Thunderbird Divine – Little Wars

Thunderbird Divine
Little Wars
Label: Black Doomba Records
Out: August 30^th, 2024
Playing time: 42:05

The four-piece band Thunderbird Divine was founded in Philadelphia in March 2017. The aim was to produce riff-heavy Psychedelic/Stoner/Doom. Bands such as Monster Magnet, Hawkwind, Flower Travellin’ Band, The Mc5 and Grand Funk Railroad are cited as role models. The first album “Magnasonic” was released in 2019, after which there were obviously further releases, but “Little Wars”, which will be released in August, is probably only the band’s second full-length studio album.

Acoustic guitar and harp – that’s how the intro “Pony Express” starts. Fortunately, not an intro as is usually the case, but a real little instrumental song. A musical progression that leads to the opening song “Times Gone Bad”. And this begins with a wafting Hammond. But soon lower-pitched guitars take over. Epic Doom sounds, with a few growls. The band has produced a video clip for “Last Laugh”. The heavy riffs dominate here too. And powerful drums. “Black Rhino Mantra” starts off more calmly. Erik Caplan’s vocals are initially accompanied by a Hammond. And even though powerful guitars can be heard later on, the song mostly remains in the mid-tempo range. And every now and then Hammond pushes itself into the foreground for a short time. The mid-tempo cracker “These Eyes” is characterised by hard, deep riffs. And it continues in the same vein. With “Tides” as well as “Highway Dawn”. Again and again, there is a riff thunderstorm and the wafting of the Hammond. One exception is “Old Black Crow” shortly before the end, which is much quieter again and contains many musical gadgets, such as piano sounds. Can you hear a banjo? Could almost be from a South American saloon. The instrumental outro “Carousel” is also quieter with acoustic guitars, electric piano and synthesiser gimmicks.

Most of the songs on “Little Wars” are heavy Doom bangers, but the opener and the two closing songs don’t really fit in. Sure, they provide some variety. But from my point of view, Thunderbird Divine should have done without them. That’s why I feel forced to award two different ratings. If I only take six of the nine songs into account, then Thunderbird Divine have released a good album. The rating for the complete album is in brackets for comparison.

Thunderbird Divine – Last Laugh: https://youtu.be/qCd__2XImEw?si=kAcOHRyOr3eiEO_2

Lineup:

Erik Caplan – Vocals, Guitar, Theremin, Sitar, Banjo, Harmonica, Synth, Drones, Weird Stuff
Micheal Stuart – Vocals, Drums, Percussion
Joshua Adam Solomon – Vocals, Bass, Guitars, Synth, Percussion
Jack Falkenbach – Vocals, Keys, Violin, Melodica

Track list:

• Pony Express
• Times Gone Bad
• Last Laugh
• Black Rhino Mantra
• These Eyes
• Tides
• Highway Dawn
• Old Black Crow
• Carousel