Biography
Thunderstone was formed in early 2000 by guitarist Nino Laurenne. The band began as a project for Nino's new songs that he wanted to record. After the first demo, Nino felt like putting together a real band. Mirka Rantanen was playing drums on the first demo and was willing to go on. Bass player Titus Hjelm and Nino were old bandmates from their former band ANTIDOTE. With their past experience of fruitful teamwork, Titus was glad to join Thunderstone as a regular member. Next person to join the band was singer Pasi Rantanen who had sung backing vocals on the first demo (Nino sang the leads back then).
In the late fall of 2000 newly formed Thunderstone hit the studio with great results: three extremely well played and mixed power metal gems to drive the metalheads around the world crazy! Next months the band composed and rehearsed new material which was ready for recording in the summer of 2001. By this time the band had evolved into a five-piece with the addition of Kari Tornack on keyboards. Three new metal anthems ended up in the new demo. Four of the songs recorded in these two sessions were available through mp3.com and earned enthusiastic praise from around the world.
A promo CD including songs from both demos caught Nuclear Blast's attention in the late fall of 2001. After negotiating a deal with the no. 1 Heavy Metal Record Company in the world, the band went back to the studio on January 2002 to record their self-titled debut album, which was released in June 2002. The album featured outstanding cover art by Thomas Ewerhard and TIMO TOLKKI guest starring on lead guitar in one of the tracks. The songs and the band's performance on the album showcased the individual members' talent and experience of over a decade in different line-ups put together in single dynamite package. Critics around the world commended the album for its energy, tight performance and accomplished compositions.
Rest of 2002 was spent promoting the material through interviews in the international press and gigging, mainly in Finland with a short but memorable excursion to France.
2003 began with great news: Thunderstone was chosen the newcomer of the year by the readers of the German metal magazine Rock Hard! Inspired by these news, spring 2003 saw Thunderstone embark on a crazed road trip through Europe with fellow countrymen Stratovarius and American Symphony X. Five weeks of touring took the band through fourteen countries, 24 shows and 40000 people. It was an unforgettable experience with kick-ass shows, heavy boozing and general mayhem.
After the tour the band took a short songwriting break and returned to the studio in the summer of 2003 to record their sophomore album. After three months of sporadic recording sessions the follow- up to the self-titled debut album was ready and mixed. Titled The Burning, the new heavy metal masterpiece saw the light of day in the beginning of 2004. The album was well received in medias around the world and rose to # 13 in the official Finnish album chart.After the release of "The Burning" an European tour supporting Iced Earth was scheduled, but was later cancelled due to Jon Schaefferís health problems.
After this setback the band went on the road for a shorter tour with Axel Rudi Pell and in August entertained thousands of crazed metal fans at Wacken Open Air.After the summer the band went into writing mode again and started making plans for what was to become their third album. The new Thunderpacked piece was recorded and mixed between November 2004 and January 2005. Titled "Tools of Destruction", the new album showcased a matured band which had found its own sound and vibe. The first limited edition single "Tool of the Devil" went straight into # 3 in the official Finnish single chart. Receiving praise around the world, the new album has marked a new milestone in the story of Thunderstone. Loaded with new energy and power the band is now looking forward to touring as widely as possible and delivering a blast of superb classic heavy metal around the world!
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