Thundermother return with a resurgence. The band are back with a new album, complete with a new line-up. Founder and guitarist Fillippa Nassil decided to have a reformation of the original line up in 2017 with the addition of vocalist Guernica Mancini, bassist Majsan Lindberg and drummer Emlee Johansson. This stroke of shrewd business has had the desired effect because the band feel more fresher, heavier, and more authentic than ever. Heatwave is the girls’ fourth studio effort and was produced in three weeks by the majestic Danish Producer and guitarist, Soren Anderson in his Copenhagen Medley recording studio. This combination seems to be a winning formula as Andersen has strived to focus on the band’s harmonies and tight chemistry. This all comes out on this record, as there is a more varied sound with dabbles in blues, punk, hard rock and heavy metal.
Opener Loud and Alive is a good start with the thunderous echoes of drums signalling what feels a new era for the band. The track is a highly charged rocker straight out of the AC/DC workbook in song writing. The expansive vocals add definition to the girls’ accomplished musicianship, complete with a tasty solo to whet the appetite for those diehard fans that like there rock hard and fast. Dog from Hell is a bluesy track that plays to Mancini’s strengths as a vocalist. I feel Thundermother have found the right ingredient with her. A singer with charisma and range to fit a rock type to take the band forward. The catchy chorus and simple phrasing make this track a standout one for me.
The album continues to build a fine balance between strong song writing, crisp vocals and some heavy guitar riffs. The self-titled track is a perfect song to break the mainstream with a slick, boogie riff that builds to a huge singalong chorus. Nassil’s adept guitar skills show her ear to pick out good riffs and maintain a solid connection with the rest of the band. Sleep shows the band’s softer side with a love ballad. The vocal harmonies feel personal and intimate, as the vocalist opens her soul. Driving in Style is the lead track I have heard on radio before. The huge metal riffs and punk like chorus reinforces a feminist message they are not girls to be messed with.
The album continues through its path of enriched songs, replete with the aforementioned track that feel like no-filler. My only concern is the band don’t stick to making too many songs that sound like the boys from down under. Ghosts is a slowdown rocker, oozing with swagger and attitude. The big bluesy vocals sound sincere and optimistic in touch with the message about hope. Somebody Love Me is an in your face hard rock track with huge melodies and dirty riffs.
And finally, Bad Habits wraps things up with a fist pumping heavy hitter. The lyrical contents about falling for the wrong things in life, finishes with a lovely bluesy solo. Thundermother seem to have found the turning point in their careers with this line-up. Heat Wave is 13 tracks of sizzling tracks that will leave you feeling a fan afterwards.
7.5/10
TRACKLIST
Loud And Alive
Dog From Hell
Back in ‘76
Into The Mud
Heat Wave
Sleep
Driving In Style
Free Ourselves
Mexico
Purple Sky
