THOR Unchained LP Manowar Judas Priest Accept saxon omen riot Helloween METAL

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THOR Unchained MLP ELECTRIC BLACK VINYL
Brand new, sealed. 
Imported from Germany's HIGH ROLLER RECORDS! Officially released. 
--- High Roller Records, 180g black vinyl, ltd 200, 425gsm heavy cardboard cover, 8 page A4 booklet, A5 photo card, lyric sheet, 2-sided poster Transfer, audio restoration and mastering by Patrick W. Engel at TEMPLE OF DISHARMONY in March 2025
 
Thor - lead vocals Pantera - back-up vocals Karl Cochran - lead guitar Keith Zazzi - bass Mike Favata - drums
01 Lightning Strikes 02 Anger 03 Rock the City
04 Lazer Eyes 05 When Gods Collide 06 Death March
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.
“Yes, that's correct,” confirms the singer. “Although the seeds were planted in 1970 as I played bass and sang in various bands. 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, 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 and their main man continued to write more material. Headquarters were set up in New York City where he was looking for new band members.
Thor’s second studio album »Unchained« was finally released in 1983 (by Mongel Horde Records). “»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.”
“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’!”
MATTHIAS MADER

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The 1983 EP Unchained is a critical release in the evolution of Canadian heavy metal act Thor, marking their successful shift from glam-influenced hard rock to a more defined heavy/power metal sound. Fronted by the muscle-bound showman Jon Mikl Thor, this EP distilled the band’s core identity, coupling high-energy, riff-chugging anthems like "Lightning Strikes Again" and "Anger" with its signature theatrical, comic book-inspired lyrical themes of Norse mythology, combat, and strength. While shorter than a full album, Unchained delivers a potent blast of fist-pumping metal that is highly catchy and remains mandatory listening for fans of early '80s traditional metal.
Unchained is distinct from their later work like Only the Strong by possessing a somewhat rawer, less polished production, which gives it a more aggressive edge and showcases a strong connection to the burgeoning NWOBHM scene and early US power metal bands. The music perfectly complements the band’s infamous stage show, which featured strongman antics like bending steel bars and bursting hot water bottles with his lungs, solidifying the image of Jon Mikl Thor as the ultimate "Metal Avenger." This release cemented Thor's cult status and proved that their visually spectacular gimmick was backed by a collection of genuinely memorable heavy metal tracks, two of which ("Rock the City" and "When Gods Collide") were strong enough to be re-recorded for their next album.
50 Similar Artists / Releases This list focuses on bands and albums from the early to mid-1980s that share Thor's blend of Traditional Heavy Metal, Early US/Epic Power Metal, NWOBHM intensity, and theatrical spectacle.
Warlord - (Deliver Us)
Omen - (Battle Cry)
Twisted Sister - (You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll)
Exciter - (Violence & Force)
Anvil - (Forged in Fire)
Manowar - (Into Glory Ride)
Savatage - (The Dungeons Are Calling)
Jag Panzer - (Ample Destruction)
Dio - (Holy Diver)
Loudness - (Disillusion)
Accept - (Balls to the Wall)
Tygers of Pan Tang - (Crazy Nights)
Raven - (Wiped Out)
Iron Maiden - (The Number of the Beast)
Manilla Road - (Metal)
Brocas Helm - (Into Battle)
Cloven Hoof - (Cloven Hoof)
Ozzy Osbourne - (Diary of a Madman)
Grim Reaper - (Fear No Evil)
Virgin Steele - (Wait for the Night)
Tank - (Power of the Hunter)
Satan - (Court in the Act)
Picture - (Picture I)
Heavy Load - (Stronger Than Evil)
Witchfinder General - (Friends of Hell)
Tokyo Blade - (Night of the Blade)
Cirith Ungol - (One Foot in Hell)
Ostrogoth - (Ecstasy and Danger)
Chastain - (Mystery of Illusion)
Jaguar - (Power Games)
Liege Lord - (Freedom's Rise)
Enforcer - (Into the Night)
Visigoth - (Revenant)
Riot - (Restless Breed)
Angel Witch - (Angel Witch)
Acid - (Acid)
Piledriver - (Metal Inquisition)
Bitch - (Be My Slave)
Obsession - (Scarred for Life)
Culprit - (Guilty as Charged)
Armored Saint - (March of the Saint)
Metal Church - (Metal Church)
Ratt - (Out of the Cellar)
Dokken - (Breaking the Chains)
Motörhead - (Ace of Spades)
Diamond Head - (Lightning to the Nations)
Judas Priest - (Defenders of the Faith)
Helloween - (Helloween EP)
Grave Digger - (Witch Hunter)
Iron Savior - (Iron Savior)