Krokus is one of the rare acts that has been living and breathing rock 'n' roll for almost 30 years and that has, during numerous endless tours, experienced more than the thickest book could ever tell about. They are the most successful Swiss rock band of all time! With the release of their 15th studio album, "Hellrasier" we caught up with frontman Marc Storace to see how things are going in the Krokus camp.

Metal Mayhem: Thanks for answering a few of our questions Marc, How are things going?
Marc Storace: Since we released "Rock The Block" on Warner Records in 2003, things have been looking up again for Krokus! Even our double live album "Fire & Gasoline" (containing the live DVD) did very well the following year, and right now we are delighted to see how well our new release is doing. The new album "Hellraiser" went Gold in Switzerland a day before its release and a week later hit the charts straight in at number 2!!! which is great!

MM: It's been a while now since you guys formed. What do you think it was that kept the band together for so long and how do you manage to keep fresh after all these years? MS: For over 30 years, Krokus has been through a constant carousel of musicians, each one as colourful as the next. I simply had to learn to concentrate mainly on the music itself in order to retain my emotional sanity in that ever-changing scenario of parting with friends and welcoming new ones. MM: Have you ever felt like just hanging up your instruments, releasing a greatest hits and heading for the easy life? What keeps you motivated to keep making music? MS: Music is my life! I cannot recall ever not having been involved in music. It all started way before my first live performance at the ripe old age of 14 and I hope this won't stop

too soon. God willing, I can retain my voice and my health for as long as possible! My biggest motivation is my love for the music itself, and the goose bumps I still experience whilst performing are the best indication that I am still on the right track. It's simply sensational!

MM: Not only does 2006 see a new album, ("Hellraiser"), it also sees a new line-up with the departure of long time guitarist Fernando Von Arb. Can you tell us what happened with him and just how well the new members are settling in?
MS: Good question (smile)! When I called Fernando to consider our reunion late in 2001, Krokus was on the verge of sinking into final oblivion. With my return to Krokus I brought back the band's familiar vocal identity which automatically inspired Fern to re-focus his song writing approach. We simply carried on where we had left off, so to speak, enjoying a very successful new release with "Rock The Block" with an almost completely new team of musicians around us.
That should have fired him up for the rest of his life, but to my amazement, he failed to appreciate the fact that we had just put a dying band back on its feet! Pretty sad indeed that the whole thing escalated to a point of no return. So when he quit I had no choice. I wasted no time and focussed on the road ahead, immediately considering ex-Krokus lead-guitarist, Mandy Meyer as the new replacement!
Mandy took up the challenge wholeheartedly and we were able to put our heads together and get down to some serious work. The song writing for our next album had already been underway and after Mandy returned, I joined him in his hometown to jam out new ideas; we came up with six great but very rough demos in next to no time! His guitar playing touches a wide variety of techniques that form his own particular style, from fast playing to bluesy licks and slide-effects! We hadn't heard any slide-guitar in Krokus since Tommy Kiefer was around. Mandy's magical presence got the whole band fired back up and a few months later we were already rocking back, in the good ol' US of A.
When we returned to Europe we took on Stefan Schwarzmann as our new drummer. He joined us in time for our pre-production for the new album and he fitted like a glove, not only as the excellent drummer that he is, but also on a human level.
Tony Castell, who already played bass on the "Stampede" album (after I had left the band in '88), can tell you exactly how good it feels to now be a part of a rhythm section where the gritty cutting edge of Dominique Favez's rhythm guitar interacts with precision between Stefan's driving drum-juggling and his own raunchy, pounding bass. The three perform like one solid steam-machine and it's a beautiful sight to watch them rocking throughout the show

MM: Coming onto your 15th studio album "Hellraiser".... Aafter only a couple of weeks the album was certified gold in Switzerland. What has the reaction been like to it amongst both fans and press so far? Have you had the chance to see many reviews?
MS: Both fans and the media have reacted very positively and hail "Hellraiser" as the start of a new era in the history of Krokus. I've seen many reviews and the greater majority are very positive indeed.


