With word getting out about the new studio album Ride Of The Iron Horse from muscle-bound heavy metal icon Thor as well as a string of special live performances already underway, Thor-mania 2024 is in full swing. This year marks a historic milestone for the prodigious purveyor of punishing power metal, an incredible five decades since embarking on a solo music career that took him from the competitive bodybuilding tournaments of his youth to leading the charge of metal gods in the ‘80s and keeping the holy metal flame lit through the 21st century.
Fortuitously, some of the tracks on Ride Of The Iron Horse have their origin in the halcyon days of the ‘80s. “Flight Of The Striker,” for instance, was originally written and demoed in 1987, just a couple of years after Thor’s mammoth 1985 album Only The Strong. The song is suffused with classic ‘80s metal energy and imagery and includes performances by two members of the classic Thor line-up - guitarist Steve Price and drummer Mike Favata, along with bassist Mike Kischnick. “Flight Of The Striker” only serves to highlight just how far Thor has come as both an artist and metal music pioneer.
Not only does today mark the release of “Flight Of The Striker,” but it is also the date of Thor’s headline performance at the legendary Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, CA. Thor will be joined by special guests including Cherie Currie, famed lead vocalist of The Runaways, as well as Joecephus & The George Jonestown Massacre.
Ride Of The Iron Horse, the album, is set for full release on March 22 and will be available on both CD and vinyl. In a nod to the vibrant visuals that have always accompanied Thor's music, the album features original art design by internationally renowned comic book artist Timo Wuerz. With his dynamic illustrations, Wuerz captures the essence of Thor's larger-than-life persona, bringing a visual dimension to the sonic onslaught.
Buy the CD/vinyl here; pre-order/pre-save the digital here.
Tracklisting:
"Ride Of The Iron Horse"
"Lightning Rod" feat. KHEMI$T
"5-0 Let's Go"
"Peace By Piece"
"Unlock The Power"
"No Time For Games"
"Bring It On"
"Flight Of The Striker" (Unreleased 1987)
"Had It Been Another Day" (Unreleased 1986)
"Watch Your Back" (Unreleased 2002)
"Hit And Run" (1979 Demo)
"100%" (1979 Demo)
"Shields Up"
Bonus Tracks:
"Thunder On The Mountain" (Unreleased 1979)
"To The Extreme" (Unreleased 1999)
"Flight Of The Striker" lyric video:
"Ride Of The Iron Horse" lyric video:
Fans eager to experience Thor's magnificent stage presence firsthand will have the opportunity to do so as he embarks on a tour this March, joined by special guests Joecephus & The George Jonestown Massacre. From the rocky terrain of Colorado to the sun-drenched shores of California, and across the border to the metal-loving masses of Canada, Thor's tour promises to be an unforgettable celebration of metal music at its finest.
Tour dates:
March
2 - Hi Dive - Denver, CO
4 - Aces High - Salt Lake City, UT
8 - Whisky A Go Go - Los Angeles, CA
15 - Hollywood Theater - Portland, OR
16 - Coffin Club - Portland, OR
April
12 - Modern Love - Calgary, AB
13 - The Starlight - Edmonton, AB
