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9.5/10
Summary
Label: AFM Records
Release date: February 7, 2025
User Review
( votes)Swedish all-female rock ‘n’ roll group Thundermother have been brought back to life, following the departures of former frontwoman Guernica Mancini, drummer Emlee Johansson, and bassist Mona Lindgren in 2023. Taking their places are current frontwoman Linnéa Vikström Egg, drummer Joan Massing, and returning bassist Majsan Lindberg. Continuing their fight for rock ‘n’ roll, their sixth studio album, Dirty & Divine (2025), is the follow-up to their previous record, Black and Gold (2022). Besides the inclusion of new members, one major difference between the two records is that all the material on Dirty & Divine was written by guitarist Filippa Nässil, who was pregnant throughout the recording process, and Vikström. It should also be noted that eight of the 10 songs were recorded in four days; according to Nässil, the album marked the quickest recording session Thundermother have ever done.
Fight for Rock ‘n’ Roll
Produced by Soren Andersen, the band’s sound features the sizzling riffs of AC/DC and luscious backing vocals of Def Leppard. The album opener, “So Close,” has an infectious groove, alongside a bluesy guitar riff that’s very singable. If there was a guitar riff that listeners could sing along to, it’d be that. “Can’t Put Out the Fire” delivers a fine mix between killer hard rock and commercial pop. The Def Leppard vibes are quite noticeable on that track. “Feeling Alright” is sweet and sensual, but there’s a toughness to it, thanks to Vikström’s raspy and captivating vocals. Clocking in at two minutes and 50 seconds, it’s another great track that should be a hit on classic rock radio today.
In contrast, “Take the Power” incorporates a more speed metal approach and it works extremely well. There’s a wicked wah-wah guitar riff and Vikström sings with every force she’s got. “Dead or Alive” continues the band’s fine blend of killer hard rock and commercial pop. With a well-written chorus and loads of melodic hooks, it shows how strong Nässil and Vikström are as a songwriting duo and only time will tell where their partnership will take them. Like many of the songs on the record, “Can You Feel It” has a call-and-response vibe between the vocals and electric guitar. A hard rock anthem made for stadiums, the song grooves hard and is filled with so much swagger. “Bright Eyes” is Thundermother doing funk rock. The tasteful bass line enhances the vibe further.
Final Assessment
In a male-dominated genre, there are very few all-female rock bands out there that are being taken seriously. Thundermother sound like they’re on the right path and have been for the past 15 years. The production on Dirty & Divine is excellent. Very modern and fresh, yet heavy and hard-hitting. The guitar playing is stellar and besides the AC/DC influence, there’s also a little bit of Rush, Scorpions, Led Zeppelin, and Judas Priest in there. Vocally, Vikström doesn’t sound that different from Mancini, but as mentioned before, she ups the band’s game with her songwriting chops. The current Thundermother lineup have much more to offer, being “so close, yet so far,” but they are off to a brilliant start, at the moment. For those that want fun rock ‘n’ roll, give Thundermother’s Dirty & Divine a chance.
Album Tracklist
- So Close
- Can’t Put Out the Fire
- Speaking of the Devil
- Feeling Alright
- Take the Power
- I Left My License in the Future
- Dead or Alive
- Can You Feel It
- Bright Eyes
- American Adrenaline
Band Lineup
Filippa Nässil – guitars
Linnéa Vikström – lead vocals
Joan Massing – drums
Majsan Lindberg – bass guitar
I liked it as well and ordered a copy on vinyl. Great classic rock, had me remembering Girlschool a little in some spots.