13 mar
Date: MAR 13 2022
SEE YOU IN HELL
This is the exclusive Belgian show with our friends in Space Vacation this summer...
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Empires in the Sun
by Thorium
13 mar
This is the exclusive Belgian show with our friends in Space Vacation this summer...
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07 mar
We're heading back to Little Devil in Tilburg (NL)! This time we're sharing the stage with our American friends of...
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30 jan
A lot of news coming up in the next few months... A lot has happened and a lot is going on...
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10 jan
Happy New Year everybody! We are glad to start 2023 with another concert announcement...
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24 oct
We'll be playing a headline show at Het Kleine Café in Aardenburg (NL) together with our Belgian collegues of...
Read more view lessAbout the band
Band photos © Hans van Hoof, 2020
Given great incentive by their work together in Belgium’s legendary Heavy Metal band Ostrogoth, axemen Dario Frodo, Stripe and Tom Tee found themselves overwhelmed by massive amounts of inspiration for new material, much of which proved to lie too much outside the boundaries of what they could rightly realize with Ostrogoth. Therefore, they decided to found a brand new formation into which to channel all these new ideas. With the addition of classically trained batterist Louis Van der Linden to the fold, the search was open for a powerful vocalist with a wide range and striking stage presence, which they found in seasoned Dutch singer David Marcelis (Lord Volture, Black Knight).
With the line-up complete, the band put the finishing touches on their self-titled debut album, which was released on October 5th 2018. Touring and gigging in promotion for the new record commenced immediately, and saw the band playing dozens of dates across Germany, Spain, Great Britain, Holland and Belgium, where they shared the stage with acts such as Geoff Tate’s Operation Mindcrime, Ross The Boss, Toxik, The Three Tremors, Heir Apparent, Q5, and many more.
Not content to rest on their laurels, and eager to prove themselves a band that could keep on producing quality material quickly and efficiently, Thorium completed work on their sophomore album Empires In The Sun within one year of their debut release. Working together once again with seasoned mixer Simone Mularoni (DGM, Michael Romeo, Geoff Tate, Ray Alder,...), the band delivers some of their most ambitious material yet, employing guest vocals by acclaimed artists such as Arjen A. Lucassen (Ayreon) and Joe Van Audenhove (Evil Invaders), as well as British actor and narrator Norman Eshley (Blind Guardian) to further broaden their sound. ‘Empires In The Sun’ is released on March 5 th 2021.
Influenced by and incorporating elements of all the classic styles of Metal from the past four decades, such as NWOBHM, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Speed Metal, Bay Area Thrash and of course classic Heavy Metal, Thorium’s members set themselves no boundaries and seek to deliver music that is heavy, melodic, virtuosic, catchy and conceptual.
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David Marcelis - Vocals |
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Gear: Sennheiser SKM 835 wireless microphone (live) / Neumann TLM 103 microphone (studio) Special interests: Survivalrun sport, travel, maps, history, historical novels, historical board wargames, PC games Favourite artists: JUDAS PRIEST, Halford, Jag Panzer, Cage, Savatage, Queensrÿche, Manowar, Iced Earth, Nevermore, Sanctuary, Saxon, Y&T, Overkill, Grand Magus, Gamma Ray, Metal Church, Rammstein, Pantera, Accept, Agent Steel, Malice, Vader, W.A.S.P., Metallica, Iron Maiden Former/Other bands: Lord Volture (2010-present), Black Knight (2017-2021), Fireforce (live) (2018), Judas Rising (2005-2009, 2012-2014), Writer's Block (2009-2010), Methusalem (2005-2006), Conquestador (2004-2005), Purgatory/Retaliate (2000-2005) |
