History:
Loudness was Japan's largest rock export in the 1980's, but EZO wasn't far behind. Many people may have assumed that their outrageous hair and kabuki masks/make-up was being used to divert attention from the music, but their brand of melodic Scorpions meet Kingdom Come metal was very satisfying.
  Originally going by the name Flatbacker, Masaki Yamada (vocals), Shoyo Iida (guitar), Taro Takahashi (bass) and Hiro Homma (drums) formed the band in Japan in the early 80's. Flatbacker recorded two albums, 1985's Senso and 1986's Eso, for release in their home country.
  Upon relocating to America, the band changed their name from Flatbacker to EZO and was quickly snatched up by Kiss's Gene Simmons for his new record label. The self-titled debut album did mediocre business while reaching #150 on the Billboard charts, but even a tour in support of the blossoming Guns N' Roses failed to push the band over the top. Fire Fire was another fine recording but commercially was a failure and the band disappeared.
  Yamada and Homma joined fellow countrymen in a revamped version of Loudness in the nineties until a reformation of original members led to their dismissal and the creation of a band named Snake Bites. EZO may have failed to reach big success in America, but they did open doors for similar Japanese artists while leaving behind some incredible music.

Links:
The Official Hirotsugu Homma Page
The Official Loudness Page

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