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September 7, 2008 |
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01. Tool Of The Devil
02. Without Wings
03. Liquid Of The Kings
04. I Will Come Again
05. Welcome To The Real
06. The Last Song
07. Another Time
08. Feed The Fire
09. Weight Of The World
10. Land Of Innocence
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Formed by former ANTIDOTE guitarist Nino Laurenne in 2000, Finland's THUNDERSTONE were signed to Nuclear Blast in the fall of 2001. Their self-titled debut was released in 2002, which was immediately noticed by the international Metal scene. Shortly after touring with STRATOVARIUS and SYMPHONY X, the band started working on new material for their next album, "The Burning", which was released in the beginning of 2004, hitting #13 on the Finnish album sales charts. It's now 2005, and THUNDERSTONE's brand new album, "Tools Of Destruction" is finally here.
The opening track, "Tool Of The Devil", is incredibly catchy - no wonder it went straight to the #3 position in the Finnish single charts in the first week of its release. However, it would be wrong to assume that THUNDERSTONE are now heading in a more commercial direction. As "Without Wings" kicks in, we are back to the good old in-your-face Power Metal vibe - Scandinavian style! Highly melodic, yet fast and heavy. Those dudes are not sissies!!! This same pace is kept with the next two tracks, "Liquid Of The Kings" and the highly energetic "I Will Come Again", where vocalist Pasi Rantanen proves that he can reach very high notes without losing any of his power whatsoever. Then the more RAINBOW/SABBATH-oriented "Welcome To The Real" slows the pace down. This was obviously just a break, as the first notes of "The Last Song" get started, it's back to solid Power Metal again. You'll have to wait until track seven, "Another Time", to hear the first and only ballad on the album.
"Feed the Fire" is definitely one of the most aggressive songs THUNDERSTONE have ever made. In the same neck breaking style, "Weight Of The World" keeps the pressure on. Nevertheless, the production is still crystal clear, and you can distinguish each instrument apart without any difficulty. Finally, the very melancholic "Land Of Innocence", dedicated to the late "Dimebag" Darrell, closes the album on a slower (but still heavy) note.
It would be unfair not to mention the amazing work on the production. It was done by Nino Laurene, who also took care of all the recording and mixing work. As well, several guest musicians took part in the making of this album, including STRATOVARIUS vocalist, Timo Kotipelto.
With "Tools Of Destruction", THUNDERSTONE definitely proves that a band can be airplay-friendly without selling out. Whatever European bands are being fed on should be used on our so-called "Rock Artists" in North America. "Tools Of Destruction" is incredibly addictive and every Melodic Metal fan should own it.
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