1995 - To Rock Or Not To Be

An almost original Krokus line-up, consisting of Marc Storace on vocals, Fernando Von Arb on lead guitar, Mark Kohler on rhythm guitar, Many Maurer on bass and Freddy Steady on drums, reunites to do the "Living Legend Tour" in spring '94. They warm-up with a club gig at the band’s birthplace in Solothurn/Switzerland. As a prelude to 1995's "To Rock Or Not To Be", the band records an EP with yet another BTO cover song "Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet" and an extended track of that song with added "Chesslete" (middle part features a medley of special "Swiss Percussion Instruments" - can be listened to on our web page at MULTIMEDIA > KROKUS AUDIO > 1994 AIN'T SEEN NOTHIN' YET). Live recordings of "Down The Drain" and "Shy Kid" are recorded at Rock Chutz, Solothurn on February 3rd, 1994 and included on this rare, only in Switzerland released EP. Neither the extended "Chesslete" BTO version nor the two live tracks have ever been released on an album of KROKUS.

Encouraged by the positive feedback from the released EP in 1994, KROKUS start recording their twelfth studio album "To Rock Or Not To Be" at Pink Tonstudio, Zuchwil/Switzerland by Juerg Naegeli (ex bassist) & Many Maurer. The album is produced by Manny Maurer & Fernando Von Arb and mixed by Juerg Naegeli. It is released in 1995 by the Phonag label in Switzerland and later on with a different cover (see at MULTIMEDIA > KROKUS PICTURES > 1995 TO ROCK OR NOT TO BE) also in the United States. The album sees strong European sales and stays seven weeks in the top ten of the Swiss charts, peaking at number 5.

KROKUS is back in the game. The power and energy emanating from this CD is felt in their live concerts. This self produced album with an abundance of remarkable tracks such as "Lion Heart", "Natural Blonde" and the single "Flying Through The Night" achieves GOLD award status in Switzerland. A masterpiece in true KROKUS style. They even venture to shoot the video clip to the single themselves. In spite of the reformed band’s exhilarating victory on home turf, the future does not look so bright for rock music outside of Switzerland. The originally rekindled positive spirit weakens slowly but surely and for what really seems to be the last time, they call it a day once more.

Many Maurer (guitar), Peter Haas (drums) und Tony Castell (bass) release 1996 under the name "Ain’t Dead Yet" the album "Read Your Mind". Prior to this release, the band plays biker festivals as a cover band. At that time drummer Dani Crivelli plays the drums. The result of this project is the live album "Alive MCMXCII".

In 1997 Chris von Rohr continues his work as successful producer and earns great recognition and Gold/Platinum Awards with Swiss rockers "Gotthard" (Mandy Meyer plays guitar in this band and will join Marc for the 2006 "Hellraiser" release years later to replace the departed Fernando Von Arb). He also writes a book called "Hunde, wollt ihr ewig rocken?" ("Bitches, will you rock on forever?"). It is his way to sum up his experiences in the rock business in a humorous way. The book is a huge success and will be released later on in 2003 as a CD as well (unfortunately it is totally sold out as well).