A Sound of Thunder-The Lesser Key of Solomon

Mad Neptune Records
2014

On September 9th Washington, DC-based A Sound of Thunder will release their fourth full-length album "The Lesser Key of Solomon". Up front the obvious must be stated. If ever there was proof that one does not necessarily need the backing of a major label to achieve success then it would have to be this female-fronted band and their Kickstarter-funded new LP! Produced by Kevin '131' Gutierrez (While Heaven Wept, Raven, Shinedown) and funded in big part by the "Legion of Thunder" (A Sounder of Thunder's loyal fan base) "The Lesser Key of Solomon" will be released on the group's own label and for members Nina Osegueda (vocals), Josh Schwartz (guitar), Jesse Keen (bass, keyboards) and Chris Haren (drums) this phenomenal album isn't just as good as it gets for the band, but rather it serves as the group's defying moment while further proving just how criminally underrated this four-piece is! After the release of group's "Time's Arrow" (an album which made my best-off list for 2013!) it would have seemed hard to fathom that this progressive power metal band could have possibly bested it. But, here it is and with it's genre-defying mix of all things hard and heavy (it's not just progressive power metal anymore folks, but traditional heavy metal, speed metal, melodic metal, dark metal, symphonic metal and even hard rock!) and it's overall dark vibe "The Lesser Key of Solomon" leaves me thinking that not only will it make this year's list, but it might just top the list! Classically-trained vocalist Nina Osegueda, who has rightly been described as "the love child of Rob Halford and Bruce Dickinson", sounds better then ever as she stretches her voice to new heights! On "Udoroth" (a number that was previously released as a Kickstarter exclusive) she end's up leading the band through epic metal territory and yet she masterfully switches things up on the beautiful (Doro-ish) "The Boy Who could Fly". And then there is atmospheric "One Empty Grave". I'm at a loss when it comes to fully spelling out the power of this gripping number. It's wonderfully mysterious and for Nina it stands at a moment when all the stars align. At this point in the game Nina has the world at her fingertips as he leaves the listener spellbound by her alluring voice. To be fair it helps tremendously when you're teamed up with skilled musicians like Schwartz, Keen and Haren who combine their creative efforts in order to give their lead singer an ever-expansive stage upon which she can perform. This trio is instrumental (no pun intended!) in making sure that number's as different as "Elijah" (Savatage meets Dio while Merciful Fate looks on? Maybe. Only here there is so much more going on!), "Master of Pain" (sweet Dio worship!) and the heavy, power metal track "Black Secrets" all retain that one distinctive sound that is undeniably their own! With 10-tracks total (all of which are tied together thanks to this album's supernatural themes) "The Lesser Key of Solomon" has so much to offer longstanding fans of the group as well as newcomers. Ending with the eight-minute plus "House of Bones", which is one cut where the band elegantly lays their open hearts out for all to examine, A Sound of Thunder (or "ASoT" as their known to fans) has recorded the most versatile album that one could have only dreamed of and whether you can lay a definitive tag at feet of this motivational band or not isn't much of a problem. The real problem is having to wait until September 9th in order to have the whole package (music, booklet, stunning artwork, etc.) come in it's physical form!

https://www.facebook.com/ASoundOfThunder

Want to have your own copy of this spectacular metal masterpiece? If so then head to the link below to pre-order "The Lesser Key of Solomon".

 http://www.asoundofthunder.bigcartel.com/

A Sound of Thunder-" Udoroth" Single (Kickstarter Exclusive Version)

