Tag: tnt

I find TNT the most strange band. They had huge success with the Tony Harnell line up, the melodic rock vibe, and the darker metal overtones. Then, there was the Tony Mills period, which I really loved because Tony was a perfect match, but sadly Tony passed on. Then, there is the line up that recorded this album ,which was released in 2018 and is the only album to have Baol Bulsara on vocals, because we all know now that Harnell has returned again for the 4,000,000th time (slight exaggeration).

I have to say this feels more like a Ronni Le Tekro solo project, much akin to a Vagabond release than a TNT album as the music does tender to wander. Now, that’s not a bad thing as I find this to be a very interesting and cool record with some great arrangements and melodies. A perfect example of this is Its Electric. A brilliant song with a quirky riff and groove, but with a hook and chorus to die for. I’m sure Ronnie is a big Brian May fan as the main sound of the intro to Where You Belong is pure Queen, and that’s not the first album he has done that.

My favourite track is the hectic People Come Together with its monster intro riff and groove that really swings along. 17th Of May is just awesome, that killer dirty riff and vocal line is sooo cool and you could pick this also as a favourite tune. It’s tunes like this with that quirky vibe that no else does that makes me love this band so much. Of course, if it’s meat and potatoes melodic sing alongs like on Intuition, then Tears In My Eyes should make you more than happy.

Ronni is a rare talent and there are not many of his kind around. Long may TNT make records.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

There were three years between the release of the amazing Knights Of The New Thunder and Tell No Tales and in the 80’s, unless you were Def Leppard, that was suicide. Those three years enabled the band to take stock and change their sound slightly to a more melodic rock sound, which suited Tony Harnell’s more.

The riffs are still there though, as opener Everyone’s A Star is carried by an epic riff and groove, with Harnell adding that killer voice. 10,000 Lovers is next up and was released as a single. This song is all about the melody and harmonies but Ronnie Le Tekro still has time to put in a ripping solo. As Far As The Eye Can See carries on with the quality; another epic hook and chorus, and those trouser tightening high notes. Ronnie is such an original player, his tone and feel is incredible. Sapphire is an instrumental piece which starts with a very classical keyboard before some serious over the top fast guitar licks ensue. It’s hands and lighters in the air time with the ballad Child’s Play next. Side 1 closes out with another instrumental piece in Smooth Syncopation, and it’s Ronnie noodling on an acoustic.

Listen To Your Heart kicks things off in Side 2, and it sounds like a beefed up Styx song, especially in the hook and chorus. Desperate Night is straight up riff heavy 4-4 rocker. Northern Lights is another ballad highlighting Harnel’s voice, and is lifted somewhat by a great solo. Another weird instrumental piece in Incipits follows before the album close out with my favorite and title track, Tell No Tales. This is a throwback to the Knights album as this is full of fast speedy metallic goodness. A ripping riff and solo from Ronnie and what a killer vocal from Tony. A monster of an album.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

Only two albums after the awesome metal-ness of their killer second album, Knights Of The New Thunder, this, their fourth album is a completely different beast. Whether that was record company interference, or the band taking advantage of Harnell’s voice for a more softer radio friendly sound – I guess we will never know. One things for sure, this album raised their profile in the US thanks to the singles, Tonight I’m Falling, Intuition, and Take Me Down (Fallen Angel).

Now if you’re like me and love all things guitar, then Ronnie Le Tekro was something slightly different to the usual LA copycat crowd – his style and sound were like a breath of fresh air. He doesn’t get to shine so much on this record as the emphasis is more on the songs, but when he does it’s a joy to hear like on tracks like Caught Between The Tigers, which is trademark old school TNT with a killer riff and superb playing from Ronnie. Forever Shine On, a throwback to the older sound with a superb riff, killer playing, and Harnell’s voice and range is just insane. Even on tracks like End Of The Line, which is a very syrupy ballad but Ronnie’s solo is superb.

Still the same band, but changes a plenty. It’s hard to beat Knights as that was such a killer album, but I really like this album a lot and it’s still an enjoyable listen.

9/10 from The Grooveman.