E Z O
Originally known as "Flatbacker", EZO are only behind Loudness in metal bands to make it outside their native Japan. Vocalist Yamada Masaki
also sang for Loudness for a few years
in the 1990's.
EZO - Fire Fire (Geffen) 1989
1. "Love Junkie"
(4:44)
2. "Night Crawler" (4:21)
3. "Fire Fire" (5:51)
4. "Wild Talk" (4:39)
5. "Burn Down the Night" (4:39)
6. "Black Moon" (3:55)
7. "Back to Zero" (4:24)
8. "Cold-Blooded" (3:59)
9. "She's Ridin' the Rhythm" (3:55)
10. "Streetwalker" (4:17)
A solid heavy metal platter. Many people compare these guys to Loudness. Certainly there are some similarities, mostly in the vocals and the Japanese accent. However, the music is a bit more aggressive than what Loudness were doinin '89. The album opens with scortcher "Love Junkie". Apparently this song was somwhat of a tribute to the movie "Fatal Attraction". Personally, I'd compare EZO to someone like Kingdom Come, or describe them as a heavier, more metallic, Japanese version of Led Zeppelin. Lots of tasty solos, soaring lead vocals, and steady, pounding drums. Standouts: "Back to Zero", "Love Junkie", "Streetwalker" " Wild Talk" and the Accept-like "Night Crawler".
EZO drummer Hiro Homma and vocalist Masaki Yamada went on to join Loudness in later years.