Thor (stylized as THOR) is a Canadian
heavy metal band from
Vancouver
Vancouver ( ) is a major city in western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the ...
,
British Columbia
British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...
, Canada.
Biography
Thor started out as a concept band in 1973. They used the names "Thor", "Centaur" and "Mikl Body Rock". These entities were the brainchild of
Jon Mikl Thor
Jon Mikl Thor (born 1953), better known as simply Thor, is a Canadian bodybuilding champion, actor, songwriter, screenwriter, historian, vocalist and musician.
As a bodybuilder, he was the first Canadian to win both the Mr. Canada and Mr. USA ...
, a vocalist, musician and body building champion who won titles such as Mr. USA and
Mr. World Canada
Mr. World Canada (sometimes informally referred to as Mr. Canada) is a Canadian male beauty pageant that runs in parallel with the Miss World Canada pageant, the two sending their winners to compete in the Mister World and Miss World pageants resp ...
.
He decided to combine muscle with music. In every show Jon Mikl Thor would appear as "Thor The Rock Warrior". Mikl Body Rock aka "Thor" toured throughout North America seeking fame and to garner enough attention to secure a record deal. The press dubbed them "Kings of Muscle Rock" or "Warriors of Gladiator Rock".
In 1976, Jon Mikl met guitarist Frank Soda while touring Canada.
Frank Soda joined "Thor" who also became known as "Thor and The Imps". The band toured constantly in the Eastern USA and Canada region building a large following. The first album was recorded in Toronto, Ontario, Canada under the name Thor and was called ''Muscle Rock''. Released by the independent label God Of Thunder Records, the record became a success, and gained the attention of various managers and producers who wanted to sign the act. Jon Mikl Thor was offered a large deal to star in a production at the
Aladdin Resort & Casino in
Las Vegas
Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...
called 'Red Hot and Blue'. Frank Soda wanted to keep touring with the band, so
Frank Soda and The Imps were formed. Jon Mikl Thor went on to star in Las Vegas and was discovered by
Merv Griffin
Mervyn Edward Griffin Jr. (July 6, 1925 – August 12, 2007) was an American television show host and media mogul. He began his career as a radio and big band singer, later appearing in film and on Broadway. From 1965 to 1986 he hosted his own t ...
, who had Thor perform live on the ''
Merv Griffin Show
''The Merv Griffin Show'' is an American television talk show starring Merv Griffin. The series ran from October 1, 1962 to March 29, 1963 on NBC, May 10, 1965 to July 4, 1969 in first-run syndication, from August 18, 1969 to February 11, 1972 ...
'' from Caesars Palace on national television. Thor's performance was a hit, and offers came in from various major labels. Thor decided to sign with
RCA Records
RCA Records is an American record label currently owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America. It is one of Sony Music's four flagship labels, alongside RCA's former long-time rival Columbia Records; also A ...
in late 1976.
This new incarnation of Thor was formed in 1977 by
Jon Mikl Thor
Jon Mikl Thor (born 1953), better known as simply Thor, is a Canadian bodybuilding champion, actor, songwriter, screenwriter, historian, vocalist and musician.
As a bodybuilder, he was the first Canadian to win both the Mr. Canada and Mr. USA ...
and released their debut album ''
Keep the Dogs Away''.
After much touring, Jon Mikl Thor resided in New York City. He formed a new band with backing members Rusty Hamilton aka Queen Pantera, Mike Favata, Jimmy Ambrose, James Whang and Keith Zazzi in 1983 and released the ''
Unchained'' EP.
The record, which was on Mongel Horde Records in the USA got picked up for distribution in England through Albion Records. The band travelled to London, England to perform at the
Marquee Club
The Marquee Club was a music venue first located at 165 Oxford Street in London, when it opened in 1958 with a range of jazz and skiffle acts. Its most famous period was from 1964 to 1988 at 90 Wardour Street in Soho, and it finally closed wh ...
and signed with
Motörhead
Motörhead () were an English rock band formed in London in 1975 by Lemmy (lead vocals, bass), Larry Wallis (guitar) and Lucas Fox (drums). Lemmy was also the primary songwriter and only constant member. The band are often considered a precu ...
