From the distant 2002 and their very first demo to the first official work of the Thessalian BLACK SWORD THUNDER ATTACK, the magical “March of the Damned” EP of 2020, this band has gathered a true cult following in the underground metal community, both in their homeland, Greece, and worldwide.
Emerging literally out of nowhere, shrouded in the mystery that befits a cult-status band that remains obscure despite the praise for their sound, BLACK SWORD THUNDER ATTACK has given us a rare and priceless gift—the thrilling connection to the unique legacy of the great William J. Tsamis. Very few bands can boast of keeping the flag of WARLORD and LORDIAN GUARD flying so high, so powerfully and proudly, and above all, so FAITHFULLY, as BLACK SWORD THUNDER ATTACK.
And they prove it triumphantly with this magnificent release—their self-titled full-length debut—one of the most eagerly awaited comebacks in the world of epic metal.
The first taste of the album was released just a day ago, and it’s the opening track, “The Black Sword”. With an intro that instantly sets the mood, a relentless outburst of guitar riffs combined with an unwavering galloping rhythm, a voice that sends chills down your spine, and a catchy, majestic chorus, the song builds up to the sound of bells ringing before the solo bursts forth, igniting a fiery spark for the continuation and conclusion of the track. It ends with a fade-out that leaves us breathless and yearning for more!
For which, we could never have been prepared…Yes, we hoped, we wished, we longed for an album that could at least touch the untrodden peak of the colossus named William J. Tsamis—an iconic musical figure whose imprint on lyrical USPM is UNIQUE, unmatched by any other!
But NOT EVEN IN OUR WILDEST DREAMS could we have imagined we would have THIS ALBUM!
Without unnecessary embellishments or pointless adornments, “The Black Sword Thunder Attack” has accomplished what countless bands out there fail to do while trying to draw inspiration from the grandeur of WARLORD—to make our hearts tremble with bittersweet sorrow at the memory of the ONE and ONLY, IRREPLACEABLE composer and guitarist, William J. Tsamis. Through the album’s tracks, you truly feel as if you can hear him calling us to arms from high above in the heavens!
And it is so moving that a band from his homeland, Greece—indeed, from a small provincial town—has achieved this.
Melody, lyricism, bittersweet drama, and genuine epic passion—the group of Chris (guitars & keyboards), Stelios (bass), Marios (drums), and Mareike (vocals) returns after five years as if not a day has passed, with an album that fully justifies the unwavering and immense love of the underground community for the band.
After “The Black Sword”, the tracklist continues with “Don’t Hear The Sirens”, known from way back on the “In Hell’s Reign” demo of 2011. Two other tracks, “On the Way of Acheron” and “Evil Sorcery”, also originate from that demo, along with “Through The Fires Of Hell”, first heard on the 2015 promo, and “Gates of Fire” the sole track from the band’s very first demo 23 years ago. These five songs connect us to the band’s past, and although three of them were also included in the “March of the Damned” EP, they now take their rightful place in the band’s discography with significantly improved production that enhances their value in full.
In my opinion, it was a very wise decision to place them in the first half of the album (except for “Gates of Fire” chosen wisely as the closing track) to leave room for new thrills for the old fans, one after another!
“Anvils Of War” is a galloping, rhythmic piece that sounds like charging straight into enemy lines on a battlefield! Brilliant guitar work—an authentic war anthem!
“Last Flight Of The Eagle” is one of those magical, lyrical songs that only BLACK SWORD THUNDER ATTACK can write—another heartbreaking yet beautiful offering at the altar of LORDIAN GUARD!
In “Master Of Hell” and “Song In The Night”, we hear once again that distinct guitar pulse with the amazing old-school uplifting solo, a signature sound of the melodic side of early USPM as shaped by William J. Tsamis.
If I must say a few words about the re-recorded versions of the older songs, I would highlight the emotionally lyrical “On the Way of Acheron” and the majestic “Gates of Fire”, which defines the essence of vintage epic style.
Allow me to end this with the lyrics of BLACK SWORD THUNDER ATTACK:
“Hey people
We call you
The Sirens don’t hear
They lead you to follow
The Masters of fear
You never
You never
Give fight for your soul
It’s time horn
It’s time horn
To raise up, to raise…
Your sword
Your sword
Your sword
YOUR SWORD!”
Mamercus
Let me get some things straight here. After listening to this album, I declare utterly unable to write a review that is objective and dispassionate.
