Thunderchief - ​E.P.

Thunderchief

​E.P.
self-released; 2015

3.8 out of 5

By Andrew Westberry

With a fresh, modern approach to Delta Blues, Thunderchief exploded onto the music scene with E.P., the band’s first release and a definitive introduction to the band, their style, and the unique sound that they bring to the table.

Upbeat, rhythmic and catchy from the very start, “Skinwalker” employs classic rock & roll percussion with bright guitars, gravelly, layered vocals and bass that blend effortlessly into the mix. Instrumental sections with blazing guitar solos, the occasional falsetto note from the vocalist and the unexpected tempo change in the middle of the song keep listeners on their toes.

The continuing unfettered energy abounds in “Sudden Death in the Flesh,” which maintains a light aura in what would otherwise be a overly dark song given the title and lyrics. However, Thunderchief possesses the skill needed to make even such a song exciting and fun to listen to. The contrast within the song between heaviness and vitality bring out a particularly special quality in the music.

“Bad Man” brings a slightly more sinister atmosphere to the EP, but it does not descend so drastically as to become unlistenable. On the contrary, the emotionally diverse song brings variety to the record and convinces even the flakiest of listeners to continue listening until the very end of the record.

The end of this EP is “Soldier Song,” which opens with a twang-y acoustic guitar reminiscent of Civil War blues. The tune quickly builds upon the simple guitar riffs and buds into a full-fledged rock song, complete with distortion, forceful vocals and hard-hitting percussion. The song alternates between quiet and loud, ending solidly on a drawn out chord.

​Overall, this EP is objectively entertaining and Thunderchief has managed to fit a surprising amount of material into four songs. This record is certainly a job well done.

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