An Uneven Tribute from the Gods of Camp Metal

Thor’s Rock the Universe is a strange, often confusing collection of rock and blues covers that feels more like a tribute to decades past than a cohesive album. It dives headfirst into ’70s and ’80s aesthetics, from synth-laced intros to cowbell-driven glam rock grooves—but despite its ambition to celebrate rock's legacy, the execution is hit-or-miss at best and deeply questionable at worst.

The album opens with “Action,” where spacey synths and keytar-like effects give way to janky, drawn-out guitar riffs and uneven vocals. It tries to channel fun, 80s arena rock energy but stumbles due to muffled production, simplistic drum work, and clunky transitions. This sets the tone for an album where enthusiasm often outweighs finesse.

Covers like “Let Him Play” and “I’m Not Like Everybody Else” lean into soft rock territory but suffer from lifeless arrangements. The instrumentation feels undercooked and the vocals, while earnest, lack the nuance or grit to carry these emotionally straightforward songs. Things begin to blur into generic classic rock territory, especially on “Sky Pilot,” where the simplicity of the performance borders on boring.

To Thor’s credit, not every track completely flops. “Heart Full of Soul” shows a rare moment of cohesion—the riffs are more developed, the drums feel better mixed, and the guitar solo even adds a bit of flair. The vocals find more character here, giving the track the emotional lift it sorely needs. Similarly, “Steamroller Blues” and “Love Me Two Times” benefit from a stylistic shift. The foray into blues and twangy country tones adds texture and restraint to an otherwise maximalist project. Harmonica, piano, and cleaner production bring some much-needed variety, and for once, the stripped-down arrangements help more than they hurt.

Unfortunately, the highs are few and far between. Tracks like “Highway Star / Black Night” try to channel Deep Purple’s muscular sound but feel bloated and stretched too thin, while “Rock the Nation” suffers from out-of-sync vocals, unpolished riffs, and a vibe that leans too far into unintentional parody. There’s clear reverence for the source material, but the performance rarely lands.

Then there’s “Back in the USSR,” a baffling closer that leaves a sour taste. Not only is the track tonally out of place, but its lyrical content feels dated and ideologically tone-deaf. The song’s upbeat vibe paired with its subject matter comes off more like a bad joke than a serious tribute, and by the end of the record, you’re left wondering what the goal of the album really was.

Overall, Rock the Universe is a mixed bag of retro rock cosplay and genre-hopping detours. While Thor remains a cult figure with undeniable camp value, this album feels more like a karaoke session at a dive bar than a genuine reinvention or celebration of classic tracks. Some charm slips through in its messiness, but unless you're here for the kitsch, most of this journey through the cosmos is better left in the past.