UK rock legends Thunder are the latest to see a release in box set form of some of their back catalogue, The Complete EMI Recordings 1989-1995.  The seven-disc set features three studio albums, plenty of live tracks, and many bonus songs.

Thunder was formed in 1989 by former Terraplane members Luke Morley, Danny Bowes, and Gary “Harry” James, who were then joined by Ben Matthews and Mark ‘Snake’ Luckhurst to record their stellar debut album  Backstreet Symphony (CD1). You would be hard-pressed to find a better debut release, and it certainly deserved far more credit globally than it achieved. From the bluesy guitar intro on  She’s So Fine  to the Bowes’ last scream on Distant Thunder, there isn’t a bad track on this album. For me, the up tempo title track and the near-perfect rock ballad Love Walked In are highlights, but you could play any track from this album (and play it loud), and you won’t be disappointed. The box set also features a Backstreet Symphony bonus CD (CD2) featuring B sides and live and studio session tracks.

Thunder securing the opening slot at 1990 Monsters of Rock at Castle Donington was a defining moment for the band despite only forming a year earlier. Their exceptional performance won them a new following with fans and performers alike. Unsurprisingly, the recording of that famous performance earns a place in this box set, Live at Donington 1990 (CD3). This is a fantastic live album, masterfully recorded and produced to showcase this sublime performance and the reaction of the crowd, who clearly loved every minute. (We did – I was there! – Ed).

Their second album, Laughing on Judgement Day, (CD4) delivered on the high expectations created by the success of their debut. Reaching number two in the UK charts, the album showed the band’s growth as songwriters and performers while retaining the fun and energy of their debut. Despite experimenting with new instruments and sounds throughout the album, it retains the elements that make the unique sound of Thunder. It is another well-written and executed album with no bad tracks. If I were to pick highlights, Everybody Wants Her and Long Way From Home both have something extra on what is already a good album. The Laughing on Judgement Day bonus tracks CD (CD 5) in this box set is an excellent addition for Thunder fans, featuring some tremendous live cuts and demo versions from songs off the previous two albums.

The final albums in this box set cover the 1995 release Behind Closed Doors  (CD 6) and it’s bonus disc (CD 7), are the first to feature new bassist Mikael “Micke” Höglund. Behind Closed Doors has a more stripped-back and sometimes darker sound than previous releases, as shown on River of Pain and Stand Up, but it also retains Thunder’s unique sound with tracks like Future Train and Fly on the Wall.

Why Thunder never received the international exposure or acclaim they deserved remains a mystery. With the quality of their early releases and brilliant live performances, they demanded greater renown, and Backstreet Symphony should be in more “classic album” conversations. Danny Bowes’s vocals are sublime on every one of these seven discs, an exciting mix of Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top, and Bad Company, and along with the brilliance of Luke Morley and Ben Matthews on guitars, Thunder has a unique sound and deserves to be played loud.

Thunder – The Complete EMI Recordings 1989-1995 releases on September 27th.