TORNADO — Amsterdamn, Hellsinki (review)

TORNADO — Amsterdamn, Hellsinki album cover Album · 2011 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
J-Man
If you're a fan of old school, riff-heavy, and kick-ass thrash metal, Tornado is one of the few bands out there on the scene today who manages to deliver the goods just as terrifically as the pioneers from the eighties. Even though this young act seemingly came out of nowhere, the music on Amsterdamn, Hellsinki shows that they mean business - and by business, I mean some of the most impressive thrash metal you'll hear all year! Tornado may not offer a whole lot in the way of innovation on this debut, but the sheer strength and energy of the songs is more than enough to compensate for that. Fans of thrash metal on the more upbeat and energetic side should be sure to get Amsterdamn, Hellsinki in their collections as soon as possible!

The music here is rather upbeat old school thrash metal with obvious influences from the likes of Forbidden, Artillery, Megadeth, and Anthrax. Tornado may wear their influences proudly on their sleeves, but the music here does sound new and fresh and I wouldn't ever label Amsterdamn, Hellsinki as a mere cloning exercise. The heavy and occasionally technical riffs are always top-of-the-line, and the rock-styled vocals are packed with power and emotion. Tornado deliver an extremely inspired performance here, and every riff breathes of power and raw aggression. Factor in the top-notch musicianship and the highly professional production, and you have an all-around musical success!

One of the things I actually found most interesting about Amsterdamn, Hellsinki was the lyrical content. The politically-charged lyrics about pedophilia within the Catholic church, global warming, freedom, and oppression are always extremely interesting, and the occasional dashes of sexual humor and profanity assure the listener that Tornado are still having fun in the long run. Whether or not you agree with the political agenda portrayed in the lyrics is almost irrelevant - Tornado's seamless combination of anger, intelligence, and humor makes this an excellent lyrical journey for nearly every listener.

Amsterdamn, Hellsinki may not be the most appealing album for those looking for a true act of innovation within the thrash metal scene, but it's an essential purchase for any fan of eighties' thrash metal with modern production values. It's rare that I'm left this impressed after hearing a thrash metal album these days, and I have to admit that Tornado are one of the most impressive acts on the scene right now. I'll be very curious to hear where these guys head in the future, and this terrific debut fully deserves 4 stars in my book. Don't let this kick-ass slab of old school thrash metal slip under your radar!
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
Time Signature wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I looooove old school, riff-heavy, and kick-ass thrash metal!!!!!!!!!!!!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

Hin helga kvöl Atmospheric Sludge Metal
SÓLSTAFIR
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Cycles of Suffering Black Metal
BURIAL OATH
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Suns of Perdition - Chapter IV: To Shadow Zion Black Metal
PANZERFAUST
Buy this album from MMA partners
Facilis Descensus Averno Death Metal
SAEVUS FINIS
Buy this album from MMA partners
Merciless Crossover Thrash
BODY COUNT
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

DAWN OF REVENGE - Sanctuary [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Farewell [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Curtain of Death - [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Vengeance [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - I Need You [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed