The Community

ROCK AND ROLL! => Black Sabbath => Solo Projects => Topic started by: KiloDeltaCharlie on September 03, 2021, 11:59:15 AM

Title: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: KiloDeltaCharlie on September 03, 2021, 11:59:15 AM
I see Tony Martin has announced the release date of his third solo album on Facebook. We knew he had a new album called Thorns on the way, and now we have the date and that date is 14th Jan 2022.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on September 03, 2021, 12:16:18 PM
Yes I noticed that...

I'll be on the pre-order line for sure.

Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Tyr66 on September 03, 2021, 01:09:09 PM
Yes I noticed that...

I'll be on the pre-order line for sure.

Hey buddy, nothing in gestation about a new The Cage album with Dario Mollo ?
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on September 03, 2021, 03:14:26 PM
Yes I noticed that...

I'll be on the pre-order line for sure.

Hey buddy, nothing in gestation about a new The Cage album with Dario Mollo ?

Not that I know of no... I think Dario is working with Graham Bonnet now for a project called EZoo.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Scott on September 03, 2021, 11:28:51 PM
Looking forward to this. The owner of BattleGod Productions is a good guy.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Jack the Stripper on September 04, 2021, 01:41:21 AM
I’ll check it out. I’m sure with all the studio wizardry these days they can get him sounding half decent.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Tyr66 on September 04, 2021, 03:06:10 AM
I’ll check it out. I’m sure with all the studio wizardry these days they can get him sounding half decent.

I don't know what you mean at all !!  ;D 8)
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Vyn on September 05, 2021, 04:11:54 AM
^^ Hahaha! Yeah, I'll be checking this one out.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on September 05, 2021, 07:00:06 AM
I’ll check it out. I’m sure with all the studio wizardry these days they can get him sounding half decent.

Well if they can make Ozzy sound semi listenable I'm sure Tony will sound amazing. :D
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on December 03, 2021, 03:45:51 PM
The first track from THORNS is here and goddamn it sounds pretty damn heavy!



I'm digging it...a lot!
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: KiloDeltaCharlie on December 04, 2021, 07:00:16 AM
I'm not sure he's done anything heavier before... even in Sabbath! I've played it rhough a couple of times and I'm beginning to really like it.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on December 04, 2021, 07:08:42 AM
Yeah I think that's most certainly his heviest work. Scott is a more aggressive style guitarist so it makes sense that there's a heavier edge to it. Although I do think Tony's actually written a fair bit of the music as well but I know Scott has had a lot of say as well.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Zzzptm on December 04, 2021, 08:52:02 AM
Dude! He sounds like that guy that sang for Black Sabbath in the late 80s! :yes: :headbanger:
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on January 06, 2022, 06:13:50 AM
Quite a positive review of Thorns!

https://www.blabbermouth.net/cdreviews/thorns/ (https://www.blabbermouth.net/cdreviews/thorns/)

Can't wait to get my copy!
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: KiloDeltaCharlie on January 06, 2022, 07:24:14 AM
Really looking forward to it as well.

The CD isn't coming out until mid-Feb but the MP3/Streaming is available on the 14th Jan.

Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Zzzptm on January 06, 2022, 07:37:28 AM
Really looking forward to it as well.

The CD isn't coming out until mid-Feb but the MP3/Streaming is available on the 14th Jan.



Since I do just MP3s, I'll be looking forward to the 14 Jan date. :D
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on January 06, 2022, 08:04:52 AM
Really looking forward to it as well.

The CD isn't coming out until mid-Feb but the MP3/Streaming is available on the 14th Jan.



My preorder says shipping on Jan 21st...we shall see.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: KiloDeltaCharlie on January 06, 2022, 08:51:23 AM
Just checked, my Amazon (UK) order suggests delivery on 18th Feb, but it seems to comes with the auto rip so I might be getting the MP3 anyway?
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on January 13, 2022, 12:18:54 PM
Great interview with Tony done by the Metal Voice:

Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Jack the Stripper on January 21, 2022, 12:50:51 AM
Seems Ronnie didn’t like him lol

https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/tony-martin-recalls-meeting-ronnie-james-dio-i-thought-maybe-he-was-gonna-hit-me/?fbclid=IwAR3RhTVZsuMGbNtM5V7sTfl7tI7yhNOgaxPUt6bHTn6eWpBIRX6WchIijZY
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Zzzptm on January 21, 2022, 08:26:15 AM
Wow, that exchange was barbed, to put it nicely.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on January 27, 2022, 05:34:42 AM
Well goddamnit! Now my order says release on Feb 22nd! This sucks.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: KiloDeltaCharlie on January 27, 2022, 05:52:58 AM
^^^
That's my due date too. I'm wondering, if you ordered from the official site you might have got it sooner. But I think it was only MP3/streaming which was made available to all on the 14th Jan.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on January 27, 2022, 05:58:41 AM
So many people have posted pics with the new album on facebook that it MUST have been available somewhere earlier! Some even got it before the 14th.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Zzzptm on January 27, 2022, 08:45:01 AM
I'm playing it right now on YouTube. :smug: I like to try before I buy, but damn that opening track is compelling!

Reviews on Amazon so far are all 4/5 stars, lots of enthusiasm in the comments.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on January 27, 2022, 09:39:31 AM
It has been getting nothing but positive feedback everywhere. Looks like Tony hit the nail on the head with this one.

Man I'm torn...having to wait for a full month is a long time...I might have a moment of weakness and listen to it on youtube before hand....not sure yet...it's driving me bonkers right now... :excited:  :zomg:
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Zzzptm on January 27, 2022, 09:51:28 AM
It's not weakness. You paid for it, you get to play it. I was ready to buy after track 2, pulled the trigger during track 6, now I'm playing the MP3 files instead of the YouTube video. You'll have the album and I guarantee it'll be a pleasure to listen to when you get it whether or not you've heard it before. You will want to play this album again and again. Dude, it's awesome. No song too long or too short, masterful playing, Martin in peak performance, plenty of playful variety, it's got it all.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: KiloDeltaCharlie on January 27, 2022, 10:45:43 AM
OK, I'm slightly confused. I bit the bullet and went to download the MP3 from Amazon (where I have the CD on order), went to buy it and it just let me Download it without going through the "buying" process. So I guess the CD came with a free MP3 download but they never told me it was available!

So I need to give it a good listen just as soon as I have time!
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Zzzptm on January 27, 2022, 10:49:07 AM
Yes, the Amazon policy is to include MP3s with the purchase of every CD. Sometimes, to clear out inventory, the price on the CD is lower than the MP3 album price.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: KiloDeltaCharlie on January 27, 2022, 10:58:44 AM
Yes, but in the past it's only been when the CD has been released and they sent you an email when it was available to download.

I did get a good deal a few years back, when I decided to complete my Led Zeppelin collection (I think I needed 6 albums!) and when I looked to buy the MP3s I noticed that the CDs were cheaper *and* came with the AutoRip as well. Saved over £10 and got both formats!
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Zzzptm on January 27, 2022, 11:51:58 AM
Back to Mr. Martin... his vocal resemblance to Mr. Dio is very much a factor in this album, most excellently! I'm on my 4th listen, I'm going to wear a groove into these MP3s for sure...
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on January 27, 2022, 12:26:39 PM
Ach...fuck it.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on January 27, 2022, 12:41:52 PM
Good lord...Mr. Martin's voice has surely held up incredibly well! He's sounding fantastic!

Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Zzzptm on January 27, 2022, 12:52:33 PM
Good lord...Mr. Martin's voice has surely held up incredibly well! He's sounding fantastic!




Yes. Yes, he *is*. Incredible, isn't it?
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on January 27, 2022, 12:57:28 PM
So far I can say my favourites are As The World Burns, Black Widow Angel, Book Of Shadows and Passion Killer. Absolutely SUBERB tracks all.

Tony's vocals on Crying Wolf are incredible but I'm not totally sold on the track otherwise....Damned By You is a great track too and features Tony on his Violin again which is always great.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Zzzptm on January 27, 2022, 03:27:44 PM
What I like best is how Tony Martin is being Tony Martin. He's not locked into having to sound one way or another, he's able to be himself and is intimately comfortable with his material and bandmates.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Vyn on January 27, 2022, 04:36:07 PM
Quietly biding his time...like a cat...he pounces and tears ass with this release.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Jack the Stripper on January 28, 2022, 12:35:46 AM
I gave Thorns a couple of listens last week. Pretty heavy, solid musicianship and good production. It’s not bad, but after I was done listening to it nothing really stuck in my head or was really memorable enough to warrant me going back again. Tony’s vocal melodies come across a bit bland for my liking although the wonders of modern technology have done a good job at propping up his his vocals. The guitar riffage is probably the highlight of the album but at the same time it’s fairly stock modern metal fare and the lack of guitar solos hurts it a bit too I think.

