I was shocked to learn that Krokus were formed as far back as 1974 and Hellraiser is their 15^th album.  Originating from Switzerland, they are a band I have always been aware of, without ever really having heard them to any great degree. 

As the opening-cum-title track begins, I had to check whether I had put the correct CD in the player as I could have sworn it was AC/DC. This continued for the second track as well, before the vocals of Marc Storace lost some of their raspy harshness and the songs improved dramatically as a result. 

The third track, “Hangman”, is where the album begins to come alive for me and is followed by a great driving rock ballad, “Angel Of My Dreams” which I believe is being released as the first single and is the album’s stand-out track. 

There’s a great bluesy vibe about “Midnite Fantasy” which is one of my favourite tracks and provides the first of a great one-two punch with “No Risk No Gain”, an up-tempo rocker. 

The album is produced by Dennis Ward of Pink Cream 69 and manages to keep the traditional 80s metal style I always associated with Krokus, whilst at the same time giving it an up-to-date sound quality. 

Krokus are definitely an 80s style metal act, a la Saxon, and share the latter’s quality in terms of musicianship and an uncanny ear for the melodic, which has allowed them to also have lasted the pace into an era where this style of music remains disliked by the masses but adored by the few.  

I would imagine Krokus’ market will remain mostly in central Europe and they are always hugely popular in their homeland.  The type of music they play means they probably won’t win too many new fans, but they will more than satisfy their existing legion with this solid and, at times, very good release.

Let us know your views on 'Hellraiser'

Track List

Hellraiser
Too Wired to Sleep
Hangman
Angel of My Dreams
Fight On
So Long
Spirit of the Night
Midnite Fantasy
No Risk No Gain
Turnin' Inside Out
Take My Love
Justice
Love Will Survive
Rocks Off