Artist Showcase - Krokus
Krokus, a hard rock band from Switzerland, actually began in 1975 as a prog rock band, no really... Chris Von Rohr was the original lead vocalist as well as the original drummer. They enjoyed regional suggess and toured the country
After seeing AC/DC in concert in the late 70s, they decided to change their musical direction and adopted a new sound which was heavily influenced by the band. Since von Rohr possessed limited vocal abilities and was not capable of hitting the third octave, the band decided to hire a new lead vocalist. Eventually, Marc Storace, formerly of TEA and Eazy Money, was hired. With the new lineup in place, the band recorded and released a new album entitled Metal Rendez-vous in 1980, the album was Krokus's first hit and brought much wider international recognition.
So this is where will start our tour of Krokus...
PLAYLIST --> http://www.podsnack.com/CA69EFD9E8C/avh9ahut
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What are "Heathstrokes"?????
Nice that you got this idea from my list of what I've been listening to recently.
"Metal Rendez-vous" is a pretty good album, especially "Streamer" and "Tokyo Nights". Of course they're not included here, but it is what it is.
As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, "One Vice At A Time" was the first Krokus album I ever bought and it was all because of "American Woman" which was played a lot on the radio. Then came their opus, "Headhunter", which was played A LOT but good ole me.
So, coming off two really good albums, you would think that the next album would be really good, right? Nope. "The Blitz" was bad. So bad that I basically gave up on Krokus until years later when I bought the "Heart Attack" album thru the Columbia House Record Club. it was alright, but they really had lost all my good will towards them with "The Blitz".
I had "Metal Rendez-vous" on vinyl at some point, must have been after "Headhunter'. Don't think I had "Hardware" on vinyl.
Now, if I were to rank these albums, it would be thusly:
1. Headhunter
2. One Vice At A Time
3. Metal Rendez-vous
4. Hardware
5. The Blitz
Currently I'm 4/5 and that won't change.
If one were to buy a Krokus album or two, I would recommend Headhunter and either Metal-Rendez-vous or One Vice At A Time...
Other than "Hardware", I believe I have all of these on vinyl or cassette. Not sure why, because, quite frankly....a poor mans AC-DC is an apt description of their music. Saw them live several times, because they were always opening for somebodies tour. (Hey, they should have hooked up with Cheap Trick, and done a "We never headline" tour). "Midnight Maniac" is the best song here for me.
The best Krokus listen I have personally? Its not really even Krokus. It was Marc Storace and some other guys, releasing "Hellraiser" in 2006. This is easily the best I've heard from Krokus. It was good enough that I then bought the follow up, "Hoodoo" in 2010. Some of the original guys were back, and yep...."Hoodoo" does not get played very often at all.
But.....this is a very interesting idea, no matter who thought of it.....artist showcase.
Awesome feedback! And another suggestion for a cool playlist - "We Never Headline" playlist....
I'm afraid to ask what this GIF is supposed to mean...
Can't say I'm a fan, but I really dig these showcases. Here are my thoughts:
1. Heatstrokes - This is kind of a cheesy song, but the guitars are very rocking. I don't care for it vocally.
2. Winning Man - Very cool vibe for the start of the song. It's definitely reminiscent of Screaming In The Night, which is a good thing. It's better vocally, except when he tries to reach too high. More nice guitar work.
3. To The Top - This one has a serious AC/DC vibe. I mean serious. I actually like this one. Best song so far.
4. Stand And Be Counted - Lead riff reminds me just a bit of Exciter by Kiss (which also just happened to be released in 1983). But where that song is fantastic, this one is cheesy and contrived.
5. Midnite Maniac - The only song here that I've heard before. The vocals are better here. The verses aren't bad, but the choruses aren't good. The transition from verse to chorus is the best thing about the song.
I don't own any Krokus. Possibly never will. In my opinion, especially after listening to this, they are very much a cut rate AC/DC. I don't mean to sound like they have no value, but they just don't move me. Yet I still enjoyed this post.
Norma Jean Fox
(11/30/1945-9/7/2010)
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