's manager Douglas Smith. In 1984, the band decided to live in the UK. Most of the time was spent at studios in London, writing and recording new material. The songs "Let the Blood Run Red" and "Thunder on the Tundra" became instant chart toppers with "Thunder on the Tundra" reaching number one on the British rock chart.
The success of the singles soon led to 1985's album ''
Only the Strong''.
Thor's stage performances involved antics such as Jon Mikl Thor breathing into hot water bottles until they burst,
breaking bricks over his chest and head and bending steel bars and microphone stands.
In 1986, Thor released ''Recruits – Wild in the Streets'' on
GWR Records
GWR Records were an independent record label active in the UK from 1986 through to 1991.
By 1984, Gerry Bron's Bronze Records were in financial difficulty leading to a hiatus in recording activity for Motörhead. Eventually, Motörhead manag ...
. The band would break up in 1987 and Jon Mikl entered the world of acting, starring in such movies as ''
Recruits'' (1986, as Thunderhead), ''
Zombie Nightmare'' (1987, as Tony Washington), and ''
Rock 'n' Roll Nightmare'' (1987, as John Triton).
[
Ten years later in 1997, the band released the compilation album ''Ride of the Chariots (An-Thor-Logy)''. Following this release the band returned with new material and in 1998 they released ''Thunderstruck (Tales from the Equinox)'',] and have since released five additional albums. In 1999, a selection of songs from ''Keeping the Dogs Away'' were re-released on a split CD with Ontario metalcore band Coalition Against Shane through 13th Day Recordings.
From 2000-2011, Thor continued to record, release albums and tour, building a larger following and connecting with a new generation. Albums released have been ''Dogz II'' (2000), ''Triumphant'' (2002), ''Beastwomen from the Centre of the Earth'' (2003), ''Are U Ready'' (2004), ''Thor Against the World'' (2005), '' Devastation of Musculation'' (2006), ''Into the Noise'' (2007), ''Steam Clock'' (2008) ''Sign of the V'' (2009), ''The Guardian'' (2010) and ''Soundtrack from the movie THOR - The Rock Opera'' (2011). Thor wrote the music for and were starring in the movie ''Thor - The Rock Opera''. In 2009 Thor performed at the Sweden Rock Festival, Sauna Open Air Metal Festival in Tampere
Tampere ( , , ; sv, Tammerfors, ) is a city in the Pirkanmaa region, located in the western part of Finland. Tampere is the most populous inland city in the Nordic countries. It has a population of 244,029; the urban area has a population o ...
, Finland
Finland ( fi, Suomi ; sv, Finland ), officially the Republic of Finland (; ), is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of B ...
and the Muskelrock Festival (named after Thor and The Imps first EP ''Muscle Rock'') in Alvesta
Alvesta () is a locality and the seat of Alvesta Municipality in Kronoberg County, Sweden, with 8,017 inhabitants in the urban area in 2010.
Alvesta is an important railway junction, joining the Stockholm–Malmö–Copenhagen railway w ...
, Sweden.
On April 30, 2011, Thor headlined the Shock Stock Festival in London, Ontario
London (pronounced ) is a city in southwestern Ontario, Canada, along the Quebec City–Windsor Corridor. The city had a population of 422,324 according to the 2021 Canadian census. London is at the confluence of the Thames River, approximate ...
, Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
. The band consisted of original guitar player Frank Soda as well as new additions Joel "Savage" Watts on drums and Sean "Killer" Kilby on bass. Then Thor embarked on a tour of Scandinavia from May 31 to June 7 playing at DOM (The Dome) in Helsinki
Helsinki ( or ; ; sv, Helsingfors, ) is the capital, primate, and most populous city of Finland. Located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, it is the seat of the region of Uusimaa in southern Finland, and has a population of . The city ...
, Finland
Finland ( fi, Suomi ; sv, Finland ), officially the Republic of Finland (; ), is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of B ...
on June 1, performing their live rock opera and showcasing film ''Thor - The Rock Opera''; then revisiting the Muskelrock Festival in Alvesta
Alvesta () is a locality and the seat of Alvesta Municipality in Kronoberg County, Sweden, with 8,017 inhabitants in the urban area in 2010.
Alvesta is an important railway junction, joining the Stockholm–Malmö–Copenhagen railway w ...
, Sweden from June 2 to June 4.
