Label(s):

Metallic Blue Records

Released Year:

2025

Type:

Full-length

Tracklist:

1. 90 Tons Of Thunder2. Daredevil3. Fallen4. Dancing With Shadows5. Dead By Sunday6. Sinister Minister7. Tormental8. God, Guts, Faith and Glory9. Running Away From Freedom10. Chasing The Flaw11. Queen Of Pain

If you’re an old school heavy metal fan and the name LETHAL X rings familiar, then it has served its purpose. Comprised by former RACER X members Jeff Martin (BADLANDS, SURGICAL STEEL, MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP) on vocals and Harry Gschösser on drums, with Mike Szuter on bass and Milan Polak on guitar completing the lineup,LETHAL X’s name is an obvious nod to their heavy metal history. On a guest role, the album features former RACER X and MR. BIG guitarist Paul Gilbert and bassist Billy Sheehan (also of MR. BIG fame). LETHAL X’s debut album “90 Tons of Thunder” carries a healthy dose of nostalgia, as is also evident by the presence of the “Street Lethal” cover in the rear view mirror of the speeding vehicle in the “90 tons” cover art.

However, this nostalgia doesn’t translate in the band trying to sound retro. Old school heavy metal is what you get, but it is approached with fresh energy and modern production. Strong, upbeat tracks like the album’s namesake and opener “90 Tons of Thunder”, as well as “Dancing with Shadows” and “Chasing the Flaw”, deliver on that powerful heavy metal vibe. The last two have also been released as singles, and will give you an accurate taste of what the rest of the album is like.

That is not to say, however, that the record doesn’t have its quieter moments. Songs like “Dead by Sunday” and “God, Guts, Faith and Glory”, the latter completing the three singles released by the band for this record, are on the slower side, but they definitely don’t sag.  Instead, they add some variety to the band’s sound and their placement in the album enhances the listener’s experience.

In both cases, on tracks fast and slow, and to no one’s surprise, Jeff Martin’s vocals pass with flying colors.

All in all, “90 Tons of Thunder” is classic heavy metal, played in the 21^st century. It is musically directed at the traditional heavy metal fan, but without the intentionally vintage aesthetic used by many newer bands. These guys lived the old school days and, instead of trying to copy them, this feels like their next step forward.

LETHAL X  – “90 Tons of Thunder” will be released by Metallic Blue Records on January 15^th 2025, on CD.

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Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.