Discography: Black Knight - 40 Years Live (live, 2022) Black Knight - Tales From the Darkside (2020) Black Knight - Road to Victory (2020) Conquestador - Promo May 2005 (demo, 2005) Lord Volture - Will to Power (2014) Lord Volture - Never Cry Wolf (2011) Lord Volture - Beast of Thunder (2010) Purgatory - The Green Angel (live, 2004) Purgatory - Loud Enough for a Deaf Man to Hear (live, 2002) Retaliate - Forgotten Tales (demo, 2005) Thorium - Empires in the Sun (2021) Thorium - Thorium (2018) Guest appearances: Bloody Times - No Fear (EP, 2022) Endeavour - Future of a Kind (single, 2021) Entering Polaris – Atlantean Shores (2023) Will Schut - Begin de Dag met een Dansje (single, 2012) Winter's Edge - The Deceivers (EP, 2015) ZiX - Tides of the Final War (2016) |
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Tom Tee - Guitars |
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Gear: Ibanez ‘S’ guitars, ENGL Victor Smolski head, Orange and Mesa/Boogie cabinets, Morgan and Eastman acoustic guitars, TC Electronics FX pedals, Dunlop Jazz III picks, d’Addario strings, Planet Waves cables, Shure and Line 6 wireless systems Special interests: Literature, history, Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror, classic PC gaming Favourite artists: Iron Maiden, Rush, Blind Guardian, Symphony X, Helloween, Gamma Ray, Dream Theater, Rage, Ayreon, Kamelot, Metallica (of old), Virgin Steele, Therion, Iced Earth Former/Other bands: Entering Polaris, In Motion, ex-23 Acez, ex-Ostrogoth, ex-Neo Prophet, ex-Quantum Fantay, ex-Offworld |
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Discography: 23 Acez – Embracing the Madness (2018) 23 Acez – Redemption Waves (2015) 23 Acez – Crossroads (2012) Entering Polaris – And Silently the Age Did Pass (2023) Entering Polaris – Atlantean Shores (2023) Entering Polaris – Godseed (2018) Collieman – The Same Blood (2011) Gabriel Scar – Oceans of Sound (2014) In Motion – Thriving Force (2018) Mighty Sunscape – Road to Paradise (2009) Neo Prophet – T.I.M.E. (2015) Offworld – Some Circles Are Square (2016) Onesty – Collected Singles (2010) Quantum Fantay – Tessellation of Euclidean Space (2017) Quantum Fantay – Dancing in Limbo (2015) Rohan Lee – Crush the Rock (2012) Thorium - Empires in the Sun (2021) Thorium - Thorium (2018) |
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Dario Frodo - Guitars |
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Gear: Skervesen guitars, Kemper Amps, Mesa Boogie cabinets Special interests: Food, music, travelling Favourite artists: Toto, Fates Warning, Chicago, Journey, Level 42, Billy Joel, Testament, Iron Maiden, Foreigner, Heathen, Death Angel, Dream Theater, Queensrÿche, Def Leppard, Savatage, Armored Saint Former/Other bands: ex-Ostrogoth, ex-Outbreak, ex-Ghiribzzi, ex-Quantum Fantay, ex-Gemini Season, ex-Something to Say |
Discography: 23 Acez - Crossroads 23 Acez - Redemption Waves Gemini Season - Lost Ghiribizzi - Pant'ha Rei Ghiribizzi - Zep Tepi Outbreak - The First Hatch Outbreak - Live at 't Kelderke Ostrogoth - Last Tribe Standing Quantum Fantay - Agapanthusterra Quantum Fantay - Kaleidothrope Quantum Fantay - From Herzberg.... Quantum Fantay - Bridges of Kukeriku Quantum Fantay - Bridges of the Old Fishing Mine Quantum Fantay - Terragaia Thorium - Empires in the Sun (2021) Thorium - Thorium (2018) Guest appearances: Entering Polaris - Godseed (2018) |
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Stripe - Bass |
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Gear: B.C. Rich, Rotosound flatwound, Line 6 wireless, LD wireless in ear, custom leather straps MK, Ashdown 4x10, Markbass little Mark Tube Special interests: Moto GP, WK Superbike, snooker, airbrush, painting, leather crafting, collecting action figures Favourite artists: WASP, Iron Maiden, Kiss, Halestorm, Saxon, Twisted Sister, Accept, Poison, Skid Row, Stratovarius, Queensrÿche, Dio, Vixen, Pink, Ratt, Mötley Crue, Dokken, Judas Priest |
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Former/Other bands: WASB (2012- present), ex-Ostrogoth, ex-Kisstory, ex-Gemini Season, ex-Outbreak, ex-Mr E Discography: Ostrogoth - Last Tribe Standing (2015) Thorium - Empires in the Sun (2021) Thorium - Thorium (2018) |
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Louis Van der Linden - Drums |
