Apocalypse Again Thunderstone 2016 AFM Records Thunderstone are a Power Metal band from Finland, founded in 2000 originally as a side project from Antidote guitarist Nino Laurenne. Thunderstone play a strain of Power Metal that is akin to their fellow countrymen in Sonata Arctica and Stratovarius. However, with Thunderstone there is more a classic Power Metal feel to them with a sound harking to the late 80’s/early 90’s. Apocalypse Again is the 6th studio album by Thunderstone. Apocalypse Again is the follow up to 2009’s Dirt Metal and the first to feature original vocalist Pasi Rantanen since 2007’s Evolution 4.0. As well as Rantanen and Laurenne on the vocals and guitar, the rest of Thunderstone is made up by Titus Hjelm on the bass, Atte Palokangas on the drums and lastly Jukka Karinen playing the keyboards. The production for Apocalypse Again has been handled by guitarist Laurenne. Laurenne’s years in the music business show through on Apocalypse Again, giving the album a sleek and well produced record. Laurenne obviously knows what he wants Thunderstone to sound like and portrays this to the world with an execution that is flawless. Apocalypse Again has all the dynamics that you would expect from a Power Metal album that has been well produced. This isn’t all down to Laurenne though, Apocalypse Again is a testament to each band member from the Helloween-esque opener of Veterans of the Apocalypse to the extremely catchy Deep Purple-isms in Higher, especially during the guitar/keyboard runs and the keyboard solo itself. As with most power metal, the musicianship with Thunderstone is exquisite. Rantanen shows himself to be a fantastic vocalist, easily able to soar high, but when singing low, his voice has true passion and warmth, coupled with a worn in feeling that is very easy to listen to. Laurenne’s guitar has the tone and sound of someone who was raised listening to Ritchie Blackmore and Yngwie Malmsteen with Laurenne’s playing style being not only exceptionally talented, but very fluid and melodic. The rhythm section of Palokangas and Hjelm helps to anchor Thunderstone by being the glue that holds the band together. The bass of Hjelm has great melodic runs, especially during Days of our Lives and Wounds. Palokangas has a great way of playing and once more, Palokangas shows off that he is not just there for keeping in the time with the beats played on Veterans of the Apocalypse showing the drumming of someone who not only was raised on a diet of Power Metal, but also through earlier bands such as Rainbow. However, it is the keyboards that make Apocalypse Again, Karinen not only manages to fill the sound out, but some of his playing alone is something to behold. From the beginning of The Path and Through the Pain to his superb interplay with Laurenne on the epic album closer of Barren Land. It would be easy to overlook Karinen’s playing, however, through the production and mixing by Laurenne, Karinen’s parts are not lost in the mix, they are at the forefront, showing off what their keyboardist is capable of. Apocalypse Again is a great album, full of Power Metal anthems showing that Thunderstone are a bright gem in the Power Metal world. Not only is Apocalypse Again a decent Power Metal album, but it is melodic enough to appeal to fans of Hard Rock, who might not necessarily listen to Power Metal. 7/10 Adam The Path (Thunderstone)
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