A Sound of Thunder celebrates their 10th Anniversary with ‘Parallel Eternity’

by Better B#Music News

2019 marks two important events for the Washington D.C. band, A Sound of Thunder: they celebrate their ten year anniversary as a band, and vocalist Nina Osegueda survived a near-death experience after being hit by a bus! We’re thankful that Nina is doing much better, so now we can celebrate the other, happier aspect this year has brought. In honor of their 10th anniversary, the band has decided to release a very special greatest hits double album, entitled Parallel Eternity, and currently has a Kickstarter to bring it to life.

Parallel Eternity is not your run of the mill greatest hits compilation. Sure, it will feature fan favorites such as “Queen of Hell,” “Udoroth,” and the Catalonia anthem “Els Segadors (The Reapers),” but the band has something unique in store for both the Legion of Thunder and new fans alike. Partnering with composer Brad Charles of Magic Giraffe Soundworks, the foursome will see some of their best known heavy metal works take on an orchestral twist, along with the release of two new songs. One of these two novel tunes is “Explorer,” a 15-minute epic originally conceived in 2008, but not tackled until now, which according to the band takes “you on a journey from desert to ocean, from destruction to creation, and from crushing defeat to total victory!”

Cover by long-time A Sound of Thunder artist, Dusan Markovic.

The other new song which will be included with this release is called “Break Free (Theme From Rai),” inspired by the Valiant Entertainment comic book character and series, Rai, the sword-wielding protector of New Japan from the year 4002 A.D. Joining A Sound of Thunder in this endeavor is Dan Abnett, the writer of Rai and many other comics and novels, who contributed lyrics to the band and Charles’ musical backdrop, helping to really get inside the character and creating something more than just a fan-made tribute. It doesn’t stop there, however, because Valiant and A Sound of Thunder are celebrating the release of the new Rai series with an exclusive Rai #1 Iron Maiden homage comic book, with beautiful cover artwork by Paul Pelletier (Batgirl, Guardians of the Galaxy, etc.)

So, if you love heavy metal, or if you love comic books, A Sound of Thunder’s “Parallel Eternity” is not something you want to miss. And you have an opportunity to ensure all of this hard work comes to fruition. By contributing to the Kickstarter, which is the only place you can get copies of two different versions of the Iron Maiden homage of Rai #1 (the variant and the virgin art) as well as a poster of Pelletier’s gorgeous cover artwork, you’re not only getting some great heavy metal, but you’re helping a group of fine musicians make a second decade of great music.

 
For more on A Sound of Thunder, visit:
Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Apple Music | Bandcamp | YouTube

Sirbaugh Acres VI: Time Machine

by Better B#Concert CoverageReviews

Last year was my first iteration of Sirbaugh Acres, which at that time was marking its fifth year running. It was a splendid affair, with five bands showcasing their musical prowess for a lawnful of onlookers. This year I returned for the sixth installment of the series, with some newcomers and returning musical champions. Unlike the previous outing, this one carried the theme of “Time Machine” and featured each band playing a tune from Ronnie James Dio’s storied career. But they weren’t limited to Dio, and explored a variety of other covers from bands like Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Queensrÿche, and, of course, gave a healthy dose of their own material for the delighted listeners. The acts included Nero’s Fiddle, Elizabeth’s Furnace (formerly Meridian), Mindmaze, A Sound Of Thunder, and Bleeding Black, who performed their final show that night.

Normally when I do concert reviews, I have difficulty connecting one-on-one with some of my favorite bands. I’ve enjoyed the relaxed setting that Tim Sirbaugh, the namesake of Sirbaugh Acres, has provided, allowing me the opportunity to both immerse myself in great music, as well as get to have real conversations with the people behind it. This is like a vacation for me, so forgive me as I forego a band-by-band review and simply inundate you with photos I captured of each set. But suffice to say, each band put on a hell of a performance and, despite a brief rain shower that took us by surprise, the entire event was a wonderful auditory adventure.

While I don’t have the exact numbers, I feel the event has grown in size since I last attended, and I certainly noted more photographers and videographers this time around. If you’d like to check out some of the footage of the first three bands: Nero’s Fiddle, Elizabeth’s Furnace, and Mindmaze, you can find it here, courtesy of the Mad Shad Channel. You can find our photo gallery for all the bands below, along with links to explore their music further.