MM: I've seen reviews where "Hellraiser" has been regarded amongst your top five albums; what is your opinion on the album and how do you rate it, compared to the others?
MS: In my personal opinion "Hellraiser" stands as high as "Metal Rendezvous", "One Vice At A Time" and "Headhunter"

MM: The album also entered the Swiss charts at No. 2. Since Switzerland isn't the biggest of rock nations, what do you think it is about the band that has such a broad appeal?
MS: Krokus is respected for delivering high energy live shows and for the bands' consistency in being able to deliver a long line of albums that have retained a special, very own brand of high quality yet uncomplicated melodic rock music in the face of your ever changing fashions and trends. Krokus is real rock'n'roll, as reliable as your old leather jacket and as loyal as a trusty old Harley. That is why Krokus music appeals to young and older generations alike.

MM: For those that haven't heard the album yet, what can they expect? MS: "Hellraiser" opens with the wild scorching title track and ends with another frenzied scorcher "Rocks Off!" In between you have a few other typical Krokus sounding songs like "Too Wired To Sleep" or the mid-tempo "Angel Of My Dreams". "No Risk No Gain" and "Turnin'Inside Out"; are two more that definitely go on the party-list!

This album contains a dynamic collection of 14 songs chosen from a vast amount of demos which were recorded over the past few years. During the intensive pre-production period, the collective, creative energy and fine musicianship of the band was branded on to each individual number. On this album one will notice how we dared to venture into new realms with songs like the melancholic "Hangman" or the down-tuned epic "Fight On", and then come back with the half ballad "So Long" before taking off with the fastest double-kick track since the good old title song "Headhunter".... Then just as you're left reeling from the onslaught, we leave you to sink back and enjoy a juicy "Midnite Fantasy". "Take My Love" is also a newcomer in style and pulls on the heart strings. "Justice" and "Love Will Survive" are mid-tempo elevators to get you moving on your feet. There's also an extra bonus track by the name of "Walkin' In The Spirit" available on the special edition. We arranged the running order similar to a live show, so one can sit back, pour a drink or two, and enjoy listening from beginning to end!!! Rock On !

MM: Moving on to the "Hellraiser" Tour which kicked off in Oulu, Finland on October 14th; I was surprised to see there were no dates in either the UK or the US. In particular the US as this is where you have achieved most of your success... Are these dates final or are there more to be added?
MS: Of course there's plenty more to come! Our agent had to wait until we were very close to the record release before starting to confirm these dates. Most promoters wait until the very last minute in order to see how the album fares on home turf before committing themselves .Now that "Hellraiser" has almost reached Platinum in Switzerland we are seeing more green lights and the band wants to "go for it"...It's simply a case of supply on demand really!

MM: You're on AFM Records now as opposed to Warner. How did that come about?
MS: Well Warners packed up its Music Sector in Switzerland and our team moved to Gadget. That's where we are now. Chris Wepfer was head of Warner Music and now runs Gadget, Switzerland. He made a licensing deal with AFM (Germany) for Krokus. We are Gadget's only International act and still Switzerland's best selling Rock export. AFM is doing a great job and launched an intensive promotion campaign for Krokus. They understand that a band like us needs to go on big tours. In the 80's Krokus had a fiery live reputation and we played in sold out arenas all over the USA. Today I must say we rock even harder he, he!!!

MM: Being one of the biggest melodic rock bands not only in your native Switzerland, but in the world, when can we see the entire back catalogue re-released and re-mastered? I believe that the first few Krokus albums were never released on CD?
MS: It's only a matter of time I guess?

MM: Thanks again for your time and we wish you all the success with the new album and forthcoming tour. Any last words/comments?
MS: It's been a pleasure. I just want to say that the band is primed for the big time and we have never had such a great crew. We feel that the people around us believe in Krokus like never before and that the potential within this band to write great rock music is bigger than ever before.
I know you will enjoy "Hellraiser" and I hope to see you all at one of our live shows soon. We always do a "Meet & Greet" after every show so don't forget to bring your albums along for signing! Also, don't forget to check our Website www.krokusonline.com for the latest news and tour updates and while you're there, sign up for our newsletter from the "one and only" Peter Waelti, who runs our "Globe Club / Clan And Fans" empire.

Chris Rogers