It was announced in 1983 that ‘Thunder And Lightning’ therefore would be Thin Lizzy’s final album and tour, Phil Lynott not wanting to flog a dead horse.
Written by: Dangerzone
ARTIST: Thin Lizzy
ALBUM: Thunder And Lightning
LABEL: Vertigo
SERIAL: VERL3
YEAR: 1983
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Ireland
LINEUP: Phil Lynott – bass, vocals * John Sykes – guitars * Scott Gorham – guitars * Brian Downey – drums * Darren Wharton – keyboards
TRACK LISTING: 01 Thunder And Lightning * 02 This Is The One * 03 The Sun Goes Down * 04 The Holy War * 05 Cold Sweat * 06 Someday She Is Going To Hit Back * 07 Baby Please Don’t Go * 08 Bad Habits * 09 Heart Attack
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
Many observers felt Thin Lizzy had lost momentum after 1979’s ‘Black Rose’, scaling down the heaviness a bit too much. These observers must not have been paying much attention as 1980’s ‘Chinatown’ and 1981’s ‘Renegade’ were Lynott and co’s most aggressive moments, far more engaging than their 70’s heyday.
It was true that their commercial appeal had declined, as the classic ‘Renegade’ fell to no 38 on the British charts, their lowest placing since ‘Fighting’ in 1975. It was announced in 1983 that ‘Thunder And Lightning’ therefore would be Thin Lizzy’s final album and tour, Phil Lynott not wanting to flog a dead horse.
He went out on a positive note, the album going top five and Lizzy playing some of the best gigs of their career, spurred on by the addition of up and comer John Sykes ex Tygers Of Pan Tang. Darren Wharton (future Dare mainman) was also in, replacing Snowy White.
The Songs
Lynott had never lost his touch even over the years of drug addiction, and the title cut was perhaps Lizzy’s heaviest cut of an amazing career. A non-stop rampage of insane riffs and gruff vocals, it is British heavy metal at its finest. Sykes shreds his way through a bevy of solos while there’s some nice synth touches. A knockout punch – and this is just the first song.
‘This Is The One’ keeps the pace going and proves Lizzy had not been left behind by the new crop of Brit rockers in 83′. If anything their riff attack was more mature and savage. Things mellow out with ‘The Sun Goes Down’ , given tons of atmosphere with Wharton’s keyboards and some reflective guitar licks.
‘The Holy War and ‘Cold Sweat’ pick up the heavier end once more before the fierce melody of ‘Someday She Is Going To Hit Back’ gives the album some AOR overtones. The trademark Lizzy dual leads are in effect to maximum impact right through this one.
‘Baby Please Don’t Go’ makes use of a muscular rhythm section, giving Sykes more chances to prove his worth to future employers, with speed of light soloing.
‘Bad Habits’ is a light hearted rocker with Lynott’s rascal like vocals shining through. Lizzy’s final career track is the scorching AOR of ‘Heart Attack’, with its unrelenting hook certainly on the harder end of the AOR scale.
In Summary
Nine songs, none wasted and a band who went out on top. Those who deemed Thin Lizzy to be a shadow of past glories must have been silenced by this. Lynott and Downey went on to form Grand Slam who split in 1985 with nothing recorded.
Lynott teamed up with Gary Moore for several cuts off Moore’s 1985 ‘Run For Cover’ before his final recording, the anthem ’19’ later that year. Of course Lynott died early in the new year of 1986, one of rock’s most tragic deaths. ‘Thunder And Lightning’ was Lynott’s last great moment in retrospect and a must for fans of any style of rock.
The combination of metal, AOR, hard rock, the lot, results in one of the best albums you’ll ever hear. The album has since been re-released on Wounded Bird Records.
Thin Lizzy on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