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Gear: Meinl Cymbals, Promark drumsticks, Evans drumheads, Tama drumthrone, DW9000 double pedal, Shure SE315 inears, Drumcraft serie 8 drumkit and Sonor Prolite snaredrum Special interests: Dogs, outdoor sports, books and movies, science Favourite artists: Meshuggah, Tool, Slipknot, Periphery, Night Verses, TesseracT, Tremonti, Animals as Leaders, Sky Harbor, A Perfect Circle, Gojira, Monuments, Ghost |
Former/Other bands: Aeveris, Vermilion, Humanga Danga, ex-23 Acez, ex-Langzoght, ex-Sushi Invert, ex-Traffic Jam, ex-Shoot To Thrill, ex-Heads Up High, ex-Lucid Discography: 23 Acez – Embracing the Madness (2018) Aeveris - Aeveris (EP, 2021) Thorium - Empires in the Sun (2021) Thorium - Thorium (2018) |
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Upcoming & Past
26 Apr'23
Astrant Pre-Kingsday Metal Bash: w/ Misanthropia, Razorblade Messiah
city Ede (NL)
13 May'23
Goera Rock w/ Kate's Acid, Temptations for the Weak, et al.
city Mol-Sluis (BE)
01 Jul'23
SOS Festival w/ Gorilla Riot, Ward XVI, South of Salem, et al.
city Oldham (GB)
22 Jul'23
Little Devil w/ Space Vacation (double co-headline show), Hidden Intent
city Tilburg (NL)
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2022 17.12 - Het Kleine Café, Aardenburg (NL) 22.10 - Elpee, Deinze (BE) 02.09 - Bongert Open Air, Brüggen (DE) 20.08 - Zeeltje Rock, Deest (NL) 31.07 - Little Devil, Tilburg (NL) 27.07 - Ragnarok Live Club, Opitter (BE) 11.06 - 't Sas, Harelbeke (BE) 17.04 - Kid's Rhythm 'n' Blues Kaffee, Antwerp (BE) 15.04 - Ragnarok Live Club, Opitter (BE) 2021 17.12 - Kid's Rhythm 'n' Blues Kaffee, Antwerp (BE) 03.12 - Ragnarok Live Club, Opitter (BE) 16.10 - Metal Front, Coevorden (NL) 25.09 - Rondpunt 26, Genk (BE) 18.09 - Metal Front, Coevorden (NL) 11.09 - De Duycker, Hoofddorp (NL) 10.09 - De Bosuil, Weert (NL) 04.09 - Zik-Zak, Ittre (BE) 13.08 - Alcatraz Festival, Kortrijk (BE) 2020 26.04 - Elpee Fest, Deinze (BE) 09.05 - De Verlichte Geest, Roeselare (BE) |
2019 30.11 - Dynamo, Eindhoven (NL) 29.11 - Negasonic, Aalst (BE) 28.11 - Hedon, Zwolle (NL) 27.11 - Turock, Essen (DE) 26.11 - Elfer Club, Frankfurt (DE) 24.11 - Lazarus, Leiden (NL) 23.11 - Scruffy Murphy's, Birmingham (GB) 22.11 - The Carlisle, Hastings (GB) 21.11 - The King Billy, Northampton (GB) 02.11 - Metal Against Child Cancer, Deerlijk (BE) 26.10 - Heaven's Door Revival, Meulebeke (BE) 25.10 - A Night Of Heavy Metal, Kreenheinstetten (DE) 19.10 - Meesterlijk Metaal XXX, Almere (NL) 01.09 - Bar 42, Worthing (GB) 31.08 - Den Fest V, Hatfield (GB) 30.08 - Frietrock, Oud-Turnhout (BE) 18.08 - Willemeen, Arnhem (NL) 16.08 - Zeeltje Rock, Deest (NL) 03.08 - Alcatraz Pre-Party, Gentbrugge (BE) 28.07 - Little Devil, Tilburg (NL) 10.05 - 't Sas, Harelbeke (BE) 04.05 - Kraken Metal Fest, Ittre (BE) 13.04 - Na Vinici, Blatná (CZ) 16.03 - FullMetal Osthessen, Niederjossa (DE) 02.03 - The Crossover, Ghent (BE) 19.01 - Ragnarok Live Club, Opitter (BE) |
2018 19.12 - De Cacaofabriek, Helmond (NL) 15.12 - Pluto Metal Fest, Oosterzele (BE) 17.11 - Backstage, Nijmegen (NL) 10.11 - Soundcheck One Festival, Waldbronn (DE) 09.11 - Alexander The Great, Mainz (DE) 05.11 - Mendigo, Barakaldo (ES) 04.11 - La Casa De Las Musas, Burgos (ES) 03.11 - Silikona, Madrid (ES) 02.11 - Spectrum, Murcia (ES) 09.10 - Bambi Galore, Hamburg (DE) 06.10 - The Jack, Eindhoven (NL) 05.10 - Elpee, Deinze (BE) 31.08 - Little Devil, Tilburg (NL) 20.05 - Rockfest 28, Hamme (BE) 07.04 - A Tribute To Wizz, Lotenhulle (BE) |
About the MUSIC
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Empires in the Sun #1 Dreams of Empire (a Pastorale) (music: Tom Tee) #2 Exquisite (music: Dario Frodo / lyrics: Dario Frodo & Tom Tee) #3 Powder and Arms II (music & lyrics: Tom Tee) #4 Where Do We Go (music & lyrics: Tom Tee) #5 More Than Meets the Eye (music: Dario Frodo & Tom Tee / lyrics: Dario Frodo) #6 Empires in the Sun (music: Stripe & Tom Tee / lyrics: Tom Tee) #7 The Old Generation (music & lyrics: Tom Tee) #8 Winterfall (music: Dario Frodo / lyrics: Tom Tee) #9 Itchin' and Achin' (Dead-Eyed Society) (music & lyrics: Dario Frodo) #10 1302 - The Minstrel Part 1 (music & lyrics: Tom Tee) #11 1302 - The Golden Shadow (music & lyrics: Tom Tee) #12 1302 - The Minstrel Part 2 (music & lyrics: Tom Tee) |
