STEINMETAL (7/10)

Four decades of Blues, boozed up, straight to your face type of Rock. I don't know if many will admit it or not, but the Swiss long time runners, KROKUS, have been the true European equivalent to the 70s era, Bon Scott period, of the Aussie AC/DC and even somewhat the early UFO. The amusing thing is that there aren't a lot of years margining between them and the Aussies and Brits. KROKUS, throughout their years, have been keeping their material in straight line without troubling themselves to look sideways to seek out for new directions. Their Hard Rock productions have been solid, some even taking hold with great songs and memorable moments. The newly flavour of "Dirty Dynamite", via Sony Music / The End Records, is a spawn of the band's well known character, streaming between Boogie Rock of the 60s and 70s, Blues Rock and dribbles of vintage Metal. With KROKUS in general, and the shindig of "Dirty Dynamite" in particular, at least for me, it has been like shooting blind at the range, it is whether you hit something or not, which explains my main reason for the mixed feelings I have regarding this album.

I salute to KROKUS for not surrendering to the modern Rock scene in comparison to plenty of veteran bands out there gone to become Rock history's sell outs. As I mentioned earlier, KROKUS has been keeping a tight form of music, displaying traditional style street smooth Rock N' Roll while not being waywardly cautious to spray around a few sleazy remarks or being sharp and tough. "Dirty Dynamite", while not being compared to the band's earlier discography, on its own is a good release, a product of a veteran crew trudging the ground with power induced tunes. Several of these babies hit the spot with conviction, showcasing that magical rhythm guitar riffing, tight drum and bass contortions and punching gritty vocals (With an absolute Bon Scottian texture) commending the sensation of a well-known song structures that in many ways has been enriched liked preserved old wine. "Hardrocking Man", the clincher of the pack, is a pure KROKUS classic oriented song. It might be similar to the vast majority of the tracks, a problematic factor that I will discuss about a bit later, but it attacked with a great chorus and attractive riffing. "Hallelujah Rock N' Roll", a strong opener, a mere anthem of great solid Rock, not a massive room wrecker yet a pleasurable sing along number. "Rattlesnake Rumble", "Dirty Dynamite" and "Bailout Blues" are KROKUS's traditional Blues / Boogie affiliations and their constant competent measure of Rock driven material with more or less free spirit of oozed up sensations, a bit drunken feeling but not too hefty. I kind of liked it. But surely one of the band's top efforts within this album is the cover for THE BEATLES, "Help". From a jumpy, even somewhat cheerful, Pop / Rock of the original, KROKUS reinvent this one as a sweet Hard Rock ballad, composed differently, heavier and emotive, yet loyal to the original structure cut

Earlier I described the shooting range metaphor regarding KROKUS's material. Within the midst of "Dirty Dynamite", it applied as well. I really don't know how AC/DC have been keeping their composure all these years producing more hits than fillers or fails, but for some reason, KROKUS aren't as shiny bright stars as the Aussies. Through this current selection of songs, with all of KROKUS' long time policy of keeping it straight up Rocking that is highly respectable, some of the material of this release is skidding, recycled, overused ideas being harnessed over and over, similar Blues lines and riffs and a big time same old story that didn't end up too well. "Go Baby Go", "Dög Song" and "Live Ma Life" are nice tracks but repetitive and moderately dreary and tiresome as if felt like fillers, just vacant places for the positioning of songs and segments to keep the listener going. It is not that KROKUS lost their spark, but in time over tedium, and slightly monotonic proceedings can be tiresome. "Dirty Dynamite" is a pitchfork of solid vintage Hard Rock, belonged and all for the basics, greatly produced, with pleasurable presentations but also exasperating moments.

METTELANGEL (7/10)

For almost four decades the hard rocking men in KROKUS have been paying it in metal. They may have the bailout blues, but they are no worse for ware, embracing one vice at a time. Clearly while creating this midnight madness, on boys' night out they stayed awake all night, enduring many heatstrokes.

Once one hears the opening voodoo spell riff for "Hallelujah Rock 'N' Roll" the long stick goes boom sounding the blast that is "Dirty Dynamite". This balls out rude blitz of bedside radio friendly hits is just what one would expect from these Swiss merchants and their metal rowdy views, so watch out!

Handling all this hardware is never easy Man, but somehow KROKUS manage to write songs which are very accessible. I watched the video for the title track last week, and already that song is echoing in my head. The just have the right eat the rich formula, and there is no need to address that change. The three prong guitar stampede of Fernando Von Arb, Mark Kohler, and UNISONIC's Mandy Meyer allows for a festive, fun, thick, grooving,  rolickin' good vibe which is almost better than sex. Marc still has all the Bon Scott free flow intentions, but one can easily detect his other '60s era influences. I was quite surprised by the BEATLES cover of "Help!". This version is slower, more epic, and I had to do a double-take when I first heard it. "Dög Song" bites deep, and when I see the cool cover art work, I want to give the dog a bone, although he seems quite satisfied with his drag from his fag, and his grim rictus grin.

The honesty of "Live My Life", qualifies that these bad boys have paid their dues, dutifully delivering the goods, the rhythm and the blues. Even if they are born to lose, they still win. The last track "Hardrocking Men" is just a wonderful celebration of all that they have accomplished after so many years, and verifies the mark these hot shots have left on us, sincerely.

So let the good times roll, because KROKUS have created another worthy effort proving that they are still out of control, always ready to rock the block, and take it to the top. These midnight maniacs are here to bang you head, haunt your soul!