Review: “Spiritual Chains” by Thorndale

After a well received debut in the half an hour of power that is 2024’s “Lightening Spawn“, a sophomore record from Stoner Doom Metal powerhouse Thorndale holds much promise, especially as they have now added a second guitarist to their line-up. For those unfamiliar the group comprise vocalist Gustavo Valderrama (Killing Darlings, Headcrusher, Adarrak), bassist Zigor Munoz (Adarrak, Ferkaad) and fretboard destroyers Peter Shannon (Primal Charge) and Maarten Jungschläger (Embers of Oblivion, Epinikion) with guest drummer Rob Stone in the studio. Recorded locally in Austin, Texas; Scarborough, Ontario and Haarlem and Den Haag, Netherlands across 2024 and 2025, “Spiritual Chains” was subsequently mixed and mastered by Rickard Bengtsson and Stafan Karlsson at Sweetspot Studios in Halmstad, Sweden (Arch Enemy, Spiritual Beggars).

Bringing to mind Jesse Leech project Seamless with its blend of crushing riffs fit for worship and soulful vocals “Veins of the Phoenix” is a powerhouse of an opening track with sumptuous leads and powerful rhythms, a higher tempo than you’d expect from the Stoner Doom genre as a whole making it work incredibly well. Valderrama’s vocals are impressive and captivating, the occasional moment of accenting creeping in adding charm to the piece before the heavier, dirge laden riffs of “Battles Fought in Vain” come into play. Another higher tempo piece with a serious weight and gravity to it, this one has fantastic interplay between the musicians, playful moments in the guitar work before powerful chugs and dynamic rhythms, the virtuoso solo a jaw dropping moment. What makes it however is the sing-a-long chorus and lyrics which resonate, meaning there is method to the madness and creativity. A barnstormer of a track “Gods of Pain” then slaps hard with contrasting clean and harsh vocal moments wrapped around thunderous rhythms. Spellbinding lead guitars in the final third are awe inspiring and send a chill down the spine, the track ending with a thump.

Staccato riff breaks between churn and burn passages give “Twenty Thousand Souls” another dimension, the power of the piece bringing to mind the finer moments of Dry Kill Logic but with more style and swagger with the second guitar and the addition of some electrifying leads. Thorndale aren’t reinventing the wheel here, instead distilling and perfecting a time honoured formula. The seasoned veterans play from the heart and feel the soul, their music having plenty of spirit and an air of self confidence only achieved with years spent toiling in the rehearsal space. Title track “Spiritual Chains” stands out by being a little different, a richer melody and a real deep Stoner Metal atmospheric pushing bands boundaries a little. A guest solo from Jeff Henson of Duel adds a spice that’s nice to “Exiles and Masters” as ethnic vibes creep into the guitars in the first minute or so. Valderrama’s lyrical narrative is an interesting one, the aggression in the more emotive performance telling you that this one means that little bit more personally. An incredible record from a seriously talented group of musicians, this isn’t one to be slept on [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Veins of the Phoenix
2. Battles Fought in Vain
3. Gods of Pain
4. Twenty Thousand Souls
5. Spiritual Chains
6. Exiles and Masters (ft. Jeff Henson of Duel)

“Spiritual Chains” by Thorndale is out 12th September 2025 and is available over at bandcamp