1984 - The Blitz

8th Album release of KROKUS. Yet again the band did their song writing in the USA, which by now was practically their second home. With Chris Von Rohr and Steve Pace gone, the line-up carrousel continues. Ex-Cobra Jeff Klaven replaces Steve Pace on drums and Mark Kohler takes over bass duties for the departed Chris Von Rohr.

KROKUS decide to record "The Blitz" album at Little Mountain Sound Vancouver, B.C./Canada. Marc on vocals, Fernando on lead- and acoustic-guitar, Mark Kohler on bass & rhythm guitar and Jeff Klaven on drums. The recordings were engineered by none other than Bob Rock, assisted by Mike Frazer (producers/engineers to Bon Jovi, Metallica, Van alen, Kiss, Aerosmith, AC/DC & others) and produced by the late, great Bruce Fairbairn. Jimi Jamison of Survivor adds backing vocals whilst Doug Johnson contributes keyboards. Canadian singer Bryan Adams and his writing partner Jim Vallance scored co-composition credits on the track "Boys Nite Out".The album is mixed at Soundworks Studios New York City.

The cover version of Sweet's anthem "Ballroom Blitz" is recorded live on the first take in Vancouver, B.C. on June 5th, 1984 at 9:30 PM. The rocked up version of “Ballroom Blitz” served not only for the album title but led to a sought after VHS/LaserDisc bit called “The Video Blitz” (view it at MULTIMEDIA > KROKUS VIDEOS > 1984 BLITZ NYC PARTS 1 & 2).

They wrote the hits "Midnite Maniac", "Out Of Control" and the ballad that won young ladies’ hearts, "Our Love"! Fans can view the video clips of "Midnite Maniac" and "Our Love" on our GLOBE CLUB page > MULTIMEDIA > KROKUS VIDEOS > 1984 Midnite Maniac or 1984 Our Love.

The album reaches #31 in the US Billboard Charts and Gold Record Awards in multiple countries, including Canada, the US and Switzerland.

Ex-Black Oak Arkansas bass player Andy Tanas joins KROKUS on tour and Mark Kohler is back on rhythm guitar. KROKUS tours in 1984 as double headliner with Sammy Hagar Canada, the USA, South America and Europe extensively and 1985 they headline in the US with support Accept and Rough Cutt.

Line-up changes continue when Andy Tanas leaves the band because of direction differences and is replaced on the last leg of the "Blitz" tour by ex-Cobra bassist Tommy Keiser. The crowning end of the tour is their sensational performance as "special guests" of Van Halen at the "Texxas Jam Festival" in front of a capacity crowd of 80'000 screaming fans.

In the meantime ex-Krokus Freddy Steady forms in 1985 hi own band with his American wife Heather Rodelius.