Events from 2002 seem like a far away past, especially in the music world where trends come and go at the speed of light. Those who were born around that period are sure they know everything about music. Why am I talking about this year? It was a year when Finnish band Thunderstone released their debut album. Thunderstone were presented as a new metal sensation from Finland, a new initiator of power heavy music which started to fade around that time. It was a really good debut that critics compared to Stratovarius and Sonat Arctic.
Band’s following releases were not on the same level. Altogether, it seemed like they are trying to become mainstream. The band even tried to apply for Eurovision Song Contest, which made them lose a good portion of their audience. In 2011, they went on a short hiatus, but came back in 2013 when Nino Laurenne and Pasi agreed to continue their collaboration.
When it comes to quality, their sixth album can stand shoulder to shoulder with the debut. It is a combination of the fresh sound from the beginning of their career and more obscure elements from their recent releases. Apocalypse Again even reminded me of Masterplan’s debut. What’s important here is that this record brings a total synergy of the singer and the band, a key ingredient to the perfect sound. Pasi sings with power, expression and conviction. You don’t feel his effort, neither when he leads nor when he follows instruments. Music structure is very interesting; a lot of rhythm shifts, mood swings and diversity in style.
Nino’s guitar are heavily sharp, melodic and progressively oriented. Lyrics are pessimistic and melancholic but, at the same time, they are realistic. Thunderstone sing about inner fights, searches, desires and dreams. Veterans of The Apocalypse and The Path are power\heavy\speed numbers with a lots of attractive melodies an memorable choruses. They serve as an amalgam of light and darkness. Through The Pain is an intriguing sad ballade, while Walk Away Free combines fast power, emotional vocal and peaceful piano interludes. Higher is a typical hard-rock song with prolonged heavy solos. Barren Lands is a progressive number of semi-epic proportions with dark orchestrations.
The biggest strength of Apocalypse Again is that there is no average song.
