YOU CAN COUNT the amount of internationally successful European hard rock bands on one hand; Swiss based Krokus are one of only a few acts that can be included on that list.

With roots reaching back to 1975, the band spent several years experimenting with various line-up changes and recording three albums, before settling on a unique style that came fully into focus with the appointment of Maltese born frontman Marc Storace, formerly of Swiss heavy progressive rockers Tea.

It was this formation that signed to German record label Ariola and cut `Metal Rendez-vous', an invigorating example of explosive four-to-the floor hard rock, big on hooks and jam-packed with hell raising riffs.

Chief amongst their selling points was Storace's signature voice and his ability to punch home some incredibly well constructed songs.

In addition, guitarists Tommy Kiefer and Fernando von Arb were no slouches either, peeling out a series of ripping solos and laying down tough as nails musical support in a manner befitting the times.

Originally issued in 1980 and co-produced with the band in Switzerland by English producer Martin Pearson, the album contains a number of classic Krokus tracks including `Heatstrokes', `Bedside Radio', `Streamer' and `Tokyo Nights', some of which still remain in the band's live set to this very day.