![]() ![]() When it comes to the instrumentation Thin Lizzy deliver as they always do. Lynott even turns on his legendary charm for deep-cut Bad Habits and turns in a performance that would have been hokey in the hands of literally anyone other than him “Boys will be boys, girls will be trouble, and I’m a man of bad habits” is goddamn ridiculous and I fucking love it. Songs like The Holy War and The Sun Goes Down are far slower with an atmosphere that covers you like a heatwave while your house’s AC isn't working. That's not to say the album is full speed ahead the whole time. ![]() I was not being hyperbolic when I compared Sykes to adrenaline either, as exemplified by the barn-burning title track that opens the album or thrash metal cover standard Cold Sweat. Thin Lizzy decided to respond in kind and proceeded to write the heaviest album of their career. Not wanting to be shown up by all the fresh face youngsters, Phil tapped newly emerged guitar hero Jon Sykes (formerly of Tygers of Pan Tang and later Whitesnake) to replace outgoing guitarist Snowy White in the process giving the band a much-needed shot of adrenaline in an era where bands were only getting faster and louder. Not only were they coming off of back-to-back albums that, by all accounts, failed to match up to their legendary run from Fighting to Black Rose, but also the rapid changes brought on by the explosion of NWOBHM brought on by a litany of bands that all cited them as a key influence. When Thin Lizzy entered the studio in 1982 they had a lot to prove. That’s right my reviews are all their fault I accept no responsibility. At the time of writing this album turned 40 only a few days ago, and as such, I felt compelled to write a bit about it if for no other reason than the simple fact that without it I doubt I’d be here writing this review. Thunder And Lightning is a hymn for heavy metal and hard rock music.There are few bands more influential in music history than Irish hard rock pioneers Thin Lizzy taking the twin lead guitar stylings of Wishbone Ash and cranking up the pace, they carved a unique place in rock history, and to this day are cited as an influence by bands all over the spectrum, but you already know that. For me it's their second best album only surpassed by the awesome Black Rose. The band delivers, indeed, thunder and lightning! It's one of 1983's finest in every way possible. It's so complete the band innovated but didn't forget their past. It was risky but the band "placed their bet and won", for a big margin. Thunder And Lightning was a change in direction for the band for a more aggressive and heavy sound. Phil Lynott's voice and bass strings are perfect, with some excellent bass composition that allows this album to be as heavy as it is, and his voice is and always was?just perfect, enraged when necessary, but also melodic or romantic in love songs or when catchy songs come in to play Gorham's and Sykes' guitars are aggressive and heavy with some excellent riffs and solos in songs like "Cold Sweat", "Thunder And Lightning" or "Baby Please Don't Go" Downey's performance is divided into two parts, the fast/melodic compositions and the more aggressive and heavy drum compositions making one of his best performances in his career. Technically it is perfect and the band's performance is extraordinary making it one of the best of the group. This epic contains two different sounds: the classic sound of Thin Lizzy, combines melody and fast instrumental parts, but also, shows a darker and enraged side of the band with heavier instrumental parts and darker lyrics making it an instant classic. Thunder And Lightning wasn't an exception with hits such as the title track, "Cold Sweat", and "The Sun Goes Down". Although Thin Lizzy weren't and aren't a commercial rock band, in every single album they released, the band always had some big hits. It opens with the powerful and enraged "Thunder And Lightning" that makes the general image of the record although their heaviest release, Lynott and company were able to maintain their typical style of playing, combining melody and dark lyrics like "Heart Attack " or "The Sun Goes Down" but also, some strong love songs like "Baby Please Don't Go". ![]() Lyrically, the band was able to write their best compositions in years. Thunder And Lightning is the band's heaviest album ever, it contains strong heavy metal elements, that makes this album a very strong and intense output in their discography. Musically and emotionally it has a big impact in any Thin Lizzy fan, musically because it's a high quality heavy metal album and emotionally because it's the last album to feature Phil Lynott's legendary voice. It is also their last album with Phil Lynott before he died in 1986. This extraordinary heavy metal showdown is a 1983 release, entitled Thunder And Lightning, and constitutes, until now, the last album released by Thin Lizzy. ![]()
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