Krokus

A Big Warm Welcome to the return of the Swiss Rock Giant KROKUS - was felt already at some Swiss Summer Festivals in 2002. The sheer enthusiasm from the bands loyal fans led to a straight-up number one hit in the Swiss National Charts immediately upon the release of the latest studio album named Rock The Block in early 2003!Krokus, who accomplished Gold and Platinum rankings in the Top 100 of the American Billboard charts during the 80`s, always achieved admirable chart positions in their own country, but never a straight-up No.1 placing up to now.The build-up to Krokus`s successful comeback started in late 2001 when Marc Storace, the bands charismatic frontman with his trademark voice, returned to join forces with old band mate and lead guitarist Fernando Von Arb. Tony Castell played in the 1999 line-up of Krokus and was simultaneously Storaces bass player in Marcs solo project. Dominique Favez on rhythm guitar and Patrick Aeby on drums also played in Marcs solo project. This combination of a proven powerhouse and established foundation made it a natural decision to join forces as the new explosive Krokus line-up.Full of energy and raw enthusiasm the band concentrated on song writing and studio recording. To be able to record a CD that truly rocked, the band headlined some summer festivals in 2002. That enabled them to get some reaction from the fans and make target corrections, if necessary. The live experience not only gelled the band closer but also stirred up a lot of excitement in their homeland from their fan base. The stage was set not just to rock the block, but also the nation and then the world!The European tour that followed after the release of Rock The Block proved how powerful the band came across on stage. Marc`s unparalleled high-powered vocal performance, Fernando`s frenzied precision guitar playing with Tony, Dom and Pat creating a tight steady rock, made every concert an event.In 2004 the band released a live double CD. Fire and Gasoline was recorded in Sweden as well as Switzerland and captures twenty greatest hits from a career that has spanned over three decades. This CD showcases the success of the eighties and the comeback of this century. Press reactions from all over the world confirmed that Krokus earned the respect of insiders as well as fans far beyond Switzerlands borders. A bonus DVD Live At Montreux is part of the European CD release of Fire & Gasoline. A guaranteed feast of sight and sound!With these two recent releases, Krokus has shown that they do not just sit on their laurels. And that they are as strong as in their heydays, if not stronger. After all, Krokus have left their mark on rock history with classic rock albums/CDs like Metal Rendezvous, Hardware, Headhunter and The Blitz in the eighties. A tribute to their talent is that hits from those recordings still stand the test of time today and sound as fresh as when they were recorded. And that voice... those unforgettable, giving chills down the spine, powerful vocal performances of the one and only Marc Storace. His voice and Krokuss legacy with the immortal rock hits like Heatstrokes, Tokyo Nights, Long Stick Goes Boom, Midnite Maniac, Bedside Radio, American Woman and the more recent Mad World and Rock The Block, not forgetting the passionate epic ballad Screaming In The Night. Want proof that they stood the test of time? Listen to the live double CD Fire & Gasoline and youll agree.Next stop: Revisit America. After all thats where Krokus celebrated their greatest success and sold the majority of their 10 million plus records. That makes them Switzerlands most successful rock export ever! Already planned, the US tour had to be postponed due to Fernandos problems with his wrist and consequently minor surgery on his left wrist. The forced break during the recovery process made Fernando come to the realization that the touring was not for him anymore. Lead guitarist since practically the beginning, he single-handedly held the band together through the leaner years. Von Arb and Marc had written plenty of hits through the years. And yet he did not want to hold Krokus back. Von Arb and the band parted amicably early in 2005.Timing is everything! Marc connected with guitarist Mandy Meyer, who was a member of Krokus and toured on the British, European & American tours in the early 80s. Mandy is a welcome addition to the future success of Krokus, having toured worldwide with Cobra, Katmandu & Asia makes him an experienced and seasoned pro. He recently parted with another popular Swiss band called Gotthard and was up to the challenge when Marc contacted him. Not only would he be able to play live again the hits of yesterday but also create and compose the hits of tomorrow.Krokus with Mandy on guitar followed through on their first US tour since 1988 in September and October of 2005. Starting out on the East coast and finishing on the West coast, Krokus rocked the USA! November had them rocking in Russia and in December they rocked again in Sweden.Krokus never fails to deliver! The band will be on the road again very soon in support of their forthcoming studio recordings. Preliminary release of the new CD is scheduled for spring of 2006.