The Burning

by

Thunderstone

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Released in 2004, The Burning is the second album by Finnish progressive/power metal band Thunderstone. Unlike their countrymen in Stratovarius and Sonata Arctica, who take a more clinical (and unfortunately more repetitive) approach to progressive metal, Thunderstone brings plenty of energy and aggression into their sound. They're as technically proficient as you'd expect from a European prog/power band, but like Symphorce and Tad Morose, Thunderstone lets you know in no uncertain terms that they are a METAL band first and foremost. Listen to the song "Forth into the Black" and ask yourself when was the last time Stratovarius had you banging your head like that.

The Burning is a fantastic metal album from start to finish. It's fierce and melodic, progressive and powerful, and full of energy. Anyone interested in European progressive and/or power metal should definitely check out Thunderstone, and the Burning is a great album to start with.

NOTE: There's a limited edition of The Burning that comes housed in a neat digipack and features 6 bonus tracks - covers of Welcome Home (Sanitarium) by Metallica, Diamonds & Rust by Joan Baez (later covered by Judas Priest), and Manowar's Heart of Steel, as well as three demo songs. These are the same bonus tracks found on the Japanese import, but at a far lower price. If you haven't already picked this album up, it pays to seek out the limited edition. If you have, you may want to consider upgrading.