Nearly a year ago, THUNDERMOTHER’s latest album Heat Wave became a solid favourite within the minutes of listening to it. It deservedly made it’s way to my top ten albums list of 2020 due to it’s prevailing vocal work, finger blistering guitar work, pounding drums and basslines that make you want to headbang. Even now I find it’s a great album to turn to whether I need that morale boost or just some me time. Why am I bringing this up again you may ask? I shall tell you, THUNDERMOTHER are due to release a deluxe edition of the album and after listening to it, it’s clear die hard fans won’t be disappointed and new listeners will want to join the clan.
I won’t go into too much detail about the first disk of the album as I did that last year but I am happy to remind you of why it became one of my top ten albums last year. From the moment the first few notes of Loud And Alive played, I knew instantly I was in for a treat and I was right. I was spoilt for choices on what to claim as my favourite track. There were so many; these include Dog From Hell, Sleep, Back In ’76, Purple Sky and the title track. More details of this can be found in my review here.
Now onto the second disk itself. It includes some brand-new tracks, acoustic renditions of tracks from the first disk and live versions of classic tracks. I can say for sure this is a great collection for long-time fans of the bands and listeners who want to be indoctrinate into the THUNDERMOTHER clan.
Not even a few minutes in and I already know Show Me What You Got is the track for the mosh pits. The rapid music arrangements are a worthy backing for showing people you mean business and letting off steam. Lyrics such as “don’t you patronise me” and “don’t underestimate me, I will shut you up” reinforce this message. This is the song you will turn to when you need some passion and determination for what you seek.
I have mentioned before that Dog From Hell is one of my favourite tracks on the album. I was blown away with this empowering attitude it gives off. This is perfect for communicating strong lyrics about falling blindly in love with someone who isn’t right for you and coming out the other side. In my last review, I praised this track for having fist pumping energy that will see rock horns raising in the air. The acoustic version of this track invokes the same feeling. If a song can invoke the same feelings whether it’s distorted or acoustic, you know you have written a great track.
As a fairly new fan of THUNDERMOTHER, I have yet to see them live and the live version of Hellavator doesn’t help my craving and longing to head back to live shows. I haven’t heard the track Hellavator before this and I will be certainly checking out their previous material after listening to this fantastic track. We all have that tune we play when we want to feel like a badass, Hellavator has become one of those tracks.
From what I have noticed so far about THUNDERMOTHER is their great ability to emulate that seventies sound with a modern twist. Closing track Rock ‘N Roll Heaven is a great example of this. It’s a track that you can either have on in the background whilst immersing into the sound and feel free listening to it.
Heat Wave Deluxe Edition is hard rock gem that will be cherished by long time fans of the band and new listeners alike. One thing from my last review that is perfectly clear, the loudest speakers you have and your full attention are mandatory when experiencing this album.
Rating: 9/10
Words: Lotty Whittingham
Heat Wave Deluxe Edition will be unleashed 21st May 2021 via AFM Records.
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