Thunderstone - Tools of Destruction

Thunderstone was initially created as a solo project for former Antidote guitarist Nino Laurenne. Nino recruited his former bandmate Titus Hjeln (bass), Pasi Rantanen (vocals), Mirka Rantanen (drums), and Kari Tornak (keyboards) and Thunderstone became a full band. They signed with Nuclear Blast and released their self titled debut in 2002. Despite a guest appearance by Stratovarius mastermind Timo Tolkki, the debut was an easily forgettable disc. Perhaps it was due to Nino working with a complete band, but Thunderstone's sophomore album, The Burning, was a killer record with Pasi in particular, putting in a stunning performance.

Now comes Thunderstone's third album, Tools of Destruction. Like The Burning, this album is modern power metal at its best. Thunderstone never rush the pace and they don't go into fluffy European power metal or Finnish pompous metal. Thunderstone have more in common with Dio and latter day Black Sabbath. Pasi's vocals are very much like Ronnie James Dio and he flaunts his talent with confidence. He even gets gritty on "Liquid of the Kings" and "Feed the Fire." "Welcome to the Real" is a meeting Black Sabbath's "Heaven and Hell" and Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir." The mediocre "I Will Come Again," "The Last Song," and the ballad "Another Time" keep Tools of Destruction from being a near perfect album, but this is one of the best power metal discs of the year.