What a promising band name… I was looking forward to my first encounter with this band, all though they have been around for nearly ten years - had I missed a southern rock gem?

I just wonder: what’s the point of making a stereotype heavy metal cover that looks like a discount version of Manowar – I think it gives a wrong impression of what style of music this is – in my opinion a complete miss!

New member in the line-up since their last album, is former Exhorder vocalist Kyle Thomas, who supposedly have been the inspiration for the vocal style of f. ex. Phil Anselmo (Pantera and more), and I had then expected something more out of the ordinary, than I heard the first time this CD had some turns in the player.

To begin with I was actually a little disappointed with this album, because I had my hopes up for some real kick-ass southern rock/metal-mix with nerve and conviction, and it seemed like the guys had just turned the handle of a barrel organ, making some mediocre stereotyped hard rock tunes. However, after some more spins, and realizing that this is one of the concepts of the stoner rock genre, not to be too innovative, but staying true to the original sound and template, it grew a little on me.

The sound is generally raw and crispy, as it fits this kind of music, mostly dominated by the guitars, drums and the vocals. The guitar sound made me think of 80’s Thin Lizzy, Black Sabbath or Judas Priest. The drums are very honest to the real sound, but partly seem a bit too thin for my taste. Finally the vocal is very raw; it doesn’t seem to have been polished with chorus or the likes.

Everyone in the band does a steady job playing, the drums are steady with stable rock fills, and if you are into “old fashioned” traditional guitar solos, you’ll love this album, ‘cause there’s lots of ‘em. I am not overly impressed with the vocals though. Maybe it’ll be better next time, when Kyle Thomas is part of the whole process of writing the material, and not just writes lyrics for already finished songs, as I understood had been the case on this album - I hope so.

So, to sum things up: Even though everyone on this album does what they are supposed to, it doesn’t quite hit my chord. In the long run the numbers get a bit too much alike, and it’s not a record I’ve listened to intensively all the way through at any time, but could be okay for background on a beer drinking night with the guys.

Conclusion: Are you into southern style stoner rock mixed with traditional heavy metal with no revolutions needed, try out Alabama Thunderpussy.

Recommended tracks: “None shall return”, “Valor” and “Greed”