffirmed Loudness' legacy and maintained relevance in the metal scene post-hiatus.
Career context: Released in 2004, Racing marked Loudness' return after a five-year hiatus since their previous album, Ghetto Machine. This period saw the band solidifying their legacy in the international metal scene while navigating a changing musical landscape and internal lineup shifts.
Stylistic neighbors: X Japan· Galneryus· Concerto Moon