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.
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.
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.
September 12th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
I wish they would comeout with new music?they are so great. I have the box CD set ..and it?s is great?
September 18th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
I love Krokus!I have seen them live twice&they were awesome both times!my favorite!
September 27th, 2010 at 1:00 am
Krokus kick ass!!!!!!!!! (L)
Marketing Strategy Sydney
October 2nd, 2010 at 3:49 pm
I love Krokus!I have seen them live twice&they were awesome both times!my favorite!
October 10th, 2010 at 12:54 am
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!
October 17th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Let’s hear it…. Krokus, Krokus, Krokus ….
October 24th, 2010 at 7:27 am
Talk about memories, I caught a live show back in the day and the goosebumps are real today as they were then!
October 30th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Those were the good old days!
November 7th, 2010 at 11:39 pm
Wow!
November 13th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
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!
November 21st, 2010 at 12:27 am
One good album. The rest were uplayable but the bio sure reads well
November 28th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Let’s hear it…. Krokus, Krokus, Krokus ….
December 4th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
I’ve heard so much about Krokus. Hope to get to a show one day soon..
December 12th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
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
December 19th, 2010 at 10:31 am
gosh these guys put on a great live show
December 26th, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Can anyone remember who produced their debut album? I used to know but can’t think of who it was right now
January 3rd, 2011 at 4:23 am
Gay motherfucker
January 10th, 2011 at 4:30 am
Krokus were one of the leaders in pioneering the glam sound
Marketing Strategy Sydney
January 16th, 2011 at 9:28 pm
Love Krokus <3
January 23rd, 2011 at 11:02 am
One of the best voices in the business
January 31st, 2011 at 7:04 am
Love Krokus <3
February 7th, 2011 at 3:39 am
OMG I so want to see their live show!!!
February 14th, 2011 at 2:41 pm
Krokus OWNS!!!!!
February 19th, 2011 at 11:32 pm
Krokus son la mejor banda de rock que he escuchado. x
February 27th, 2011 at 4:41 am
Krokus rockin’ America xxx
March 7th, 2011 at 10:36 pm
Krokus fucking rocks man,great voice, great riffs and lyrics. Always at his best!!!!
April 2nd, 2011 at 1:33 am
I love Krokus!I have seen them live twice&they were awesome both times!my favorite!
April 8th, 2011 at 6:48 pm
I love Krokus
April 16th, 2011 at 9:52 am
great band and amazing musicians
April 23rd, 2011 at 5:07 pm
I love Krokus!I have seen them live twice&they were awesome both times!my favorite!
April 30th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
Krokus rules, I love Krokus, and the band show?s perfect!!! <3
May 8th, 2011 at 5:35 pm
Krokus is fuckin? awesome. They shud come play in my hometown!!!
May 15th, 2011 at 6:21 am
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!
September 8th, 2011 at 11:11 am
saru sa mga gurngan kan junkshop…..