Mammoth Thunderpower - I Am Thunder EP (album review)

This is one of the most pleasant surprises of the past month, as you never really know what to expect from a new (unheard) group.  When you find something like Mammoth Thunderpower it's always exciting.  A hard-driving hard-rocking band that steamrolls through great song after great song and makes no apologies.  Isn't that what we're all looking for?  A hint of punk attitude infuses their music with a real sense of edge and enthusiasm.

Vocalist Timm Nasario uses a lazy / soulful hybrid delivery.  There's a sense of urgency to his singing as he stresses and strains his voice on the accents in each line.  Chunky guitars and a bass that's absolutely mossy with fuzz create a rich atmosphere of thrash metal roots, while the drums are played slow casting the spell of doom.  It's this thrash / doom dichotomy that makes it memorable.  Huge riffs and even bigger attitude separate this band from the pack.

Opener "Bone Throne" leaves a strong first impression.  A ferocious twin guitar attack with  throbbing fuzzed out bass and a group shout for the chorus make this one of the year's most memorable openers.  Everything the band brings to the table is on display here from the feedback at the beginning of the track to the dying fadeout, everything you need to know about the band is in this one. If you're not hooked by the end of this one, then you don't like music.

"Demon Wings" bring into play some keyboards for atmosphere during the chorus, which is somewhat reminiscent of Italian horror doom, "Firesword" does so again, but perhaps more subtly.  Closing track "I Am Thunder" spikes the ball, summing up the band's sound and stating it with an exclamation point.

There's not a bad song on here, the band carve out their own niche with a distinctive singer and twin guitars chunking away over fuzz bass that makes for a very distinguishable sound, while each song explores a different side to the band and explores new ground within the established framework.

A kick-ass high energy live show seals the deal.  This is a great band.

Highlights include: "Death of the Wizard" and "I Am Thunder"

Rating: 4.5/5




From: Costa Mesa, California

Genre: Doom, Stoner, Sludge, Hard Rock, Crust

Reminds me of: Bison, Bison, Bloody Hammers, Moon Curse, Summer Love

Release Date: October 24, 2012

Suggested listening activity for fellow non-stoners: Raging at the thundershower in the middle of the street wearing robe and slippies.



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