Nero’s Fiddle: Facebook

 

Elizabeth’s Furnace: Facebook

 

Mindmaze: Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Apple Music | BandsInTown

 

A Sound Of Thunder: Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Apple Music | Bandcamp | YouTube

 

Bleeding Black: Facebook | ReverbNation

Blaze Bayley in Baltimore

by Better B#Concert CoverageReviews


 

I’ll be perfectly honest: I hadn’t ever heard Blaze Bayley’s work until Friday, May 17th.  Not his solo work, not with Wolfsbane, not even with Iron Maiden.  But when I heard he’d be coming to Sparta Inn for his Tour Of The Eagle Spirit, I knew this wouldn’t be a show I’d want to miss.  I’d heard great things about Blaze’s showmanship, and coupling that with the fact that he’d be playing tunes from all three of his Infinite Entanglement concept albums, I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t go.  I mean, how often do you get the chance to catch an artist who’s touring behind a three-part concept?

I didn’t have the opportunity to arrive early, but I did manage to come in with a few of the regional acts still left.

 
Offensive: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Offensive is a heavy metal band out of Essex, MD, and played a combination of originals and cover tunes.  The bassist and lead singer, Leon Sohail, and guitarist Maxim Sobchenko, took turns with the vocals – the former handling the harsh and the latter the clean. The standout moment for me was when they performed a solid version of “Holy Diver” in honor of Ronnie James Dio.

 

A Sound Of Thunder: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

A Sound Of Thunder is always a favorite of mine.  It would be obvious if you saw me, wearing a battle jacket with their creation, Udoroth, displayed in vivid color through the artwork of the talented Trav Hart.  In fact, I brought my wife along to this show and she finds the foursome as delightful as I do.  And, as usually, the band didn’t disappoint with heavy hitters such as “Queen Of Hell,” “It Was Metal,” and the aforementioned “Udoroth.”  Unfortunately, the song they wrote which features Blaze, “My Disease,” didn’t make an appearance that night, but Bayley did end up selling one of their CDs for them while they were rocking out onstage.

 

Blaze Bayley: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

I had a chance to speak with Blaze just before his set.  I let him know that this was my first time seeing him live, but that I was very excited for it.  He was so humble and down to Earth during that interaction, but when he took the stage, something clicked and he became larger than life.  It was really like watching live theater with the way he wore his expressions so vividly.  Adding to that feeling, as Blaze introduced each of the Infinite Entanglement tracks, he spoke as if a narrator, giving us background on the origins and the struggles of the main character, William Black.

Somehow, despite the downtrodden position Black finds himself in, Bayley managed to carry a positivity in his performance that he imbued into each person in attendance.  I think, in part, this is due to the chemistry he and his band have.  They’re really having fun on stage, even at times when Blaze wants you to be certain that the guitarist (and co-producer of the Infinite Entanglement records), Chris Appleton, has committed mutiny by commandeering his vocal melody into a guitar solo.  I couldn’t help but laugh as Appleton urged the crowd to be silent during Bayley’s melody sing-along, but felt too committed to helping Blaze to remain silent myself!

Of course, the crowd went wild for the Maiden staples, such as “Futureal” and “Virus.”  I think Blaze was excited for them too, and he made a point of commenting on how wonderful a time he had during his five years in the band.  He told us that he was living the dream then, but he’s still doing it now, thanks to all of us.  He told the supporting acts to never let people nay-say and discourage them, because if he could come from nothing and be the singer of one of the most renowned heavy metal bands on the planet, they could achieve their dreams as well.  Honestly, his conviction makes it easy to believe, and his stage-show makes you want to dream.  So if Blaze Bayley comes to your town, and you have even an inkling of doubt whether you should attend, wash that thought from your mind.  Regardless of what he and his band play, you’re going to leave happier than you entered.

Sirbaugh Acres V: It Was Metal

by Better B#Concert CoverageReviews

On the overcast and potentially stormy afternoon of September 15, with Hurricane Florence threatening us from the south, myself and more than a hundred others gathered outside in a small West Virginia town to indulge in a gratuitous sampling of barbecue and heavy metal. This was Sirbaugh Acres, a private event from mastermind and hard rock enthusiast, Tim Sirbaugh. Thanks to him and Kickstarter backers, he had organized the fifth installment of this festival, entitled Sirbaugh Acres V: It Was Metal. The latter portion of the name was not only telling of what would come, but also owed credit to the headlining act, D.C.-based A Sound Of Thunder, whose most recent release bears the same moniker.

