REVIEW: Buckcherry - Roar Like Thunder

Buckcherry first crashed onto the rock scene in the late 90's and have kept their foot on the gas ever since. They’ve toured alongside the likes of Alice Cooper and Steel Panther, achieved multiple Billboard Top 200 debuts, and most people will, at the very least, recognise their hit songs ‘Crazy Bitch’ and ‘Lit Up’. Now, Buckcherry are back with the upcoming release of their eleventh album, Roar Like Thunder, a massive 25 years after their first release.

Roar Like Thunder has an incredibly sharp production driven by big riffs, heavy rhythms, and is dripping with that sleaze we all expect to hear from the band. This album is in no way a reinvention, but that’s not a bad thing. If anything, it’s a bold reiteration of who exactly Buckcherry are. They’re not here to chase trends or experiment with their sound, they do what they’ve always done, they do it well, and they know it.

The title track, ‘Roar Like Thunder’ opens the album with a frantic rhythm and a super catchy chorus. It’s a great opener that sets your expectations high, without putting forward the best the album has to offer just yet. We then dive into ‘When the Sun Goes Down’, with its punky and frenzied instrumentals. They’re paired with frontman Josh Todd’s gritty vocals and cheeky lyrics about being captivated by a badass lady, so we’re sure this one will quickly become a fan favourite upon release.

The third track, ‘Come On’, channels the iconic sound of AC/DC right from the very first notes. It’s a stompy and groovy summer anthem that takes us nicely into the next song, ‘Talkin’ Bout Sex’. As the title suggests, this is the token cliche track of the album - it’s likely what many casual listeners who only really know ‘Crazy Bitch’ would expect to hear. That by no means makes it a bad song though, the chorus is an absolute earworm and there’s a gorgeous riff in the second half of the song that makes it really stand out.

‘Blackout’ is up next, and on first listen you may just think it’s a song about partying like there’s no tomorrow, especially with how grungy the vibes of this one are. However, the lyrics add a much more sombre tone to the song. Josh sings “when I blackout, I let my loved ones down”, touching on the harsh reality of addiction and the hardcore party lifestyles that the music industry still heavily glamourises. This track is quite profound, and one of the best on the album.

We briefly move back towards a groovier vibe with ‘I Go Boom’, which features some kickass horns and a really fun guitar solo. It’s full of explosive (forgive the pun) energy and will definitely be an exciting one to see live! The seventh track, ‘Set It Free’ is still super punchy but a bit slower, and more of a toe-tapper than a head-banger. We get some more emotionally profound lyrics about letting yourself be whoever you want to be, which is a sentiment we totally agree with.

‘Hello Goodbye’ continues with the softer sound, giving us a little bit of a break from the intensity of the previous tracks. It’s the closest we get to a ballad, though it’s no less powerful than the rest of the album. The gorgeous songwriting and heartfelt lyrics like “I’m so ashamed of the truth and the lies” make this a really hard-hitting track. The penultimate track, ‘Machine Gun’, circles back to that AC/DC influence we heard earlier in ‘Come On’, but with the classic Buckcherry swagger thrown on top.

Finally, we get to the closing track of the album, ‘Let It Burn’. We’re quickly hit with incensed instrumentals, bringing the album full circle and reviving the vigour that the previous couple songs had held back from unleashing. The song sends a clear message that these guys don’t plan on slowing down any time soon, and frankly leaves us wanting even more. 

Overall, this album feels like a very natural progression for such a well-established band. Buckcherry aren’t here to prove anything, they’re here to tell us they still know how to rock out and are never going to stray far from that raw, guitar-driven sound. Returning fans will enjoy the familiarity behind these fresh tracks, and any newcomers will regret not paying attention sooner!

Score: 9/10

Roar Like Thunder will be released on June 13th 2025 via Earache Records.

Words: Zuzanna Pazola

Photos: Buckcherry