(2009 - Sony Music)THUNDERSTONE have always been one of those bands for me that just didn't stick. Each album they have released i have thought to be o.k but nothing memorable. When i received DIRT METAL to review i was less than enthusiastic and before worrying about reading the booklet i just threw disc in for a listen. Half way through the first track (or second if you count to the intro track) i was sure this wasn't the same THUNDERSTONE i was thinking of. Doing some research i discovered that they had a new lead vocalist in Rick Altzi who also the singer for melodic power metallers AT VANCE. This change instantly made a big difference to the bands sound and musically they have gone for a fuller sound which crosses over quite a few styles while still remaining pretty true to their original sound. A majority of the album is done in typical melodic metal style, but with a large heaping of Zakk Wilde inspired guitar screeches. There is also a few places where the style is closer to that of modern day SLAYER and even touches on some PANTERA influenced detuned riffery.
You would think that such a mish-mash of styles could be a little too ambitious for a band of THUNDERSTONE'S caliber but amazingly for the most part they pull it off with style.
There are a few track that don't really work when two different style awkwardly try and meet up together, but for every less than average track there is a great one to counter-act it.
Highlights are to be found in tracks like I ALMIGHTY, DEADLIGHTS, and COUNTING HOURSBLOOD THAT I BLEED.
With DIRT METAL, THUNDERSTONE have managed to resurrect their career and are sounding stronger than ever, maybe they need another album or so to truly get the sound they are after, but this a great start and an exciting resurgence from a band most people had written off for good.
You would think that such a mish-mash of styles could be a little too ambitious for a band of THUNDERSTONE'S caliber but amazingly for the most part they pull it off with style.
There are a few track that don't really work when two different style awkwardly try and meet up together, but for every less than average track there is a great one to counter-act it.
Highlights are to be found in tracks like I ALMIGHTY, DEADLIGHTS, and COUNTING HOURSBLOOD THAT I BLEED.
With DIRT METAL, THUNDERSTONE have managed to resurrect their career and are sounding stronger than ever, maybe they need another album or so to truly get the sound they are after, but this a great start and an exciting resurgence from a band most people had written off for good.
7.5/10
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