This is the 1978 sophomore album by the terrific British hard rock band STRIFE, a seminal influence on IRON MAIDEN and many others. By this point, the band had shifted to the smaller Gull Records, which had released JUDAS PRIEST's first two albums only a few years earlier. Although conventional underground wisdom has always stressed their 1975 debut (likely because it was on Chrysalis), "Back To Thunder" is, in the opinion of many, at least as good - if not better! The album improved on their debut on several fronts, not least of which is the stellar production: the guitar tone is nicely crunchy, especially for its time. The technical performance of all musicians in the band ? always a high point with STRIFE ? had progressed in the intervening three years, as well. Songs like "Shockproof" and "Feel So Good" hit the listener with high-energy riffing and skill right out of the gate; the band delivered rock here as good as any contemporary heavy UFO, NAZARETH, or BUDGIE work. However, STRIFE retained a great deal of their progressive tendencies, as well; special mention must go to "Let Me Down," a doomy break-up song as good as any similarly themed THIN LIZZY number. The bass performance on this record particularly shines, but I don?t want to ruin any surprises. If you don't dig this, you just might be shockproof, with skin as thick as a brick. Crank It!