| Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2025 | Artist Website: Hammerdown |
| Tracks: 8 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 42:43 |
Hammerdown independent May of 2025 sophomore album Thunder is a powerful joining of traditional heavy metal and straightforward hard rock with doom-like and progressive tendencies. Production, however, is somewhat thin with a muddy mix that while not detracting from the listening experience is noticeable all the same. Songwriting is solid with nary a skip button among the eight tracks, albeit not without an occasional moment of repetition. While not included as part of the digi-pak CD packaging or available at the group’s website, lyrics reflect the faith of the Freedom, California based power trio consisting of guitarist and vocalist Walt Combs, bassist and vocalist Dion Colucci and drummer TT Townsend. Little is known otherwise of Hammerdown other than it formed in 2006 ahead of releasing (also independent) eight years later its debut four song EP Rescue.
“The Warning” proves a powerhouse opener. Song identifies as a rumbling mid-paced plodder essential to indelible rhythm guitar and foremost low end but also reveals a moderate side in form of the genial instrumental interlude in which amicable bass underpins harmony guitars and bluesy soloing. The gruff and plainspoken mid-ranged vocals help lend comparison to contemporaries Weapons Of God- the two bands are uncannily similar as if cast from the same metal meets hard rock mold, a particular I reinforce in the most complimentary sense.
Initial seconds to subsequent track “Liar” finds blowing wind segueing to portent rhythm guitar. A more forthcoming tempo establishes as the song slugs ahead, jarring in terms of the venturesome temperament as subtle but distinct hooks and aggressive instrumental moments play paramount roles. Astringent refrain leaves little doubt as to the topic at hand:
Oh, he’s a liar
Taking all that he can
Oh, he’s a despiser
Don’t be part of his plan
“Danger Calling” takes a darker stance with slight power metal vestiges. Song begins bodingly to blowing wind only to pick up in baleful fashion, buffeting through its dutiful verse sections on way to the enflamed refrain backed by the group’s ever-present vocal snarl. Hammerdown takes opportune to exhibit its choice musicianship: Townsend shines with his multipart timekeeping, while Combs bestows lead guitar of a Rez Band style bluesy variety.
“Cry Out” is first of two tracks in the six-minute range. It starts to a short drum solo ahead of eerie bass driven feedback, carrying over the relaxed configuring flowing ahead in realizing a more laid back and unaffected side to Hammerdown. Yet, at moments notice matchless emotion bursts forth in line with songs message about ‘crying out’ to God:
Open your eyes
See the world around you
Open your heart
Let the love surround you
Break down the walls that have you down
Breaking the chains that have you bound
Cry out when you need it
Cry out on your knees
Lone complaint - and perhaps this is due to the songs length - but it can be somewhat repetitious as the refrain repeats again-and-again and again.
Second six-minute cut “The Valley” represents one of albums finer songwriting examples. Initial minute and half is instrumental as doom laden open-air guitar and menacing sound effects give way to slogging riffs. “The Valley” preserves the clouting form moving forward, touching upon the anthem like in terms of the catchy mentality to hold sway and aggressive as the contentious mentality almost borders on the extreme. Another treat is the left to right channel soloing.
On albums title track, Hammerdown opens the throttle with an effacing sound grounded in the swarthy, pinpointing the inauspicious double kick drum, and enterprising, rhythms touch upon the solemn and sober but without any insipid residuals. The corresponding old school eighties metal feel allows “Thunder” to command as an essential deep cut-sort of like Saint and Armageddon. Song proves aptly entitled:
Hear the thunder
Skies are black
Raining down
Hear the thunder
In the clouds, heaven awaits
I hear the thunder
Lightning strikes
On the mountain
The veil has been torn
The earth shakes
Soon and very soon He will return
Hammerdown hits its stride on seven and half minute progressive magnum opus “Time”. Song follows a pattern similar to other successful epics by delivering its share of variety, starting with the earnest harmonies that suggest of the staggering and distinguished vocal melodies that amplify the overflowing hooks triumphing over the thickset scene. Halfway in and “Time” slows to a crawl for a gently done spoken word portion ensued by intense lead guitar. Great song leaving impression of Barren Cross meets technical era Deliverance.
A cover to the “Rescue” title track closes things. What we have is by far the albums fastest, spouting near speed metal-based energy as rhythms disclose of the interminable and hooks follow suite with a curtly woven but unguarded feel. Periodically, however, song tempers for guitar harmonies of a surprisingly delicate nature. Impression is melodic heavy metal along lines of Messiah Prophet or Stryper’s heavier material. This is only song in which lyrics are available online:
Do you hear the still small voice inside
Will you make the choice to come alive
And live a life that’s free from sin
Love is reaching out to you
In your heart you know it’s true
With open arms He died, died for you
Still holding on to hurt from the past
You need a new love, a love that lasts
Hammerdown flashes such potential on Thunder, I see any areas of improvement with time and experience turning into strengths. Consider as an example as notes cohorts Weapons Of God, whose medium to good 2019 self-titled debut received a 75% Angelic Warlord review, much improved 2021 sophomore effort The War Within Us a 85% grade and 2025 third offering TRIbulation a potential album of the year 95%. The strength to songwriting and musicianship exhibited by Hammerdown in my opinion points to the group climbing a similar critical ladder of success. I encourage fans of straightforward heavy metal and hard rock to consider strongly Thunder.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “The Warning” (5:07), “Liar” (4:18), “Danger Calling” (4:35), “Cry Out” (5:54), “The Valley” (6:16), “Thunder” (5:02), "Time" (7:40), “Rescue” (3:50)
Musicians
Walt Combs - Guitar & Vocals
Dion Colucci - Bass & Vocals
TT Townsend - Drums
