Krokus – Hardware (1981) (16/44 Vinyl Rip)

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Krokus – Hardware (1981) (16/44 Vinyl Rip)

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Review by Andy Hinds from Allmusic:
Krokus' generic, by-the-numbers approach to '80s hard rock isn't particularly well represented here (the band would reach its apex on 1983's Headhunter), although there are a few good songs – the album's opening and closing tracks, "Burning Bones" and "Celebration," respectively, are its best, and the steely ballad "Winning Man" (later virtually rewritten as "Screaming in the Night") is worthwhile. But stinkers like "Smelly Nelly" are just inexcusable.

Biography by Steve Huey from Allmusic:
A typical mid-'80s Euro-metal band from Switzerland, Krokus formed back in the '70s as a symphonic rock outfit modeled on the likes of Yes and ELP, switching to metal when the band's former direction proved unprofitable. The hard rock lineup included Maltese-born vocalist Marc Storace, guitarists Fernando Von Arb and Tommy Kiefer, bassist Chris Von Rohr (originally the lead vocalist), and drummer Freddy Steady. Kiefer was replaced by roadie Mark Kohler in 1982. Their brand of metal relies heavily on AC/DC and the Scorpions, with simple, radio-friendly riffs and repeatedly chanted choruses. Their biggest hit was a cover of Alice Cooper's "School's Out." The band has undergone several personnel changes, and their career started to go downhill in 1985.