It is as obvious as a Marshall stack set on stun that we are currently in a metal renaissance in 2K9. Seemingly everyone from Whitesnake to Anvil is back together, touring and recording. Kids who weren’t even born when Master of Puppets was released are rocking out as a new generation of fans. And somewhere out there, in the vast miasma of wannabe bands cluttering the Internet, are a new breed of rocker, carrying the metal torch, playing it loud and proud, the sound of old school metal in the new century. If you like big hair, bigger solos and singers who don’t sound like Cookie Monster swallowed a bucket of whiskey soaked shrapnel, then allow me to introduce you to Thunderdikk.

Who is Thunderdikk you say? First of all, there are five of them, which as you all know it is written in the 10 commandments of metal that thy band shall consist of five. The lead singer’s name is Dikk Thunder (no, really, it is). Lead face melting is handled by Sleaze Paladino, one of those rare guitarists in the world who isn’t afraid to solo and has the fingers and the skills to back it up. Rhythm guitar is played by Johnny Razor, with Mickey Brunswick on bass and Snake “Skin” Paladino on drums and douchebaggery. Appropriately, the band refers to their fans as Dikkheads.

Thunderdikk’s first recording is a three track EP available via iTunes which is well worth the three bucks to download. The band plays a classic-cum-modern style of sleazy metal that is pure rocking fun to listen to. Indeed, these guys could very easily revive the down and dirty Sunset Strip metal scene given half the chance.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2009  Volume 3 at lulu.com/strangesound.