Finland's Thunderstone were formed in early 2000 by guitarist Nino Laurenne. After the first demo, Nino felt like putting together a real band. Mirka Rantanen was playing drums on the first demo and was willing to go on. Bass player Titus Hjelm and Nino were old band mates from their former band Antidote. Next person to join the band was singer Pasi Rantanen who had sung backing vocals on the first demo (Nino sang the leads back then). The band then evolved into a five-piece with the addition of Kari Tornack on keyboards.

THUNDERSTONE (2002) NUCLEAR BLAST (Limited 2CD)

Since I became such a fan of the bands second album, 'The Burning', I didn't think twice about ordering their debut album either. And much to my delight, this is yet another melodic metal gem. Sure, the band is a little rougher around the edges on it. Singer Rantanen for instance, doesn't sound quite as good as he does on the next album. And the band definitely sound more like their Finnish brothers in Stratovarius and Sonata Arctica here. But that doesn't matter when there are so many great songs to listen to! Just check out "Will To Power" or "Virus", and I bet you'll get hooked to. Alongside Dream Evil, this band is one of my best metal discoveries this past year. 

Disc 2 of this limited Edition is a CD-Rom, packed with info on all of Nuclear Blasts current bands (at the time of this release). You get music-videos, screen savers, e-cards etc.

Killer tracks: Let The Demons Free, Virus, Will To Power, Eyes Of A Stranger, Voice In A Dream, Spread My Wings

THE BURNING (2004) NUCLEAR BLAST (Digi-pack)

I write reviews for a Norwegian music web-zine, called Musikkavisen. Sometimes this allows me to stumble across a band or two that just takes me by surprise. Finland's Thunderstone are such a band. I was left in awe already on the first listen. They play melodic power metal, with so many excellent hooks, my head instantly started nodding along to the music. Sure they have the typical Finnish keyboards that Stratovarius and Sonata Arctica also use. But that is pretty much the extent of similarities to their more famous Finnish brothers. Because Thunderstone are way more melodic than those bands. And even more important, they have a much stronger singer! I'd even dare to liken him to the mighty Jørn Lande (Masterplan, Jorn, ARK, Vagabond etc.), and could you get a better compliment than that? 'The Burning' is the bands 2nd effort, and it's chock full of wonderful melodic metal. All of the songs are great, so there is no use for the skip button on this one. I just cannot speak enough good of this CD. It will definitely be on my top 10 list of 2004 releases, probably contending for a top 3 spot. If you buy the digi-pack version, like I did after hearing the promo-version first, you also get 6(!!) bonus tracks. 3 of them are cover-songs, and the other 3 are demo-tracks. "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)" is a Metallica cover, "Diamonds And Rust" is a Judas Priest cover and "Heart Of Steel" is a Manowar cover.

Killer tracks: Until We Touch The Burning Sun, Spire, Sea Of Sorrow, Drawn To The Flame, Forth Into The Black

TOOLS OF DESTRUCTION (2005) NUCLEAR BLAST (Ltd. Edition digi-pack)

I love how consistent bands have become in delivering killer albums! They are really working hard to include no filers on their albums. And Thunderstone is no exception. After the mind-blowing 2004-release, I had doubts about how good a new effort could be. But they don't disappoint me, at all! 'Tools Of Destruction' is yet another masterpiece of melodic metal. Musically these guys have distanced themselves even more from the sound of their Finnish brothers. Now they compare more to Yngwie Malmsteen and Axel Rudi Pell, but without the guitar-wizardry. But they more then make up for it with memorable hooks and awesome songwriting though. My favorite ingredient with them is still their singer though. He is truly amazing. The only down-side to this CD is some of the lyrics. I don't think it is any deep thoughts or meaning behind it, but songs like "Tool Of The Devil" irks me the wrong way, lyrically. This will most definitely be a conceder for the top 20 list for 2005! My digi-pack version comes with 3 bonus tracks.

Killer tracks: Tool Of The Devil, Without Wings, I Will Come Again, Welcome To The Real, Land Of Innocence

Mirka Rantanen guest appearances:

Kotipelto - 'Waiting For The Dawn'