As requested, here’s “All I Want”, the rare one of only album from Stuttgart, Germany based classic metal act THUNDER. The original LP was rare already, independent released by themselves and distributed in the south of Germany only. And now it’s also rare this Karthago Records first time on CD reissue, as part of their ‘Heavy Metal Classics’ series, a limited edition to 500 copies, hand-numbered, ncluding a holographic guarantee certificate.
Remastered by Rocco Stellmacher, “All I Want [Karthago Records Heavy Metal Classics series / Remastered +10]” includes no less than 10 bonus tracks, all with very good sound quality.
“All I Want” is Judas Priest-inspired classic metal, riff-driven with that early Eighties atmospheres and plenty of melody. But this is German metal from the go, that ‘special sound’ the teutonic metal acts had in the first half of the ’80s. Add Accept and Krokus to their influences all over the material on offer here.
Reinforcing the bands moniker, the album opens with a distinct rumbling of the skies on the track ‘Eye of Thunderstorm’ whipping into breakneck speed Judas Priest (and I mean Heavily Judas Priest sounding) Metal. The vocals of Wolfgang Schorer on the first two tracks are incredibly Halford inspired. Even the solos echo early 80s Priest, with twin guitar trade-offs taking place underneath soaring vocals.
‘The Raven’ continues the rocking assault, but takes a turn for the NWOBHM. Slightly groovier than its predecessor, it is still one of the standouts, delivering punch on guitar.
While these ones are no holds barred thrillers, the third cut title track ‘All I Want’ slows things down and ventures into boogie inspired gang vocal infused anthem territory “All I Want… is rock n roll!!!!!” Great drinkin’ party anthem, with a heavy NWOBHM presence. Pretty straight forward number, with no real song-writing genius, but as good as any middle of the road NWOBHM anthem.
More depth in feeling is evident in tracks like ‘Stop Cry Out’, with some buzzing riffage, under an emotional punchy riff almost in the vein of Thin Lizzy; again real NWOBHM-y. For some reason, this track reminds of me of Steeler (US), the Steeler with Malmsteen on guitar. A bass lead can also be found on this one.
Track five is a metal ballad heavily entrenched in late Seventies melody ready for FM radio. Quite emotive, and well rounded without cheese. This stands in stark contrast to the very Krokus sounding (especially the intro) effort in the following track. Another high point in my opinion, with a heavy metal title, ‘Beheaded’ is a rough-and-tumble NWOBHM cruncher bringing to mind everything from 1982-1984. In one of the later choruses, Schorer again raises his pitch to a Halford-esque level, furthering the songs intensity.
The remainder of the tracks pick things up a bit. The so-80s titled ‘Heavy Metal’ speaks for itself, midtempo anthemic. I like the dirty attitude with which the vocals are delivered. There’s some effective backup harmony on vocals underneath much of it too, which work well.
Another rocker is ‘Listen to Heavy Metal Thunder’, which I quite enjoy on the headphones walking through the city. It’s at that punchy walking pace, with classic 70s Priest sounding riff-ery which is upbeat and may conduce head banging. More NWOBHM comes through on the vocals here.
In what I would deem a pretty damn good, but not overly great album, Thunder moulds together a decent cocktail of NWOBHM, 70s hard rock (think contemporary Priest, Germanic metal) with many strong points.
In many ways, Thunder deserves a larger audience on the strength to deliver this mix like few others. The vocals, while fairly strong throughout, are best displayed in tracks where Schorer raises pitch to a Halford sounding delivery. This ones definitely got smatterings of boogie hard rock / NWOBHM which are enjoyable.
Bonus tracks are in the same musical orientation, strong and well produced for the most part. ‘Rockin’ to the Bones’, ‘R&R Doctor’ and ‘Kickin’ Ass’ are more hard rock focused then the main album material.
A rarity, Thunder’s ‘All I Want’ is well worth a listen by all ’80s metal / hard rock fans.
01 – Eye of Thunderstorm
02 – The Raven
03 – All I Want
04 – Stop Cry Out
05 – Turtle’s Dying
06 – Beheaded
07 – Heavy Metal
08 – Listen to Heavy Metal Thunder
09 – The City Geek
BONUS TRACKS:
10 – Man of the Crowd
11 – Dirty Love
12 – Dark Horse
13 – Innocence
14 – Breakout
15 – Metal Hammer
16 – Rockin’ to the Bones
17 – R&R Doctor
18 – Kickin’ Ass
19 – It’s Your Life
Wolfgang Schorer – Vocals
Alex Grohmann – Guitars
Ali Schmidt – Bass
Gert Volland – Drums