Having spent the better part of 40 years as the voice of Swiss hard and heavy heroes Krokus, Marc Storace is a household name among metal maniacs the world over. Whether it be with the band that made him famous, or side excursions like Blue, China, and Biss, when he sings, we listen. So with Krokus kind of, sort of, maybe hanging it up for good, it gives Storace all the time in the world to embark on said excursions, the latest being a namesake solo project. Live and Let Live is the first album from this new solo venture.
For enthusiasts of loud guitars, uplifting hard rock, and all things Storace, Live and Let Live is a dream come true. It’s the first time we’ve heard his voice sing all original music since Krokus’s 2013 album, Dirty Dynamite (2017’s Big Rocks was a covers album). Although its been roughly half a decade since Storace last laid down his signature throat shredding vocals in the studio, don’t be fooled. This robust rock n’ roller can still bring the heat, going toe to toe with fellow septuagenarians Biff Byford and Rob Halford in the “Holy shit how do they still sound so amazing?” category.
Now while Live and Let Live will appease the headbanging public’s collective appetite for Krokus, it isn’t a mere rehash of the past. The only two songs that sound in line with the likes of One Vice at a Time (1982) or Headhunter (1983) are the opening title track and “Carry the Burden”. “Live and Let Live” is a fast and heavy rocker with meaty riffage, driving drums, and those classic Storace vocals, while “Carry the Burden” sounds like a three way brawl between Deep Purple, UFO, and Led Zeppelin. The rest of the album is a largely bluesy, retro 70s hard rock effort, with nods to Free, Humble Pie, and the aforementioned Zeppelin, among others.
Cuts like the groovy “High on Love” and soulful “Lady of the Night” are musical throwbacks to the sound of Storace’s formative years: warm, honest, pure rock n’ roll. “Broken Wings” is anthemic and boisterous, while “No Place to Hide” is a sludge infused rocker with dirty riffing and an intense arrangement reminiscent of Soundgarden. This isn’t the only unexpected moment on Live and Let Live. There’s also a piano centric piece in “Don’t Wanna Go”, as well as an old school blues ballad in one of my favorite tracks, “Time Waits for No One”, the latter packing the emotional roar of the three Kings, B.B., Albert, and Freddie.
Krokus or not, Storace has proven that he’s still ready to rock with Live and Let Live. Vocally, he’s as energetic as always, which is further emphasized by an equally energetic backing band. Time will tell what the future holds for this solo vessel. One thing’s for certain: Storace will keep “Screaming in the Night” (and the morning and afternoon for that matter) until he can’t anymore. That, my friends, is what rock n’ roll is all about.
7 out of 10
Label: Independent
Genre: Hard Rock
For fans of: Krokus, Led Zeppelin, Humble Pie