THUNDERHEAD is rarely mentioned into lists of ‘besf of’ hard rock / metal from the ’80s / ’90s. But this batch of German road warriors with a hell-raising American frontman created some terrific music from the genre.
Now they are releasing ”Crime Pays (Refurbished 2025 / remastered +2)”, a reissue of their third album originally appeared 1991, including as bonus tracks the two songs originally only available in the Japanese CD pressing.
Simply put, ”Crime Pays (Refurbished 2025 / remastered +2)” is killer edgy hard rock record.
This is how you make a kick-ass, no-holds-barred rock ‘n’ roll album: sharp riffs, huge clean vocals, and a powerful rhythm section where you actually can hear bass guitar. Add to that a down-to-earth, crispy production, tight musicianship, and a bunch of very well written anthemic songs, and you have a winner here.
Think a mix of IMPELLITERI, 1990 WHITESNAKE, BURNING RAIN, SKID ROW, a bit of HERICANE ALICE, etc – heavy yet driving hard rockin’ stuff with a clean melodic sound ready to blast your ears.
American Ted Bullet is a talented singer with a vigorous voice and his technically skillful comrades surely manage their instrumental parts with passion.
The punchy ‘N.Y. You Let Me Down’, the groovy title track ‘Crime Pays’, ‘Let The Dogs Loose’, are among the best cuts. The catchy melodic rocker ‘Live With It’ reminds of BURNING RAIN or LION, ‘Ain’t No Trust’ rocks with swagger akin HERICANE ALICE, and the guys also deliver a monster midtempo rocker ala DOKKEN in ‘Life Is Only a Goodbye’.
THUNDERHEAD only lasted 6 years disbanding 1996 but they released some awesome albums in between. For us, ‘Crime Pays’ is the best, and if you never heard this platter you’ll be positively surprised.
Killer stuff!
Highly Recommended
1. City Cornered Man (Refurbished 2025) (03:01)
2. Make It Hard (Refurbished 2025) (03:32)
3. N.Y. You Let Me Down (Refurbished 2025) (03:47)
4. Crime Pays (Refurbished 2025) (04:38)
5. Let the Dogs Loose (Refurbished 2025) (03:39)
6. Forgive and Forget You (Refurbished 2025) (04:45)
7. Torture Ride (Refurbished 2025) (03:11)
8. Live with It (Refurbished 2025) (03:28)
9. What Mama Don't Know (Refurbished 2025) (03:22)
10. Life Is Only a Goodbye (Refurbished 2025) (06:05)
11. Ain't No Trust (Refurbished 2025) (04:10)
12. If You Want Me to Love You (Refurbished 2025) (03:30)
13. Space Station #5 (Refurbished 2025) (04:29)
Thunderhead – Crime Pays (Refurbished 2025) (1991)
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