"Hardware" Album Description:
The release of Krokus' "Hardware" in 1981 marked a significant moment in the era of hard rock and heavy metal. This Swiss band, known for their energetic performances and powerful sound, delivered an album that resonated with the prevailing musical trends of the time. The early 1980s were characterized by a burgeoning hard rock and heavy metal scene, with bands like AC/DC, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden dominating the global music landscape.
"Hardware" emerged during a period when the hard rock genre was experiencing a remarkable evolution. Bands were pushing the boundaries of sound, incorporating elements of glam, punk, and new wave into their music. Krokus, in particular, showcased their ability to adapt to the changing musical landscape while maintaining the core essence of hard rock.
The production of "Hardware" is noteworthy, especially considering its release in Holland. European countries, including Holland, played a crucial role in the international distribution of rock and metal music during this period. The import 12" LP vinyl format was a popular choice for music enthusiasts seeking high-quality audio and a tangible connection to their favorite bands.
The custom inner sleeve included with the album added a touch of exclusivity, often featuring band photos, lyrics, and additional artwork. This attention to detail in packaging reflected the importance placed on the overall experience of owning and listening to a vinyl record.
Musically, "Hardware" by Krokus boasted a collection of tracks that embodied the spirit of the times. The album's sound was characterized by gritty guitar riffs, powerful vocals, and anthemic choruses. Tracks like "Easy Rocker" and "Rock City" exemplified the band's ability to craft memorable, hard-hitting songs that resonated with fans of the genre.
In the context of the early 1980s, Krokus' "Hardware" contributed to the ongoing narrative of hard rock's evolution. The album's success in Holland and its international reception underscored the global appeal of hard rock during this period. The import vinyl format allowed fans to access music from around the world, contributing to the interconnectedness of the global music community.
Music Genre:
Hard Rock, Heavy Metal from Switzerland |
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Album Production information:
The album: "KROKUS - Hardware incl custom inner sleeve" was produced by:
Krokus
Sound/Recording Engineer(s):
Mark Dearnley, Nick Rogers
(Mark Dearnley a Sound Engineer from the USA having engineered on albums for Krokus, Loudness, V2, Wrathchild America and others.)
Mastered by Ian Cooper at the Townhouse
This album was recorded at:
Roundhouse Studios, London. Nov-Dec 1980, Engineer
Album cover design:
Forty Morell , Christophe Vorlet
Album cover photography: Sulzer and Simon Fowler
Simon Fowler – Photographer Simon Fowler is a British photographer celebrated for his striking portraits of rock and metal legends, including Iron Maiden, whose 1983 album “Piece of Mind” credited him as Simon “Bullseye” Fowler. His work spans the vibrant eras of the late 1970s through the 1990s, capturing icons at their creative peak.
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Record Label & Catalognr:
Ariola 203 322 |
Album Packaging:
This album "KROKUS - Hardware incl custom inner sleeve" includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by and artwork/photos
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Media Format:
12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram
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Year & Country:
1981 Made in Holland |
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: KROKUS - Hardware incl custom inner sleeve |
Band-members, Musicians and Performers
- Tommie Kiefer (1952-1986) - Vocals, Guitars
- Chris von Rohr - Bass, Percussion
- Christoph "Chris" von Rohr – Swiss music producer, musician (bass/vocals)
Christoph "Chris" von Rohr is the Swiss rock ringmaster I keep bumping into whenever Krokus sounds larger-than-life on wax. Read more... Christoph "Chris" von Rohr is one of those rare names that shows up both in the liner notes and in the DNA of a whole scene — and as a collector, I love that kind of fingerprint. I know him best as a founding force in Krokus: active through their rise from 1975–1983, back for a short return in 1987–1989, and then in the comeback era from 2008 onward (because rock bands, like horror villains, are never truly gone). Outside the band, he shaped Swiss hard rock from the control room too — most famously as Gotthard’s producer and songwriter from 1991–2002 — basically the guy turning raw riffs into stadium-sized results without sanding off the attitude. If you want the clean timeline without my romantic vinyl fog, here’s the official rabbit hole:
- Fernando von Arb
- Fernando Von Arb - Lead Guitar
Riff-first lead guitarist: tight hooks, lean solos, and a drummer-proof sense of timing. Read more... Fernando Von Arb, Krokus' riff-foreman, plays like he's tightening bolts on an arena stage: no wasted motion, just grip and momentum. He came in via the local trio Montezuma, then joined Krokus in 1976 and rode the classic climb through 1988. After the breakup he rebuilt the band and kept returning in chapters: 1990-1991 (even switching to bass), 1994-1995, 1999-2005, and again from 2008 onward. In 2005 tendonitis forced him out for a while, which is the universe's dumbest way of saying "stop." Hard rock, heavy metal, whatever tag you slap on it: his solos stay lean, his rhythm work is the hook, and his writing is built to make the chorus land like a door slam.
- Marc Storace - Vocals
- Marc Storace - Vocals
He sings like the mic owes him money: rasp, bite, and choruses that stick to your brain like tape. Read more... Marc Storace, Swiss-Maltese and sharp as a broken bottle, turned Krokus from local thunder into export-grade hard rock. I first clocked him when he joined TEA (late 1971-1977), then jumped to London to form Eazy Money (1977-1979) before landing in Krokus in 1979 and singing them into the big leagues on 1980's "Metal Rendez-vous". His prime Krokus run hits 1980-1988, then he came back for the long second life (1994-2016), still sounding like gravel with a grin. He sells hooks like beer: fast, loud, and without apology, and that rasp is all over "Bedside Radio", "Heatstrokes", and "Screaming in the Night". He never sounded polite, and thank heaven for small mercies.
- Freddy Steady - Drums
- Juerg Naegeli - Bass (Jürg Nägeli is from Switzerland and is musician, sound engineer and music producer. He has been performing with the Swiss Heavy Metal / Hard Rock band "Krokus", from 1976 until 1979 as bassist and from 1978 until 1980 on keyboards.)
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