Thunderforged

Pounder is the traditional heavy metal band fronted by Exhumed's Matt Harvey, a group plays the kind of music that is right up my alley. Their meat-and-potatoes guitar/drums/bass configuration cranks out a flurry of riffs, fills and choruses on album number 3, Thunderforged. I've enjoyed their prior releases and expected to feel the same about this one, but I'm a bit let down if I'm honest. The guitar tone is weak and buried in the mix and Harvey leans into his vocals to the point where he comes across in an over-the-top way, like Paul Stanley from KISS but without the same level of charisma. "Metal Eternal," while not amazing, has grown on me with repeated listens thanks to its thunderous opening bass salvo and catchy chorus and, on the plus side, the lead work is a strength throughout the album. On the other hand, "Deeper Than Blood" is too reminiscent of those sappy '80s, lighter-waving ballads with the added knock of the vocal lines occasionally cutting across the melody awkwardly. I don't hate Thunderforged but it isn't as good as I was hoping it would be. There is value, but in the vast sea of trad metal currently available, you can find better.