So we have THORNDALE who are a four piece stoner rock/doom metal band who have been around since 2021, so not that long really at all, they came to the spotlight in 2023, only two years later after they came together as a band. They went through the whole of 2023 and started off 2024 with a couple of single releases of songs including songs like AIN'T THE END OF MY ROPE, I ACCUSE YOU and INTO THE EYES OF OLD. So after these were out in the public domain, as well as being included on what was to be their first release, in the shape of an EP titled LIGHTNING SPAWN which was out in February 2024. This EP was a great starting point for the band, it really laid the foundations for what impression this band wants to give, stoner rock and doom metal combined but nevertheless the stoner rock elements are certainly more prominent in this EP release.

The line up of this band also stretches across a few countries which is not often heard of, but the band members themselves are all from countries including SINGAPORE, CANADA and THE NETHERLANDS. So the line up of this international band begins with the singer who is GUSTAVO VALDERAMA, as he can really belt out his voice but also remain calm and sing clearly as he should. The guitarists of the band are so majestic in what they do and really set the melody as well as the main body of the band, they are MAARTEN JUNGSCHLAGER and PETER SHANNON. The bassist of the band, being the one who keeps the peace and tone of the band so that they can all lock in with one another, is none other than ZIGOR MUNOZ, they have had a drummer before who was ROBIN STONE, on their debut EP release.

So now we know of the band themselves, their second EP release is titled SPIRITUAL CHAINS as we can now go into this EP starting with the first track which is "Veins Of The Phoenix" as we hear high range guitars introducing us to this EP. There are some stunning guitar riffs as we hear drums and bass joining as one unit with vocals, drums playing some tom pattern with cymbals as the tempo is steady and average speed. Vocals shouting but proudly as they have their opening line, saying here I am now and this is what this band is all about as they are definitely fun to hear. A fantastic beginning to this EP as we hear some more from lead guitars with lots of solo riff playing which certainly should be admired, so now we can go onto the next track which is "Battles Fought In Vein".

So now the second track brings a more hardcore sound and tone, with guitars really screeching as drums are bringing the low end thumps of the band, as vocals flow so well as they have done so far. There is something special about this band, a mix of styles, certainly doom/heavy rock with elements of stoner rock but this track is brought in slowly but with conviction and persuasion. The drums are going very soloistic and mixing grooves and fills so well that pulls the listener even more, the backing vocals also contribute, There are some groovy parts that go well with the vocals, as drums follow along,

"Gods Of Pain" as bass guitar goes off on a solo trip with drums as vocals join in straight away, There are more killer guitar riffs combined with drums playing fills or tom work to introduce the track before those solo guitar riffs scream so loudly. Vocals come in as the drummer strikes the ride cymbal like a groove but then switches to an off beat pattern, even the china cymbal accents is such an appropriate addition before some work on the toms. So with all this in mind, we can swiftly move onto the next track which is "Twenty Thousand Souls". The next track has some creative drumming like no other with guitars revving their engines up as we hear some more china cymbal accents thrown into the mix once more.

Vocals move in for some quiet lurking around with all instruments in full motion, so drums also creating the quick transitions and vocals keep it simple, nothing too complex, straight forward clean vocals but screamer vocals do pop it's head up halfway through the track. Then there is an instrumental solo section for guitars and drums to compliment each other and go off on a tangent section, vocals briefly coming in then full force once more for guitars, drums and of course the lead guitar is screaming for attention. "Spiritual Chains" is up next with a short voice clip talking for a minute or two. Then into the blistering guitar riffs and solo notes, for vocals to come calling in, drums keeping cool and really authentic as the band pays close attention to one another for what the narrative should be about.

The tempo is ramped up after some slow tempo playing by the whole band, not unheard of tempo changes but this transition certainly works very effectively. But not for too long as the band goes back to the original tempo as the drums take command of all these transitions with the tempo but also encourages the guitars to go wild but stay true to the cause of what this band is all about. So into the final track we go which is "Exiles And Masters" as we hear the full quality of the doom metal elements of the band in this final track of the EP, lead guitar setting drums up as vocals come in as they take to the stage one last time for a final hurrah. The tempo is steady and tight as we hear a lot of toms and cymbal strikes, so of course this EP has been a pleasure to listen to, there is definitely a lot to like about this band.

Vocals cue in by lead guitars and drums too, solo style instrumental section once more into the fore as guitars really enjoy the spotlight with drums before vocals come back in. However the instrumental side of this band returns for more attention as lead guitar especially fires and spits out some melodic notes as well as drums playing some cool patterns stretching across the whole kit. A double up on kicks by the drummer before we hear lead guitar for one last time as we come to the final curtain drawing a close on this EP, so we must conclude this band is really onto something very promising.