Dokken - The Hunter

What this video is

Released in November 1985, 'The Hunter' arrived at the apex of the Sunset Strip glam metal wave, when MTV was the dominant cultural engine for breaking rock acts. Dokken occupied a unique niche — melodically sophisticated and guitar-forward compared to more flamboyant peers — and Under Lock and Key represented their commercial peak, reaching No. 32 on the Billboard 200. The video's use of partial colorization and a…

Why it matters

A key artifact of mid-80s melodic hard rock's MTV crossover moment. The Hunter charted at No. 25 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and helped establish Dokken as a top-tier act on Elektra Records. The video's cinematographic experimentation — selective colorization, rapid montage,…

The director

Wayne Isham (b. December 2, 1958, Vinita, Oklahoma) is an American film and music video director. A UC Santa Barbara alumnus, he has helmed over 150 music videos. Career highlights include Metallica's 'Enter Sandman,' Bon Jovi's 'Livin' on a Prayer,' Ricky…