The brainchild of multi talented mainman (writer/guitarist/producer) Nino Laurenne, Thunderstone hit the Power Metal world running with their self titled, Stratovarius influenced 2002 debut.
By the time of their critically acclaimed second album, 'The Burning' (2004), the music had become more complex and considerably heavier. In effect, Laurenne and his band's epic power metal vision had become a reality.
Originally released by Nuclear Blast, 'The Burning' has now been remastered and reissued in a limited edition digipack, with 6 (count 'em!) bonus tracks (more later). Remastering is often overrated, with the music's dynamic range compressed at the altar of loudness. Metalmind seem to have avoided that trap with most of their reissues, through sometimes, as with 'The Burning', they get close to the edge.

Thankfully, it is an album that simply quakes with pneumatically powered riffs, pumping rhythms and amphetamine fulled keyboards. An intense, wrapped-in-barb-wire power metal, with the songs always nailed solidly to the framework of an oustandingly sturdy melody. All those qualities ignite on power metal paragon, 'Until We Touch The Burning Sun', as extraordinary an opening track as you're likely to hear in this genre.

Pasi Rantannen's voice had been roughed up and toughened up in the post debut grind of continual live performance. His scorched vocals breathe fire on 'Break The Emotion' and 'The Mirror Never Lies', matching Laurenne's incendiary guitarwork and Kari Tornack's blazing keyboards.
The high impact, hi speed bpms of 'Tin Star man' and 'Spire' are power metal's equivalent of a major event firework display. Building momentum through the verse, accelerating through the bridge, then launching into an explosion of sound and light on the chorus.
'Sea Of Sorrow' is sketched carefully around an epic piano motif, allowing Rantanen to create a heavily mannered ersatz poignancy, emoting for all he is worth.
Elsewhere, the ambitious, sweeping soundscapes of 'Drawn To The Flame' and the dark, brooding, pulsing 'Into The Black' are brimful of fiery ambience and sonic eruptions.

Where do bands get their inspiration?
Apart from the obvious (and admitted) Stratovarius influence, there's a huge clue in the choice of bonus tracks. Of the six, three are covers.
No surprise that Metallica's gut wrenching heavy metal played its part. A powerful cover of 'Welcome Home (Sanitarium)' from their 'Master Of Puppets' release is one of the standout bonus tracks here. A soaring cover of 'Diamonds & Rust', a Joan Baez / Judas Priest staple, and a suitably straightfaced shot at Manowar's legendary 'Heart Of Steel' (all hail) follow close behind.

Couldn't be clearer, could it?
'The Burning' reissue is marvellous value for money.



Written by Brian
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
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Ratings

Brian: 8/10

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