Zion

Item: Thunder From the Mountain
Author: Doug Van Pelt

Thunder From the Mountain

(1989)

Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt

Discogs Bandcamp

Label Image RecordsHeaven's Metal #18September 1988

blues rock hard rock heavy metal melodic metal

This album smokes! It's got a killer sound that tickles itching ears...but the message won't cater to the flesh. It's confrontational and to the point. "Who pulls the strings? Who makes you do those things?" Satan has "Sold You A Lie." It's time to "Kick In The Gates Of Hell" and "Roll The Rock" away from your heart. This is 80's metal all the way. Some guy named David (from a black gospel rap group called "Good Blood" or something like that) did an immaculate job producing this project. The guitars are upfront and have a real good tone. The rhythm section is tight and holdin' it all together nicely. On "Is It A Crime" we hear some acoustic guitar tracks. Where have we heard that before? Wasn't it Bloodgood's latest album? Oh well, it's got some passionate vocals with healthy background vocals. This is potent stuff, folks! Zion has been given some creativity that is sure to please. This album ought to be one of the hottest of next year. "Roll The Rock" and "Less Of Me", the two songs on the "Thunder From The Mount" two-song demo released late last year are included here. According to vocalist Rex Scott, they just barely made it. "The production on the other seven songs are so much better, that we hated to include these." With this release, Zion is going to shed all associations with the AC/DC sound. It's got a modern and classy sound. Comparisons to Dokken would be more appropriate. Once this hits the racks in January, you ought to scoop it up.