Our fears of rainfall were soon assuaged thanks to the mystifying powers of the opener, Dirty Deal, whose song of sunshine quickly parted the clouds for the rest of the day. Tailgating, lawn chairs, and dancers were the winners of the day, as one act after the next took to the stage. In addition to original material, the speakers blared the sounds of Led Zeppelin, Accept, and Queensryche. More than one person leapt to their feet at the sound of Zeppelin tunes, I assure you. All in all, everyone had a glorious time.

You can check out our photos from that afternoon and evening, featuring the aforementioned Dirty Deal, as well as South Of Sobriety, Meridian, Caressing Steel (a very good RUSH tribute act), Chicago’s Shokker (with Sarah Teets of MindMaze subbing in on vocals), Bleeding Black, and A Sound Of Thunder. We hope it’ll give you a little taste of the event and entice you to check out some of these fine acts as well.

Dirty Deal: Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

 

South Of Sobriety: Facebook | YouTube

 

Meridian: Facebook

 

Caressing Steel: Facebook

 

Shokker: Facebook | ReverbNation

 

Bleeding Black: Website | Facebook

 

A Sound Of Thunder: Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | iTunes

‘It Was Metal’ by A Sound Of Thunder

by Album ReviewsBetter B#Reviews

In March 2017, several dozen sweaty nerds (myself included) crowded into a Virginia bar to watch a solid hour of heavy metal; by December the band we’d come to see were performing on stage in a Spanish stadium before thousands of people.  Needless to say, it’s been one hell of a year for A Sound Of Thunder.  What led to such a transformation of circumstance?  All it took was a great song and a well-timed revolution.  You see, following Catalunya’s controversial independence referendum, which saw Spanish police using violence against voters, the band released their song “Els Segadors (The Reapers)” to show support for the citizens.  This song, written a year prior as an homage to the Catalan heritage of the vocalist’s mother, was the band’s arrangement of the Catalan National Anthem, and has served as a rallying call for those who support independence of the Spanish region.  Not bad for a band who considered itself a local heavy metal act up to that point, eh?

But A Sound Of Thunder is no mere one trick pony; American or otherwise.  In June 2018, they released It Was Metal, an album brimming with melodic hypnotism, rhythmic ferocity, and more Blue Öyster Cult Easter eggs than you can imaginos.  You don’t have to be a flaming telepath to enjoy this album, though I’ll admit that if you don’t spend half an hour looking up the medicinal use of Irish skulls after listening to ”Charles II,” you’re missing an opportunity.  From the powerhouse opener, “Phantom Flight,” featuring Accept vocalist, Mark Tornillo; to the flux capacitor-equipped closer, “Fortress of the Future Race,” the band is firing on all cylinders.

This is undoubtedly the band’s fastest album, overall, which keeps the “Hail!”s coming and the fists pumping.  Yet, that doesn’t mean that the band has traded speed for its dynamics.  Perhaps the best example of this is the nearly ten minute track, “Obsidian & Gold,” featuring the wonderful keyboard work of Tony Carey (Zed Yago, ex-Rainbow).  For instance, there is a softer section of this song which pairs up the tender, loving vocals of Nina Osegueda over an understated, yet hauntingly creepy piano arrangement, which has the thrilling effect of drawing us in, while at the same time putting us on edge.  Then there are heavier, mid-tempo portions of the song that sweep us away into huge, swelling sing-alongs.  And once the guitar solo kicks in, it’s like a stampede of elephants, trampling all in its path.  And did I mention the wonderful keyboard work?  That was one sweet, sweet organ solo, Mr. Carey.

While I wholeheartedly loved the contributions of the guest musicians on this release, it is really the ever-increasing talent of the four staple members: Josh Schwartz, Chris Haren, Jesse Keen, and Nina Osegueda, that elevate this album to such a shining display of metal.  They have put out consistently solid releases since I first heard them six years ago, but I dare say this one takes the cake.  Yes, it has even topped my previous favorite from them; the 2013 album, Time’s Arrow.  And what’s more, is this one features a companion comic book anthology, turning each song into a short, several page, graphic adventure by legends of DC, Marvel, and Valiant Comics.  I highly recommend picking up both, as the comics breathe even more life into the auditory journey.  A Sound Of Thunder has really knocked it out of the park with this one.  It Was Metal is a triumph for the genre.

