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Thor: An-Thor-Logy (DVD)
 Thor is and always was one of the most interesting people in Hard Rock music. This DVD is a perfect historical document to the first 20 years of Jon Mikl Thor's career and his efforts to defend the music fan from the forces of evil. It is a battle he has fought well, and you are given the reminder very well in this DVD appropriately titled An-Thor-Logy. Starting with footage that dates back to 1976, on the Merv Griffin show of all things, we see Thor first as a Las Vegas styled "strongman entertainer". He performs the song "Action" by The Sweet, and personally I am not a fan of Sweet covers when I can listen to the real thing. Thor's voice is also not of the register for such a vocal range. Despite this, even back then he showcases the hot water bottle inflating he is known for. After this piece he is more showcased as a rock music performer and how his act began and grew ever more interesting over time. There are a few more TV appearances to enjoy on this DVD as well and the old school fans will remember them I am sure.
This DVD is really a lot of fun because it not only shows you a great historical document on one of the most dedicated forces in Hard Rock, but it really is the only place you will ever get to see a lot of this footage ever again. It seems to include all of Thor's promotional videos and contains a lot of live footage with a couple of different line-ups playing along with him. The videos might seem a bit corny by today's standards but for what Thor and his music were about they truly fit in well. They are actually mini-movies showing Thor fighting demons and defeating his enemy or just simply performance pieces were it is meant to look like this is a live show. On the concert footage the diehard will be beside themselves for it is a great way to see what Thor was like in the glory days of his performances. Everything from blowing up the hot water bottle until it bursts, bending the steel bar in his mouth, & shattering the concrete blocks on his chest are there for the non believer to see firsthand.
There are also some cool interview pieces for you to enjoy. Sadly not enough people got to experience the fun that is a Thor show, but this DVD gives the diehards a fine memento and the curious a great place to start. Thor is lucky to have so much footage to choose from that the people at Smog Veil were able to place it into a worthwhile DVD. This is recommended purely because it was a lot of fun to watch and let the rest of the world be left behind just a little bit. Enjoy and keep those hammers raised high for the Mighty Thor
Track Listing
Opening news clips (1979)
"Action" - live on Merv Griffin (1976)
"Sleeping Giant" video (1977)
"Keep The Dogs Away" video (1977)
"Catch A Tiger" video (1977)
"Keep The Dogs Away" live (1979)
"Rosie" live (1979)
Thor-u-mentary
"Rag-Na-Rock" live (1981)
"Special Flight" live (1981)
"Phantom Of My Nightmare" live (1981)
Uncle Floyd Show (1982)
"Gladiator Stomp" live (1982)
Channel 72 TV Appearance
"Thunder On The Tundra" Channel 72
"Anger" Channel 72
"Only The Strong"/"When Gods Collide" live (84/85)
Chevy TV Commercial (1985)
Kromer TV Commercial (1985)
U68 Power Hour Promos (1985)
"Knock 'Em Down" video (1985)
Credits
Added: September 3rd 2005
Reviewer: Ken Pierce
Score:  
Related Link: Thor Website
Hits: 3042
Language: english
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Thor: An-Thor-Logy (DVD)
Posted by Pete Pardo, SoT Staff Writer on 2005-09-03 18:44:09
My Score:
I'll admit to never taking the music of Thor seriously back in the late 70's & early 80's, and this DVD shows exactly why. Even though Thor desperately wanted to become a heavy metal legend, it never happened bacause up until around 1983 or so, his music was basically David Bowie/Alice Cooper styled glam-rock with a heavy metal image. It was not until almost the mid-80's that Thor's music took on a heavier, more metallic stance, but by this point the time for mass acceptance had since passed. This DVD takes you through the career of the strongman who became a rock and roll performer, and it's pretty obvious that while he lacked what you would call natural talent, Thor made up for it with charisma and presence. Much of the live footage shown here was shot from various years at various clubs (probably signaling that Thor never gravitated beyond playing very small venues), and there are plenty of videos as well, corny and dated as they may be. The various TV appearances and commercials are a hoot, which leads me to believe (and contrary to my original opinion) that with all the swagger and rock star posing, John Mikel Thor probably never really took himself too seriously to begin with. He had the look, and some of his material was pretty catchy, but in the long run it just didn't make for a winning combination which is why cult status is all he really achieved. Still, this is a fun if not dated look at a genuine character from the 80's metal scene, who believe it or not is still playing and recording today.
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