REVIEW: TOKYO BLADE — Thousand Men Strong

 

TOKYO BLADE — Thousand Men Strong (2011)

Fastball Music

Fifteen years after their last full-length effort, TOKYO BLADE return with a new studio album that reaffirms their standing as one of the founding acts of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. The band first made its mark with two genuinely essential records, "Tokyo Blade" and "Night of the Blade", along with the EP "Midnight Rendez-vous" — releases that remain touchstones of the genre's early years. In the decades that followed, the band's sound drifted toward a more melodic, radio-friendly direction. "Thousand Men Strong" marks a deliberate return to those classic roots, delivering traditional heavy metal filtered through a thoroughly modern production.

That production carries real pedigree: it comes courtesy of the late Chris Tsangarides, the celebrated producer behind JUDAS PRIEST's landmark "Painkiller". Over a long career, Tsangarides also worked with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, THIN LIZZY, Y&T, FREE, BLACK SABBATH, Ian Gillan and ANVIL, among many others — a résumé that speaks for itself and lends this record an extra layer of credibility.

Musically, "Thousand Men Strong" delivers on that promise. Standout tracks include "Lunch-Case", "Forged in Hell's Fire" and "Condemned by Fire" [flagged: I read this as a likely typo for your original "Codemned to Fire" — let me know if you meant something else], each showcasing the band at their sharpest. The album also revisits the band's signature anthem "Night of the Blade" in a re-recorded form; while competently done, it's unlikely to displace the original in longtime fans' affections. New vocalist Nicolaj Ruhnow acquits himself well throughout, bringing solid presence to the material without overreaching.

In the end, "Thousand Men Strong" stands as a worthy comeback from a genuine NWOBHM pioneer. Fans of traditional heavy metal would do well to give it their attention.

Ioannis Kaskamanidis