Year: 2021 Label: Freya Records Line-up: David Marcelis: lead vocals Tom Tee: electric, acoustic and classical guitars, backing vocals Dario Frodo: guitars, backing vocals Kurk “Stripe” Lawless: bass guitar, backing vocals Louis Van der Linden: drums & percussion Guest appearances: Norman Eshley: narration Arjen Anthony Lucassen: lead vocals Joe Van Audenhove: lead vocals Anneleen Olbrechts: lead & backing vocals Benny 'Zors' Willaert: lead & backing vocals Produced by Tom Tee Mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni @ Domination Studio, San Marino Drums and vocals recorded @ Pete Mush’s Mushroomland Studio, Lokeren Artwork painted by Velio Josto |
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Thorium #1 March of the Eastern Tribe (music: Dario Frodo) #2 Ostrogoth (music & lyrics: Dario Frodo) #3 Court of Blood (music: Dario Frodo / lyrics: Tom Tee) #4 Godspeed (music & lyrics: Tom Tee) #5 Icons Fall (music: Dario Frodo & Stripe / lyrics: Dario Frodo) #6 Powder and Arms (music & lyrics: Tom Tee) #7 All Manner of Light (music: Stripe / lyrics: Tom Tee & Stripe) #8 Return to the Clouds (music & lyrics: Tom Tee) #9 Four by Number, Four by Fate (music: Tom Tee & Dario Frodo / lyrics: Tom Tee) |
Year: 2018 Label: Empire Records (physical) / Rock 'N' Growl Records (digital) Line-up: David Marcelis: lead vocals Tom Tee: electric and acoustic guitars, backing vocals Dario Frodo: electric guitars, backing vocals Kurk “Stripe” Lawless: bass guitars, backing vocals Louis Van der Linden: drums Guest appearances: Anneleen Olbrechts: backing vocals Produced by Tom Tee and Pete Mush Mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni @ Domination Studio, San Marino Drums and vocals recorded @ Pete Mush’s Mushroomland Studio, Lokeren Artwork by Sara Decat |
What the CRITICS say
EMPIRES IN THE SUN ALBUM REVIEWS
"A highlight in the Belgian classic metal history." (8.5/10) - Rock Tribune
"That's a fat 9 points with an upward tendency, so you can look forward to further great deeds from THORIUM." (9/10) - Obliveon
"Fans looking for a more sophisticated Metal masterpiece should get Empires In The Sun." (96/100) - Metal to Infinity
"Empires In The Sun has become an epic metal album that pushes narrow genre boundaries aside with a cold smile and brings a healthy amount of homogeneity in its variety. No question: THORIUM have come to stay." (4.0/5.0) - Stormbringer
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Aardschok | 80/100 |
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Hell Diest | -/- |
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Metal Integral | 19/20 |
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Rock It | 7.5/10 |
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Belgian Metal Shredder | 9/10 |
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Hell Spawn | 91/100 |
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Metalitalia.com | 7.5/10 |
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Rockline | 8.5/10 |
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BURRN! | 78/100 |
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Keys and Chords | 3/5 |
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Metalnews.fr | 80/100 |
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Rock Tribune | 8.5/10 |
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Concert Monkey | -/- |
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Loud and Proud | 76/100 |
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Metal to Infinity | 96/100 |
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Templores | -/- |
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Darkscene | 9/10 |
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Luminous Dash | -/- |
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Musika | 90/100 |
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The Median Man | 10/10 |
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Deaf Forever | 6.5/10 |
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Metal Chaos | -/- |
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My Revelations | 11/15 |
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Snoozecontrol | -/- |
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DPRP | 7/10 |
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Metal.de | 8/10 |
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Neckbreaker | 8/10 |
