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| THOR - Unchained MLP | |
HRR 1028LP, 425gsm heavy cardboard cover, 8 page A4 booklet, A5 photo card, lyric sheet, 2-sided poster Ltd 500, 200 x black, 200 x transparent electric blue + 100 x swamp/ grey marble vinyl (HRR mailorder exclusive) | |
| Thor - lead vocals Pantera - back-up vocals Karl Cochran - lead guitar Keith Zazzi - bass Mike Favata - drums | |
| 01 Lightning Strikes Again 02 Anger 03 Rock the City 04 Lazer Eyes 05 When Gods Collide 06 Death March | |
AVAILABLE | |
Transfer, audio restoration and mastering by Patrick W. Engel at TEMPLE OF DISHARMONY in March 2025.
Jon Mikl Thor is a legend in his own right. Under the name of Thor, the former “Mr. North America” and professional bodybuilder has recorded and released 41 albums in his 51 years as an active musician. Only few people know though that the roots of Thor actually go way back to the year 1973. “Yes, that's correct,” confirms the singer. “Although the seeds were planted in 1970 as I played bass and sang in various bands. As a young teenager, I won numerous bodybuilding championships, such as ‘Mr. Canada’, ‘Mr. USA’ and ‘Mr. World’, amongst other titles. I had concepts and ideas about a Superhero Rock band that melded muscle and music together. I wanted to become more theatrical as I was influenced by artists such as Alice Cooper and David Bowie.”
After an EP called »Muscle Rock« was issued in 1977 under the name of Thor & The Imps, Thor’s official debut album »Keep The Dogs Away« saw the light of day in 1978. This was one year after the start of the punk explosion and shortly before the US metal invasion. "»Keep The Dogs Away« caused quite a sensation with the press and audiences alike”, explains Jon Mikl Thor today. “There was no other concept like it in 1977. Both the rock and punk media were enamored with the concept. A band with a Herculean lead vocalist that could sing a searing brand of heavy rock. The band Thor were packing venues across North America. It was amazing.”
“During 1978 to 1982, Thor toured constantly,” the legendary singer continues, “also I was writing a lot of songs. We did record a follow up to »Keep The Dogs Away« in 1979. It was called »Electric Eyes« but the label said it was too heavy. They wanted more of the »Keep The Dogs Away« power pop sound. So I kept touring and writing. New York City was my headquarters and I would pound the pavement approaching all the record companies, searching for a new label to license my new album »Unchained«. I was living in Manhattan and assembled new band members. Mike Favata, Rick Fabio, Keith Zazzi, Karl Chocran, Rik Fox and Steve Price were amongst them.”
Thor’s second studio album »Unchained« was finally released in 1983. “»Unchained« was heavier than »Keep The Dogs Away«,” elaborates Jon Mikl Thor. “Originally I had Felix Pappalardi set to produce the record. He was in the band Mountain and had produced Cream. We both liked the heavy riffs and sounds. Unfortunately his wife Gail shot and killed Felix before we got to the studio. I had to produce the record myself.”
“I had gone from label to label in New York City shopping »Unchained«,” he carries on. “There was a new upstart metal label called Mongel Horde who became interested in our sound. So my company Thunder Entertainment Group Ltd. licensed the record to them. The reaction from the press and fans for »Unchained« was overwhelming and the noise was felt across the pond to England. Albion Records licensed the record from me and placed the release on their new metal label Ultra Noise. We then went over to the UK and played the Marquee in early 1984. All the press were there. It was incredible. Five encores that night! Kerrang's headlines shouted ‘He Came, He Thor, He Conquered’!”
MATTHIAS MADER