NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – May 14, 2026
THUNDEROR Announces ECMA Nomination and NXNE Performance Supporting New Album “Bleed For It”
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Thunderor L-R: Brycen Gunn (Bass) | JJ Tartaglia (Vocals, Drums, Keys) | Jonny Nesta (Guitar)
Photo Credit – Rae Chatten
Canadian heavy metal force THUNDEROR is proud to announce a surge of major milestones surrounding the release of their new album “Bleed For It,” out now via Boonsdale Records. The band is celebrating not only the arrival of their ambitious sophomore concept album, but also a wave of recognition and live momentum that underscores their rising impact in the Canadian metal landscape.
Formed in 2020 by multi‑JUNO‑nominated musicians JJ Tartaglia and Jonny Nesta (Skull Fist), THUNDEROR first broke out with their debut Fire It Up (2022), which hit #1 on Earshot’s National Loud Chart. Since then, they’ve toured extensively across Europe, Canada, Mexico, and South America, sharing stages with Airbourne, U.D.O., Enforcer, Night Demon, and more.
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In support of their newly released album “Bleed For It,” THUNDEROR is thrilled to announce two major achievements. The band has been nominated for an East Coast Music Award for Loud Release of the Year for their heartfelt and anthemic single “Cape Breton Home.” Full List of nominees here. THUNDEROR will also bring their high‑energy arena‑rock metal to NXNE on June 13 at Bovine Sex Club, performing as part of the Rock & Metal Alliance showcases. Full info here. Both milestones arrive at a pivotal moment for the band, amplifying the excitement surrounding the album’s release and their continued creative evolution.
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THUNDEROR recently completed an Eastern Canadian tour supporting Switzerland’s Burning Witches, bringing their theatrical, high‑octane sound to Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, and Toronto. The band was also slated for a European tour with Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P.), which was cancelled due to health issues, though new EU dates will be announced when possible.
“Bleed For It” serves as the official soundtrack to Thunderor The Musical, which premiered at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2025. Set in an alternate 1992, the story follows Bowen, a washed‑up musician and biker, on a final quest for glory alongside his friends Kenzie, Sheenah, and a local friar. Their journey spirals into rivalries, rebellion, romance, and self‑discovery.
“I hope this album inspires listeners to follow their dreams. Let it be the soundtrack to your unbridled life adventures,” says drummer, vocalist, and primary songwriter JJ Tartaglia.
Musically, the album pushes deeper into THUNDEROR’s arena‑rock‑opera identity, anthemic, melodic, emotional, and cinematic. Tartaglia comments:
“The vocals have improved drastically, and the songwriting has matured. There’s more emotion in the music, and the choruses are bigger than ever.”
The tracklist mirrors the musical’s dramatic arc, from the adrenaline of “Pump Up The Volume” and the title track, to the heartfelt “Cape Breton Home,” the rebellious “Streets Of Fire,” and the climactic closer “In The Fire O’ The Heat.”
“Many of these songs began with vocal melodies. I handled the melodies, arrangements, and drums, while Jonny Nesta wrote the guitar parts. It’s a true collaboration, but the story and emotion drive everything,” says Tartaglia.
Influences include Meat Loaf, Van Halen, Night Flight Orchestra, Skull Fist, Ghost, and The Darkness, a modern revival of the arena‑rock spirit built for escape, drama, and big‑stage energy.
“Bleed For It” (released April 17th, 2026) is available from Boonsdale Records at the following links:
Add to your Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/album/4NQDtVArMSioduoVenAJSS
Vinyl – CAN/ Worldwide – https://boonsdale.bigcartel.com/
Europe – LP/CD – https://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com/
Music Video – Get ‘Em Counted – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYe5hnY4xz0
Music Video – One Chance – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnajB7jTY_Q
Music Video – Pump Up The Volume – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfEG-0n0iz4
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Track Listing:
1. Pump Up The Volume (3:42)
2. Bleed For It (4:06)
3. Take Me To The Show (4:09)
4. Get ‘Em Counted (3:19)
5. Cape Breton Home (3:33)
6. Streets Of Fire (4:16)
7. One Chance (3:40)
8. DreamQuest (1:29)
9. In The Fire O’ The Heat (4:19)
Total: 33:11
Album and Live Band Line Up:
JJ Tartaglia – Vocals, Drums, Keys
Jonny Nesta – Guitar
Brycen Gunn – Bass
For more info:
https://boonsdalerecords.com/thunderor/
https://www.facebook.com/ThunderorOfficial
https://www.instagram.com/thunderor_official/
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“”Bleed For It” is an album that confirms that Thunderor can turn classic heavy/speed metal into something fresh, energetic and full of character. Originating from the Canadian stage and built on the experience of Skull Fist musicians, the band focuses on a sound based on a motor rhythm, sharp riffs and vocals carrying a spirit of determination. Thematically, the album revolves around perseverance, the fight for dreams and the romanticism of freedom, motifs that perfectly match its driving dynamics. It’s consistent, honest and passionate material that pretends nothing more than what it is.” – W-Mgnieniu-Rocka
