Norway’s TNT have some fantastic releases behind them, their traditional metal debut ‘Knights of the New Thunder’ in 1984 followed with a duo of critically acclaimed releases before heading for their most recent hard rock style and low profile. Whilst 2008’s ‘Atlantis’ was a welcomed return to form by some industry writers, has this current release got enough of the same to wet ones appetite? The jury is still out to be fair. Whilst this has already been released in Norway as ‘Engine’ under an exclusive distribution deal, the general release comes out on Metal Heaven Records, welcomed for championing the more traditional side of hard rock and metal in recent times.
I have to admit, from the opening tune ‘Engine’ the music comes across a little lack lustre. The lyrics are not really going anywhere nor dealing with anything relevant. Driving in my car and singing about my engine is not really a moving (pardon the pun) experience. Whilst musically, it’s bouncy, happy, but just a bit weak. ‘Refuge’ and ‘Ship in the Night’ comes across more like the TNT we know and admire, but the latter does have a solo remarkably like Europe’s ‘the final countdown’ from around the 2:36 min mark. Whilst ‘A Farewell to Arms’ is not bone shatteringly heavy as hell, there is melody, hooks and a strong vocal performance from Tony Mills. This is much more like it. The middle section of the album has some rocking tunes and the totally infectious hooks of ‘Don’t Misunderstand Me’ really sits inside your brain like one of those tracks you sometimes hear and just cannot forget, similar to one of their hits ‘Everyone’s A Star’ from earlier in their career. The lead guitar work is really good quality, but there is just something missing in the background, I don’t feel much wow-factor from the listening experience. The closing track ‘Harley Davidson’ (or ‘Not Only Lonely’ on the Japanese release) is referencing, yes, guess what, a disappointing way to end the album.
This is a strange album, the overall package is rather weak with nonsensical lyrical content, but there are a few flashes of genius, especially from the guitar work but I am not convinced that as a package there is anything special to write home about.
http://www.tnttheband.com/
http://www.metalheaven.net
