THUNDERBOLT - DUNG IDOLS
ROCK IT UP RECORDS
Metal To Infinity
Hailing
from Norwegian – Thunderbolt is back with a vengeance… third and brand new
full length album “Dung Idols” has been released around March 2011 through
Rock It Up Records, a label definitely worth to keep an eye on. Check THIS
spot and watch all the great works they’ve released so far! Maybe you’ve
heard about Thunderbolt from Poland but that’s another question – they play
Black Metal, are from Poland thus nothing to do with the band who just released
the great “Dung Idols”. I just wanted to mention this fact to avoid all
misunderstandings you know.
In
collaboration with mighty producer Andy La Rocque, “Dung Idols” has been
produced, mixed and mastered in a way I’d like to call ‘very
professional’. Damn right this album sounds real good and actually, the entire
packaging (cover art, booklet, lay out,…) are worked out by the hands of
experts. “Demons And Diamonds”, Thunderbolt’s debut album saw daylight in
2003 followed by a second output called “Love And Destruction” (2006). Some
kind of a silence descended over the camp of Thunderbolt and we had to wait for
five years for a new album to release. Was it worth to wait? Well, you better
believe it was!! This new Thunderbolt album “Dung Idols” is what pure Metal
is all about for sure…
This
is a great piece of Classic Heavy and Power Metal to me – fantastic singer
that reminds me of Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson and Aska’s George Call…
Tony Johannessen from Thunderbolt – able to compete with the best Heavy metal
singers at the moment. Loud and very clear, sometimes dealing with high pitched
vocal lines… awesome! Both guys taking care of the guitar works deliver an
outstanding form of teamwork. Chemistry is obviously present – expect a
massive load of in-your-face Heavy Metal riffings and melodic, sharp as steel
solo’s - all played as pure as can be and with a lot of variation! No worries
about the bass and drum works – loud, wild and heavy, big applause to these
guys as well!
Opener
of the CD is the title track which shows immediately what the band has in its
possession. Totally inspired by the almighty forces of Classic Heavy Metal – a
killer opening song! Next in line is ‘Metal Tide’ that starts with a nice,
technical bass solo to go further as a well done Metal song, 80s styled Metal
prevails here and you won’t hear me complain at all! When I hear the song
‘Fight’ my mind goes out to one of my favourite singers named George Call
from US Metal act Aska. By the way, the entire song gives me a very good feel
due to the present Aska comparisons… superb! Headbangers make a stand and obey
– ‘Heel Run’ comes crawling outta my speakers and it’s speed up time
right away. Name of the game: Power, Heavy Metal played on quite high speed
velocities. More Classic Metal riffs to open up last song ‘Crime Of The Sentry’
and no failures to detect honestly… Thunderbolt just stole my heart with their
new album “Dung Idols”!
To
me, Heavy Metal started to live back in the early 80s and from that moment on it
was never out of my life. This style of music came into my life like a thief in
the night, ruled with an iron fist throughout decades and according to myself…
it will never fade away. Those who make themselves hard that Heavy Metal music
is a tale of history better take a turn and get the hell outta my face! Read
this: Heavy Metal still rules supreme and that’s a fact! Very pleased with
“Dung Idols”, an album made for all those hooked on Classic Metal in general.
Check them out at: http://www.myspace.com/thunderbolt
My Points: 87 / 100 (Review by Stefan)