A Sound of Thunder
2013

Once again Washington, DC's A Sound of Thunder turned to their friends and fans to fund their forth studio album, "The Lesser Key of Solomon" through Kickstarter. Having surpassed their initial goal the band now get's to turn their attention towards wrapping up what is sure to be another epic heavy metal album! As a big thank you to all of their supporters the group recently released a "Kickstarter Exclusive Version" of the killer single "Udoroth". Now, for those of you who might not be in the know (as far as this exceptional female-fronted traditional heavy metal band is concerned) first let me just state the obvious (for the record and all that jazz). If you've never bore witness to this mighty metal act, which features the powerful vocals of Nina Osegueda (pictured above*), then it must be said that you are missing out BIG TIME! This four-piece band features the technical wizardry of Josh Schwartz and if anyone should have their own series of instructional DVDs it's this guy! This underrated guitarist could easily stand toe to toe and eye to eye with some of the best shredders and when you add his skills with Nina's stunning voice then you're talking about fire in the sky! Of course this band comes fully-assembled thanks to a spectacular rhythm section in the form of bassist Jesse Keen and drummer Chris Haren! Musically A Sound of Thunder takes the best parts of bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Armored Saint, Dio, Metal Church/Reverand, Hammerfall, Rush, Heaven and Hell, Riot, Seven Witches, Helstar, Black Sabbath, Helloween and Savatage and, after giving them a complete makeover which includes some freakin' fantastic female vocals (yes, the vocals of Nina really are that good!), pulls back the curtain to reveal a truly original and powerful metal project! With A Sound of Thunder's 4th studio album due sometime in 2014 this is a great way to tied fans over as "Udoroth" finds this band performing at their absolute best!


* Sure, I could have probably used a picture of the tentative artwork for "The Lesser Key of Solomon" or even a group shot, but let me be honest here and just come out and say it: There is nothing better in this world then a beautiful women with a killer set of heavy metal lungs! And given the fact that Nina is as lovely a person on the inside as she is on the outside then why not pay tribute to her with a picture that just screams "I am a true heavy metal warrior and I will not be stopped!"? 

A Sound of Thunder-Time's Arrow

Mad Neptune Records
2013

I'll apologize to fellow fans right now and right up front. You're going to hate me as A Sound of Thunder's third full-length album, "Time's Arrow", is epic and one of the BEST album's I've heard so far this year. Why would you hate me then? It's simple really as you'll have to wait to hear for yourself how killer this release is! I am so very sorry for that as you will be missing out what is some of Nina Osegueda's finest singing and Josh Schwartz's best guitar solos. A great example of this is on the track "I'll Walk With You". Nina's vocals seem to only get better with each new album and Josh has saved some his best licks for "Time's Arrow" by the sound of things! Of course it's not like drummer Chris Haren (who wrote the lyrics on "Time's Arrow") and bassist Jesse Keen don't get their chances to show off. In fact, incredible as this might sound, bassist Jesse Keen get's his first ever bass solo on "My Disease" and man, does he ever make the best of it! Why it's taken them this long to showcase his mad skills is a mystery to me. Anyway, while "My Disease", which features current Wolfsbane/ former Iron Maiden front-man Blaze Bayley doing a duet with Nina, might be one of the album's heaviest moments (it most certainly shows off the influence that Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden had on both artists careers respectfully) it's actually some of the album's more adventurous material I truly appreciated. "Reign of the Hawklords", the band's tribute to the one and only Hawkwind (for you young kids that Lemmy's old band), was available as a early download for those who ordered the "Queen of Hell" EP and is equally different and deliciously dangerous. Meanwhile you've got the bluesy "End of the Road" which seems to be more in tune with classic rock then classic metal. Both work and show that band's do not need to have cookie-cuter songs that all sound alike to be good. Of course record labels couldn't seem to grasp that (their loss!) so the band formed Mad Neptune Records to release their music their way. Of course the result speaks for itself! With this more "adventurous" metal does that mean the band has abandoned their roots? In short: HELL NO! "Broken Bridge" is traditional heavy metal in nature while "Wastelands", which pushes Nina's voice to extremes, flirts with American power metal. Again, these tracks showcase a band that has grown strong and more confident in their abilities. If they were not so well-versed in their craft it's doubtful they could pull off the nearly 10-minute title cut as well as they do. "Time's Arrow" (the song) actually began life back in 2008 as a home demo recording. Guitarist Schwartz would have to wait until all of the pieces were in order though before the band could undertake the songs dynamic and complex structure. It's not the only number that pulls out the Deep Purple card (see "Wastelands"), but it's the best example of how a band can take their influences, whether they be Black Sabbath/Iron Maiden or Deep Purple/Rush as in the case of A Sound of Thunder, and turn them into something compelling and unique. With it's multiple change-ups it's an epic number sure to please your discriminating progressive metal friends! Really though there is something here for everyone metal-wise and yet it all still sounds like A Sound of Thunder. While the album is not due out until June 4th (North America) the band will be releasing the single "I Will Not Break" in April to help tide fans over. "I Will Not Break" (which is loud, proud and in your face!) is what Halestorm would sound like if they were a true metal band. At a little under 4 minutes it's one of the album's shorter songs, but that allows the band to come in, make their point that this is how radio metal should sound like, and get out! If there's justice (doubtful) "I Will Not Break" would only serve to break this band into the mainstream. For now though their message will have to reach new listeners one metalhead at a time. Maybe it's better that way anyhow as A Sound of Thunder care more about their fans then fame. There are not a lot of groups you can say that about sadly. Anyway, the album is currently available for pre-order as both a standard edition (nice) and deluxe limited box set (VERY nice!) at the band's official store. While it might still be early in the year, and since there are a lot of good albums that are supposed to be coming down the line, I can guarantee you that "Time's Arrow" will make my best-of list for 2013! From the second that "Time's Arrow" kicks down the front door with the superb speed metal onslaught that is "Power Play" (a killer opener if ever there was one!) until it closes things up with the unique "Reign of the Hawklords" (you have to hear it for yourself to appreciate it's quirky nature!) the band never gives you reason to pause. Truly each track brings something different to the table which makes this album a sensational listen and a must-own. Highly recommended!

