Thunder And Lightning

The Zoo Crew is spinning the electrifying track "Thunder And Lightning" by Vandenberg from their 2023 album Sin, and the Zoo Freaks are surely feeling the raw energy of this hard rock anthem. This song, the opener of the album, sets the tone with its towering vocals and earthquaking rhythms, as described by band leader Adrian Vandenberg. In a statement shared on Vandenberg’s official Facebook, Adrian noted that the track embodies the band’s mission to deliver “broad strokes of anthemic hard rock and airtight metal,” produced by Bob Marlette, known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne and Alice Cooper. The song’s intense fretwork and driving beat make it a perfect fit for the Zoo Crew’s high-energy vibe, capturing the spirit of a band that refuses to be a mere nostalgia act, as Adrian emphasized in an interview with Sonic Perspectives.

Digging into the trivia, "Thunder And Lightning" marks a significant moment for Vandenberg, being part of their first album with vocalist Mats Levén, who joined in 2021. Mats, a fan of the band since his early twenties when his mother brought home their first two records from England, brought a fresh yet darker edge to the track, as noted in a Hellpress interview. Adrian shared that the song’s creation was fueled by the band’s eagerness to “break out of the stables” post-COVID, a sentiment echoed in their Instagram posts promoting the album. The album’s cover art,pitbull, painted by Adrian himself, features a nod to the iconic sharks from their 1983 album Heading For A Storm, a detail celebrated by fans on the Vandenberg Fans Facebook group, tying the new era to the band’s storied past.

Vandenberg was formed in 1981 in Amsterdam by guitarist Adrian Vandenberg, whose name became synonymous with the band’s searing guitar-driven sound. Born Adriaan van den Berg, Adrian started his musical journey inspired by the rock giants of the ‘70s and ‘80s, as he shared in a band bio. He assembled the original lineup with vocalist Bert Heerink, bassist Dick Kemper, and drummer Jos Zoomer, recording a demo that caught the attention of journalist Kees Baars, who secured them a deal with Atlantic Records. Their 1982 self-titled debut, recorded at Jimmy Page’s Sol Studios, spawned the hit single “Burning Heart,” which reached No. 39 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. This success launched Vandenberg into international tours with acts like Ozzy Osbourne and KISS, cementing their reputation as a formidable live act, as detailed on their Wikipedia page.

Adrian’s career took a pivotal turn when he was recruited by Whitesnake, where he famously played the iconic lead on the 1987 No. 1 hit “Here I Go Again,” as highlighted in a post by user @bjones306 on X. He co-wrote the platinum album Slip of the Tongue and toured with Steve Vai, performing in some of the world’s largest arenas. After a 12-year stint with Whitesnake, Adrian formed Vandenberg’s MoonKings in 2013, releasing albums like MoonKings (2014) and MK II (2017). The band’s 2020 comeback album, aptly titled 2020, marked their triumphant return, leading to the revitalized lineup for Sin. Fans can connect with the band and fellow enthusiasts through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, X, and the active Vandenberg Fans Facebook group.