Thunderstone | Apocalypse Again

by John Kindred
– Publisher —

Thunderstone returns with a new album, Apocalypse Again, and the band’s original vocalist Pasi Rantanen. Following up 2009’s release of Dirt Metal with former vocalist Rick Altzi, Thunderstone, led by guitarist Nino Laurenne, continues to deliver its unique brand of Power Metal.

The last time we heard Rantanen behind the microphone was on ’07s Evolution 4.0. With Rick Altzi taking off in 2013 to front Masterplan, the timing was perfect for Rantanen to return to Thunderstone. Fans are way overdue for another album from Thunderstone. It has been seven years since the group’s last studio release. With Rantanen returning, the primary question at hand is whether the band could capture the magic it had on Evolution 4.0.

With the release of Apocalypse Again, the Finnish quartet offers up nine new songs, clocking in at 43 minutes of listening time. From the lead-off track, “Veterans Of The Apocalypse,” Rantanen is the voice of Thunderstone. Dirt Metal wasn’t a bad album; it actually was pretty damn good. But Apocalypse Again is going to make you think of classic songs, such as “Tool For the Devil,” in which Rantanen’s vocals are that memorable.

“Veterans Of The Apocalypse” opens the CD with aggressive metallic riffs. The fast tempo of the song is driven by Palokangas’ furious double-bass attack. Rantanen’s vocals sit on top of the mix. Purely audible, his voice provides a key reference point as a driving factor in the band’s unique sound. “The Path,” the first single released from the album, is going to be a fan favorite. From its positive lyrics and memorable chorus, the song encapsulates Thunderstone’s signature songwriting style. The video offers a visual that complements the music. The keys provide plenty of melodies and are a focal point for many of the songs, such as “Fire and Ice” and “Through the Pain.” Laurenne’s guitar work provides crushing rhythms and electrified solo excursions. The album closes with “Barren Land,” which clocks in at almost eight minutes, as the musical opus wraps the CD; it is a fitting end to Thunderstone’s latest musical journeys.

Apocalypse Again maintains serious intensity throughout the entire CD. While the songs, themselves, have plenty of movements of dynamic interplay, there are no ballads or filler tracks to be heard. The musicianship of the band members finds them firing on all cylinders. The production is great. Thunderstone brings forth all the key elements of Power Metal. From the driving beats, atmospheric keys, heavy bass grooves, driving-crunchy guitar rhythms, flashy solos and catchy melodic choruses, Thunderstone delivers powerhouse anthems.

Genre: Heavy Metal, Power Metal

Band:
Pasi Rantanen – Vocals
Nino Laurenne – Guitars
Titus Hjelm – Bass
Jukka Karinen – Keyboards
Atte Palokangas – Drums

Track Listing:
1. Veterans Of The Apocalypse
2. The Path
3. Fire And Ice
4. Through The Pain
5. Walk Away Free
6. Higher
7. Wounds
8. Days Of Our Lives
9. Barren Land

Label: AFM Records

Web: http://www.thunderstone.org/

Hardrock Haven rating: 8.9/10