Canadian heavy metal force Thunderor, fronted by JJ Tartaglia (vocals, drums, Skull Fist) and Jonny Nesta (guitar, ex-Skull Fist), alongside Brycen Gunn on bass, are igniting excitement with their high-octane new single “Pump Up The Volume.” The track offers the first glimpse of their forthcoming sophomore album, “Bleed For It,” slated for release at the end of March 2026. With their trademark fusion of Arena Rock Opera Heavy Metal, Thunderor deliver soaring vocals, massive choruses, and uplifting energy designed to inspire fans to live boldly and chase their dreams.
The single also doubles as the opening number from Thunderor The Musical, the band’s ambitious rock opera, which premiered at the Toronto Fringe Festival 2025. Featuring a cameo from Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow in the promotional clip, the track sets the tone for an album that promises both fun and depth.
“This one is a lot of fun. Turn up the music, pump up your life, Pump Up The Volume! It’s also the opening number for the Musical, and it sets the mood nicely. Although the rest of the album ventures to many different places. Special thanks to Olivia Chow and the City of Toronto for her cameo in the promo clip, super cool.” – JJ Tartaglia.
Watch and listen to the music video “Pump Up The Volume” – https://youtu.be/YfEG-0n0iz4
Add to your Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/album/4FzxOaCZO4Vk9o7bnFntHK
Following their acclaimed debut, Thunderor’s second album “Bleed For It” showcases significant growth in both songwriting and performance. The band highlights improved vocals and more expansive anthem-driven choruses, delivering a soundtrack that balances raw heavy metal energy with theatrical flair. The upcoming album is a concept record, serving as the official soundtrack to Thunderor The Musical. Fans can expect a journey through uplifting themes of love, struggle, and perseverance, all wrapped in the band’s trademark high-energy sound.
Drawing inspiration from legends like Meat Loaf, Van Halen, Bruce Springsteen, The Darkness, H.E.A.T., Night Flight Orchestra, and their own roots in Skull Fist, Thunderor’s sound is a modern twist on classic heavy and hair metal.
Due out on March 27, 2026, the “Bleed For It” Vinyl Bundle Pre-Order is available at https://thunderor.bigcartel.com/product/bleed-for-it-lp-limited-bundle-pre-order
In additional news, Thunderor will be hitting the road in 2026, supporting Burning Witches on their first Canadian Tour in April, followed by a Scandinavian Tour supporting Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.) in May (dates listed below).
Canada Tour 2026 with Burning Witches
April 20 – Piranha Bar – Montreal, QC
April 21 – La Source De La Martiniere – Quebec City, QC
April 22 – The Brass Monkey – Ottawa, ON
April 23 – The Garrison – Toronto, ON
Scandinavia Tour 2026 with HOLMES (The Sound of WASP)
May 15 – Nordic Noise – Copenhagen, Denmark
May 16 – Godset – Kolding, Denmark
May 27 – The Abyss – Gothenburg, Sweden
May 28 – Muskelrock – Blädinge, Sweden
May 29 – Lokstallet – Skövde, Sweden
May 30 – Gjerdrum Rock Club – Gjerdrum, Norway
May 31 – Sjøboden Live Scene – Mandal, Norway
For more info: Boonsdalerecords.com/thunderor | Facebook.com/ThunderorOfficial | Instagram.com/thunderor_official | Musicnovascotia.ca/artist/thunderor/
About:
Formed in 2020 by multi-JUNO-nominated musicians JJ Tartaglia and Jonny Nesta (also known for their work in Skull Fist), THUNDEROR delivers hook-driven anthems to the caliber set by their arena-rock predecessors, infused with elements of heavy metal, hair metal, and rock opera.
Their debut album, FIRE IT UP (2022), charted at #1 on Earshot’s National Loud Chart in Canada, quickly establishing the band as a rising force in the global metal scene. Extensive tours across Europe, Canada, Mexico, and South America followed, with Thunderor sharing stages alongside major acts such as Airbourne, U.D.O., Enforcer, and Night Demon.
In May 2024, the single “Get ‘Em Counted” amassed over 230K views on YouTube, further fueling anticipation for the band’s next chapter. In the summer of 2025, Thunderor unveiled Thunderor the Musical at the Toronto Fringe Festival, a bold rock opera production featuring a full cast and unreleased material that now forms the backbone of their forthcoming sophomore album.
Set for release in March 2026, the new album will feature the high-energy single “Pump Up The Volume”, a track that embodies the band’s uplifting spirit and theatrical flair. With improved vocals, bigger anthem choruses, and a concept-driven narrative, the record promises to be both a soundtrack to the musical and a standalone heavy metal experience.
If you’ve ever felt a longing for escape, a thirst for adventure, wrapped in romance and danger, allow THUNDEROR to be your soundtrack!
“The bottom line for THUNDEROR is that a listen is urgently required. Those who like the singing will have a lot of fun with the CD” – Vampster
“If you’re looking for a solid rock record that’s equal parts pop and metal, Fire It Up could be your jam. The songs are well crafted, catchy and fun road companions. Take it on your next drive or spin it at Saturday’s kegger. Thunderor takes not being serious very seriously. They recaptured the spirit of 80s rock staples like Ozzy to Journey but also managed to put their own stamp on it. Not many throwback NWOTHM acts succeed in putting this much character in their sound.” – Angry Metal Guy
“The moment I first heard “How We Roll,” I knew I was in trouble…and instantly hooked. Other numbers like “All or Nothing,” “On the Run,” “We Can Make It,” and the epic title track, infuse multiple sub-genres like thrash, power, and synth metal, and are the type of adventurous anthems that make life still feel like it’s worth living even on its darkest of days.” – Rewind It Magazine
“The spirit of the glorious 80’s is omnipresent on the debut, those who like authentic 80’s sound should definitely check out.” 8/10” – Rock It!
“The good mood album of the season comes from Canada. Crisp, consistently catchy songs with excellent guitar work, sometimes enhanced with appropriate keyboard sounds.” 8,5/10” – Deaf Forever
“There must be room somewhere between Steel Panther, The Darkness and The Night Flight Orchestra!” – Metal Hammer
“Thunderor the Musical is infectious, hard-rocking comic book fun that blows the roof off the place – I smiled my way through the whole show – I bet you will, too.” – Sesaya Arts Magazine
“Thunderor the Musical is raucous fun with shredding guitars and driving drums… filled with catchy anthems, flawlessly performed by powerhouse musicians.” – Grind Mag
“I’m always impressed when a drummer handles lead vocals, especially in metal, where the physical demands of drumming are intense. JJ Tartaglia nailed it, delivering flawless vocals without missing a drum beat.” – Allfather Metal
