GLORYDAZE Music - Articles: Krokus

ARTIST: Krokus
ALBUM: Hoodoo
LABEL: Sony BMG
SERIAL: 88697649442
YEAR: 2010

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

LINEUP: Marc Storace - vocals * Fernando Von Arb - guitars * Mark Kohler - guitars * Chris Von Rohr- bass * Freddy Steady - drums

TRACK LISTING: 01 Drive It In * 02 Hoodoo Woman * 03 Born To Be Wild * 04 Rock N Roll Handshake * 05 Ride Into The Sun * 06 Too Hot * 07 In My Blood * 08 Dirty Street * 09 Keep Me Rolling * 10 Shot Of Love * 11 Firestar

RATING:

WEBLINKS: krokusonline.seven49.net

Background
After a couple of dodgy releases in the past decade ('Rock the Block' and 'Hellraiser'), Krokus have returned with their best album since 1999 and one which reunites the vintage 'One Vice At A Time' lineup from 1982. Expectations were high for this release, with the band themselves promising a return to the sound of the early 80's. For once such claims can be validated, as this rocks with the heaviness of prime Krokus with a series of riffs and lyrics straight from the 1981 textbook. I didn't think these guys had it in them at this stage, but reuniting was obviously the catalyst for what is already one of the best albums of the year surely.

The Songs
For those disappointed with AC/DC's 'Black Ice'. this is the perfect remedy. I'd go as far to say this blows the worn out Aussie punters out of the water, with Krokus taking their own recycled riffs and making them sound fresh again. For anyone missing the sound of AC/DC circa 1978, then Krokus have answered your prayers with 'Keep Me Rolling', a real piece of boogie crunch. I never thought I'd be hearing this in 2010. 'Shot Of Love' is a perfect 'Highway To Hell' imitation with Storace sounding more inspired than he has in years. 'Drive It In' is straight ahead hard rock, with the emphasis on riffs and melody and it's clear the mission here was to evoke 1982, with lyrics about the 'beast on the loose' and 'blowing my fuse.' The metal side of things isn't forgotten, with 'Firestar' an obvious 'Headhunter' knock off but succeeding in establishing a veritable wall of noise. 'Dirty Streets' is a good bit of raunch and once again makes AC/DC look like pretenders. 'In My Blood' and 'Too Hot' also recapture that classic Krokus sound, although the latter has a shade of Kiss' 'Lick It Up' running through it. The only forgettable inclusion is the cover of 'Born To Be Wild', which is such an obvious choice as a cover that it should have been banned. It offers nothing new whatsoever.

In Summary
Anyone who doubted Krokus will be silenced by this feast of classic hard rock. This stands up with the best of the bands past and their native Switzerland obviously agreed, making it an instant number one in that country. It might sound unbelievable to some, but this ranks with 'Hardware' or 'Metal Rendezvous' and easily exceeds 'The Blitz' or 'Change Of Address.' By sticking to the tried and tested riffs of yesteryear Krokus have reinvented themselves yet again. Let's hope this lineup sticks together instead of splintering apart like they did in the mid 90's. AC/DC have been made to look like beginners, trust me.

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