On October 25th internationally, SHADOW KINGDOM RECORDS is proud to present POUNDER’s highly anticipated third album, Thunderforged, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats. 

By now, POUNDER should require little introduction. From their humble beginnings with their debut demo in 2017 to the Faster Than Fire 7” for Shadow Kingdom a year later, POUNDER’s ascent was hastened by their proud ‘n’ powerful debut album, Uncivilized, in early 2019. In no uncertain terms, Uncivilized truly put the band on the international metal map and made ears stand to attention. Despite their collective pedigree, POUNDER’s stock-in-trade showed itself as a seemingly effortless, unselfconscious conglomeration of classic metal styles – from a firm foundation of NWOBHM on to hints of early ’80s speed metal, Sunset Strip flash, and AOR accessibility.

Amazingly, POUNDER eclipsed that momentous first full-length with the all-guns-blazing follow-up Breaking the World in 2021. Leaner, meaner, and all-too-accurately titled, Breaking the World saw the band – vocalist/guitarist Matt Harvey, bassist Alejandro Corredor, and lead guitarist Tom Draper – getting both heavier and more anthemic, more American in their metal but also more wide-ranging in their reach.

While the bar was set judiciously high (and the world was indeed broken), POUNDER return with a titanic third full-length and veritable raison d’être: Thunderforged! Third albums are arguably as decisive to a band’s fate as a sophomore one; while second albums prove whether a hot debut was just a flash in the pan, it’s that third album that establishes a band’s staying power – whether they’ll just spin their wheels, rehashing past glories but lazier, or stay true to a strident sound and expound upon it. And so it goes with POUNDER’s Thunderforged, whereby the band (here joined by session drummer Mike Heller) explore a moodier side (“Deeper Than Blood,” “Metal Eternal”) alongside loud ‘n’ proud expressions of pure HEAVY METAL.

Less flash but just as much excitement, more rivetheaded and red-blooded, and exhibiting a swagger that sometimes borders on parody if not for their overwhelming authenticity and commitment to the true-metal cause, POUNDER pound and push and pulse with more poise than ever and an absolutely addicting charisma that’s larger than life. Granted, Thunderforged is still as much of a love letter to 1985 as any POUNDER record – indeed, Harvey’s clever wordplay wittily immortalizes metal tropes (and hey, THAT COVER) – but with a pronounced emphasis on speeding-into-the-night chargers and a clean ‘n’ crisp production that thankfully doesn’t sacrifice any grit, the band simply sound like they’re at the height of their powers. In other words, you know what they came here to do: “Get Pounded”!

Review

Sound & Fury start’s things off with big open chords and booming bass topped with some delicate guitar melodies before we get thrown into the deep end. The pace picks up and the rhythms are ripping and roaring! There are moments of sweet and spicy guitar solos that break up the powerful and punchy vocals of Matt Harvey. This track is on full speed and and is packed full to the brim metal magic! A great start to the new album and welcome return for Pounder! Feel the Steel!

Track number two is Thunderforge! Feel the pound of the toms and and quick picking guitars before you charge ahead! Continuing with the feel of the first track, this has plenty of fire, plenty of fury and hungry guitar work that chops and changes frantically! You will certainly feel the thunderbolts strike! There are some fantastic moments of harmonised guitars and of course a solo that will put a sting your tail! The song is playful and the rhythm work of the drums and bass works so well in harmony with the guitars and vocal work! Another kick ass song!

Metal Eternal lets the dog of the leash snarling! The bass stalks hunting for its prey and feels much at the front of the song in places! But this is one of those slower songs that will have you caught in a trance! Especially with the chorus chants of Metal Eternal! This is classic heavy metal in all its Glory and dare i say has an ever so slight Manowar vibe? And once again the solo does not disappoint! It shines through and sizzles turning things up to 11 and even the pace follows. Its interesting, heavy and certainly one to break you neck to!

Comin Loose tumbles and rumbles in shaking things with bass twangs and booming tom work. The guitars sneak in before cutting out to just a groovy snare pattern and vocal work! The double kick work comes firing in spitting and smoking sliding in and out throughout the song! I love the play between instrumentation and how it feels like a wild train hammering it down the tracks! The solo explodes like a firework or even like an uncontrollable furnace. Excellent stuff!

Line of Fire comes about midway and here the pace does not slow down! Prepare to break a sweat and make your limbs sore in the pit as this like a headrush. The guitar work flies past you leaving a dust trail behind. The riffs here are plentiful and I would not be surprised if the drummer was unable to hold on to his sticks by the end of this song! Line of Fire of is one of those insane tracks that will easily bite your head clean off!

Get Pounded opens with open chords, kick rolls and a sweet harmonised guitar lick before Pounder change things up with some soft acoustic guitar work! That really does not last long as it is just an appetiser to the ballsy stomping metal that will crush you! The song weaves in moments of heartfelt emotion and feeling, revisiting the acoustics while still bringing the hard hitting 4/4 drum patterns that are latched to a tight bass line. There is a good measure of gallops and another solo that probably peeled the skin of Tom and Matts fingers. I am loving this album!

Deeper Than Blood brings some atmosphere with string and piano work that rings out into what feels like a temple or big, open vast space. It is certainly a surprise and shows that there is some great variation on this record. There is a pause and the band come in but this time things have slowed right down. There are semi acoustic guitars keeping things moving along, with bass snaking along in the background. I would probably say this track feels a bit more unusual in the way parts are constructed especially on the chorus but it does not take away from some awesome moments. an interesting track to say the least.

Wet & Wreckless is a fittingly explosive finale to what has been a killer album. Like the tracks before it, this closer is packed with high-octane riffs and unrelenting velocity. Matt’s vocals soar with such intensity, it feels like they’re tearing the sky apart. The guitar work is nothing short of vicious—riffs that practically shred skin with their raw, blistering energy. It’s thick, fast, and undeniably scorching. But what truly stands out, and has throughout the entire album, is the lead guitar work. The solos shine, cutting through the mix with precision and power, and this track is no exception. It’s an epic way to wrap up a relentless musical journey!

Conclusion

Pounder are back and I must say this new helping of steel from the forge is at melting point! It is a metal record rammed full of everything you could want from neck breaking metal riffs, bone shattering rhythm work and vocals that cry to the metal gods! Not to forget to solos like rip past like tornadoes! The band have stepped things up and this will certainly be a contender for my top 10 of 2024!

The Nwothm Score: 9/10

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