F.E.A.R.

Thunder And Lightning

Metal maniacs, rejoice! I am proud to present to you: THUNDER AND LIGHTNING (came crashing […]
By Craig Rider
March 18, 2022
Thunder And Lightning - F.E.A.R. album cover

Metal maniacs, rejoice! I am proud to present to you: THUNDER AND LIGHTNING (came crashing down, hit the Earth and split the... oh wait, wrong band!); independently unsigned, hailing from the glory of Germany - performing Melodic Power Metal, on their 7th album entitled: "F.E.A.R." (released November 26th, 2021). Since formation in 2004; the quartet in question have 2 Demos, 16 Singles, 2 EPs and 7 Full-length albums in their discography so far. I am introduced to their 7th album entitled: "F.E.A.R"; 10 tracks ranging at around 45:06, THUNDER AND LIGHTNING arrange an intricately designed formula on some heavy-hitting Melodic Power Metal developments.

Opening up with a cryptic form of static & story-telling/spoken-word introduction, an amplified distortion of rampantly rompy adrenaline belts a blistering array of ripping remedies. "Mother Me" shreds with riveting maelstrom vehemence and a boisterously bouncy calamity as sturdy thuds piledrive with sulfurous synergy, where melodic reverb trembles with rumbling solidities where rawly rough tonalities clobber fiercely and harmonically. A strong virtuosity quintessentially soars with tight punchiness, weighty stability & trailblazing rifts that revel with striking pursuits of killer potency while vibrant catchiness grooves a concretely gritty slab of mountainous tempos, among a epic but euphonic craftsmanship mobility on groundbreaking agility in barrage frenzies of chugging gallops & heavy metal strength - especially in "Beyond The Mountain Of Death". "The Devil's Wife" injects an infectiously frolicking boundary on thumpy bass audibility from consisting thumper Robert Rath". Venomously steamrolling with volatile zeal, bulldozing firepower and creatively dynamic dexterity for immersively intense pandemonium qualities.

Nothing but a borderline foundation in stompy yet rambunctious pounding brings forth a meaty manifest of malignant yet mellifluous accord; coming into play next with the rich "The Curse Of Elisa Lam", an elegantly exquisite but drama-fueled spectacle of melodrama prerequisites towers with flamboyantly forged chimes from throaty singer Norman Dittmar who yells with rough but clean pipes of majestic serenity, especially in the next anthemic banger "The Silent Twins". An enriching semblance of persistent perseverance stridently swerves with hymnal characteristics from rapidly nimble guitarist Marc Wüstenhagen (also on backing vocals) who revs up his axe with swift dirge, elementing at implementing tremoring tenors & salubrious verve of loud and proud might. "A Nation Of Fools" bombards eardrums with swirling rhythm, think of symphonic RHAPSODY merged with ROSS THE BOSS viscosity.

The titular track "F.E.A.R." distills a high-octane rampancy on some rambunctious yet stompy slammings from hammering drummer Steve Mittag, where a ferocious spectrum on vivacious smacks stampedes with steely precision & sonically seamless blitzkrieg, flourishing with momentous maelstrom techniques that are briskly gravitated with triggering marvellousness. Think of ballad-esque ethereality and that spectral wave of empowering attributes in chunky Heavy Metal transparency. "R.A.E.F." is obviously backwards for F.E.A.R., trampling speakers with cavernous contortion and outre panache that juxtaposes thunderously distinguished distinctives and class ethereality aspects that spellbind me with outbursting upheaval. The penultimate banger "Death Of Innocence" flares with more monolithic tempo, stampy prestige & prodigious songwriting density in which revolves around a linear yet sublime impact in flexibly fundamental force.

Overall concluding "F.E.A.R." with the finishing epic "Time To Rise"; an orchestral synth work that mesmerizes souls with symphonious portrayal, this one was an enjoyably entertaining discovery in which supplies this thrilling Power Metal masterclass experience for old & newcomers alike. Do check it out, worthy of spinning & replaying should you fancy a healthy dose of brilliant old school yet modern Metal loftiness.

8 / 10

Excellent

Songwriting

8

Musicianship

8

Memorability

8

Production

8
"F.E.A.R." Track-listing:

1. Mother Me
2. Beyond The Mountain Of Death
3. The Devil's Wife
4. The Curse Of Elisa Lam
5. The Silent Twins
6. A Nations Of Fools
7. F.E.A.R.
8. R.A.E.F.
9. Death Of Innocence
10. Time To Rise

Thunder And Lightning Lineup:

Robert Rath - Bass
Steve Mittag - Drums
Marc Wüstenhagen - Guitars/Vocals
Norman Dittmar - Vocals

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