What you will read right on, will be words which have emerged out of emotions in their purest form. I am approaching (in a couple of years) half a century walking on this planet and almost 35 years being a dedicated heavy metal fan.
As you can understand, it’s a little bit difficult to find many moments in time nowadays, after having listened to tons of music all these years, that will make you explode out of genuine enthusiasm or give you the goose bumps, like the first times we were listening to all the masterpieces of our music, especially as a teenager back in the ‘90s.
The debut album of BLACK SWORD THUNDER ATTACK achieved this level of excitement for me personally. Not only did it give me the goose bumps listening to the songs but literally, I felt tears from my eyes pouring down my face from the magnitude of the music.
Being a WARLORD and LORDIAN GUARD fan for decades, adoring the divine music of the lost (a few years now) but never forgotten, beloved in eternity William J. Tsamis, I can say that BSTA pay homage to Tsamis’ musical vision in the most ecstatic way.
It’s really difficult to manage my feelings when I have to deal with such a masterpiece. We are talking about the quintessential Epic Metal here.
Epic, lyrical, mystical, transcendent, soaring, uplifting, eerie and beautiful to an unearthly, heavenly extent masterpiece!!
Masterpiece from the first second to the last!
It’s really pointless for me to make a track-by-track analysis.
With how many words can you describe perfection?
Most of the songs have been carefully and thoroughly crafted many years now and some of them have appeared in demo recordings in the past, as well as the band’s ‘’March of the Damned’’ EP of 2020.
‘’Gates Of Fire’’, ‘’Don’t Hear the Sirens’’, ‘’On the Way of Acheron’’, ‘’Evil Sorcery’’, ‘’Through Fires of Hell’’ are songs that the loyal fans of the band have listened in the past but now are properly recorded and presented in their full extent with the best possible crystal clear and organic sound, without losing their initial obscure vision and dynamics.
The songs that have not appeared in previous recordings are ‘’The Black Sword’’, ‘’Anvils of War’’, ‘’Last Flight of the Eagle’’, ‘’Master of Hell’’, ‘’Song in The Night’’.
The riffs, either lyrical or battle galloping are extremely memorable and soul-lifting. I believe William J. Tsamis would be proud to listen to these riffs from his spiritual and musical children.
The use of keyboards and synth tunes is magical. These dungeon synth style tunes give a medieval and mystical aspect to the music, while the heavenly, eerie, powerful and grandiose voice of Mareike would make the unforgettable late wife of Tsamis, Vidonne Sayre-Riemenschneider to be proud and happy.
For me, the place for the best record of the year, is already reserved in my heart.
Congratulations to the band, to Chris (guitars and keyboards), Stelios (bass), Marios (drums) and last but not least to the creature with the godly, divine, celestial voice, Mareike (vocals) for this masterpiece.
This is not just an album. It is the expression of our souls with musical notes and a lifetime companion as an epic soundtrack of our lives to the unyielding path of the Black Sword.
Bersekeros
Hidden deep in the mist of time, in an age when malevolent forces confront with
mystical warriors. In this dreadful times the BlACK SWORD rises to deliver a THUNDERous ATTACK upon all those who invoke false metal.
Yes it is true, at last the very first album of the ultra-uber cult band BLACK SWORD THUNDER ATTACK, is here, after so many years they are present with their obscure metal.
Those who are familiar with them (especially with their debut e.p. a couple of years ago) need no further reading since you already crave for this one. Those of you who came across BSTA for the very first time, I envy you. Prepare to enter a realm of obscure metal, where melody and sweet guitar harmonies meddle with a dark, sinister yet sanguine atmosphere.
The band pays the ultimate tribute to WARLORD by creating an album that it could have been written by Bill “Destroyer”himself. Every aspect of WARLORD/LORDIAN GUARD is here, the trembly guitars, the balmy lead melodies, the tranquil vocals similar to Vidonne‘s, but above all the apocalyptic atmosphere. Most of the songs are mid tempo, simplistic in their form yet powerful enough with references not only to WARLORD but also to early CANDLEMASS and THUNDER RIDER.
BLACK SWORD THUNDER ATTACK is not for everyone and this is understandable. Their
music is for a few people who crave for obscurities and especially the dark medieval WARLORD sound. The rest of you seek something else.
P.S. btw, please if you buy two or three coloured vinyls just to sell them later, twice their price, please do us a favour and f*ck off.
Zippo
“Black Sword Thunder Attack” will be released on April 25th by No Remorse Records, on both CD and LP.
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
You can pre order both CD and LP here.
