Takasaki Akira

Artist

Takasaki Akira is the guitarist of LOUDNESS, the band that has long stood at the forefront of the Japanese heavy metal scene. Formed in 1981 with former Lazy drummer Muneyoshi Higuchi, LOUDNESS established Takasaki's reputation for tapping-driven, technical fast playing that influenced many guitarists in metal's early years. In anime, he created the opening theme 'SHAFT DRIVE' for the 2001 sci-fi series 'Geneshaft,' composing and arranging the heavy, technical instrumental himself, and handled the show's wider score as well, bringing a rock guitarist's identity into an anime soundscape. Born in Osaka.