Did not even have a clue THUNDER was looking forward to releasing a new album. And, bang!, time was right for the 9th (or 10th?) studio release by this high-energy British rockers. BANG! will not change they way you feel towards THUNDER's contribution to (in general) Hard Rock music. That's not the scope, anyway.
An average THUNDER album should get not more than a good! oral rating by a follower of this specific blend, right? For a band that's now running 20 years of career, with not little success we should note down (even if there was a certain 'hiatus' era for the London-based quintet), to continue putting out albums they way they do like to is a good sign of healthy 'band' attitude, in my opinion. Danny's voice is still terrific (how come you still sign that 'warm', man?) and Luke's strings still spit hardhittin' bluesy Rock firewaves and - listening to Bang! for a dozen of times in a row - the atmosphere is more kickin' than the one in the - anyway, remarkable - Robert Johnson's Tombstone predecessor.
Mostly written by Luke Morley (can guess the vibe from this fact and only!), Bang! will not let you down by any means. On The Radio (with Danny screaming fuck you! just prior to a splendid solo) and Stormwater are mid-pace 'party' rockers, Carol Ann goes bombastic/groovy 70s Rock, Retribution will make your heart melt in some 60/70s songwriting formula, Candy Man may bring up  some Backstreet Symphony memories, Have Mercy bears an American 'vibe', Watching Over You sees a sentimental ballad you'll dig a lot...and the story goes. No filler, no yawn, no nothing bad. There's an apparent appetite by all members; the rhythm section is free an' easy, the solos are 'bluesy' Hard Rock at its finest (again)...
THUNDER's the kind of band that has surely preserved the good ol' fan base. Dunno if there's lots of recent additions to the 'followers' clan (strongly doubt...) but - 'established' in 1990 - they would demonstrate everything needed to stay away from the 'sellout' firm. Even if our era has different requirements in sounds brought up for our<?> needs, the legacy of BAD COMPANY/FREE and the rest of the 70s British Rock testament carries on smoothly. Bang! is another album from your beloved THUNDER. Another good one.  Recorded in an old castle in the west of England, Bang! your head with THUNDER once more if you wish so. And - of course - do not neglect catchin' them onstage if crossing your town.

P.S.: Love Sucks (music and lyrics) can as well act as the most representative THUNDER song all these 18 years of discography.