A Sound of Thunder - Out of the Darkness
CD Info
2012
Nightmare Records
12 Tracks
English Lyrics
We cover all kinds of female-fronted metal here at Sonic Cathedral – but not much plain ‘ol heavy metal. That’s a shame, considering heavy metal is the origin of this genre. So, for the old-school headbangers out there, you’ll be glad to learn about A Sound Of Thunder. Since 2008, this quartet from Washington, DC (USA) has carved out a niche for themselves with their incendiary blend of classic and modern styles. The band gave the world its first taste of thunder last April with their self-released debut album, Metal Renaissance. Now, less than a year later, A Sound Of Thunder is ready to take listeners on a brazen trip known as Out Of The Darkness.
Due out on March 27 in North America, Out Of The Darkness sees A Sound Of Thunder bringing their mission to life. That mission is to create a sonic assault in the vein of metal forefathers such as Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, and Judas Priest, as well as modern-day power and progressive bands such as Hammerfall and Symphony X. As a result, expect to hear crunching riffs, slamming rhythms, and well-crafted songs that range greatly in length and tone. Oh, and lots of in-your-face attitude, especially from singer Nina Osegueda. She’s like a female version of Russell Allen: She has the charisma and lung capacity to scream, growl, and belt it out in ways that will make other metal frontwomen envious. Add in the crisp, clear production of Kevin "131" Gutierrez (Shinedown, Deceased), and the final result is a classic-sounding, unapologetic record that will appeal to generations of metalheads around the world.
It should be no surprise that each track on Out Of The Darkness has its own personality. The album pitches at the listener everything from a shred-heavy nightmare ("Murderous Horde"), to a jealous ex-girlfriend’s scheme ("Kill That Bitch"), to a somber acoustic ballad with a string quartet ("This Too Shall Pass"). Aggression prevails, however, and A Sound Of Thunder never runs short of it. The breakneck-speed title track is a duet between Osegueda and Raven frontman John Gallagher that plays upon both singers’ gravity-defying skills. And since A Sound Of Thunder is such a great name for a heavy metal band, why not write a song with that name? Between Osegueda’s roaring vocals and a fist-pumping motif fueled by Chris Haren’s double-kick drumming and Josh Schwartz’s riffs, "A Sound Of Thunder" truly embodies its namesake.
Out Of The Darkness also contains three 8-minute epics, two of which are among the record’s highlights. "Calat Alhambra" is a retelling of Spanish Queen Isabella’s exploits during the Reconquista. The track features Osegueda’s Spanish-language chorus and classical guitar flourishes that book-end the track to further tie in the historic tale, as well as Schwartz’s most nimble guitar solo on the album. The midtempo "Discovery" has a more melodic, alternative feel and a lyrical message of "carpe diem" that listeners will relate to. The song’s instrumental section is what makes it a gem. After Schwartz’s solo, it quiets down and then takes its time rebuilding to the band’s full force, unfolding with subtle details all the while.
Personally I enjoy albums that contain a lot of variety. However, too much variety can be more harmful than helpful. That’s the case with Out Of The Darkness, particularly its first half. A Sound Of Thunder’s style-switching is most noticeable here and weakens the album’s overall cohesion – so much that Out Of The Darkness sometimes sounds like a heavy metal compilation album, with Osegueda as the only common factor. Also, Out Of The Darkness gets off to a sluggish start. It’s not the slow tempo of "The Day I Die" that makes it so, but rather the instrumental meandering when the music quiets down after the halfway point. The doom-ballad loses steam as a result and risks losing the listener’s attention during a crucial point in the album.
Foibles aside, Out Of The Darkness is a bold statement from start to finish. More appropriately, it’s a time machine that takes us back to metal music’s most enduring qualities: adrenaline, grit, candor, and confidence. A Sound Of Thunder thrives on those traits; and with the fire-breathing Osegueda leading the charge, the band keep crowds enthralled for a long time. Speaking of audiences, I wouldn’t be surprised if A Sound Of Thunder brings in fans of all ages to their shows. Bands who embrace the genre’s past and present often obtain a broad appeal that can lead to a long, healthy future. So, if you’re willing, hop into the DeLorean – or maybe an antique Harley Davidson is more fitting here – and turn the dial to Out Of The Darkness. This is a fun trip back to metal basics that’s most accurately described as, well, a sound of thunder.
8 / 10
Best Songs: "Discovery," "A Sound Of Thunder," "Calat Alhambra"
Recommended for fans of Doro, Benedictum, Seven Kingdoms, Triosphere, and other female-fronted heavy metal and power metal bands
Out Of The Darkness will be released in North America on March 27, 2012. Pre-order the album now through Nightmare Records, Amazon, or (in Europe) Nuclear Blast’s webshop
