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THUNDERGRAVE
For The True Glory EP

Evil Nöise (2023)
Rating: 7.5/10

Give this Mexican bunch a shovel and watch them dig, not only into the damp soil but the mists of time, particularly the 80s. Not only do Thundergrave boast a great and yet nonsensical moniker, but their sound is as equally stuffy and mesmeric.

We know by now that throwback metal is what’s keeping the heavy metal fires burning and with this debut EP clan members – Abaddon Thunder (vocals), Gabo “Iron Dragon” Garcia (guitar), D. Alhazred (guitar), G. E. Witchfynder (bass) and Ces Mandujano (drums) – have provided enough fire to torch the ears. This is melodious, striding metal that glints like an ancient and powerful sword. The guitars slay all enemies; they exist as metallic swipes of burning energy and playfully duel with the rumble of bass and gallop of drums.

Opener ‘Gates Of Destiny’ is a sizzling introductory instrumental which teases in the speedier ‘Warchild’, a brisk and heroic slope through battlefields of blood. Abaddon Thunder’s vocals are commanding nods towards power metal aesthetics as he confidently marches his troops across the frontline.

It’s no real surprise to hear a cover of Blind Guardian’s ‘Majesty’ (included as a bonus track) because Thundergrave are obviously influenced by that sort of dynamic and driving loping metal that somewhat feels decidedly Gothic (‘Castillo De Trueno’) and grandiose (‘When The Sword Cries’).

For The True Glory also features two other bonus cuts, the swashbuckling and pompous ‘Mistress Of The Night’ and ‘Only The True Glory’ with its wonderfully threaded leads.

Guitar is king on this EP, leads flash like electrical storms to the thunderclap of drums resulting in what is a cauldron of very familiar yet energy vintage metal worship which Thundergrave revels in.

Neil Arnold

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