 

Purchase It Was Metal: From The Band | iTunes | Amazon

For more on A Sound Of Thunder, visit:
Official Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube

A Sound Of Thunder (w/ One Slack Mind)

by Better B#Concert CoverageReviews


 
One Slack Mind – Facebook | Twitter | ReverbNation

One Slack Mind, a band that I was previously unfamiliar with, opened up the night at the Bunker Sports Bar in Leesburg, VA last Saturday, March 11th.  They are a three-piece out of the Washington D.C. area, but are unique in that they don’t feature a bass player.  They consist of singer, Rich Wilson; drummer, Rick Leith; and guitarist, Mike Ricci, who doubles on bass duty via the sonic magic of his pedalboard. They brought an aggressive sound to the stage, and all of them seem to be quite capable as musicians.  There were certainly some fans rocking out intently directly in front of the riser, and their joy brought others to the fold.  This included, to everyone’s delight, a middle aged couple who proceeded to headbang to the songs.  The whole matter reached its climax when the woman lost her balance and fell backwards to the ground.  She seemed fine though, and kept headbanging as the next song started.

 
A Sound Of Thunder – Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

I’ve been to a handful of shows which featured District Of Columbia-based band, A Sound Of Thunder.  In fact, just last month I saw them open for Udo Dirkschneider at Baltimore Soundstage. But I’ve never had the opportunity to see them perform a full, headlining set.  And that’s just what they set out to do at Bunker’s Sports Bar last Saturday night (even though, technically, a band called Unsullied went on after them).  Not only did they pull out all the stops for their 80-minute set, providing the crowd with a collection of original tunes, as well as a few well-received cover tracks, but they recorded the whole concert on a set of cameras that were rigged up, hand shot, and even drone-flown.  I’ve been told that the footage, which will hopefully come out as a reward on the next album’s crowd-funding campaign, worked out really well!

From the ever-powerful opening track, “Queen Of Hell”; to their altered cover of Manowar’s “Pleasure Slave,” which featured four full-grown men stripping off their shirts and bowing at vocalist, Nina Osegueda’s feet; to the epic fight for supremacy in the closing track, “Udoroth,” A Sound Of Thunder plowed through track after track.  It’s difficult to say much more than this: when you’re standing shoulder to shoulder with Raven’s John Gallagher watching someone cut loose on a theremin onstage, you know something is right.

Concert Review: A Sound Of Thunder & MindMaze

by Better B#Concert Coverage


 

Last Thursday night was quite an evening!  Udo Dirkschneider, former lead singer for metal band, Accept, made a stop at the Baltimore Soundstage with his solo band for a lengthy set featuring old Accept tunes and a good time.  I had my own reasons for going to the show, however, which revolved around seeing one of my favorite bands, A Sound Of Thunder, open up for Udo.  They did me a true kindness by obtaining a photo pass for me, which allowed me the pleasure of getting up-close and personal during their first three songs.  While this photo pass allowed me to capture some shots of their set, as well as fellow opener, MindMaze, my clearance didn’t extend to Dirkschneider’s set.  Unfortunate, but better than if I hadn’t been able to snap shots at all!  Plus, I had the added enjoyment of discussing classic metal with a fellow enthusiast, ranging from Iron Maiden to Death.  Discussing the finer points of Metallica’s back catalog was a rare treat.

Now, onto the photos!
 
MindMaze: Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bandcamp

It’s difficult for me to say exactly how awesome MindMaze’s set was.  Based on what their vocalist, Sarah Teets, recently said on her Facebook page, this may have been their best set yet.  However, as someone who has never listened to MindMaze prior to that night, I can only say this: the combination of searing vocals, pounding drums, and rapid fire riffs made their set a joy to behold.  The abundant audience that filled Soundstage might have seemed a bit stiff at the beginning, but quickly erupted in applause at the end of their opening song.  Even the debut of two new songs came across to resounding cheers.  I, for one, have already gone to check out more of their music.  In short: it’s worthy of your time.

 

A Sound Of Thunder: Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Google+ | Band Store

A Sound Of Thunder has been a personal favorite of mind since I first encountered them opening for Fozzy at the Jaxx Club in Springfield, VA.  At that point, they gave off an air of Black Sabbath mixed with Iron Maiden and Judas Priest.  However, over the years they’ve developed their sound and melded all their influences into a seamless exhibition of heavy metal.  Though they didn’t have much more than half an hour, they still managed to wreak havoc upon Thursday’s crowd.  I would be surprised if there were any in attendance who were not newly converted fans after their first track, “Queen Of Hell,” rang in their ears.  Certainly, by the time they reached their cover of Manowar’s “Pleasure Slave,” a slew of onlookers were inducted into the Legion Of Thunder, submitting to the will of front-woman, Nina Osegueda.  For those who are looking for some of their influences, I’d highly recommend their newest release, “Who Do You Think We Are?”, a collection of cover songs.  If you’d like to check out their newest original work, however, look towards their album, “Tales From The Deadside,” which pairs nicely with the Valiant Darkman comics.

