Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog

At the end of the day, I thank my lucky Metal stars that Krokus has existed – and still exists as a Heavy Metal Band. I have listened to Krokus since the early ’80’s, with Headhunter, (released on November 30, 1983), being my favorite Krokus album ever. Krokus has always maintained their straight-up brand of Heavy Metal over the decades, (spanning 4 decades), mixing in a power ballad here and there for good Metal measure. The comparisons to AC/DC over the years have been rather unfair, although I can understand why this comparison exists. (Marc Storace on lead vocals for Krokus does have resemblance to the legendary and late Bon Scott). Krokus has easily differentiated their songs on past albums, Screaming In The Night from Headhunter, Our Love from The Blitz album and Burning Up The Night from the Change of Address album are three cool examples to point out. Plus, Krokus has never been bashful in the past about doing cover songs… they kicked some Metal ass with School’s Out by Alice Cooper, Ballroom Blitz by Sweet and American Woman by The Guess Who. In a Metal nutshell, AC/DC is a legendary – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Band… Krokus has longevity, a strong and hard work ethic and a catalog of Heavy Metal albums worth their weight in Metal gold. Two different bands, Krokus just never received the popular vote… they are the band that Metalheads from decades past know are damn great at what they do. Krokus does not need acceptance from a Hall of Fame building to feel like they belong or accomplished anything… the fans know the difference.

Phew, now that this Krokus introduction is out of my Metal system, I can get excited now about telling the world about their 2003 album – Rock The Block (on Warner Brothers). You see, I have kept cool Metal tabs on Krokus throughout the years, still, an album will be put on my want list and wind up not being purchased for some unreal reason or another. Skipping over Rock The Block, I wound up buying right away the Hellraiser album by Krokus back in 2006. (Hellraiser by the way is one damn good Krokus album too). Fast forward to October of 2009 and I still do not own the Rock The Block album… until, once again, step in my best buddy – Scott. He sent me the Rock The Block CD via mail last week. On Friday, October 4, 2009 – I officially owned this album on CD and cranked it up for all it’s Heavy Metal worth.

Within a four year period, from 2003 to 2006, Krokus has released two great Heavy Metal albums. All the while, there are those bands who release that one album every ten to fifteen years and because they are elite, the mainstream press goes ape crap over it. With Krokus, there is no Walmart exclusive contract, yet they bring the Old School Heavy Metal that never fails to kick my ass into Heavy Metal shape. Rock The Block never made the cover of any prima donna – mainstream Rock magazines… thank god. This album gets it’s just due here, on Metal Odyssey. Krokus will forever get their just due on Metal Odyssey. All 14 songs are Krokus Heavy Metal… there is no in between. Mad World opens up this album and has me amazed at how strong and relevant the lyrics are. I instantly became absorbed into the Heavy Metal world of Krokus while listening to this album. Mad World is as intensely good a Krokus song I have ever heard. To go through each song that is on Rock The Block would be nonsensical here, this album is as complete a Krokus Heavy Metal album as there ever was. Rock The Block – Rocked my Heavy Metal world this past Friday… as a first time listen nearing seven years after it’s release.

Krokus, as they appeared on Rock The Block:

Marc Storace – lead vocals

Fernando Von Arb – lead guitar

Tony Castell – bass guitar

Dominique Favez – rhythm guitar

Patrick Aeby – drums

Krokus – Rock The Block Track Listing:

1. Mad World
2. Leading the Pack
3. I Want It All
4. Open Fire
5. One For All
6. Looking to America
7. Go My Way
8. Hot Shot
9. Raise Your Hands
10. Night of the Snakes
11. Throwing Her China
12. We’ll Rise
13. Freedom
14. Rock the Block

This entry was posted on October 4, 2009 at 5:31 am and is filed under 1970's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal ballads, 1980's heavy metal cover songs, 1980's heavy metal hits, 1980's classic rock, 1980's classic rock music, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, 1980's heavy metal songs, Album Review, classic heavy metal, classic heavy metal albums, classic rock music, collecting rock music, cool album covers, essential heavy metal albums, essential heavy metal songs, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album covers, heavy metal album review, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands this decade, heavy metal cover songs, heavy metal from switzerland, heavy metal music, heavy metal music 1983, Heavy Metal Reviews, heavy metal this decade, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Metal Reviews, Music, old school heavy metal, rock music, switzerland heavy metal bands, vintage heavy metal albums, vintage heavy metal bands, vintage heavy metal songs with tags 1980's heavy metal albums, 1980's heavy metal bands, 1980's heavy metal music, ac/dc heavy metal band, Alice cooper, american woman cover song, american woman song, ballroom blitz song, dominique favez guitarist, fernando von arb guitarist, Heavy Metal, heavy metal album review, heavy metal music, heavy metal songs, krokus, krokus change of address album, krokus headhunter album, krokus heavy metal band, krokus hellraiser album, krokus mad world song, krokus rock the block album 2003, krokus the blitz album, marc storace vocalist, Music, patrick aeby drummer, rock music, rock the block heavy metal album, school's out song, sweet rock band, the guess who rock band, tony castell bass guitarist, warner brothers records. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.