Year : 1986 (Deadline Music Records Edition 2026)
Style : Heavy Metal , Hard Rock
Country : Canada
Audio : 320 kbps + scans
Size : 76 mb
Bio:
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, a vocalist, musician and body building champion who won titles such as Mr. USA and Mr. World Canada.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 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, who had Thor perform live on the Merv Griffin Show 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 in late 1976.This new incarnation of Thor was formed in 1977 by Jon Mikl Thor 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 and signed with Motörhead'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. 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, Finland and the Muskelrock Festival (named after Thor and The Imps first EP Muscle Rock) in Alvesta, Sweden.
Album:
First official reissue of this 1986 gem from Metal God Of Thunder, THOR! Initially released in conjunction with the Canadian comedy film Recruits, which starred the God Of Thunder himself and has since attained cult status - think Porky's meets Police Academy! Features newly remastered audio and revamped artwork!Thor was always questionable – I mean don’t get me wrong ‘Only the Strong’ had a few sweet tracks on it, but seriously, a LOT of his lyrics, some vocals, some costumes, album arts and themes are a bit fucked. Having said that though, people often try and say that Manowar or indeed, even heavy metal is “cheesy” – every time there’s a ballad, or a solo there’s naysayers abound. So I argue that yeah, Thor, yeah, could say there’s a bit of cheesiness, perhaps, possibly even a bit of questional metal credentials about his outfit? – but still, there’s some decent catchy songs to him too. Enter ‘Recruits’ – this album is patchy at best, but in the better moments there are some decent KISS-esque heavy metal moments, some more hard rock than others, and some with better lyrics than others, but still; there are good moments.Anyway, as mentioned above – a mixed bag. ‘Recruits’ itself isn’t a decent number – perhaps in a KISS-like fashion, while ‘Long Ride From Hell’ is a pretty credible number itself. This latter number features rather well put together, though simple guitars, but focuses on a catchy chorus – infact singing the chorus- Jon Mikl actually sounds somewhat akin to Ace Frehly, especially given the rather thin nature of the guitars and sond mix. Anyway –a pretty fun passable effort. In the same vein is ‘We Live to Rock’, that even with it’s rather cliché lyrics (okay theyre bad I’ll admit it), actually turns out to be a super-fun if juvenile rock anthem. The guitars are again highly simplistic, and then – almost devoid of any real crunch. Still you can’t say this track doesn’t rock – it’s catchy as hell.Anyway, elsewhere continues to be a mixed-bag. Some songs are too weak, others are passable hard rock tracks in the vein of KISS at best. In any case this one is definitely a slip in quality from a few of Thor’s earlier works – it’s not as ballsy as ‘Only the Strong’ , feeling thinner and perhaps more clichéd. Not a total throwaway, but not really worth getting for the couple of ‘good’ songs contained herein. If you’re new to Thor – check ot one of his other releases, or perhaps – if you wan’t something really good – don’t bother at all. Lyrics are often just too played out here and guitars are seldom good enough to get one’s head nodding. Stick to KISS, Manowar or some of the other bands in the ground between like Warchydle and The Rods.
Line-Up:
Jon-Mikl Thor - Vocals (lead) - See also: ex-Centaur, ex-Iron Falcon, ex-Mikl Body Rock, ex-The Ticks, ex-Thor and the Imps
Steve Price (R.I.P. 2025) - Guitars (lead)
Keith Zazzi - Bass, Vocals (backing)
Mike Favata - Drums
+ guest:
Pantera - Vocals (backing)
Tracklist:
01. Recruits (Ride Hard, Live Free) (03:45)
02. Heartbreak Choir (03:19)
03. Who's To Blame (03:16)
04. Warhammer (03:08)
05. Ragnarok (02:33)
06. Rebirth (03:37)
07. Long Ride From Hell (03:17)
08. We Live To Rock (03:24)
09. Lady Of The Night (02:52)
10. Energy (03:33)
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
