THUNDERMOTHER
"Dirty & Divine" (AFM Records; 2025)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
As you can tell from the reviews below, Thundermother reviews usually fall to Snidermann. I mean, he loves this band. But with this release, "Dirty & Divine," I thought I'd take a crack at reviewing the band's latest music.
I'm glad I did.
I understand Thundermother underwent some major line-up changes in 2023, and that this is the first album featuring that new line-up. Without going back and re-listening to the band's previous music, it seems to me that on "Dirty & Divine," the band haven't missed a lick.
"Dirty & Divine" is chock full of solid rock'n'roll. It's got the edgy, raunchy guitar, the driving rhythms and the straight-forward hard rock of bands like Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Scorpions, Pat Benatar, Doro Pesch and more. Hell, there's even a little of The Darkness here (as on "Feeling Alright.") The music is bright, dynamic and clear, with choruses and riffs that hook into your psyche and take hold, effortlessly pulling you through the entire CD.
My favorite tracks are the bouncy, aforementioned "Feeling Alright," the fast-paced "Take the Power" and the closer, "American Adrenaline," which brought to mind the hard rock pop of The Sweet. Special mention, also, to the track, "I Left My License in the Future," a pulsing number with amusing lyrics and a driving beat.
Sadly, I only gave Thundermother a passing listen in the past (you know, because Snidermann had claimed the reviews) but now, after enjoying "Dirty & Divine" as much as I did, I want to go back and experience their previous albums as well. I can't think of better praise than that.
For more information, check out https://www.thundermother.com/.
"Black & Gold" (AFM Records; 2022)
Reviewed by Snidermann
Once again I am blown away by two things: female metal rock bands and bands from Sweden. Well, Thundermother checks both boxes. This all-female rock band delivers a metal performance that hit me like a ton of bricks. Thundermother cut their first recording in 2014 and you know I will be reviewing the earlier stuff as soon as I can.
The music on "Black & Gold" shows the range of the band, from light rock ballad to heavy and hard metal music and everything in between. I have listened to this recording three times now and I have yet to figure out what the hell is going on and, frankly, I like that feeling! It puts the guesswork back into my job and I wish there was more like this. Music should be a bit scary, a little unpredictable. And when you listen to the recording additional times, the more you get out of it. Well, my friends, that is what Thundermother is like. Strange, more than a little arbitrary and quite different. But still a kick in the pants!
That is what I would call Thundermother: Different and unpredictable. And that's just where I like my metal music.
For more information, check out https://www.thundermother.com/.
"Heat Wave" (AFM Records; 2020)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
I had no idea what to expect when I started playing Thundermother's "Heat Wave" album. But I can sure tell you what I got: 12 tracks of vibrant rock'n'roll that's one of the most dynamic releases I've heard this year.
From "Loud and Alive," the very first track, "Heat Wave" sounds alive, like a rock'n'roll record should. It's loud. It's got monstrous guitars. It's got a vocalist who sings not only with talent and style but with a vivid personality that bursts its way through your speakers (or ear buds, or headphones, or whatever).
From that track on, the band plugs through a collection of rolling thunder that brings to mind AC/DC (both old and new) with their crushing guitars, spiraling riffs and booming rhythms. Of course, there are times when the band slows down, as on the ballad-y "Sleep," which kind of plays like a modern country-western track. "Purple Sky," more of a rocker, slows the pace for a moment as well but crescendos into something a little more heavy.
For the most part, "Heat Wave" keeps it lively and loud. My favorite tracks are the fiery "Free Ourselves," the rebellious "Into the Mud" and the title track, which features an infectious melody that grips you from the onset.
The bottom line is this: "Heat Wave" does what a great album should: Kick your ass and make you hungry for more. A quick Google search tells me there's at least three other Thundermother albums out there. Because I like "Heat Wave" so much, I'm going to hunt those down now! (Although I see that the line-up was recently totally re-vamped so ... well, we'll see).
Thundermother: Filippa Nässil - guitars; Guernica Mancini - vocals; Emlee Johansson - drums; Majsan Lindberg - bass.
For more information, check out https://www.thundermother.com/.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
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Copyright © 2025 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
