Recent Reviews

March 2024

February 2024

January 2024

December 2023

November 2023

[ More Music Reviews ]


Thunderstone: Apocalypse Again
Thunderstone Apocalypse Again CD Album Review

Thunderstone: Apocalypse Again

(Melodic) Heavy/Power Metal
4.0/5.0

It's been sometime since we've heard from Finland's Thunderstone, better than six years. So where have they been? On somewhat of a hiatus after touring for 2009's Dirt Metal. But now they return with their sixth album, Apocalypse Again, reuniting them with original vocalist Pasi Rantanen.

Thunderstone Band Photo

Thunderstone: back in black.

As with many bands with an established history and discography, Thunderstone returns to their melodic heavy/power metal with Pantanen's signature raspy metal vocals. Some simple observations can be made of this album. First, there's the abundance of sharp heavy riffage, enough crushing chords, yet with twin guitar harmony to satisfy your heavy metal thunder. In this sense, Apocalypse Again is strongly guitar-oriented. Blistering solos abound. Yet, that's not enough. Second, you'll notice an adequate keyboard presence. You'll find it leading some songs like Walk Away Free, at least before being conquered by the riffage. You'll also find the synths doing some tag team soloing with the lead guitar as within Veterans Of The Apocalypse or Higher. Or is it, both solos could pass for guitar synths. My hearing in this case isn't that discerning.

Third, with little doubt you can escape the bullet train hauling freight cars piled with stone rumbling speed. Wounds is especially vicious in both riffs and tempo. Yet, amidst all this there's another interesting side to Thunderstone's latest. That's the very catchy rock groove, melody, and vocal harmonies found in several songs including the trio of The Path and Through The Pain, the catchy refrain of the latter is undeniable.

Concluding, Apocalypse Again is a fine return form and previous heavy metal glory for Thunderstone. If you like your power metal guitar-oriented, with sharper, heavier, riffs and solos, yet still tempered by melody, harmony, and appointed keyboards, you will like this album.

Thunderstone - Veterans of the Apocalypse


Share This Review with Your Friends





CraigHartranft.net - New fiction, crime fiction by Craig Hartranft

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

In Short

Apocalypse Again is a fine return form and previous heavy metal glory for Thunderstone. If you like your power metal guitar-oriented, with sharper, heavier, riffs and solos, yet still tempered by melody, harmony, and appointed keyboards, you will like this album.

Find A Review

Alphabetical Index

a b c d e f g h i j
k l m n o p q r s t
u v w x y z #
New & Notable
Read the Lords Of Black: Mechanics Of Predacity Album Review

Once more we return to multi-national band Lords Of Black which features Ronnie Romero (v), Dani Criado (b), Jo Nunez (d), and founder, guitarist, and principal songwriter Tony Hernando. After a three year ... [ Read More ]