The incomparable Thunderstick – of course the ex-Iron Maiden and Samson drummer from the good old NWOBHM days – can’t be kept down.
Here he is with his band recorded live in Fismes, France, ripping through a snorting set of some Samson Classics, his own solo material generally pulled from the ban’s last studio album (review here) and a cover or two chucked in.
It’s as live as it gets too. No overdubs, no nothing.
The ‘Stick (aka Barry Graham Purskis) drums up a storm on an unfamiliar kit. The rest of the band play tight and are clearly at the top of their game – none more so than a lung-busting vocal showing from Raven.
A driving Riding with the Angels (Samson) get things moving and the pace does not let up.
Go Sleep with the Enemy from Thunderstick’s previous studio album comes next with another Samson classic (Earth Mother) to complete a killer trio.
I couldn’t find any videos fom the show, so instead as a taster here’s the video for the studio version of Go Sleep with the Enemy:
Samson stuff and Thunderstick stuff keeps coming a-la Dark Light, Black Light and Vice Versa with Raven more than doing justice to Mr. Dickinson’s vocals form the old days.
Blackwing – the Curse arguably the centrepiece as something of a mini-epic.
Thunder Thunder is just that – heavy as you like – to close the set before a funned up version of Time Warp is the encore.
No doubt Thunderstick retains that almost mystical aura and not inconsiderable talent with a band here to match.
I think this quote from Raven sums it up: “The whole gig was a blast from start to finish with so many new friends made, a beautiful way for me to cherish that memory of that performance. It’s my first album with the band and I’m really hoping that people listening to it will pick up on the enjoyment that I and the guys had on stage that night.”
Now – I’m writing this on 11 April 2020. The CD was released a few weeks ago as a limited edition and sold out.
However – I’m informed that there is going to be a re-press as work on a planned studio album is held up due to “the virus” – you know what I mean.
Keep an eye on the following to see if you can snag a copy when more copies are pressed:
https://www.roulettemedia.uk/thunderstick-store
https://www.facebook.com/thunderstickofficial/
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