TNT

TNT is the debut of Norway’s TNT — raw and linear, greatly different from the polished melodic-metal image of later years. Formed around guitarist Ronni Le Tekrø, at this point the band had Dag Ingebrigtsen on vocals and centered on songs sung in their native Norwegian. The keenness of the guitar and a forward-pushing rhythm drive the record, and the songs power through with the rough momentum only a young band has. Because this is the stage before Tony Harnell was brought in to steer toward international melodic hard rock, a harder, more direct hard-rock soul is stamped here. Being sung in Norwegian gives the work a distinctive, locally rooted color and tension, radiating an appeal different from the glossy sound of later years. Keeping the raw, uncut ferocity and early impulse of a band before its style had settled, it is an interesting record for knowing TNT’s starting point, and the buds of Ronni Le Tekrø’s distinctive guitar can be clearly heard throughout.