In January, 2012, a special edition vinyl album called ''Thor's Teeth'' was released through the Baltimore-based label A389 Recordings. It was later launched digitally through Chicago based Smog Veil Records Smog Veil Records was a Chicago, IL based independent record label. In addition to standard CD, DVD, and vinyl distribution, Smog Veil also distributed its media via digital channels, including Napster and iTunes.
History
In business from 1991 ...
in April 2012. Thor signed a multi album deal with Rock Saviour/Pegasus Records in Germany and Frank Soda returned to the studio with Thor to write songs and lay down vocal tracks for albums ''Thor – Thunderstryke'' (2012) and ''Thor – Thunderstryke II'' (2013). On July 20, 2012 Thor headlined the Armstrong MetalFest at Hassen Arena.
In 2014, Thor re-released their 1985 album as '' Only the Strong - Deluxe Edition'' distributed by Deadline Records.
The documentary film '' I Am Thor'', directed by Ryan Wise and produced by Ryan Wise and Al Higbee, had a world premiere in 2015 and toured film festivals throughout the world, winning audience and critical acclaim. The movie got picked up for distribution in the USA through Dark Sky Films / MPI Media Group. The film won Best Documentary at the Fantasia International Film Festival
Fantasia International Film Festival (also known as Fantasia-fest, FanTasia, and Fant-Asia) is a film festival that has been based mainly in Montreal since its founding in 1996. Regularly held in July of each year, it is valued by both hardcore ...
2015 in Montreal
Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous city in the Canadian province of Quebec. Founded in 1642 as '' Ville-Marie'', or "City of Mary", it is named after Mount Royal, the triple ...
. Thor embarked on a sold out major city tour throughout the USA in November, 2015 screening the movie, followed by a live Thor concert. Another tour launched in March, 2016.
On May 13, 2016, the official reissue of Thor's 1977 '' Keep the Dogs Away'' album was released on Deadline Records. ''Thor: A Rock Odyssey'', a live three part rock concert spectacular, was presented on stage at the Highline Ballroom in New York City on May 14 in celebration of the 1977 '' Keep the Dogs Away'' album and to launch the release.
On August 4, 2017, the album ''Beyond the Pain Barrier'' was released. The album was co-written by Jon Mikl, John Leibel and Ted Jedlicki. Prior to the album's release the single and video for "The Calling" was released. Also in 2017, drummer Tom Croxton was added to the lineup. Croxton is a veteran of the music scene, notably for his long tenure in the shock rock band, Impaler. In September 2019, Matt Hamilton, a member of Croxton's other band, Hex Vortices, joined to help solidify the space left by McNallie's departure earlier that year.
On July 16, 2021, the album ''Alliance'' was released, Thor's 39th studio album. ''Alliance'' features 17 tracks, as well as guests, including W.A.S.P.’s Chris Holmes, Raven vocalist John Gallagher, Soilwork singer Björn Strid, Danko Jones, Anthrax’s Neil Turbin, Ross “The Boss” Friedman, and numerous others.
Tracklisting:
“We Need Musclerock” feat. John Gallagher (Raven)
“Niflhel (Realm Of The Dead)” feat. Björn Strid (Soilwork)
“The Ultimate Alliance” feat. Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.), Ross “The Boss” Friedman (Manowar), Nina Osegueda (A Sound Of Thunder) & Fang VonWrathenstein (Lords Of The Trident)
“Ode To Odin” feat. Dan Cleary (Striker)
“We Will Fight Forever” feat. Neil Turbin (Anthrax)
“Because We Are Strong”
“Rock Around The World” feat. Danko Jones
“Queen Of The Spiders” feat. Frank Soda (The Imps)
“Power Hungry”
“Bounty Hunter” feat. Frank Meyer (The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs) & Dennis Post (Warrior Soul)
“Battlements” feat. Trevor William Church (Haunt)
“Thor vs. The Juggernaut (War Of The Gods)” feat. Sean Peck (Death Dealer)
“Generation Now” feat. Joey Killingsworth (Joecephus & The George Jonestown Massacre)
“After The Laughter” feat. Martin Gummesson (Thundermaker)
“Good Stuff” feat. Al Harlow (Prism)
“Congregate” feat. Joey Roads & Sheldon Byer (Roadrash)
“We Will Fight Forever” (Reprise)
The album's first single, "The Ultimate Alliance", written by John Leibel and Jon Mikl Thor, includes a video that released on June 9, 2021. The song features guitar solos from Chris Holmes, Ross the Boss, and John Leibel as well as the vocals by A Sound of Thunder
"A Sound of Thunder" is a science fiction short story by American writer Ray Bradbury, first published in ''Collier's'' magazine in the June 28, 1952, issue and later in Bradbury's collection '' The Golden Apples of the Sun'' in 1953.