A Sound of Thunder-Queen of Hell EP

Self-Release
2013


My first exposure to U.S. metal act A Sound Of Thunder came courtesy of  "Out Of The Darkness", the band's second full-length album. Since "Out Of The Darkness" made my best-off list for 2012 it's safe to say the album had an impact on me. The truth is it inspired me enough to want to help out the band with their Kickstarter campaign to fund 2013's forthcoming "Time's Arrow" release. This four-track EP serves as a preview of things to come from A Sound Of Thunder. It's also a sign that the band is getting better with each new release. Up front I'm just going to say it: this EP is an instant classic. If  "Time's Arrow" carries the same high-level of energy (and since tracking for both albums took place at the same time there's no reason to think otherwise) it's going to be one hell of a year to be a heavy metal fan! As far as heavy metal releases is concerned this EP alone is golden. "Time's Arrow" is one of 2013's album I'm stoked to hear! That said let's get back to the forceful impact this EP should have on the heavy metal community right now. If you could give only one selling point for the "Queen of Hell" EP it would have to be the vocals of Nina Osegueda. Nina's been described as "the love child of Rob Halford and Bruce Dickinson...", but even that description fails to fully describe just how good she is. The opening title cut might show of her power, but it's "Hello Nurse" that really shows the full range of Nina Osegueda. This oddly fascinating (and yet extremely cool) number has a charm all it's own as it casually strolls about in the garden of Alice Cooper's mind. As the song opens with American-style power metal  you can't help but get a strong sense of fellow U.S. metal act Lizzy Borden's potential influence. That's of course before "Hello Nurse" turns into a classic rock number accented with a Billy Joel-like piano solo! It's a startling twist that shows how A Sound Of Thunder are not afraid to take risks with their music. Here the risk pays off in a big way as "Hello Nurse" is a fun and memorable number that will stick around in your heard long after the song's over. Now, as the band wanted the same producer and studio that they used for "Out of the Darkness",  Kevin '131' Gutierrez (Shinedown, While Heaven Wept, Raven) was once again enlisted and production took place again at Assembly Line Studios in Vienna, Virginia. In regards to that, guitarist Josh SchwartzI said that part of the reason they wanted the same producer and studio was so that they could think of the last album and the new material as their own version of "Blizzard of Ozz" and "Diary of a Madman" (as the guitarist rightly points out about the two albums "...they go hand in hand,"-not only chronologically, but vibe-wise). Speaking of all things Ozzy, while guitarist Schwartz was working with Kevin Gutierrez again the pair bounded over their shared appreciation for the Black Sabbath album "Born Again". That would lead to the EP's one cover track. While A Sound Of Thunder usually shy away from covers (as they would prefer to let their own music doing the talking) "Queen of Hell" features a choice cover of  Black Sabbath's "Born Again" number, "Trashed". With "Trashed" guitarist Josh Schwartz gets a chance to fully showcase his skills. His lead work is insane on "Trashed" just as it is on the EP as a whole. You can't just forget about the rhythm section of Jesse Keen and Chris Haren (bass and drums respectively) though. Not only does this pair offer the perfect background for Nina and Josh to feed off of, but when given the chance to shine both musicians are at the top of their game. All four members of A Sound of Thunder manage to work together in perfect form on "Queen of Hell". As if the title cut (which is a nice slab of American heavy metal), "Trashed" and "Hello Nurse" were not enough reason to love this EP you also get a duet version of "Queen of Hell" that features guest vocals by Benedictum's Veronica Freeman. And hell yeah!, it's every bit as good as you'd expect giving that level of talent. It's cool hearing two of metal's unheralded female vocalists tearing it up together and it's hard to pick one version of the song over the other as both versions are killer. Both vocalists are unjustly left out in the dark when talks turn to the best lead singers in metal (female or not!) which is messed up if you really think about it. Anyway, A Sound of Thunder will be touring behind this EP here in the US in early 2013. That will be followed later on in 2013 by a more extensive tour to promote "Time's Arrow". Among the dates currently scheduled is one with Doro and Sister Sin. Now that is a show I'd love to see! Hopefully their tour includes stops in my part of Ohio (or Ohio in general) . If they play nearby then by all means be sure to catch A Sound of Thunder live. Also, if you love good traditional heavy metal/American power metal then be sure to pick up the "Queen of Hell" EP. Speaking of which, rather then re-type everything I'll just give you the scoop straight from the band as far as what's available.Some items are insanely limited in quantity and sure to be future collector's items so get them while you can!

