Review: Tony Martin 'Thorns' (hard rock/heavy metal/doom)

Join Pete Pardo for a review of the new solo album from former Black Sabbath vocalist Tony Martin, 'Thorns'. #tonymartin

[Danimal]

I recommend that everyone check out Tony Martin's first collaboration with Dario Mollo (who also collaborated with Glenn Hughes 3 times) on "The Cage 1" album from 1999. It's incredible.

[martinarnold]

wow, Tony Martin's still going! Saw him with Sabbath in 1989 with ears ringing and Ian Gillan joining in for the smoke on the ware encore (charity single at the time). Headless Cross is fantastic and I'm glad he kept those songs alive over the years

[jeffreykoger]

This is such a strong album! The Martin era of Sabbath is highly underrated, IMO.

[timbass]

Fantastic album, he's lost nothing on his voice! My first Sabbath show was the Forbidden tour and say what you want about Forbidden as an album he sounded amazing live, did the Ozzy songs justice and was fantastic singing the Dio songs. Someone needs to tell Tony to start working with him again! Heaven and Hell 2.0?

[garyh.]

Tony Martin is a great singer. Saw him when he was fronting Black Sabbath on the 1990 Tyr tour. What a line-up back then...Tony Iommi, Cozy Powell and Neil Murray too. Tony's solo work with Dario Mollo on the Cage projects is fantastic too. Looking forward to picking up a CD of Thorns!

[ukrocksounds]

Must check this out, Tony Martin deserves more love, Headless cross, Eternal idol, Tyr are great albums.

[aleksandarpejcic]

Great review Pete! Tony Martin, the unsung hero of Black Sabbath, finally gets his due this year. With this album and his Black Sabbath remasters, the man really gets the attention he rightfully deserved all these years.

[theinnersleeve-vinylenthus]

I am so glad you posted this review! I streamed it today and it is an awesome album! I’ve been watching your channel for awhile now, but typically don’t comment. For this album I had to comment. Really love your channel Pete! Keep up the good work!

[steelmonkey]

This is a great album, Tony sounds awesome, I loved him with Sabbath

[itkojecockot]

always loved some of those TM albums with such a shame they got no love back some of them aged really and Tony has always been a beast of a singer

[NickPalladino]

Good to hear Tony has released a new album. He always delivered live for Black Sabbath. Absolutely love the Headless Cross album he did with Sabbath!

[strangeways]

From the opening salvo of As the World Burns, it is obvious that Tony Martin is back with a vengeance. With Thorns, the former Sabbath frontman has released his best solo effort yet that easily lines up with his work in Sabbath as well. Thorns beauty lies in its diversity; songs like Crying Wolf, Damned by You, This Is Your Damnation, and No Shame at All show the versatility of Tony and guitarist Scott McClellan who co-wrote the record. The bass breakdown on Black Widow Angel is a surprising little twist to an already great song. A welcome return by one of metal’s most enduring frontmen.

[joeallegra]

Love this album. Also very happy The Martin Era of Sabbath is finally being released. Boxset format.

[TebiCr]

Tony Martin is a great singer, I love his voice, and his albums with Black Sabbath were great except for Forbidden, so I will definitely check out this one, thanks for the review Pete 💯

[markbunton]

Tony has always been an underrated vocalist and his albums with Sabbath are some of my favorites. I’ve already listened to Thorns on YouTube and absolutely love it. Waiting on the cd to arrive from Amazon and expect to wear it out. Also looking forward to the Martin Sabbath era rereleases mentioned recently.

[christianman]

Thanks for this review, Pete! I had no idea that Tony was releasing a new solo album, and I'm definitely going to look into this one. It will be great to pick this up, especially as I recently heard that a new box set of the remastered Sabbath albums with Tony on vocals is being prepared!

[DrewPDrawzz]

Beaut review, Pete. I was so entranced by the Thorns album that at first I thought, "This is the work of gypsies!", but then I remembered the black (Sabbath) magic that influenced Tony Martin, and it all made sense that my second favourite Sab singer should produce such an impressive work. 4 stars is well and truly warranted. 🤘

[RythymBeast]

Thanks for this, Pete. Great album. I wouldn't have known about if you hadn't reviewed it!

[crusheverything]

Nice review, Pete. I wish there was some more ripping lead guitar, but the songs and Tony’s vocals are very strong. One thing: I’m sure you meant to say Cross of Thorns, rather than Crown of Thorns. That album has the distinction of being the only Tony Martin Sabbath album with Iommi and Geezer Butler. I think the title track is one of the best Martin-era tunes. I hope this is a big success for Tony, as it’ll be very well-deserved.

[BigWade]

I don't have it yet, but will be getting it. Note that Tony Martin's real name is Anthony Harford, and Joe Harford is his son. Also, Tony revealed recently that the contracts for the IRS albums have been sorted out, so there should be a box-set of Headless Cross, Tyr, Cross Purposes, and Forbidden (and hopefully Cross Purposes Live). He indicated it would be a box set, and not individual albums. Also, "later this year, " could of course stretch into 2023...