KROKUS – Dirty Dynamite (2013)

*

Pioneer Swiss hard rockers KROKUS have been in the music business for almost forty years, playing all over the world and their records sold by the millions. Their 1983 album ‘Headhunter’ is the best selling Swiss record in history.

With almost the complete classic line-up they are releasing “Dirty Dynamite”, the band’s 17th studio album where they show no signs of slowing down an inch.

With the return of guitarist Mandy Meyer to the fold after a mere 30 year absence, Marc Storace, Fernando Von Arb and Chris Von Rohr worked for two years in the legendary Abbey Road Studio (with Von Rohr producing) to re-capture Krokus’ original roots, and “Dirty Dynamite” could really be a trip back to the first half of the eighties for the band.

As anyone who has followed Krokus throughout their lengthy career knows, they have always been inspired by AC/DC and this kind of classic hard rock. So it should be no surprise that many of the songs here have that down-and-dirty rhythm and blues vibe.

The album kicks off with the appropriately titled “Halleluja Rock n Roll”. It’s an up-tempo, bluesy rocker that sets the tone for the rest of the album, right from the first sounds of a growling dog whose picture graces the album’s cover. He’s a tough, dirty bulldog, complete with cigarette and obligatory tattoo.

A perfect metaphor for this enjoyable tough-as-nails release.

“Go Baby Go” goes to the rockin’ boogie Bon Scott era, followed by another nice rocker, “Rattlesnake Rumble” where the boys find their inner ZZ Top.

Next up is the title track “Dirty Dynamite”, a slower song with a groovier, bluesy vibe with a nice piano accompaniment in the background.

“Let The Good Times Roll” returns to the hard rocking swagger of the earlier tracks, and next up is one of the most interesting tracks on offer, a cover of a true classic, “Help” by the Beatles.

What makes it so interesting is that, aside from the lyrics, you can barely tell it’s the same song. They truly put their own spin on it and it comes out great.

Returning to their hard uptempo ways, “Better Than Sex” is another raucous rock ‘n roll, the curiously titled “Dög Song” is catchy as hell, and “Bailout Blues” features some blistering guitar work.

The album wraps up with the excellent, high-energy “Live Ma Life” and “Hardrocking Man” which, ironically, is the more melodic hard rock oriented track of the disc.

Swiss rockers Krokus keeps the flame alive on “Dirty Dynamite”, which continues in their vein of classic hard rock anthems and powerful riffs, ready made to dominate the listener with the power of RAWK.

It’s a completely fun, straight-ahead rocker featuring 12 explosive tracks, all clocking in at a succinct three to four minutes in length.

Production is clear capturing the band’s essence, with a well defined guitar attack (3 guitars!), great thundering kick drums by Kosta Zafiriou (Pink Cream 69) and vocal contributions by Tommy Heart (Fair Warning).

Krokus have been around for a long time, and if this album is any indication, they’re going to be around for a while longer.

Recommended.

01 – Halleluja Rock n’ Roll

02 – Go Baby Go

03 – Rattlesnake Rumble

04 – Dirty Dynamite

05 – Let The Good Times Roll

06 – Help

07 – Better Than Sex

08 – Dog Song

09 – Yellow Mary

10 – Bailout Blues

11 – Live Ma Life

12 – Hardrocking Man

Marc Storace – Lead and Backing Vocals

Chris Von Rohr – Bass, Vocals, Producer

Fernando Von Arb – Guitar, Lead and Backing Vocals

Mark Kohler – Guitar

Mandy Meyer – Guitar

Guests:

Kosta Zafiriou – Drums

Mark Fox, Tommy Heart – Vocals

BUY IT !

www.recordshopx.com/artist/krokus/dirty_dynamite