I’ll admit from the outset I am new to Thunderstone, but – considering they’ve only been properly going since 2002 when Nuclear Blast picked them up on their infinite radar – I don’t think many other people in the UK will have heard of them either.

The opening ‘attempting to be unusual’ bass-riff leads into a few just-better-than-average opening power metal tracks. Nothing strikes me too much, although the chorus of ‘Without Wings’ singles it out to be the most conformist and therefore destined-to-be-the-first-single track. I envision it taking part of the usual attempt to break the mainstream as a slightly heavier version of a pop track we’ve all heard before.

Had this been the only track in this mould it would’ve dragged in unsuspecting punters to the rest of the more exciting album. Unfortunately – that is an album that doesn’t exist. Tracks 3, 4 [the giggle-inducing track ‘I Will Come Again’ – I can imagine the video for the track doing euphemistic justice to this phrase…] and 5 play with as much emotional impact as the first two tracks.

By the time track 6 comes around – deceptively called ‘The Last Song’ – you sadly wish it were true. You begin to worry if the central riff to this track is the best Thunderstone can do – if so, Nuclear Blast have gone soft. Even worse – they’ve gone all Evanescence on us…

Track 7 brings out the trademark metal ballad of the floundering middle-of-the-road metal band. At this point I found myself thinking – if I weren’t a fan of Hammerfall, then perhaps this might have been my one ‘bland power metal’ band weakness. But I can’t help thinking Hammerfall genuinely embrace the power metal tag, whereas Thunderstone appear to have accidentally lapsed into the style.

Perhaps I should listen to their other two albums and make my final decision? Sadly, due to the performance of this one, I’m hardly inclined to do so. As the rest of the album fades away into the expected, I draw my conclusions:

Overall, the album is a disappointment – although as I had no preconceptions about the band – the disappointment isn’t too devastating. I have to say the singer has a strong voice, and could do well in a better outfit. As for the rest – Thunderstone (and – indeed – Nuclear Blast) should be reminded that today’s metal scene has little patience with bland pop-cum-power metal bands – only a few that truly believe in the genre should be allowed to get away with it.

For cases like Thunderstone (who sadly aren’t alone in their style), they need to find something innovative to make them stand-out. As I complete my listening of their album, I find myself trying desperately to remember anything I’ve just heard.

Indeed, I’m trying hard to remember the band’s name!

Standout Tracks:  Land of Innocence

Overall Score:   4 /10