Alliance (album)

Alliance is the 39th full-length studio album by heavy metal, power metal band Thor, released through Deadline Music in 2020. It features several guest performers, such as John Gallagher (Raven), Björn Strid (Soilwork), Chris Holmes (Chris Holmes/Mean Men, Ex-W.A.S.P.), Ross "the Boss "Friedman (Ross the Boss Band, Ex-Manowar), Nina Osegueda (A Sound of Thunder), Fang VonWrathenstein (Lords of the Trident), Dan Cleary (Striker), Neil Turbin (Anthrax), and Danko Jones.[2]

Alliance
Studio album by
Thor
ReleasedJuly 16, 2021
GenreHeavy metal, power metal
Length1:07:19
LabelDeadline Music
ProducerJon Mikl Thor
Thor chronology
Rising
(2020)		 Alliance
(2021)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
NowSpinning4/5
Dargedik8/10[1]
Metal Digest60%

The album's first single, "The Ultimate Alliance", was released on June 9, 2021.[3] The song features guitar solos from Chris Holmes, Ross the Boss, and John Leibel, as well as additional vocals by Nina Osegueda (A Sound of Thunder)[4] and Fang VonWrathenstein (Lords of the Trident).[5] A music video directed by Josh Grambo was also made to accompany the song.[6]

Reception

The album has received positive reviews from critics.

A review from Now Spinning Magazine gave a positive review, stating that "Thor still knows how to perform, on record as much as on stage, and that this album has lots to love." Concluding with saying how it's "Rocking, entertaining, and wonderful listening."[7] Adam McCann of Metal Digest gave a mixed review of the album, saying that "While ultimately, it isn't actually the best, the guest spots stop this album from being relatively dull, and it shows that Thor is a better writer than a musician." Ending with that "'Alliance' is, however, a lot better than Thor's recent output and if you're the sort of person who doesn't need much encouragement to slip on a loincloth and pick up that Broadsword then it'll do the trick."[8]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."We Need Musclerock" (featuring John Gallagher)John Leibel3:00
2."Niflhel (Realm of the Dead)" (featuring Björn Strid)Matt Hamilton, Tom Croxton4:23
3."The Ultimate Alliance" (featuring Chris Holmes, Ross "The Boss" Friedman, Nina Osegueda & Fang VonWrathenstein)Jon Mikl Thor, Leibel4:11
4."Ode to Odin" (featuring Dan Cleary)Thor, Tes Jedlicki, Martin Gummesson3:22
5."We Will Fight Forever" (featuring Neil Turbin)Thor, Kevin Stuart Swain3:50
6."Because We Are Strong"Thor, Swain4:16
7."Rock Around the World" (featuring Danko Jones)Thor, Swain, Richard Fabio3:36
8."Queen of the Spiders" (featuring Frank Soda)Thor, Swain3:08
9."Power Hungry"Thor, Swain2:42
10."Bounty Hunter" (featuring Frank Meyer & Dennis Post)Thor, Frank Meyer, Chip Wilson4:32
11."Battlements" (feat. Trevor William Church)Hamilton, Croxton4:36
12."Thor vs. The Juggernaut (War of the Gods)" (featuring Sean Peck)Leibel4:24
13."Generation Now" (featuring Joey Killingsworth)Thor, Meyer, Wilson4:39
14."After the Laughter" (featuring Martin Gummesson)Thor, Meyer, Wilson4:07
15."Good Stuff" (featuring Al Harlow)Eric Jackson Lurie, Joe Brucato4:14
16."Congregate" (featuring Joey Roads & Sheldon Byer)Hamilton, Croxton4:27
17."We Will Fight Forever" (reprise)Thor, Swain3:52
Total length:1:07:19
  • Tracks 13-17 omitted from 12" vinyl release due to length restrictions.

Personnel
Band
  • Thor – vocals
  • John Leibel – lead guitar
  • Matt Hamilton – rhythm guitar
  • Kevin Stuart Swain – guitar, bass
  • Ted Jedlicki – bass
  • Tom Croxton – drums
  • Richard Fabio – drums
Session members
  • John Gallagher (Raven) – additional vocals (track 1)
  • Björn Strid (Soilwork) – additional vocals (track 2)
  • Fang VonWrathenstein (Lords of the Trident) – additional vocals (track 3)
  • Nina Osegueda (A Sound of Thunder) – additional vocals (track 3)
  • Dan Cleary (Striker) – additional vocals (track 4)
  • Neil Turbin (Anthrax) – additional vocals (track 5)
  • Danko Jones – additional vocals (track 7)
  • Trevor William Church (Haunt) – additional vocals (track 11)
  • Sean Peck (Death Dealer, Three Tremors, Cage) – additional vocals (track 12)
  • Chris Holmes (Chris Holmes/Mean Men, Ex-W.A.S.P.) – guitars (track 3)
  • Ross "the Boss "Friedman (Ross the Boss Band, Ex-Manowar) – guitars (track 3)
  • Frank Soda (The Imps) – guitars (track 8)
  • Frank Meyer (The Streetwalkin' Cheetahs) – guitars (track 10)
  • Dennis Post (Warrior Soul) – guitars (track 10)
  • Joey Killingsworth (Joecephus & The George Jonestown Massacre) – guitars (track 13)
  • Martin Gummesson (Thundermaker) – guitars (track 14)
  • Al Harlow (Prism) – guitars (track 15)
  • Joey Roads (Roadrash) – guitars (track 16)
  • Sheldon Byer (Roadrash) – guitars
  • Lance Reegan-Diehl - Guitars (tracks 5, 17 )
  • Scott Young - Drums (tracks 5,6,8,9 and 17)
  • Darryl Hebert - Keys (tracks 5, 15, and 17)
  • Rob Blackburn - Keys (tracks 7,8)
Production staff
  • Ted Jedliki – engineering
  • Andrew Oltmanns – engineering
  • Mark Bridge – engineering
  • Todd Olso – engineering
  • Matt Hamilton – engineering
  • Will Maravelas – engineering
  • Achim Koehler – mastering, mixing
  • Scott Young – mixing
  • Frank Meyer – mixing, engineering, recording
  • Jon Mikl Thor – executive producer
  • Kevin Stuart Swain – engineering, producer
  • Ted Jedliki – production co-ordinator

References
  1. Hellbiter, John (August 3, 2021). "Thor - Alliance [2021] (Review)". Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  2. Elke, Tom (July 11, 2021). "Thor 'Alliance' Album Review by Milwaukee Tom For The Metal Voice". The Metal Voice. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
  3. "Exclusive: THOR Forges Alliance With Former W.A.S.P. Guitarist CHRIS HOLMES, ROSS THE BOSS In New Single". June 9, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  4. "A Sound of Thunder - About".
  5. "Bio". 7 November 2014.
  6. "Thor - Alliance". Outsider Rock. June 16, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  7. Geesin, Joe (July 22, 2021). "Thor Alliance – Album Review". NowSpinning. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  8. McCann, Adam (July 25, 2021). "Thor - Alliance". Metal Digest. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
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