Thunderstone

Thunderstone was created in early 2000 as a side project by former Antidote speed / thrash metal guitarist Nino Laurenne. The first demo was recorded at Nino's personal studio Sonic Pump Studios. Realizing the full potential of the project, Nino decided to create a full-fledged group. For the role of bassist, Nino's Antidote colleague Titus Hjelm, who also did backing vocals, was invited. Pasi Rantanen became the vocalist, Mirka Rantanen took the place behind the drum kit. In the summer of 2001, keyboardist Kari Tornack joined the band, adding Thunderstone to the quintet. After recording the first demo, the group was noticed by the Nuclear Blast label, which, in turn, was not slow in offering the musicians a contract.

In 2002, the group released their self-titled debut album, recorded at Sonic Pump Studios, with Nino as a producer, mixed by Mikko Karmila, who had previously worked with Amorphis and Children of Bodom , at Finnvox Studios. On the composition Like Father, Like Son, Timo Tolkki, an old friend of Nino, who once taught him the first guitar lesson, was noted as a guest. The cover was created by the famous German artist Thomas Ewerhard, who designed the albums Hypocrisy , Sodom and Destruction . The newly-minted group managed to win positions in several album tops for 2002 . In 2003, Thunderstone was recognized by Rock Hard Magazine's Revelation of the Year. The group celebrated their achievements with a massive Europe tour with Stratovarius and Symphony X.

After the tour ended, Thunderstone returned to Sonic Pump Studios to record their second album, The Burning, featuring Symphony X guitarist Michael Romeo. With the support of the video for the song Until We Touch The Burning Sun, which got into the rotation of Finnish television, the album shot up to 13th place in the charts in Finland. Due to the cancellation of the joint tour with Iced Earth , due to the injury of the group leader, John Schaffer (Jon Schaffer), to maintain their position and the progress of the group, Thunderstone went on tour with Axel Rudi Pell , during which they performed on the famous metal Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany.

Thunderstone's third album, Tools Of Destruction, was released in 2005. Single Tool Of The Devil, Ranked 3rd in Finnish Charts . In support of the album, several concerts were played in Finland. For the first time, the band went on a European tour as a headliner, with the support of Crystal Ball.

After a short break, in the fall of 2006, the group begins work on their fourth album. That same year, Thunderstone made its first visit to the United States. In October, the group was invited to participate in the national selection round of the Eurovision Song Contest. Not at all embarrassed by the new format, Thunderstone agreed. Thunderstone took second place in the polls, losing only to local competition winner Hanna Pakarinen. The contest ended with the release of two singles: 10,000 Ways and Forevermore / Face In The Mirror, each of which took 3rd place in the Finnish singles chart. Finally, in March 2007, Evolution 4.0 was released. Evolution demonstrated the dark side of Thunderstone, with its weighted sound, and a departure from the power metal that dominated early releases. The album took 10th place of the national chart of Finland . In support of the album, a tour of Finland and a performance at summer festivals followed.

In August 2007, everything was ready for a joint tour in Europe with the Swedish colleagues Nocturnal Rites , when Pasi Rantanen and Kari Tornak were unexpectedly excluded from the group. The reasons were declared "musical disagreements" and "lack of motivation" on the part of the dismissed. In a difficult situation, it was decided not to disappoint the fans and win back the planned tour. During the tour, Tommy “Tuple” Salmela took over the vocalist position from Tarot , in which he sings together with Marco Hietala. Jukka Karinen was invited to play the role of keyboard player ^[3] .

The temporary composition caused many rumors, which ended in February 2008, with the announcement of the new composition. The vocals were assigned to Rick Altzi. Yucca, having played the whole tour with the group, remained the key operator on an ongoing basis ^[4] .

In July 2008, the band began recording their fifth album. Originally scheduled for spring 2009, the album's release was postponed to September, due to the need for revision. Entitled “Dirt Metal”, Album is released on September 9, 2009 by Sony Music Finland ^[5] .

April 18 and 19, 2009 in Moscow and St. Petersburg hosted joint performances of Thunderstone and the Russian power metal band Epidemic . At these concerts, collectives, among other things, performed one song each other. On December 10 and 11, 2010, another joint performance of the Thunderstone group and the Epidemic group took place in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

In August 2013, vocalist Pasi Rantanen returned to Thunderstone.

The group made it to the finals of the Finnish qualifying round for the Eurovision song contest in 2007 and took second place, receiving 33% of the vote.

• Pasi Rantanen - Vocals (2000-2007, 2013 - present)
• Nino Laurenne - Guitar and Backing Vocals
• Titus Hjelm - Bass and Back Vocals
• Yucca Karinen - Keys
• Atte Palokangas - Percussion

Former members

• Rick Altzy - Vocal (2008—2013)
• Kari Tomak - Keys (2001-2007)
• Mirka Rantanen - Percussion

• 2002 - Thunderstone
• 2004 - The Burning
• 2005 - Tools of Destruction
• 2007 - Evolution 4.0
• 2009 - Dirt Metal
• 2016 - Apocalypse Again

• Thunderstone (Neopr.) . Laut.de.
• Mark Gromen. “Thunderstone - Apocalypse Again” (Neopr.) . Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles (May 11, 2016).
• Mike Stagno. "Thunderstone - Evolution 4.0" (neopr.) . Sputnikmusic (March 14, 2007).
• Mike Stagno. "Thunderstone - Tools of Destruction" (Neopr.) . Sputnikmusic (July 20, 2006).
• Wolfgang Schäfer. "Thunderstone - Thunderstone" (neopr.) . Rock hard .
• Jenny Rönnebeck. "Thunderstone - Tools of Destruction" (Neopr.) . Rock hard .
• Jenny Rönnebeck. "Thunderstone - Evolution 4.0" (neopr.) . Rock hard .
• Jenny Rönnebeck. "Thunderstone - The Burning" (Neopr.) . Rock hard .
• Jenny Rönnebeck. "Thunderstone - The Burning" (Neopr.) . Rock hard .