WeROCK City has informed
Blabbermouth.Net that drummer
Munetaka Higuchi of veteran Japanese metallers
Loudness passed away earlier today (Sunday, November 30) around 10:00 a.m. (Japan Standard Time) at a hospital in Osaka, Japan. He was 49 years old.
Higuchi was diagnosed with liver cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma) in April 2008. He had reportedly undergone two rounds of chemotherapy treatment and an operation to remove part of his liver.
In an October 18, 2008 statement released via the band's official web site,
Munetaka stated about his condition, "It has been half a year since I was diagnosed with liver cancer. I am really sorry that the fans are worried. The cancer has become worse despite the fact that I have been taking care of my health, and I will need more time for my treatment. [Even after undergoing the] big operation to remove half of my liver, I still need more treatment. There are various risks and dangers involved with my condition, but I'll do my best to keep my spirits up and maintain my physical strength to fight this illness. I know it is still the middle of my treatment, but I just wanted inform you about my progress since the operation. Thank you very much for all the support."
Loudness utilized a session drummer,
Kozo Suganuma, a member of one of the most popular fusion bands in Japan,
Fragile, and a former member of
Ded Chaplin (featuring
Loudness singer
Minoru Niihara), for its "special guest" appearance at
Motley Crue's October 26, 2008 concert at Saitama Super Arena.
Loudness recently released a four-disc Dvd set entitled
"The Legend Of Loudness - Live Complete Best" in Japan through
Tokuma Communications. It features footage spanning the band's entire career, from the early 1980s through 2008 ? including the periods when it was fronted by
Michael Vescera (
Yngwie Malmsteen,
Obsession) and
Masaki Yamada (
Ezo).
