Review by Felix on December 24, 2021.

As far as I can judge, Dublin is a busy, pulsating city and thus it is just logical that Gama Bomb also do not need much sleep. Okay, Thunder Over London presents only one brand new piece, the title track. But one is better than none and frankly speaking, I also did not know the two further tracks so far - shame on me. So let’s analyze the (almost) twelve minutes of gamabombinable music.

As always, the permanently loony dudes celebrate pure doom that triggers depression, frustration and suicidal thoughts… okay, bad joke. True is that Thunder Over London is filled with typical Gama Bomb stuff. All trademarks of the band show up: dynamic guitars, high speed rhythms, the high-pitched screams of Philly Byrne and an overdose of energy. The technical skills guarantee precise sounds, while the transparent and powerful production lends the songs the right frame. Maybe there are some differences between the different tracks in terms of the sound due to different recording sessions, but they can be neglected. On the other hand, it is pretty annoying that Thunder… seems to be a digital-only release. Shitty format, or better: no format at all.

The newest track is straight, impulsive and delivers a good chorus, but its best part begins as soon as the intensive high velocity bridge sets in. The staccato gang shouts and Philly’s smooth lead vocals are a nice contrast and the outstanding guitar line of the bridge makes my pulse run faster. By the way, Gama Bomb don’t play the funny clown here. The lyrics deal with a serious topic and prophesy a bleak future for London, Paris and Berlin (but at least the German capital is used to be destroyed from time to time, so don’t worry). The further songs, 'Reveal The Shrieking Skull' as well as 'Shut Up And Shout', are far from typical outtakes (sorry: bonus tracks). Maybe they do not get a place on your personal Gama Bomb best of, but that is rather due to the meanwhile already very rich discography of the Irish sirens. As said before, they are very busy – and they always do a good job.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Felix on December 24, 2021.

As far as I can judge, Dublin is a busy, pulsating city and thus it is just logical that Gama Bomb also do not need much sleep. Okay, Thunder Over London presents only one brand new piece, the title track. But one is better than none and frankly speaking, I also did not know the two further tracks so far - shame on me. So let’s analyze the (almost) twelve minutes of gamabombinable music.

As always, the permanently loony dudes celebrate pure doom that triggers depression, frustration and suicidal thoughts… okay, bad joke. True is that Thunder Over London is filled with typical Gama Bomb stuff. All trademarks of the band show up: dynamic guitars, high speed rhythms, the high-pitched screams of Philly Byrne and an overdose of energy. The technical skills guarantee precise sounds, while the transparent and powerful production lends the songs the right frame. Maybe there are some differences between the different tracks in terms of the sound due to different recording sessions, but they can be neglected. On the other hand, it is pretty annoying that Thunder… seems to be a digital-only release. Shitty format, or better: no format at all.

The newest track is straight, impulsive and delivers a good chorus, but its best part begins as soon as the intensive high velocity bridge sets in. The staccato gang shouts and Philly’s smooth lead vocals are a nice contrast and the outstanding guitar line of the bridge makes my pulse run faster. By the way, Gama Bomb don’t play the funny clown here. The lyrics deal with a serious topic and prophesy a bleak future for London, Paris and Berlin (but at least the German capital is used to be destroyed from time to time, so don’t worry). The further songs, 'Reveal The Shrieking Skull' as well as 'Shut Up And Shout', are far from typical outtakes (sorry: bonus tracks). Maybe they do not get a place on your personal Gama Bomb best of, but that is rather due to the meanwhile already very rich discography of the Irish sirens. As said before, they are very busy – and they always do a good job.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Felix on December 24, 2021.

As far as I can judge, Dublin is a busy, pulsating city and thus it is just logical that Gama Bomb also do not need much sleep. Okay, Thunder Over London presents only one brand new piece, the title track. But one is better than none and frankly speaking, I also did not know the two further tracks so far - shame on me. So let’s analyze the (almost) twelve minutes of gamabombinable music.

As always, the permanently loony dudes celebrate pure doom that triggers depression, frustration and suicidal thoughts… okay, bad joke. True is that Thunder Over London is filled with typical Gama Bomb stuff. All trademarks of the band show up: dynamic guitars, high speed rhythms, the high-pitched screams of Philly Byrne and an overdose of energy. The technical skills guarantee precise sounds, while the transparent and powerful production lends the songs the right frame. Maybe there are some differences between the different tracks in terms of the sound due to different recording sessions, but they can be neglected. On the other hand, it is pretty annoying that Thunder… seems to be a digital-only release. Shitty format, or better: no format at all.

The newest track is straight, impulsive and delivers a good chorus, but its best part begins as soon as the intensive high velocity bridge sets in. The staccato gang shouts and Philly’s smooth lead vocals are a nice contrast and the outstanding guitar line of the bridge makes my pulse run faster. By the way, Gama Bomb don’t play the funny clown here. The lyrics deal with a serious topic and prophesy a bleak future for London, Paris and Berlin (but at least the German capital is used to be destroyed from time to time, so don’t worry). The further songs, 'Reveal The Shrieking Skull' as well as 'Shut Up And Shout', are far from typical outtakes (sorry: bonus tracks). Maybe they do not get a place on your personal Gama Bomb best of, but that is rather due to the meanwhile already very rich discography of the Irish sirens. As said before, they are very busy – and they always do a good job.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by JD on March 12, 2013.

I was sent a CD from Poland based band called Crimson Valley to do my little writing schtick on. Have to admit that I was expecting to have more extreme metal end of things to rattle my fillings with, as Poland has been coming to be known for its nasty yet very eclectic versions of extreme metal but lets just say that this Crimson Valley CD ended up being a refreshing turn of metallic fortunes for me... and showed me another side of the Polish Metal scene I had no thought about.

Taking from such bands Iron Maiden, Omen and Judas Priest... Crimson Valley plays old school metal with a slight tinging of Power Metal sort of like older Satavage. It sounds like all of the mentioned bands, and yet this Polish five piece have seem to find that perfect balancing act between sounding like their influences and being original. As hard as that sort of thing is to do, they have done it and with class.

Songs like the mighty Maiden inspired galloping melodies of 'Clan Of The Hammer' or going back to the album’s opening Omen styled 'Chariot Of War' shows and beyond - every track in fact perfectly illustrates that beautiful balance of originality and idolizing their inflences that ends up crafting their styles.

I love old school metal, especially when the band in question brings a fresh and new tilt to the time honoured style and ends up kicking my ass in the process. Old is new at that exact moment and that is a very good thing to have. If you lean to the old school or breaking into the more newer metal does not matter, this is a completely solid, extremely well played on and good album. It is a perfect CD to go into anyone’s metal collection and that is including all of the discriminating headbangers out there.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9.5
Atmosphere: 9.5
Production: 9
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 9.5

Rating: 9.2 out of 10