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Stormbringer | 4.0/5.0 |
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Earshot | 6.5/7 |
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Metal-Experience | 85/100 |
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Obliveon | 9/10 |
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Streetclip | 8.25/10 |
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eR eM | 7/7 |
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Metal Factory | 9.0/10 |
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Power Metal Warrior | 10/10 |
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Via Nocturna | 91/100 |
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Greekrebels.gr | 85/100 |
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Metalfans.be | 80/100 |
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Powerplay | 9/10 |
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White Room Reviews | -/- |
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Hardline | 7.5/10 |
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Metal Forces | 5/10 |
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Rock-E-Zine | 9/10 |
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Wings of Death | -/- |
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Hellbiter Metal Zone | -/- |
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Metal Hammer | 4.5/7 |
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Rock Hard | 8.5/10 |
THORIUM I ALBUM REVIEWS
"If you yearn for classy, well-crafted melodic heavy metal songs with a penchant for memorability, excellent musicianship and world-class vocals, then Thorium cries out for your immediate investigation. Thorium are the real deal." (9/10) - True Metal Lives"All together it makes Thorium’s debut a fantastic one, this is a highlight in the history of Belgian Heavy Metal!" (92/100) - Metal To Infinity
"I love an album with such vibrant energy. If you chance to pick apart the album as I am always inclined to do, each musician in and of themselves brandish absolute potent talent." - Boston Rock Radio
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Aardschok | 78/100 |
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Hell Spawn | 90/100 |
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Metal Temple | 8/10 |
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Rock Tribune | 8.5/10 |
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Battle Helm | 5/5 |
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Legacy | 12/15 |
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Metal to Infinity | 92/100 |
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RockXXL | 8/10 |
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Belgian Metal Shredder | 90/100 |
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Lords of Metal | 88/100 |
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Music in Belgium | 4.5/5 |
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Snoozecontrol | -/- |
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Boston Rock Radio | -/- |
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Loud and Proud | 70/100 |
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Musiczine | 8/10 |
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Soil Chronicles | 7.5/10 |
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BURRN! | 78/100 |
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Luminous Dash | -/- |
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Musika | 90/100 |
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The Median Man | -/- |
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Darkscene | 8.5/10 |
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Mega-Metal.de | 7.5/10 |
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My Revelations | 11/15 |
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True Metal Lives | 9/10 |
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Distorted Sound | 7/10 |
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Metal Addicts | -/- |
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Oblivion | 8.5/10 |
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Valkyrian Music | 3.5/5 |
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FFM-Rock | 8.5/10 |
