DAMIEN THORNE – Haunted Mind

After the re release of The Sign of the Jackal and Wrath of Darkness in 2004, which were originally recorded in 1986 and 1987 respectively, this band from the U.S.A. returns with the self-financed album called Haunted Mind. In Damien Thorne’s back catalogue you’ll count only two full-length albums and one EP spanning over two decades. This poor yield is due to legal problems and bad timing — the band was in search of a record deal and Alternative Music had a sudden rise.

After the completion of the recordings for Haunted Mind, the band performed live at the Headbanger’s Open Air Festival in Germany, receiving some complimentary remarks.

The promo sheet describes Damien Thorne’s music rather unsuccessfully by using the term Power Metal. The band definitely belongs to the American Thrash movement that was born in the mid-80s with Metallica’s Kill ‘em All at the front of the line.

The album starts with “Dark Ancestor,” a fast-paced song with apparent influences from the Bay Area Thrash scene … bands like Testament. Moving on to “Haunted,” there is a tempo growth to more aggressive forms that brings to mind the great Heathen with their Breaking the Silence album. The bass guitar intro brings the mid-tempo song “The Suffering” to the forefront. There is an epic feeling all over this song enhanced by Joe Martin’s throat. This guy has a powerful voice that is aggressive without losing its melodic tones. “Clairvoyant” comprises fast drumming and cutting edge riffing that can satisfy the most demanding headbanger. One cannot discuss Thrash Metal without mentioning Overkill, one of the most powerful live bands. The same goes for Damien Thorne with the up-tempo “Exit Jeckyll,” that features all of the aforementioned band’s characteristics.

Fast twin guitars and a heavy rhythm support the high-pitched vocals that assimilate Ellsworth’s (Overkill) power and expressiveness. “Dante’s Mire” comes next, featuring a short intro with a classic guitar arpeggio until the distortion takes its place with a very good solo. The rest of the song has all the Thrash elements Metalheadz love from sharp guitar riffs to aggressive vocals. “Fire in the Sky” and “Claudia Night” can become live favorites — perfectly fitted for crowd-surfing and moshing. “Raise Your Horns” is a song that could be in the compilation Metal Massacre, where Metallica made their first step with “Hit the Lights” in the early 80s. The album closes with “Enter the Nightmare,” and proves the skills of Damien Thorne definitely deserve the Metal scene’s full attention.

The sound production is a little bit dim throughout, but this is a small price to pay when you have to self-finance the whole recording process. These guys definitely deserve a proper record deal that’s been missing for at least 20 years. So, come on and check them out via the MER jukebox, or even better, by sending a request in the MER Radio.