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Krokus

Krokus is a hard rock band from Switzerland. They were formed in 1974 by Chris Von Rohr and Tommy Kiefer. The band’s name was derived from a flower.

Current Members (Edit)

  • Marc Storace – Vocals


Albums (Edit)

  • Krokus (1976)
  • To You All (1977)
  • Painkiller / Pay It In Metal (1978)
  • Metal Rendez-vous (1980)
  • Early Days ‘75-’78 (1980)
  • Hardware (1981)
  • One Vice at a Time (1982)
  • Headhunter (1983)
  • The Blitz (1984)
  • Change of Address (1986)
  • Stayed Awake All Night – The Best (1987)
  • Heart Attack (1988)
  • Stampede (1990)
  • The Dirty Dozen (1993)
  • To Rock or Not to Be (1995)
  • Round 13 (1999)
  • Definitive Collection (2000)
  • The Collection (2000)
  • Best Of (2000)
  • Rock the Block (2003)
  • Long Stick Goes Boom: The Anthology (2003)
  • Hellraiser (2006)


Live Albums (Edit)

  • Alive And Screamin’ (1986)
  • Fire And Gasoline (2004)


Intro (Edit)

Krokus is a hard rock band from Switzerland. They were formed in 1974 by Chris Von Rohr and Tommy Kiefer. The band’s popularity hit its peak in the 1980’s.

The band’s name was derived from a flower. The flower “crocus” is common in Southern Europe. Chris Von Rohr was on a train ride, when he saw field of crocus flowers, and he got the idea for the band name.

Krokus’ original line-up included Tommy Kiefer, Hansi Droz, Remo Spadino, and Chris Von Rohr.

In 1976, the band released their self-titled debut album. Today, this album is rare and known to the band as the “First Album.”

In 1977 the band released their second album called, “To You All.” This was the first album to feature the Krokus logo on the cover and it had limited success in Switzerland. During this time some personnel changes were made. Droz and Spadino had left the band. They were replaced with Fernando Von Arb and Jürg Naegeli.

Painkiller, Krokus’ third album, was released in 1978. The album was released under two different names, Painkiller and Pay It In Metal. The album was also released with five different covers. All albums had the same song list and content despite the different names and covers.

In this time, the band attended an AC/DC concert. After the concert, Krokus decided they wanted to become a riff-rock band. So when Chris Von Rohr could not vocally hit the third octave, the band brought in Marc Storace as lead vocalist.

The first album with Marc Storace singing was released in 1980. The album was called Metal Rendez-vous. The album went triple-platinum in Switzerland. The song Heatstrokes was charted as Number 1 on the British Heavy Metal Charts. This opened doors for Krokus in Britain and the United States.

Krokus’ follow-up was called Hardware. It was not as popular as their previous album, but the album did manage to go Gold in Switzerland.

One Vice At A Time is Krokus’ sixth album. It was the first album to have Mark Kohler playing rhythm guitars. The album went Gold in Switzerland and Canada.

Headhunter was released in 1983. It went Platinum in the United States, and Gold in Canada and Switzerland. The song “Screaming In The Night” was the band’s biggest hits to this date. It was also the only Krokus album to have Steve Pace on drums.

Krokus’ eighth album was called The Blitz. It was released in 1984. This album went Gold in the United States.

The next album, Change of Address, was released in 1986. It has been described as “plainly one of the worst efforts” by the band. The band claims that they were put under too much pressure.

Click to edit INTRO


History (Edit)

The bands follow-up was Heart Attack. It was the bands tenth studio album. It was described by the band as “the last attempt to keep the band together in a deep crisis.” The album featured the song “Rock N’ Roll Tonight” which was, and still is, a live hit.

The year 1990 saw the band release Stampede. It was a whole new line-up, except for guitarist Fernando Von Arb. The new line-up included Peter Tanner singing, Fernando Von Arb playing lead guitar, while Manny Maurer handled rhythm guitars. Tony Castell played bass guitar and Peter Haas handled the drums.

In 1995, Krokus released, To Rock Or Not To Be. The album stayed in the top ten of the Swiss charts for seven weeks. It peaked at number five. Marc Storace and Mark Kohler returned to Krokus during this time.