Here are some photos from Thursday, or check out the interview I did with Nina and Josh about “Tales From The Deadside.”

Interview: A Sound Of Thunder

by Better B#InterviewsMusic News

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The first time I encountered A Sound Of Thunder, it was live at the Empire NoVA in Springfield, Va.  My thoughts at that time were ones of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Black Sabbath, all rolled into one band!  I quickly bought up their music and have been following their work ever since.  I even reviewed one or two…and then another.  So with the release of their newest album, Tales From The Deadside, a concept record that follows the Shadowman comics from Valiant Entertainment, I knew it a great time to request an audience with this class act.  To my pleasure, they obliged!  Join me, if you will, as I speak with vocalist Nina Osegueda and guitarist Josh Schwartz as we discuss their new LP, its charting on Billboard alongside groups like Ghost and the Scorpions, as well as their love of geekdom!

As always, check the video description for a complete table of contents to navigate the interview.

Buy Tales From The Deadside from: iTunes | Amazon | From The Band (currently $4 for Digital)

For more on A Sound Of Thunder, visit:
Official Website
Facebook
Twitter
Youtube

CD Review: ‘Tales From The Deadside’ by A Sound Of Thunder

by Album ReviewsBetter B#Reviews

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I was given very specific instructions: resist the temptation to listen to A Sound Of Thunder’s new album, Tales From The Deadside, on computer speakers or sample parts of the album.  Instead, I was told to acquire a good sound system and strap myself in for a full hour-long ride of audial adventure.  So I sat myself down (admittedly in front of a computer), stuck in the physical CD to avoid losing any audio quality, and plugged in my Samson SR850 semi-open headphones, preparing myself for what was to come.  I made an additional, unprecedented move: I decided to take notes and construct this review based entirely off of one listen alone.  So, with this in mind, let us begin!

As I was reviewing the band’s last album, The Lesser Key Of Solomon, I noted how the album didn’t consist of a single story, as I had originally thought, but rather a handful of stories.  By contrast, Tales From The Deadside, actually does follow one story arc, based around the Shadowman comics by Valiant Entertainment.  So, unlike the idea of playing Pink Floyd’s Darkside Of The Moon in time with The Wizard Of Oz, or even partaking of quintessential concept albums like Queensryche’s Operation: Mindcrime, we are experiencing an audio-version of a graphic novel.  This is certainly a new one for me!

I was well aware of the quality I could expect coming into this LP, as A Sound Of Thunder never does anything with less than 100% effort.  Some of the notes I wrote to myself consisted of ideas such as “Nina’s voice is like silk,” “Josh, stop being so awesome,” and “Is that a saxophone?” Maybe there’s a reason I don’t usually take notes while listening.  But regardless, vocalist Nina Osegueda performs from start to finish with a finesse and fiery passion that continues to marvel the mind; guitarist Josh Schwartz is a monster player in terms of both rhythm and solo guitar, able to summon notes from the bowels of Hell; while the rhythm section of bassist Jesse Keen and drummer Chris Haren provides a solid foundation for such a bold effort.  I felt, upon this first listen, that Keen and Haren didn’t get to shine as much as was the case in some past releases, though I did notice the bass break away from the guitar’s lead on the final track, “End Times,” bringing a smile to my face. [Edit 10/31/15: After repeated listens to this album, I take back this last statement about a lack of shine.  These two are absolute beasts on this release.  My apologies!]

So, if the album follows the story of the Shadowman comic books, is it worth it?  Well, as someone who’s had the lyric sheet pressed to his nose throughout the entire process, this is a yes and a no. On the one hand, I was completely enthralled by the story, wondering what was going to happen and how it could possibly end.  Nina is really the storyteller on this release, progressing us forward with verse upon verse, though she has some help from a narrator that appears between each song to set up the following scene.  A word of caution to newcomers to the band, while the overall product is fantastic, there are only a few tracks present, which, at first glance, feel like they could stand alone without being enjoyed as part of the bigger picture.  “Tower Of Souls,” “Punk Mambo,” and “Tremble” were among these, and are some of the shorter songs on the album.  In addition to this, without spoiling anything, the ending to the album feels almost like a “To Be Continued…” moment.  As this isn’t their story, but one they’re relating to us, I wonder if A Sound Of Thunder will be making a follow-up to this release as the comic progresses.

