Customer Reviews

Sons of Thunder

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first discovered this band while searching for things associated with the 1986 movie, Labyrinth starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly. It was in one of these searches that I came upon one of Labyrinth's songs. I believe it was "I Feel You". After I heard that song, I went on a massive search for them. I was dissappointed to find that they are not very popular in the music world. Well, I bought three of their cds and listened to each one. By far this one would have to be my favorite. Unlike their other cd, Return to Heavan Denied, this one was more mature and made upon experience. I had never before listened to a cd that was like this one too. It told a story about a king who falls in love and it's after effects. Sort of like listening to the old folk songs and following along, except in a more heavy metal tone. Personally, I'd recommend this to people who like heavy metal, but aren't really that experienced with it.

Another great album by Labyrinth.Yeah this album has it's bad songs on it but the rest of the song's make up for it.The awesome song Chapter 1 starts the album off and then Kathryn which rules,then Sons Of Thunder then Elegy then Behind The Mask which is not a good song,it's a boring song then Touch The Rainbow which is an okay song then the very original Rage Of The King that has the best solo's in that song then the fast Save Me then the all piano song Love with Rob Tyrant's voice being so amazing in that song then you have the song I Feel You which isn't by Labyrinth and that song sucks.The solo's in this album are amazing by Olaf Thorsen and Anders Rain,which if you know Labyrinth you know that they are hard core shredders.This album is one big story.Oh,and by the way Hammerfall,Iced Earth and Blind Guardian are not powermetal.

I have to knock a star off the horrid production on here, otherwise could have been a brilliant album. The Labs brought in well known American producer Neil Kernon to handle the production, Olaf was not satisfied with the sound or mix. He went in to try and "fix it", and the whole project ended up a mangled mess. What worked on their previous LP & EP, you have to ask yourself, if it's not broke, why fix it? As usual, great song ideas abound with a flair for the epic, and a nice little concept running, I just can't get past the production. The thin guitar riff sound, the trebly leads, the mewly sounding keybroads, boxy and flat drum sound, even Rob sounds way off in the mix. Olaf ended up quitting to concentrate on Vision Divine. This album could've been a monster. I do like every track on here, except for the last two. Sons Of Thunder did find them start leaning toward more progressive terrain.

I really liked "Return to Heaven denied" but this one lacked something. The storyline did not interest me very much. The singer has improved slightly, the pacing was better but nothing really grabbed me. If you are a prog metal fan who has never heard of Labyrinth, I would suggest picking up "Return To Heaven Denied" first, its cheaper (no import costs) and IMHO, better. Labyrinth fanatics will probably love it but for the rest of us, maybe not.

In 1998 Labyrinth released one of the definative albums of the power metal genre, a genre known for fast riffs, double bass drumming, high-pitched vocals and epic songwriting. This album was "Return to Heaven Denied", regarded by many power metal fans as a masterpiece. It's crystalline production, impeccable musicianship, tight dueling guitars, soaring yet smooth vocals, slight progressive tendencies, technical music, and gorgeous and creative songwriting combined to create an an album that would be the template of what power metal could acheive. Many looked forward to their follow-up with great anticipation.

But alas, 2000's "Sons of Thunder" failed to live up to expectations. This album represented a regression for the band. Most obvious is the lower production value. The warm, lush, crystal-clear and powerful production from "Return to Heaven Denied" was replaced by a flat, punchless and messy sound. The credits on this album claim that it was produced by Grammy-winning producer Neil Kernon (Queensryche's "Rage for Order", Nevermore's "Dreaming Neon Black, etc). This is really not accurate. Guitarist and band leader Olaf Thorsen did not like Kernon's mix and they had a rather acrimonious relationship. The Neil Kernon mix was scrapped (those who have heard it claim that it is far superior) and Thorsen's messy mix is what appears on the official release. The drums click, the guitars lack edge, the keyboards are barely audible, the music sounds compressed rather than expansive.

The second thing plaguing this release is its concept. "Sons of Thunder" is a concept album about King Louis XIV of France. He falls in love with a woman in a painting. Her name is Kathryn. King Louis sends the Sons of Thunder, some of his elite personal bodyguards, to capture Kathryn and bring her back to the King. The Son of Thunder who captures Kathryn falls in love with her when he sees her and has thoughts of keeping her for himself instead of taking her back to Louis. The Son of Thunder runs away with Kathryn, the King is enraged, and the King's advisor, Cardinal Marrarino commits suicide. The End.
Now if that isn't the flakiest, lamest, boringest idea for a concept record! Hahahaha! "Operation: Mindcrime" it isn't!

Also, Vocalist Rob Tyrant's performance isn't anywhere near as good as his beautiful vocals from "Return to Heaven Denied". Of course, much of the blame can be placed on the abyssmal production and weak vocal melodies. But his voice just doesn't convey the same power, emotion and beauty. He also puts in a rather undynamic and one-dimensional performance, rarely taking the risks he did in the previous album. His vocals are often buried and the multi-tracked vocals during choruses sound atrocious.

Lastly, the songwriting is about 1/10th as good as "Return to Heaven Denied". There are a couple of extremely creative tunes that succeed, such as "Kathryn" and "Touch the Rainbow", but much of the album is generic and weak. The songs from "Return to Heaven Denied" were diverse, full of tension, and just had fantastic melodies. They were technical and always had suprises. The lush atmospheres from that album are totally lost on "Sons of Thunder".

