Legendary Brit hard rockers Thunder have all their EMI work collated through Cherry Red Records; an inimitable snapshot of a band who have their place cemented in rock history.

Release Date: 27th September 2024

Label: HNE Recordings / Cherry Red Records

Format: 7CD Boxset

THUNDER

Thunder are one of rock’s great survivors. For 35 years they have been releasing music and going on definite indefinite hiatuses – just never managing to step away! With the skill and quality amongst the ranks, it is clear to see why Thunder just couldn’t knock it on the head.

In Danny Bowes they have one of the finest rock singers that the UK has ever produced. Luke Morley is a guitarist and songwriter who has the Midas touch. Ben Matthews augments Morley’s guitar with his own six string. Throw into the mix a stellar rhythm section in Chris Childs on bass (since 1996 – just after this period) and Gary ‘Harry’ James on drums; the band is stacked with talent.

Formed by Bowes, Morley and James in 1989 (along with Matthews and Mark “Snake” Luckhurst on bass) Thunder enjoyed great success in the early 90’s. They signed to EMI and produced a string of huge rock hits and released consistently brilliant albums.

THE ALBUMS

Backstreet Symphony, Laughing On Judgement Day and Behind Closed Doors all bothered the charts. Produced by former Duran Duran man Andy Taylor, Backstreet Symphony is still one of the best debut albums.

Boasting 5 singles and a Top 30 UK chart position, Backstreet Symphony opens up with She’s So Fine and Dirty Love; two songs that are Thunder mainstays. Add in Love Walked In, the title track, Higher Ground and Until My Dying Day, and that is over half an album that are genuine hard rock classics. There is also an inspired cover of Gimme Some Lovin’. A great mix of upbeat rockers and slower ballads come together well.

More singles success followed with Laughing On Judgement Day. The contemplative Low Life In High Places came first. It showcases Bowes’ voice superbly – the blues rock hue evoking Paul Rodgers. Its slower tempo start explodes half way through. Everybody Wants Her packs more power with brass punches throughout giving the track a really smoky feel. AC/DC licks are evident in some of the rhythm guitar and Morley blazes a trail on lead guitar.

A Better Man saw Thunder achieve their highest chart position. It is a primarily an acoustic ballad which sees drummer Harry James on acoustic guitar. Moment Of Truth is another highlight of the album; it is a combined Morley/Bowes/James writing affair and evokes a bit of Bowie’s Young Americans era in some of the music.

Whilst not scaling the heights of the previous albums, Behind Closed Doors still has plenty to offer. River Of Pain is a prime cut with a brilliant chorus and a real classic rock tempo. Stand Up is another belter of a track – again, the classic rock style bursts out at the seems. Castles In The Sand was the third single to be taken from the album. Sonically, it sounds like a sister to Love Walked In. The major change for Behind Closed Doors was the change in personnel on bass. Mikael Höglund contributed to the song writing process on Moth To The Flame and Future Train.

THE EXTRAS

Across the seven discs here, each album has a companion disc full of B-sides, live tracks, demos, 12″ mixes and other curios.

The B side feels like a lost art in the modern musical landscape. All of Thunder’s B sides from their respected eras are here. Some songs offered are acoustic versions of album tracks. For bands like Thunder, many songs will probably have started acoustically before being given the full band treatment. It is interesting to hear the acoustic takes on Dirty Love and Higher Ground from the Laughing On Judgment Day extras. On the same disc, there are a couple of cover versions in the form of With A Little Help From My Fans and Lazy Sunday Afternoon. Another cover version on the final disc is a brilliantly impassioned Stay With Me.

Arguably the best bits of the extra material here is the live material. When Thunder were in the ascendency in the early 90’s, the played on two Monsters Of Rock bills in 1990 and 1992. Both sets are available elsewhere and only the 1990 set is available here, but by God, the 1990 set is impressive.

First on the bill to Whitesnake, Aerosmith, Poison and The Quireboys, Thunder take their chance on the big stage. Every single song is an absolute smash and you can hear the crowd bristling with excitement. Throughout the years, Thunder have been famed for their renditions of Dirty Love. It clocks in at just under 12 minutes here with Bowes inciting some great crowd atmosphere. The band are tight to the nail, and it is no surprise they were back on the same stage on the back of Laughing On Judgement Day in 1992.

A BRILLIANT COLLECTION

Thunder are genuinely one of rock music’s most underrated acts. The output in this release shows the greatest side of the band. It is no surprise that A Better Man was a hit with bands like Mr Big and Extreme having big success with singles in the same vein. This collection will be nothing new to the everyday Thunder fan as plenty of the material is available. However, if you are new to the band, this is the perfect introduction. Three brilliant albums, some brilliant live sets, interesting B sides and excellent cover versions. At the moment, Thunder are ‘on ice’ but you better believe they’ll be back at some point.

Check out Backstreet Symphony from Donington 1990 below. A crowd in the moment, and a band with all the exuberance in the world.

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