My favourite tracks were surprisingly the less metal sounding ones like “Crying Wolf” and “This is your Damnation”. They just seemed to offer something fresh & different to my ears. From the heavy hitters the ones I liked most were with the opening track “As the World Burns”, “No Shame At All” and Run Like The Devil.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on January 28, 2022, 07:03:59 AM
I'm adding This Is Your Damnation to the SUBERB list. What a funky song! This most certainly reminds me of some of Ian Gillan's solo work just like ZZZ said! Killer track absolutely!
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Zzzptm on January 28, 2022, 08:21:21 AM
Yes, where Tony breaks out of the metal mold, I think he's at his best. Another vote for This Is Your Damnation as the gem of the album.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on January 28, 2022, 08:32:48 AM
Yeah...Tony's a very versatile singer. He's got one of those voices that can do pretty much anything. There aren't too many singers like that out there.

I'm on my second listen of the album now...I think I'll do one more then I'll be waiting for the cd to properly dive into the album.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Zzzptm on January 28, 2022, 10:36:42 AM
DEFINITELY I'm hot to do a song-by-song for this album. I'm letting it marinate right now, don't want to play it to death, so I'll be ready when you are.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on May 31, 2022, 11:18:10 AM
Tony just mentioned that the Re-issue of the album is now done and ready for sale...well not so much a re-issue as just new pressing really.

There were some issues with the artwork being too dark in the original one AND there was a huge mistake in the booklet as Danny Needham's name was totally missing from the credits so they decided to do a whole new pressing of the album.

Tony's also signing few copies of the new pressing...I thought what the heck...if he still has some signed copies left I'll have one...
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Zzzptm on May 31, 2022, 04:00:05 PM
Wow, that's totally classy of The Cat. Well done, Mr. Martin!
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on May 31, 2022, 04:11:27 PM
Indeed...not many bands do a repressing right away if they find something wrong with the booklet!
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Zzzptm on June 01, 2022, 10:11:44 AM
Indeed...not many bands do a repressing right away if they find something wrong with the booklet!

Indeed... some, it's the sheer scale of the operation: can't recall if the batch is too big. Others, it's just an "oh well" sort of attitude.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on June 30, 2022, 06:21:35 AM
Well Tony's people got finally back to me and said that the cds are flying out so they have to actually get more for him to sign so it'll take some time, but they promised me one.

That's great news that it's selling well...and I'm not surprised it's been getting a lot of high praises from people...not just me and ZZ! :D
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Vyn on July 01, 2022, 04:17:01 PM
That is awesome sauce, Charger!
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Zzzptm on July 02, 2022, 01:05:07 PM
Well Tony's people got finally back to me and said that the cds are flying out so they have to actually get more for him to sign so it'll take some time, but they promised me one.

That's great news that it's selling well...and I'm not surprised it's been getting a lot of high praises from people...not just me and ZZ! :D

Great to hear about the sales. This is a great disc, Tony deserves all the good that comes from it!
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on January 19, 2023, 04:08:02 PM
Here's a great interview with Tony from last month with The Metal Voice guys..



Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on April 10, 2024, 12:15:43 PM
Just saw on the Battlegod Productions facebook page that they are planning to remaster and remix SCREAM later this year!! Not sure if it really needs a remix but it's still cool to see this album becoming available again as well.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: KiloDeltaCharlie on April 11, 2024, 09:27:09 AM
I did see that somewhere.

I probably won't get it, but as you say it's good for it to be available again.

I would be more interested in his debut, which I don't have.
Title: Re: Tony Martin solo album "Thorns" gets release date
Post by: Charger on April 11, 2024, 10:22:23 AM
Yeah I don't have it either...but it is pretty different from his other work though so I haven't really been looking for it either!