"Find her. For she is the true meaning of life." And with that proclomation in a deep, evil voice... "Chapter 1" begins. This is one of the stronger songs on this album. This song utilizes a lot of transitions, from fast and heavy riffs to slower, ethereal acoustic passages.

"Kathryn" is the best song on the album, starting off with an incredible and memorable bass riff. It has a very watery sound to it. Then the harmony guitars enter with an equally memorable riff. This stunning intro is what Labyrinth is capable of when firing on all cylinders. The chorus features falsetto backing vocals proclaiming "Kathryn!" as Rob Tyrant sings the lines. Impressive song.

The title track "Sons of Thunder" starts off with a speed metal riff. This is a rather generic track with nothing notable about it. Andrew McPauls contributes a rare keyboard solo.

"Elegy" is a mid-paced number with a riff that alternates between chugging low-end chords and single-note harmonies. It's a rather nice dynamic. Unfortunately, the chorus falls flat. There's just no passion in Rob Tyrant's voice.

"Behind the Mask" really suffers from the production. This song just sounds awful with its tinny guitars and buried vocals. The chorus features some swirling keyboards. The drumming is really excellent in this song, lively and creative, transitioning from technical cymbal play to speed metal double bass drumming. Unfortunately, the melodies in this song are nothing to write home about. Rather generic. This is the 3rd subpar song in a row.

"Touch the Rainbow" is the 2nd best song on this album. It features nice harmony guitars and exceptionally tasty drumming. This guy is really a great talent. During the verse he just dances along the tom and cymbals. The chorus is rather majestic. "So run as fast as you can. Don't ever turn back. Never! Until we touch the rainbow, and the sun shines upon this land." The guitar solos are very emotional as well.

"Rage of the King" starts off with a liquid keyboard riff. The verse is typical power metal, fast double bass drums. Andrew McPauls' keyboard solo is the highlight of this song, along with Rob Tyrant's sky-high shriek near the end.

"Save Me" starts off with whimsical piano before going into typical power metal mode again. This song may be the fastest on the album during the verse. Once again, the verse just sounds weak and strained. The bridge has swirling symphonics, harmony guitars, short keyboard solo and trade-off pryotechnic guitar solos. One of the high points of the album.

"Love" is a suprising ballad. It's nothing but piano and Rob's voice. For once Rob really sounds good. He is a really skilled singer who is classically trained. He has a very rich and full voice, which you wouldn't know by his thin vocals on the rest of the album. This is just a really pretty song. But when the wimpy piano ballad ends up being one of the best songs of a power metal album, you know you're in trouble.

Labyrinth then close the album with a cover of an Italian-language pop tune. They translate it to English. This is a lighter tune that leaves little impact on the listener.

This album was very controversial and divisive. Almost everyone in the metal community was disappointed and outraged at such a sorry follow-up to "Return to Heaven Denied". This album hurt the band as well. In 2002, bandleader Olaf Thorsen left Labyrinth. Labyrinth has yet to record a follow-up to "Sons of Thunder".

These guys are sooooooooooooooooooo NOT Power Metal, they ARE PROG Metal! Get a clue people! & to "Absolute Power" You couldn't be MORE clueless about music if you tried! HammerFall, Iced Earth, & Blind Guardian ARE most definitely Power Metal! & so is Maiden, Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius, etc.!!! ROFLMMFAO!!! Dumb@$$!

This is Labyrinth's second effort and it doesn't have the depth of "Return to Heaven Denied" IMHO. The songs that are good are really good but there just doesn't seem to be enough of them. Olaf Thorsen is a god on guitar though and ranks up their with the best axemen of the new school of power metal. This CD is worth buying just for his playing alone. The best songs on the album are "Kathryn", "Sons of Thunder", "Elegy", "Touch the Rainbow" and the jewel of "Save Me". If you love blazing technical guitar then get this and check out Olaf's amazing fretwork.

Lab˙rinth is among my favorite Bands because its very melodic,.although this second release is more progressive and less melodic than their first album "return to heaven denied",I liked the first one more but this one is still very good,the fact that it's more progressive and complex makes you want to go over it more to catch on the detail. the album evolves around a tale placed in ancient paris. there's a lot of diferent colors to the music here and it's a more metal type than in return to heaven denied,the vocals are much more developed here and in base of the storytelling the music is also much more dramatic. there's a lot of power behind this one and there's also a beautifull ballad that I enjoy listening to over and over again "Love".

The Italians give us a very tasty album again.This is a bit less punchy than "Return to Heaven Denied",but anyways,it's a good album.Rob Tyrant(Roberto Tiranti,as in his passport)couldn't go further than in the previous album,so he went,in my opinion,a step behind.He's highly technical,and has an incredible range,but here,he left me wanting to hear more of that range and technique.The singing sounds a bit weak,but all the other aspects of the album are pretty good.Good songs,some of them trying to be something close to "catchy",but in my opinion,not as varied and interesting as "Return to Heaven Denied".A good album that has some weak points and that in some moments can be a bit boring.But still,not a total disappointment.