Krokus is a special case for Greece. It is a classic band, almost everybody likes them and respects them (most, though, hardly own one of their albums), their songs where never that popular in rock clubs and the media and the greek music geeks never really paid any attention. What proves this is the classic greek approach “They sound like AC/DC meet the Scorpions”, as a rough description of their sound, forgetting that the Swiss hard rockers started at around the same time as the Germans and Aussies. C’ est la vie, so let’s get to the point.

This is a new album for the biggest hard rock/heavy metal product of Switzerland and what makes an impression even before you give it a spin, is the news of the original lineup returning, all the way including Chris Von Rohr, Fernando Von Arb, Freddy Steady, Mark Kohler and Marc Storace, right now in 2010 (their first album released in 1975). Marc Storace, as the band leader, remains an unparalleled and unique vocalist, with his trademark, passionate voice causing tremors when he reaches for the microphone. Whoever had the opportunity to watch them live in Athens four years ago, has no objection to that. A sleepless guardian of hard rock, with a voice like good old wine, Storace gives the go for a bombardment of hard riffs based on traditional hard rock forms and the band happily follows for a total of songs that will not disappoint if you ever liked Krokus. What’s the result? Krokus don’t compromise, avoid humiliation in front of an era that demands certain things and before any promotional blabbering and they prove that they can say what they want without much fuss, through their traditional European hard rock culture to which they were always pioneers and never acolytes. The same titled song is mature, mystical and if you make it to hold your leg steady, you should probably go for a check-up. ‘Ride Into the Sun” could bring up memories of their all-time classic “Screamin’ In The Night” while “In My Blood” summarizes their philosophy. A rhythmic, hard rocking, blues/Boogieing song with a metalized production and a disposition that few bands have procured for the last thirty years.

If the late 70s/early 80s are not a drawback but a conscious display of purity, “Hoodoo” is the zenith of a true soul offering. I don’t know if this reunion was decided for the money (I will never know) but with albums like this, I don’t even care. Rock Club and beer or car/bike and the road, it’s your choice. The old-timers manage fine, there’s no doubt about it. Turn It Up To Ten!!!