I remember buying this when it was released and being absolutely blown away. The guitar playing of Ronnie Le Tekro alone was killer, but couple that with the incredible vocal range of Tony Harnell and TNT were a gift from the gods. This was actually the second release by the band – the first being a Norway only release. This album is way more metal than what they became famous for, with the slick sounding albums Tell No Tales and Intuition.
Right from the needle drop this album smokes. The Opening track, Seven Seas, has a killer riff and superb vocal harmonies. Ready To Leave is even better with a monster riff, driving groove, and killer guitar, and Harnell is singing as though is life is on the line. A classical acoustic interlude follows, before the epic Last Summer’s Evil dives in with a great choppy riff. Harnell’s vocal range is really taking off – reaching notes that you can only dream of. A sign to the future is up next with Without Your Love – a very slick sounding ballad.
Over to Side 2 we go with Break The Ice, which is a straight up stomper to shake the cobwebs off. The next two tracks were on the first album but have been re-done. Eddie is another slow ballad-esque tune until the big chorus and the killer solo. Then USA with Harnell rewriting the lyrics in English, and its another straight up rocker. The last two tracks, Deadly Meta, and Knights Of The Thunder are worthy of you dipping your hand in your pocket to purchase this album alone.
This is superb early eighties metal with awesome riffs, monster guitar playing, and unreal vocals. I like this version of TNT the best. Of course, the band are still going today and if you can grab a copy of the My Religion album on CD then do so – it’s a monster!
9/10 from The Grooveman.