“The album offers solid entertainment for fans of energetic rock and metal.. Bleed For It shows the visionaries from Canada in their full strength.” – Metal Underground.at
“a happy metal attitude with modern glam rock in a way that you can still sing along loudly even at three per mille.” – PowerMetal.de
“THUNDEROR’s album is certainly well played, produced and made” – My Revelations
“Thunderor have delivered a record that salutes the golden age of heavy metal while sounding hungry enough to carry that torch forward. It’s riff-loaded, anthem-stuffed, proudly excessive and overflowing with passion. For fans of soaring traditional metal, speed-fuelled riff worship and albums that understand heavy metal should be as exhilarating as it is powerful, Bleed For It is an easy recommendation. This thing doesn’t just play loud. It lives loud.” – Woody’s Rock Reviews
“THUNDEROR stand for catchy, versatile metal and heavy rock.” – Obliveon
“Between heavy metal, punk hooks and touches of rock opera, Thunderor suggest an album different, assumed and above all interesting to explore.” – Eloquence Art
“Entertaining entertainment that focuses on catchiness, catchy choruses and a heavy metal/rock n’ roll feeling with casual beats on all sides. THE DARKNESS/JOURNEY/STEELPANTHER/TNFO fans will enjoy the entertaining Hard n’ Heavy Rock spectacle.” – FFM-Rock
“A drummer who handles lead vocals is always impressive to me, and Tatalia did not disappoint. Although playing a kit with high-mounted symbols and having an energetic playing style, his vocal power did not suffer. He made it seem easy, even though I know it’s not. Nesta and Gunn commanded the front of the stage. It was not hard to tell that these guys enjoy being onstage, as their constant movements and headbanging kept things visually entertaining. However, even the band’s sound alone had the audience hooked. Melodic but heavy, they blend the likes of Heavy Metal, arena rock and even rock opera into something unique but familiar. They utilise their influences without copying, creating a sound of their own. They played multiple tracks from their newest album, Bleed For It, which was being released that night at midnight, celebrating the release with a room filled with music fans who gave them their full attention.” – Metal Talk (Live Review – Toronto 2026 – opening for Burning Witches)
“Thunderor are back with a new fist pumping anthem, the single ‘Pump Up The Volume’ is here and it’s the first track from their forthcoming album “Bleed For It” coming in March. Speedy riffs with plenty of energy to match, ‘Pump Up The Volume’ also pulls in those classic metal vibes and you can almost smell the studded leather. Mix in a blistering 6-string solo and what more could you ask for? Catch it right here on your Home for the Best New Rock… W-J-O-EEEE” – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll
“The second album has arrived and “Bleed For It” from Thunderor is built for power, fury and fire with no mercy. Lethal riffs everywhere, fist pumping anthems and battle cry lyrics rule this metal offering and the classic 80’s approach really make it a blast. Currently on tour in Canada with Burning Witches and compiling fans at a breakneck pace with their operatic theatrical vision of rock, Thunderor has become a significant force of modern ‘throwback’ metal. Catch tracks from “Bleed For It” on your Home for the Best New Rock… W-J-O-EEEE” – – WJOE – Findlay’s Home for Rock & Roll
“You can hear every second that the band’s album is fun” – Saitenkult
“plenty of catchy, upbeat songs” – Musika
“With improved vocals, bigger choruses, and a cinematic concept, Bleed For It promises to be the band’s most ambitious and emotionally charged release yet, recommended for fans of The Darkness, Skull Fist, Ghost, and Night Flight Orchestra. If you crave escape, adventure, romance, and danger, the band invites you to ride with them into the storm… Best moments of the album: Bleed For It, Get ‘Em Counted and Streets of Fire. Worst moments of the album: None.” – The Headbanging Moose
“Opening track “Pump Up The Volume” has Heavy Metal written all over it” – Metal Temple
“The album is full of surprises, taking the cake “Cape Breton Home”, placed in the center and inviting ballroom dancing with its country air. “Streets Of Fire” also has a different air, with a very Queen-like guitar, a feeling that increases to the brim in “In The Fire O’ The Heat”, the song that closes the album and where the influence of Mercury’s band is more than evident. The instrumental “DreamQuest” with that synth load also breaks the mold. Keyboards, melodies, songs with the air of an anthem and ultimately a journey of sounds behind the heartfelt lyrics that tell the story of “Thunderor The Musical” (the musical theater production of which the album is the soundtrack). “A story of tireless adventures and wild romance, in the face of danger and mortality”. Thunderor breaks the mold.” – Diary of a Metalhead / Diario de un Metalhead
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