Krokus - Headhunter (1983) (24/96 Vinyl Rip)

Swiss rockers Krokus had already been around the bend a number of times by the time they scored their first (and only) American platinum success with 1983's Headhunter. Shameless bandwagon hoppers that they were (their origins lay in cheesy, late-'70s progressive rock), the band at least deserve credit for mixing their musical stew just right on this occasion. The results include the frenetic title track, a highly competent power ballad in "Screaming in the Night," and their biggest hit – a reworking of Bachman Turner Overdrive's "Stayed Awake All Night." Mid-tempo rockers such as "Eat the Rich" and "Russian Winter" also receive energetic performances from the band, but singer Marc Storace generally makes a nuisance of himself with his grating screech, which falls somewhere between Bon Scott and Accept's Udo Dirkschneider. Though their ridiculous attempt to emulate the pop-metal posturing of the day (guitarist Fernando Von Arb's incessant pouting remains an especially horrifying image) would do them little good, Headhunter, at least, remains Krokus' finest moment.

Tracklist :

A1. Headhunter - 4:28
A2. Eat The Rich - 4:18
A3. Screaming In The Night - 6:36
A4. Ready To Burn - 3:55
B1. Night Wolf - 4:09
B2. Stayed Awake All Night - 4:42
B3. Stand And Be Counted - 4:08
B4. White Din - 1:47
B5. Russian Winter - 3:31


• Marc Storace - Vocals
• Fernando von Arb - Guitars
• Mark Kohler - Guitars
• Chris von Rohr - Bass
• Steve Pace - Drums

Produced by Tom Allom
Engineered by Andy De Ganahl
Recorded at Bee Jay Studio, Ontario, Fla.