THOR - Only the Strong LP MAGENTA (Pre-Order)

High Roller Records, magenta vinyl, ltd 500, 425gsm heavy cardboard cover, A4 insert, lyric sheet, 2 x double sided poster, A5 photo card

Transfer, audio restoration and mastering by Patrick W. Engel at TEMPLE OF DISHARMONY in March 2025

Cutting by SST Germany on Neumann machines for optimal quality on all levels... The ultimate audiophile reissue of this eternal classic!

TERRITORY RESTRICTIONS: EUROPE ONLY!

Thor - lead vocals

Pantera - vocals

Steve Price - guitar

Keith Zazzi - bass / vocals

Mike Favata - drums

Jon Mikl Thor is a legend in his own right. Under the name of Thor, the former “Mr. World” and professional bodybuilder has recorded and released 41 albums in his 51 years as an active musician. However, only few people know that the roots of Thor actually go way back to 1973.

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. It was followed by »Unchained« in 1983 (originally released through Mongel Horde and currently re-issued by High Roller Records).

“The reaction from the press and fans for »Unchained« was overwhelming and the noise was felt across the pond to England,” exclaims the mighty Thor. “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’!”

As a result, Thor decided to operate with the band out of New York as well as England. “We would fly back and forth and tour through Europe,” is what Jon Mikl Thor says. “We also performed on many TV shows which helped our popularity. I had a great friendship with Douglas Smith (Motörhead’s manager) and Lemmy while I lived in London.”

Two years after »Unchained«, Thor’s next album »Only The Strong« was released, one of the most successful records in their entire career. The songs “Thunder On The Tundra” and “Let The Blood Run Red” were issued as singles and entered the UK charts. ”Thor was huge in the British press back in the 1980s,” boasts the singer.

Apart from recording new studio albums on a regular basis, Thor also put on a spectacular live show. However, the legendary front man likes to stress: “The strength is in the music. Although we would put on a spectacular show each and every time, we were great writers and musicians. There would be those would say it was a novelty act, but they cannot deny the music. »Only The Strong« is all killer no filler. I always believed that you can listen to the album at home or in your car. But when you come to see the show and put your dollar down, there must be incredible theatrics to go with the powerful music.”

MATTHIAS MADER

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