Released on 20 October 2023 Lockdown is the new studio album since Something Wicked This Way Comes in 2017.

Drummer Barry Graham Purkis, AKA Thunderstick, best known for being a member of Samson who were part of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal scene (1979-83). Samson played in the UK and the US and released one of the first NWOBHM albums in 1979.

The new album features brand-new material plus never released compositions written by Purkis in the 1980s.

“I believe that it’s been worth the wait. I’m so lucky to have found the musicians that I now work with especially Raven of whom I consider to be one of the finest rock singers that I’ve the good fortune to listen to. She is the real deal both in terms of voice and stagecraft. The next chapter in our story is now ready for the writing.”

Thunderstick are renowned for their female-fronted power rock. Raven Blackwing took time out from rehearsals for their forthcoming gigs……

‘I’m very excited about the album which is my first with the band. I always struggle a little being in the recording studio as I actually don’t like the sound of my own voice. Although my colleagues and friends would probably tell you different!’

‘It’s something I’ve always been paranoid about since childhood. I’ve learnt to appreciate the power I have as well as my range but it’s not the ‘pretty’ voice I dreamed of as a child!

‘I do however love the whole process. We had great fun in the studio but of course there are parts of the album that were actually having to be done from our home studios due to lockdown. The opportunity to just play around with stuff as and when needed was awesome’.

‘You’d suddenly wake in the night with a harmony part going round your head or lyrics and could get it down to send across and build the song from there’.

‘I know Mr Stick (Barry) had the hard job because as stuff was recorded remotely he then had to try and bring it all together’.

How do you think the album turned out? Are you happy with it or could you have worked on it more?

‘I think as a musician you always think there could be some improvement but I am so proud of what we have achieved. The album sleeve is beautiful, the imagery within really encapsulated each song. Also to have had the opportunity to write a couple of the tracks was beyond what I could have envisaged happening’.

‘I like the diversity on the album. I’m happy with it. it’s been a long time coming’.

Are you taking it out on the road?

‘We’ve got gigs lined up for next year, Mearfest, Hard Rock Hell and Poland again but unfortunately not sure we will be able to do a tour as such. Although certainly wouldn’t rule it out’.

‘We are currently all getting together to create our new show. There are several numbers from the album that will be added. I can’t wait to see which songs become fan favourites and hopefully a few of these will be what we’ve chosen.’

‘Due to lockdown a lot of gigs we had in the diary had to fall by the wayside but we’re excited with the new album coming out that we are now getting back out there’.

‘I’m loving being out with the boys! I can’t wait to make the show bigger and better for this album. There’s new costumes coming and new shocks!’

‘I’ve been in the band about four and half years now, which just seems to have flown by. I very much look forward to seeing all our Thunderstick friends at a venue soon’.  

The album also features a number of guest appearances from former Thunderstick guitarists, Dave Kilford and Vinny Konrad, ex-Iron Maiden guitarist, Terry Wapram, Dave John Ross from NWOBHM band, More and solo heavy metal guitarist, Marius Danielson.

Thunderstick 2023 line-up: Raven Blackwing – vocals, Pete Pinto and Dave Butters – guitars, Rex Thunderbolt – bass, and Barry Graham Purkis – drums.

Lockdown is released by Roulette Records on 20th October 2023, in CD format and on all the main digital platforms.

Order from: http://www.rouletterecords.co.uk/ or contact the band on social media.

A live DVD of the band’s appearance in Lublin, Poland last April is also scheduled for release towards the end of the year.

Alikivi  October 2023