Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Biff and the boys are still bathing in Ponce de Leon's fountain of youth. The band remain as vigorous as ever, touring the world with the equally spry Judas Priest and churning out album after album of heavily built slabs of traditional heavy metal. Biff's pushing 70 and still active and energetic, evident with yet another stellar release entitled 'Thunderbolt'. The band pair with esteemed producer Andy Sneap, who's robust engineering creates a larger than life sound. Songs like "Nosferatu (The Vampires Waltz)" are benefactors of this grand soundscape, punctuated with choral arrangements, orchestration and a meticulous attention to detail. The song is a highlight, doing for vampires what self-titled track "Killing Ground" (2001) did for the war-weary soldier. "They Played Rock and Roll" is aptly-titled, a charging banger full of the Motorhead tradition it celebrates. Along with the obligatory battle anthems and sword and sorcery cuts is one distinct variable--death metal vocals. I've searched high and low and it sounds like Amon Amarth vocalist Johan Hegg is providing the growling for "Predator". You can always teach old dogs new tricks. Overall, another solid effort from one of metal's immortal breed.