P ...
singer Nina Osegueda and Lords of the Trident frontman Fang VonWrathstein.
Thor: The Ultimate Alliance
In 2018 Thor teamed up with producer, songwriter, musician, and performer Kevin Stuart Swain to make the album ''Christmas in Valhalla'', and later on ''Hammer of Justice'' (2019), ''Rising'' (2020) and their latest release ''Alliance'' (2021) for the Los Angeles based Cleopatra/Deadline Records.
In October 2021, Thor released a 2D animation video for the single "Queen of the Spiders", which is featured on ''Alliance''.
Line-up
* Jon Mikl Thor
Jon Mikl Thor (born 1953), better known as simply Thor, is a Canadian bodybuilding champion, actor, songwriter, screenwriter, historian, vocalist and musician.
As a bodybuilder, he was the first Canadian to win both the Mr. Canada and Mr. USA ...
– vocals
Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or withou ...
* John Leibel – lead guitar
Lead guitar (also known as solo guitar) is a musical part for a guitar in which the guitarist plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs and chords within a song structure. The lead is the featu ...
* Tom Croxton – drums
* Ted Jedlicki – bass
* Will Maravelas - – guitar and drum
* Matt McNallie - – guitar
The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected strin ...
* Matt Hamilton - – guitar
The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected strin ...
Discography
Albums
* ''Thor-Body Rock'' (1973)
* '' Keep the Dogs Away'' (1977, 30th anniversary re-release 2009)
* '' Only the Strong'' (1985)
* ''Recruits – Wild in the Streets'' (1986)
* ''The Edge of Hell'' (1986) (credited as Tritonz)
* ''Thunderstruck: Tales from the Equinox'' (1998)
* ''Dogz II'' (2000)
* ''Triumphant'' (2002)
* ''Mutant'' (2003)
* ''Beastwomen from the Center of the Earth'' (2004)
* ''Thor Against the World'' (2005)
* '' Devastation of Musculation'' (2006)
* ''Into the Noise'' (2008)
* ''Steam Clock'' (2009)
* ''Sign of the V'' (2009)
* ''The Guardian'' (2010)
* ''Soundtrack from the movie THOR - The Rock Opera'' (2011)
* ''Thor's Teeth'' (2012, Special edition vinyl)
* ''Thor – Thunderstryke'' (2012)
* ''Thor – Thunderstryke II'' (2013)
* ''Aristocrat of Victory'' (2013)
* ''Bugs Bunny Dressed as a Girl'' (2013)
* ''Metal Avenger'' (2015, compilation)
* ''Beyond the Pain Barrier'' (2017)
* ''Electric Eyes'' (2017, recorded 1979)
* ''Christmas in Valhalla'' (2018)
* ''Hammer of Justice'' (2019)
* ''Rising'' (2020)
* ''Alliance
An alliance is a relationship among people, groups, or states that have joined together for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out among them. Members of an alliance are called ...
'' (2021)
Live albums
* ''Live in Detroit'' (1985)
EPs
* ''Muscle Rock'' (1977) (credited as Thor & the Imps)
* ''Gladiator'' (1979)
* ''Striking Viking'' (1980)
* '' Unchained'' (1983)
* ''Odin Speaks'' (2001) (split with Thor & the Ass Boys)
See also
*List of glam metal bands and artists
The following list of glam metal bands and artists includes bands and artists that have been described as glam metal or its interchangeable terms, hair metal, hair bands, pop metal and lite metal by professional journalists at some stage in thei ...
References
External links
Thor site
MySpace page
MySpace page
Interview of Jon Mikl Thor at Skylight Webzine
Beyond the Pain Barrier release announcement at Cleopatra Records
The Calling music video announcement and interview at Bravewords
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thor
Canadian glam metal musical groups
Canadian hard rock musical groups
Canadian heavy metal musical groups
Canadian power metal musical groups
Musical groups established in 1978
Norse mythology in music