On Electric Playground’s episode “War... What Is It Good For? Games!” our hosts delve into the world of Mega Man to celebrate the release of the Mega Man Anniversary Collection. Since Electric Playground is filmed in Canada, this inspired us to take a peak into the world of another kind of Mega Man, Canadian heavy metal legend Thor the Rock Warrior.

Back in the ‘70s and ‘80s, Thor the Rock Warrior invented gladiator rock, later (somewhat) popularized by bigger name acts like Manowar, Armored Saint and GWAR. Clad in a loin cloth, and wielding a mighty sword and hammer, Thor fought epic battles onstage to the sounds of barbaric hard rock, often fighting monsters and evil warlords.

Looking like a cross between David Lee Roth and Lou Ferrigno, and backed by tunes like “Thunder on the Tundra” and “Let the Blood Run Red,” Thor performed feats of strength such as bending steel bars between his teeth, blowing up hot water bottles with his lungs, and having concrete jack-hammered off his chest. With the success of albums like Keep the Dogs Away and Only the Strong, his act got so big in Canada and Europe that he graced the covers of metal mags like Kerrang! and starred in a slew of B-movies alongside talents like Roger Coreman, Adam West and Tia Carrere, including the classic Rock ‘n’ Roll Nightmare. All this before his retirement in the late ‘80s.

So where is Thor now?

Jon Thor spends his time between his homes in Vancouver and Seattle, Washington, where he runs several successful business and produces indie films, which he also often stars in or provides the soundtracks for. Inspired by a slew of whatever-happened-to articles, Thor began getting back into shape for a comeback. He has since released albums like Triumphant, An-Thor-ology, Dogs II and Beastwoman from the Center of the Earth, and has starred in films such as Graveyard and Rock ‘n’ Roll Nightmare 2: The Intercessor. Next up for the mighty warrior is the late-2004 release of Thor Against the World, which features a song called, you guessed it, “Megaton Man.” See how it all comes full circle?

Learn more about Thor the Rock Warrior at www.thorcentral.com.