THUNDERHEAD is releasing a 2024 remastered version of their 1989’s debut album “Behind The Eight-Ball“, a bit overlooked rocking album deserving a re-vamp. Thunderhead was a German band, but which German band from that era had such cocky lyrics and English-perfect pronunciation? With their Phil Mogg-esque lyricism and street smarts singer Ted Bullet could have been straight from the streets of New York… And as it happens he is!
Thunderhead was a German band but their style & sound on “Behind The Eight-Ball” is very American / British. Nothing exemplifies this better than the opening, ripping title-track; blazing, rockin’ metal like the wildest side of Skid Row. It’s pretty unusual for a band of this style to write something so gritty too, a song about addiction. Thunderhead delivers an edgy, jittery song reflective of its subject matter.
Musically “Behind The Eight-Ball” is quite typical of its time; heavier tracks are still quite rocky and you’ll still find plenty of references to, say, Thin Lizzy and UFO even when the band picks up the tempo. For instance, ‘Take it to the Highway’ really does just sound like a 1970s UFO song sped up, which isn’t such a bad thing in my book.
Like other bands of their time – Leatherwolf, WASP, Saxon etc – the band occupy the badlands between hard rock and heavy metal.
They even try their hand at a ballad, but keeping the metal nerve; Ted Bullet’s voice is certainly earnest enough to pull off a ballad but not about crying in the rain or cowboys who must leave in the morning. ‘Life in the City’, tellingly, is an ode to alienation in the city. The arrangement is very good, including keyboards, yet not to sweeten the song.
When they’re at their best here they’re really cooking, and some tracks here really stand out. On the other hand, however, there’s a fair bit of overly familiar material. But the whole material is delivered with vigor and passion.
Make no mistake about it; this isn’t a ground-breaking act by any means but they’re convincing and Bullet is certainly a commanding vocalist.
A strong album worth to revisit with a fine remastering job.
Tracklist:
1. Behind the Eight-Ball (2024 Remaster) (03:21)
2. Ready to Roll (2024 Remaster) (02:59)
3. Take It to the Highway (2024 Remaster) (03:28)
4. (You Don't Keep Me) Satisfied [2024 Remaster] (03:54)
5. The Fire's Burning (2024 Remaster) (04:01)
6. Let Go (2024 Remaster) (03:18)
7. Open All Night (2024 Remaster) (03:48)
8. Life in the City (2024 Remaster) (04:22)
9. Just Another Lover (2024 Remaster) (02:49)
10. Straight Shooter (2024 Remaster) (03:27)
11. Take Me to the Limit (2024 Remaster) (03:49)
12. Beyond the Universe (2024 Remaster) (04:35)
13. Alcohol (Live) [2024 Remaster] (03:53)
Thunderhead – Behind the Eight-Ball (2024 Remaster) 320 + FLAC
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