Tantrum – ‘The Darkest of Times/Tornado of Souls’

Glasgow-based metal-quintet Tantrum have enjoyed a good bit of success recently, releasing their now traditional Christmas EP at the end of 2023 to great acclaim (with profits to charity!), recruiting a talented new drummer and signing with Stage Right Management. It’s been a great building block for all that is to come in 2024 and beyond and sets things up nicely for an exciting new chapter for Mark Reid (vocals), Baz Fitzsimmons (guitar), Micah Snow (guitars), Chris Horne (bass) and latest recruit Mark Riches (drums).

The new chapter in Tantrum’s story, featuring the first recording of the full line-up, starts on 29th March 2024 with the release of the double A-side single featuring the brand-new original track ‘The Darkest of Times’ and a cover of ‘Tornado of Souls’, the classic metal romp from Megadeth’s excellent Rust in Peace album from 1990. The tracks will be released in a few special edition packages (more on that later) with an accompanying hard-hitting video for ‘The Darkest of Times’ released on the same day.

‘The Darkest of Times’ starts with a ‘scene setting’ classic twin-guitar and drum intro (listen and you’ll understand what I mean) that eventually gives way to the kind of ferocious metal riffing that any of the ‘Big 4’ of thrash would be proud of. You’ll struggle to avoid an immediate bout of headbanging and frantic air guitaring (not great when you’re in your 40s and haven’t had a chance to warm up the arthritic joints!) such is the pull of this track from the outset. There’s a Blaze Bayley-type of timbre to singer Mark Reid’s voice in that you very much feel as if he’s telling a story, something that for me, is a huge part of the Tantrum appeal. It immerses the listener in the song, tying the challenging lyrics and the music together.

The pace is fast and furious throughout, with heavy rhythm guitar riffs complimented by some fantastic shredding lead guitar and a tight rhythm section that drives the tempo like Iron Maiden’s ‘Ed Force One’ Boeing 747 charging down the runway at full speed! There’s good use of the twin guitar sound at appropriate times (not overused) and drums hit with such intensity that they will shake the dust from your speakers and rattle your granny’s false teeth. It’s that kind of heavy metal track!

Lyrically and thematically, this song could be about the myriad of evil and suffering in the world; wars, famine, poverty… there’s a lot of people going through ‘the darkest of times’ at the moment. But with talk of a “fight to survive” and “demons that thrive”, as well as the opening lyrics “Beyond the light, there’s a glimpse of tomorrow. Through the night, thoughts are twisted to sorrow”, I think this song is more of a commentary on one of the greatest threats to health and wellbeing in the modern world... mental health. With a Scottish suicide mortality rate of 13.9 per 100,000 people in recent stats, it’s a conversation that needs to be louder and more widespread. If the lyrics of a metal song can highlight the mental health plight of many in the population and the suffering they’re going through, then we really need to get this song heard by the masses! It’s a dark and brutally honest track, with lyrics, music and even artwork that is very much in line with the mental health theme. It’s great metal music with a vital message. Listen… listen carefully… and start the conversation with those around you! Unbeknownst to you, they might just be going through ‘the darkest of times.

I’ve always wondered what goes through an artist or band’s mind when they’re considering what kind of cover song they want to record. They could pick one that is straightforward and easy enough to perform and that they know will please fans. Seems simple enough, right? Not if you’re Tantrum! Instead of the easy option, they opted to cover a metal classic in Megadeth’s 1990 gem, ‘Tornado of Souls’ from their Rust in Peace album… a song that includes a guitar solo often voted as one of the top ten metal solos of all time. No pressure, lads!

On the face of things, ‘Tornado of Souls’ appears to be a faithful cover of the Megadeth original. But with headphones on, you’ll really start to hear the little nuances and differences that helps to elevate it to another level. Now, for the Megadeth purists out there who are reading this and planning to send a ‘train of consequences’ in my direction, I’m not for a minute saying that this is better than the original. How could I possibly say that about such a classic metal song by an iconic metal band?! But it’s only right that I acknowledge the little differences that make the Tantrum cover so good. Modern production methods make the guitar riffs sound heavier, the bass much clearer and the drums more urgent. I could be wrong but I think Tantrum may have upped the tempo slightly too. But it’s the vocals that really set it apart as Mark Reid’s voice is world’s away from Dave Mustaine’s. Mustaine is Megadeth. Megadeth wouldn’t be Megadeth without him. But his vocals can be nasal and slightly whiney sounding at times which can cause a bit of aural fatigue after a long listening session. In the Tantrum cover, Reid’s vocals are clear, concise and powerful, hitting the higher notes without losing his smooth tone. “What about the guitar solo?”, I hear you say. Well… it’s just as good as the original. So much so, that I had to check the press pack to make sure that Marty Friedman himself hadn’t joined Tantrum! This is how a cover should be done; staying true to everything that made the original song so good whilst adding subtle changes that make your own mark. Great stuff!

With this double A-side release, Tantrum have mixed the old with the new to great effect. ‘The Darkest of Times’ is a new and original riff-filled, heavy, frantic metal track with an important and very current social commentary, whilst ‘Tornado of Souls’ is a nod to the heyday of the genre and the band’s past and influences. It’s where they’ve been versus where they are now, forging a path for Tantrum’s future and providing a glimpse of what’s to come in their forthcoming album. If you like your metal to be heavy, paying homage to the classic metal and thrash metal sounds whilst adding a modern sheen, then this double A-side release is for you!

‘The Darkest of Times’ and ‘Tornado of Souls’ double A-side single will be released on Friday 29tH March with the accompanying video released on the same day. In typical Tantrum style, it’ll be released in a few different packages; Heaven for those who prefer physical music as opposed to digital files you can’t touch! Two numbered and limited CD singles with their own unique artwork will be available. as well as a very limited-edition EP in gatefold packaging and a vinyl-style grooved CD. The gatefold version also includes some live tracks, a sew on patch and stickers. These are sure to sell out fast (if they haven’t already!), so be quick and get your pre-orders in!