Round 13 was Krokus’ thirteenth album. It featured Carl Sentance singing on the album. This was the only studio recording since “Metal Rendevous” and “Stampede” that did not feature Marc Storace singing.

In 2003, the band released the album, Rock The Block. The album welcomed back Marc Storace on vocals. It also featured Dominique Favez playing rhythm guitar.

Krokus’ twentieth album is called, Hellraiser. It was released in 2006. This released marked the 30th Anniversary since Krokus’ debut in 1976. Also, Armand “Mandy” Meyer took over lead guitars for this album.

Click to edit HISTORY


Update (Edit)

On April 20th, 2008, the band announced a reunion. The classic line-up of Chris Von Rohr, Fernando Von Arb, Freddy Steady, Mark Kohler and Marc Storace had reunited and would be releasing a new studio album in 2009. Also, in support of the album, a world tour would follow.

Click to edit UPDATE

34 Comments

  1. bowiebaby Says:

    I wish they would comeout with new music?they are so great. I have the box CD set ..and it?s is great?

  2. metalchick15 Says:

    I love Krokus!I have seen them live twice&they were awesome both times!my favorite!

  3. undeadbrennan Says:

    Krokus kick ass!!!!!!!!! (L)

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  4. dyan Says:

    I love Krokus!I have seen them live twice&they were awesome both times!my favorite!

  5. seles Says:

    Krokus is by far the Best Live Rock Show that you will see! They may not have been as big as some of the other groups from that era but trust me they blow everyone else off the freakin stage! Not even close and I know that even most of those bands will agree!

  6. panurge Says:

    Let’s hear it…. Krokus, Krokus, Krokus ….

  7. lunah_2191 Says:

    Talk about memories, I caught a live show back in the day and the goosebumps are real today as they were then!

  8. mxchick201 Says:

    Those were the good old days!

  9. lovesickjunkie Says:

    Wow!

  10. geechan Says:

    Krokus is by far the Best Live Rock Show that you will see! They may not have been as big as some of the other groups from that era but trust me they blow everyone else off the freakin stage! Not even close and I know that even most of those bands will agree!

  11. supercoolrneee Says:

    One good album. The rest were uplayable but the bio sure reads well

  12. mdgirlie Says:

    Let’s hear it…. Krokus, Krokus, Krokus ….

  13. jackblack Says:

    I’ve heard so much about Krokus. Hope to get to a show one day soon..

  14. veronika Says:

    Im so surprised anyone paid them to record a second album coz the first was such crapola! I know bienmark-miguel wouldn’t agree with me so lets just agree to disagree :)

  15. kasai Says:

    gosh these guys put on a great live show

  16. babylove Says:

    Can anyone remember who produced their debut album? I used to know but can’t think of who it was right now

  17. essemar Says:

    Gay motherfucker

  18. ditzy chick Says:

    Krokus were one of the leaders in pioneering the glam sound

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  19. tejanoloco Says:

    Love Krokus <3

  20. Metalworshiper Says:

    One of the best voices in the business

  21. Aline_NightHeaven Says:

    Love Krokus <3

  22. whiteisland Says:

    OMG I so want to see their live show!!!

  23. aimee Says:

    Krokus OWNS!!!!!

  24. saxon44 Says:

    Krokus son la mejor banda de rock que he escuchado. x

  25. mossrock Says:

    Krokus rockin’ America xxx

  26. rockerchick Says:

    Krokus fucking rocks man,great voice, great riffs and lyrics. Always at his best!!!!

  27. cruehead1989 Says:

    I love Krokus!I have seen them live twice&they were awesome both times!my favorite!

  28. TARZEN Says:

    I love Krokus

  29. exile Says:

    great band and amazing musicians

  30. appetitefor1987 Says:

    I love Krokus!I have seen them live twice&they were awesome both times!my favorite!

  31. exciter120 Says:

    Krokus rules, I love Krokus, and the band show?s perfect!!! <3

  32. indyguy Says:

    Krokus is fuckin? awesome. They shud come play in my hometown!!!

  33. blondirockchick Says:

    Krokus is by far the Best Live Rock Show that you will see! They may not have been as big as some of the other groups from that era but?trust me?they blow everyone else off the freakin stage! Not even close and I know that even most of those bands will agree!

  34. josephserilla Says:

    saru sa mga gurngan kan junkshop…..

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