A Sound Of Thunder’s Tales From The Deadside is a unique and wonderful release.  As an album that consists of Spanish-influenced acoustic guitars, saxophone solos, addictively evil 70s guitar riffs, and just a bit of voodoo…well, needless to say, that’s an odd mix.  The group has taken up an immense challenge in telling someone else’s story with detail and energy of their own. For those who are interested in an audible comic book journey, this is your destination!  For those that are interested in getting into the group, I’d recommend exploring their earlier releases such as Out Of The Darkness and Time’s Arrow first, as these consist of good stand-alone tunes that will give you a taste of what’s found here.  Despite my concerns about the accessibility of this release, I have no doubt that current fans of the band will fall in love with it.  Tales From The Deadside is a monumental effort and A Sound Of Thunder has executed it with precision.

Buy Tales From The Deadside at: From The Band | iTunes | Amazon

For more on A Sound Of Thunder, visit:
Official Website
Facebook
Twitter
Youtube

CD Review: ‘The Lesser Key Of Solomon’ by A Sound Of Thunder

by Album ReviewsBetter B#Reviews

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Note: This review was originally written in November 2014, but was not posted here due to technical issues.  I now present it to you, late but proud. Keep an eye out for ASOT’s forthcoming release, Shadowman: Tales From The Deadside.

A Sound Of Thunder have been a busy band for, well, as long as I’ve known them. It seems as though every time I sit down to review their newest album they have already written half of the next one. And that’s if they’re feeling lazy!  But this doesn’t surprise me one bit, for the group is brimming with talent and likes to dabble in a little of everything. Their latest offering is called The Lesser Key of Solomon, which arrived September 2014, but it is far from a lesser album in this prolific band’s catalogue.

I had heard this release was a darker and more story driven compared to their previous albums, which is true to some extent. Within this opus are stories of death and destruction; voodoo, curses, and resurrections; and pleasures of controlling flesh, mind, and soul. Not exactly the stuff from which children’s books are made! It’s not a single story that’s being told, as I originally expected, but rather a handful of stories that all lay within the realm of horror.  The lack of a single epic narration was a little disappointing to me, especially when my arm became covered with goosebumps at the sound of the opening track, “Nexus of Reality,” an instrumental reminiscent to the introductory “Anarchy X” of Queensryche’s famous concept album, Operation: Mindcrime. But I got over it, for the songs to follow soothed my ears with their combination of tenderness and vehemence.

You don’t have to be a heavy metal fan to like A Sound Of Thunder, but admittedly it helps. A track like “Udoroth,” which regales us with the tale of the “seventy-third infernal spirit evoked by King Solomon,” is an unrelenting monster bent on sonic supremacy. The other tracks, as dark as they may be, can be hard hitting, but lean towards a more dynamic balance of aggression and breathing room, such as “One Empty Grave,” which alternates between multi-string finger-plucked guitar verses and thick distorted riffs. And finally you have the ballads, such as “The Boy Who Could Fly,” though this long distance love story is borne more out of the supernatural than most others you may find. Gentle to the touch, coated with the silky smooth voice of frontwoman, Nina Osegueda, the song resonates with sincerity and emotion. Don’t even get me started on the heart-wrenching guitar solo from Josh Schwartz, who always seems to find the sweet spot on the fretboard.

The Lesser Key of Solomon is another step forward for A Sound Of Thunder. By releasing albums so quickly, they aren’t taking giant strides in style that alienate their fans, but rather allow us to see the changes come gradually. They’re becoming more comfortable and adventurous, bringing more instruments into the fold and incorporating different musical themes into their passion for traditional heavy metal, but they’ll still knock your teeth out. If you’re new to the band, you may want to steer yourself to Time’s Arrow or Out Of The Darkness first, as the subject matter is more diverse, but you’d be remiss if you didn’t come back to this wonderful work of art.

For more on A Sound Of Thunder, visit:
Official Website
Buy The Lesser Key Of Solomon: iTunes | Amazon | From The Band!
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Twitter
Bandcamp
Youtube