(By Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker, Lead Journalist/Writer, RiffRelevant.com)
Legendary metal god and band Thor have announced their planned triumphant return to the metallic realm with a new studio album.
Titled “Beyond The Pain Barrier“, Thor’s new album will be released on August 4th to coincide with his performance at the Porispere Festival in Finland.
Thor will be hitting the road in support of the release, kicking off at a major metal festival in Finland in August, followed by a 30-date tour of North America.
Says Thor, “I had the opportunity to work with young musician/songwriters on this record. Guitarist John Leibel and Ted Jedlicki know the metal sound of today. With my classic riffs and melodies, combined with their modern metal songwriting and performing, we made a killer sounding album.”
“I feel this is the sequel to the Metal Avenger album. The story continues with very powerful yet melodic tunes.”
Beyond The Pain Barrier track listing:
“Tyrant”
“The Calling”
“Beyond The Pain Barrier”
“When A Hero Dies”
“On Golden Sea”
“Phantom’s Light”
“Twilight Of The Gods”
“Galactic Sun”
“The Land”
“Deity In The Sky”
“Thunder”
“Quest For Valor”
A new documentary film called ‘Return Of The Thunderhawk’ (a sequel to the well-received ‘I Am Thor’ film) is scheduled for release later this year. Watch the première of Thor’s new video, “The Calling”, featuring footage from the ‘Return Of The Thunderhawk’ documentary, below.
Thor started out as a concept band in 1973, as the brainchild of Jon Mikl Thor, a vocalist, musician and body building champion who won titles such as Mr. USA and IFBB Mr. 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 generated enough attention to secure a record deal. The press dubbed them “Kings Of Muscle Rock” or “Warriors Of Gladiator Rock”.
Thor went on to release a string of albums containing early Power Metal styling with vivid mythological/fantasy-based imagery and content.
