This Englishman is best known for his time fronting BLACK SABBATH, between 1987 and 1991, then again from 1993 to 1996. He caught my attention in 1989 with the album ”Headless Cross”. TONY MARTIN is one of the best Metal singers in the world. It is an understatement to say that I have been waiting enormously much for his new solo album ”Thorns”. Does it live up to my expectations? Read on and find out.

Admittedly, he have been doing a lot of other things, but it took a full seventeen years before TONY MARTIN released this new, third solo album. However, it may be like a good wine, which takes a long time to mature and achieve the highest quality. ”Back Where I Belong” was his first solo job, which was released in 1992. Then it took thirteen years before the sequel ”Scream” (2005) came out. On most songs, Martin’s son Joe Harford handled the guitar. Nearly all other instruments were played by Tony himself, including a violin solo on the title track. In other words, the vocalist is also a multi-instrumentalist. He also uses his musical talents on the new material, for example on drums and bass. The rhythm section on ”Thorns” otherwise consists mainly of the British drummer Danny Needham (VENOM) and the Swedish bassist Magnus Rosén (ex-HAMMERFALL). The American guitarist Scott McClellan is a new acquaintance for most people. Together with Tony, he has been involved in the songwriting, where many pieces have been built around McClellan’s riffs.

The Sabbath-scented, fantastic composition ”As the World Burns” sets it all off. Here is heaviness and power. The drums make my pulse beat faster. The bassist does a very good job and Tony’s voice is superb. The musicians make a pause for a second and then Martin sings in a wonderful, drawn-out way. It becomes melancholic, dramatic and powerful in the incredibly good ”Black Widow Angel”. The Metal tones swing back and forth. The music is gloomy, but uplifting at the same time. The middle part sounds different, compared to the rest. It is like they are having a jam session at a high pace, where bass and drums play a prominent role.

The song “Book of Shadows” was the first one TONY MARTIN wrote for the album. It contains, among other things, a recitative background choir. The drumming is vivid and grabs a hold inside the listener. Singing and music form a nice dynamic. I get drawn into the song, as if it were an exciting movie. ”Run Like the Devil” is hard Heavy Metal, which takes the breath away from the hearer in a positive way. Here we also find a very skilled guitarplaying. If my neighbors had seen me through the window, they would probably have wondered what I was doing. Slight headbanging so the hair flies, hands up in the air and other ways to move to music. It is not possible to sit still though. The euphoria is complete.

Blues-soaked Metal with a nice drumming is heard in ”Damned by You”. Tony also picks up his Metal-violin. The music may not rush forward, but it flows around inside the listener, in a very pleasant and energizing way. It continues in the following ”No Shame at All”. My legs bounce to the rhythm of the drums and my body rocks. The piece has heaviness and attitude. Special guest on the bass is Greg Smith (ALICE COOPER, RAINBOW, JOE LYNN TURNER, DOKKEN, to name a few).

Tony’s vocals has always captured me. He pushes away with his voice in a strong way, and then slides on the tone, from high and down. In ”Nowhere to Fly” you can hear perfect examples of that. When Martin fills his lungs and keeps the singing in an extended position, then a smile spreads across my face, because he does it so well. It always applies and not just this song. During ”Passion Killer”, this alternates with a hoarse, growling voice, which talks more than sings in the chorus. The track is very heavy, which the bass strongly contributes to, as well as the rough guitarsound.

The recording of ”This is Your Damnation” sounds a bit flat, as in a small room with poor acoustics. The style is unplugged Southern Rock in a medium tempo, where the frontman talks in a melodic way. This track does not really have the same high quality as the other songs. ”Crying Wolf” is partly acoustic, with a nice, rolling rhythm and a very fine guitar playing.

The title track is a duet with the American Hard Rock & Heavy Metal singer and songwriter PAMELA MOORE. She is best known for her work together with QUEENSRYCHE, especially as the voice of Sister Mary on the album ”Operation: Mindcrime” (1988). On Tony Martin’s album, the last track is about a woman that has been badly abused. She has not only scars on her body, but also mentally and does not respond to kindness anymore. To her it feels like every word of kindness pierces her skin like thorns. “Pamela did a great job of portraying the despair that I needed, to make this song work”, says Tony. The piece begins calmly, with acoustic guitar. Then comes the heaviness and more intensity. The title word is sung by both of them, followed by a kind of pecking and almost sneeringly laughter sound. The tempo of the whole composition varies. It is a fine work, with powerful elements. When I later found out what it was about, I was even more touched.

The recording of ”Thorns” was a challenge in Covid lockdown, getting everyone’s performances from across the world, but producer Pete Newdeck made a fantastic work. He was able to overcome the pandemic by setting up an internet connection, so that they could work live on the tracks. TONY MARTIN’s Heavy Metal is a bit blues-influenced and has a slightly progressive touch here and there. The voice is full of power. The music reminds me of BLACK SABBATH and DEEP PURPLE, but Martin has found his own style.

This is so good that you become happy inside. I am overwhelmed. The Heavy Metal legend is back with a masterpiece. (Anna)

Bewertung:

 9,5 / 10

Anzahl der Songs: 11
Spielzeit: 49:06 min
Label: Battlegod Productions
Veröffentlichungstermin: 14.01.2022