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Metal Express Radio | -/- |
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Powermetal.de | 8.5/10 |
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White Room | -/- |
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Fireworks Magazine | -/- |
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Metal Hammer | 5/7 |
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Powerplay | 6/7 |
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Wings of Death | -/- |
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GRIMM | 9/10 |
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Metalhead.it | 7.5/10 |
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Rock Hard Italy | 7/10 |
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Zware Metalen | 7.5/10 |
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Headbangers Lifestyle | -/- |
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Metal-Nose | 8.5/10 |
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RockMuZine | 85/100 |
LIVE REVIEWS
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Musiczine.net | 11.06.2022 - 't Sas, Harelbeke (BE) | |
Musika | 04.05.2019 - Kraken Metal Fest, Ittre (BE) | |||||
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Musika | 11.06.2022 - 't Sas, Harelbeke (BE) | |
Snoozecontrol | 04.05.2019 - Kraken Metal Fest, Ittre (BE) | |||||
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Rock Tribune | 11.06.2022 - 't Sas, Harelbeke (BE) | |
Streepclip | 16.03.2019 - FullMetal Osthessen, Niederjossa (DE) | |||||
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Amped-Up | 13.08.2021 - Alcatraz Festival, Kortrijk (BE) | |
Musika | 15.12.2018 - Pluto Metal Fest, Oosterzele (BE) | |||||
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Zware Metalen | 13.08.2021 - Alcatraz Festival, Kortrijk (BE) | |
Belgian Metal Shredder | 15.12.2018 - Pluto Metal Fest, Oosterzele (BE) | |||||
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Musika | 13.08.2021 - Alcatraz Festival, Kortrijk (BE) | |
Musiczine | 11.06.2022 - 't Sas, Harelbeke (BE) | |||||
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Never Mind the Hype | 30.11.2019 - Dynamo, Eindhoven (NL) | |
Rock Tribune | 11.06.2022 - 't Sas, Harelbeke (BE) | |||||
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RockMuzine | 30.11.2019 - Dynamo, Eindhoven (NL) | |
Made in Metal | 05.11.2018 - Mendigo, Barakaldo (ES) | |||||
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MetalInside | 26.11.2019 - Elfer Club, Frankfurt (DE) | |
Musika | 05.10.2018 - Elpee, Deinze (BE) | |||||
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Erikprogtricolor | 24.11.2019 - Lazarus, Leiden (NL) | |
Erikprogtricolor | 31.08.2018 - Little Devil, Tilburg (NL) | |||||
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Musika | 30.09.2019 - Frietrock, Oud-Turnhout (BE) | |
Rockportaal.nl | 20.05.2018 - Rockfest 28, Hamme (BE) | |||||
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Musika | 10.05.2019 - 't Sas, Harelbeke (BE) | |
Rock Tribune | 07.04.2018 - A Tribute To Wizz, Lotenhulle (BE) | |||||
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Music in Belgium | 04.05.2019 - Kraken Metal Fest, Ittre (BE) |
INTERVIEWS
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Via Nocturna | May 2021 | |
Musiczine | January 2019 | |||||
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The Median Man | May 2021 | |
Haschi's Metal Corner | December 2018 | |||||
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Hell Spawn | April 2021 | |
Metal to Infinity | November 2018 | |||||
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Musiczine | April 2021 | |
Jan Vervaeke video interview | November 2018 | |||||
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Rock Tribune #198 | March 2021 | |
Metal.Inside | November 2018 | |||||
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Metal to Infinity | March 2021 | |
Lords of Metal | November 2018 | |||||
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Rock Tribune | March 2021 | |
Rock Tribune #178 | October 2018 | |||||
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Zware Metalen | May 2020 | |
Rock Tribune #168 | September 2017 |