"Queen of Hell" is available in 3 physical formats as well as digital download:

LIMITED VINYL:
-250 Copies
- 12" Blood Red Vinyl
- Includes Free Digital Copy
- Includes 4" Emroidered "Queen's Guard" Patch
- Exclusive Inner Sleeve Artwork

STANDARD CD:
- Cardboard Sleeve Edition

LIMITED NUMBERED CD:
-25 Hand-Numbered Copies
- Signed by entire band and Veronica Freeman
- Includes 4" Embroidered "Queen's Guard" Patch
- Includes Certificate of Authenticity

CD & Vinyl editions can be ordered via the band's official store:
http://asoundofthunder.bigcartel.com


Digital copies can be ordered at: http://asot.bandcamp.com

A Sound of Thunder- "Reign of the Hawklords":Kickstarter Supporters - Pre-Release Download

Self-Release/Independent
2013

A Sound Of Thunder (who I assume took their name from the Ray Bradbury science fiction short story of the same title) are an American heavy metal outfit. This Washington, D.C.-based band was formed in 2008 and is fronted by Nina Osegueda. This particular track was originally supposed to be a B-Side to be included on the band's "Queen Of Hell" EP. Instead it will be on the band's forthcoming album, "Time's Arrow", which was funded in part by the group's Kickstarter page. If you couldn't tell by the title of this pre-release/Kickstarter supporters track (which was the track chosen in a Facebook poll as the one people most wanted to hear) this is a Hawkwind-inspired song through and through. Apparently the band's guitarist Josh Schwartz is a huge fan of the band so, along with vocalist Nine Osequeda, he wrote this track as a tribute of sorts. The song is inspired heavily by the Hawkwind tracks "Moonglum", "Brainstorm", and "Psychedelic Warlords" with almost all of the song's lyrics made up of Hawkwind song titles, strung together by Nina and Josh to form a very loose outline of a story! While it isn't a representation of what will appear on "Time's Arrow" (an album I hope to review) it is a fun track that might be a bit raw (in a good way), but is clever and indeed a fitting tribute to the original space rockers.