Throughout the '80s, it seemed like
Krokus were always one or two steps behind the heavy metal pack. Starting out as an
AC/DC derivative, the group softened its sound later in the decade (à la
Def Leppard), in hopes of massive chart success. While they did indeed score a handful of moderate hits, they never truly joined the big leagues (another thorn in their side -- filming some of the most inadvertently hilarious videos of the era; be sure to keep an eye out for "Screaming in the Night" on VH1 Classic). With '80s metal making a nostalgic resurgence during the early 21st century,
Krokus were back up and running, and in 2004, issued their first live album in some time,
Fire and Gasoline: Live! The double-disc set wisely bypasses their weaker latter-day material (save for several tracks from their 2004 studio album,
Rock the Block), and sticks to their best-known tracks. Standouts include the aforementioned "Screaming in the Night" (a rare tranquil moment for the band, which manages to not sound like the majority of wimpy '80s-era power ballads) and the headbanging delights "Eat the Rich" and "Stayed Awake All Night."
Fire and Gasoline: Live! proves that
Krokus circa 2003 sound an awful lot like
Krokus circa 1983. ~ Greg Prato