Los Angeles, California: When Jon Mikl Thor first hit the road in the early 1970s, he knew he already had one of the most physical stageshows of the age, and one of the most exhilarating live bands, as well. It was natural, then, as the set list came together, he’d be looking for songs that matched the momentum that was burning up the stage.
His own songwriting was still in its infancy at the time. But 50 years later, Thor’s new album, Rock The Universe, reveals how easy it was to take a clutch of favorite covers and truly make them his own. The Sweet, The Yardbirds, The Doors, The Kinks… Thor tore his own record collection to shreds and rebuilt it around his burgeoning legend, his personal mythology, and… let’s face it… his great taste in music!
“In the 1970s I toured extensively, over 300 days a year across North America, and Rock The Universe is chock-full of songs from that era. These are favorite songs of mine that we played each night, and thus enabled myself and the band to become seasoned performers.
"It also gave me the opportunity, almost 50 years later, to join forces again with [original guitarist] Frank Soda to lay down those magical tracks …that would fuel our tours. Songs by our heroes.”
Al Harlow (Prism) and Ray Roper (Stonebolt) complete the album line-up, and it was produced by Kevin Stuart Swain, who also played multiple instruments on it. When Thor describes their performances as “stellar,” it’s not hyperbole.
And his latest video, “Highway Star,” might just be the most stellar of them all.
It’s certainly the most dramatic, as Thor explains. “Frantic and fun,” as well. Deep Purple, he says, were already one of his favorite bands, but even within their catalog, “Highway Star” was something special.
The opening track on the epochal Machine Head, “This song was one of the foundational songs for speed metal. With its speed and driving rhythm, and its powerful, fast and energetic tempo, it helped bridge the gap between classic rock and the heavier sounds of heavy metal.
“It makes you want to jump in your car and put the pedal to the metal.” An urge, incidentally, “which is depicted full force in the new Thor video.”
Meanwhile, Rock The Universe continues to pull in the plaudits.
“Each of these songs… fills me with joy… He's perfectly suited to all these songs, in fine voice (and Frank Soda plays the solo for "Highway Star" with the utmost reverence, a note-for-note rip-through.” - Alienatedinvancouver.blogspot
“I don’t know where he gets the energy and enthusiasm but Thor has rocked the universe once again!” - Metal-rules.com
“Epic riffs, superhero vibes, and metal mayhem. Thor is still rocking HARD.” - diazablereviews
CD/VINYL: https://cleorecs.com/search?q=thor+rock+the+universe
DIGITAL: https://orcd.co/thor_rocktheuniverse
