KROKUS - Hellraiser
October 18, 2006, 18 years ago
(Locomotive)
Lineup-wise calling this Krokus is getting a bit dodgy unfortunately. Too bad, but for one of the better Jager shot good time bands, there’s been considerable in-griping, long sticks going boom etc. It is of no matter, because with the irrepressible mood-lifting Marc Storace helming the good Swiss ship, the venerable franchise is secure. Hellraiser is like a Saxon album, in that everything is done right, from the recording to the writing to the playing, up to modern standards but with old school material. Wily move putting the title track first, ‘cos it’s an instant party classic. Smiles are ensured, even if a handful of later tracks get a little too close to the band’ odious hair band era, there’s enough crunch and caw and groove to satisfy, given Hellraiser’s 14 track expanse. Tones, textures and lots of rip ‘n’ tear from returning axeman Mandy Meyer make this a drinking man’s metal album with meat on its bones.
