Description

The first new album from Thor since 2015’s Metal Avenger, Beyond The Pain Barrier is a more straight ahead traditional metal album. As such, there’s less of the glam rock/punk influence side of Thor’s work on display this time around, and more heavy riffs and an overall darker sound to this album. This time around, Jon Mikl Thor (on lead vocals) is accompanied by John Leibel on lead guitar, Matt McNallie on guitar, Ted Jedlicki on bass and Tom Croxton on drums, but there are a few guest spots on the record too. The first of the twelve tracks that make up the album is Tyrant, a raging five minute blast of surprisingly angry metal with a trash-style vibe to it uncommon in Thor’s discography. That said, it works and it works damn well. The track is about as political as Thor tends to get, ranting about the horrors of a potential nuclear war, but of course with the mythological slant you’d expect if you’re familiar with Jon Mikl Thor’s past records. This is very likely the angriest Thor track ever recorded. The title track is just a rock solid classic metal track, fast and with a catchy chorus. We also have a ballad called When A Hero Dies where Thor can show his vocal range and we also need to mention the final track, the epic Quest For Valor. This is some sort of theatrical mini-opera and a great way to finish off this solid album. It’s rare that someone who has been doing this for over four decades is able to put out an album that is completely in tune with the artist’s past while still managing to sound fresh and exciting, but that’s exactly what has happened with Beyond The Pain Barrier. So a very enjoyable album and a must have for any Thor fan out there.

Track list:
1. Tyrant
2. The Calling
3. Beyond The Pain Barrier
4. When A Hero Dies
5. On Golden Sea
6. Phantom’s Light
7. Twilight Of The Gods
8. Galactic Sun
9. The Land
10. Deity In The Sky
11. Thunder Road
12. Quest For Valor