THUNDERMOTHER: Dirty & Divine (HARD ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

In 2023, when the mood within Thundermother seemed to be just right, frontwoman Filippa Nässil decided to fire singer Guernica Mancini after six years of loyal service, along with Mona Lindgren (bass) and Emlee Johansson (drums), who followed in solidarity to form The Gems. Admittedly, the Swedish quartet had already undergone a major spring-cleaning in 2017, not to mention several changes in bassist since then, but the upheaval that took place a little over a year ago is of quite different importance, as Guernica had established herself as the emblematic voice of Thundermother, whose rise she helped to shape from her eponymous third puck onwards.

So it wasn't so obvious that he'd get over it easily, even if the guitarist had always been considered the undisputed boss of the band. But that was without counting on Filippa's fierce tenacity who, surrounded by new (singer Linnéa Vikström and hard-hitting Joan Massing) and old (bassist Marjsan Lindberg) recruits, returns more determined than ever. More inspired, above all.

Composed in just a few days and captured in live conditions under the guidance of loyal Danish producer Søren Andersen, “Dirty & Divine” clearly feeds on this desire to fight, and perhaps also on a desire for revenge, like a fist raised against those who doubted Thundermother's ability to rise again, to survive the replacement of three quarters of its members. In this respect, the song 'Dead Or Alive' slams like a declaration. Just over thirty minutes are enough to sweep away these unjustified doubts with a ferocious riff. A living dynamo, Filippa has lost none of her bouncy snarls as on the devilishly vicious 'So Close'.

Unsurprisingly, the Swedes didn't change, still cloaked in the shadow of AC/DC ('I Left My License In The Future'), which they make no attempt to erase. However, the evolution towards (more) melodic 1980s hard rock, already apparent on “Black And Gold”, is confirmed, as if the tour with Scorpions had left its mark. 'Can't Put Out The Fire', 'Speaking The Devil' and 'Feeling Alright', full of choruses and unifying refrains, illustrate this shift which should not be confused with mawkishness.

In fact, you only have to listen to the rough and wild 'Take The Power', featuring a high-pitched performance by Linnéa Vikström, who spouts off with joyous fury. While it's still too early to say that she rivals her predecessor, the woman who has accompanied Kamelot and Therion live pulls it off quite honestly in a fierce register that we've never heard her in.

While many of us doubted the band's ability to bounce back, they're back, regenerated and in better shape than ever. How long will this new line-up last? History will tell. In the meantime, dirty and divine, Thundermother provides reassurance, and that's the main thing. - Official website

THUNDERMOTHER

DIRTY & DIVINE

AFM RECORDS

HARD ROCK