KROKUS Films 'Hoodoo Woman' Video; Photos Available

Swiss hard rock veterans KROKUS recently filmed a video for the song "Hoodoo Woman" with director Oliver Sommer, who has previously worked with APOPTYGMA BERZERK and SARAH CONNOR, among others.

The following report from the video shoot has been posted on the band's official web site:

"Siberian-like temperatures of 3 degrees Fahrenheit welcome KROKUS as they arrive in Berlin, Germany for a video shoot of 'Hoodoo Woman', one of the eleven tracks of their much anticipated new CD, 'Hoodoo'.

"The 20-men strong film crew prepares feverishly for the video shoot in an unheated club and prepare for the 'Hoodoo Rock Inferno'. A huge skull serves as backdrop, blazing torches all around, one would think that the club should be nice and cozy for the rockers performance. Wrong! Outside temperatures have dropped by now to almost minus 8 degrees Fahrenheit and even the lit torches and spot lights cannot heat up the unheated club significantly. At time of actual shooting temperatures have leveled in at around 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the freezing point for water!

"KROKUS declare in unison that it is not just 'cold,' it's 'bloody darn cold!' They huddle together in an adjacent room, shaking and shivering, waiting to start the video shoot. Guitarist Fernando fears to catch another severe cold. In the beginning of the year he had to deal with pneumonia. Bassist Chris sits in a corner of the room, pale and shivering. Not just due to the Berlin winter; dinner did not agree with his stomach and he's suffering from severe gastrointestinal problems due to some rotten meat he ate earlier. Smiling from ear to ear, vocalist Marc rubs his tummy and declares, 'I was smart enough to eat fish for dinner. Quickly digested. Makes me look even skinnier in the video.'

"Everyone at the video shoot agrees: KROKUS are back! As a band and as a team as well. The mood amongst the musicians is warm-hearted and sincere, despite of the minus degree temperatures. Once the spot lights hit the club's stage, one cannot see how sick Chris really is. 'The show must go on' is his credo. One tough Swiss rocker. Adds guitarist Mark Kohler, 'We are so excited. We can hardly wait until the new CD is released and we can play on stage again.'

"'Action,' shouts director Oliver Sommer. A haze of smog fills the room. KROKUS rock in front of the cameras to the playback of 'Hoodoo Woman'. Over and over again. One take after the other. Different angles. Jokes drummer Freddy: 'This is like in the military. It's stone-cold, in front of the line someone jells orders and the troops follow in sync.'

"It's after midnight — outside temperatures minus 8 degrees Fahrenheit, the coldest night in Berlin this year — the video shoot is completed. All involved, band and film crew alike, are tired, exhausted but with a big grin on their faces. Jokes Chris Von Rohr: 'Another recipe for happiness — put everyone for a couple of hours in a fridge or large freezer!'"

KROKUS will release its new album, "Hoodoo", on February 26 via the band's new deal with the Swiss branch of Sony Music. The CD was recorded by Dennis Ward (who previously worked on KROKUS' "Hellraiser" album) at House of Music Studios in Winterbach, Germany, with additional recordings at Pink Bild and Ton (engineered by ex-KROKUS member Jürg Naegeli) in Solothurn, Switzerland and Henson Studios, Los Angeles. Photography, artwork and graphic design was handled by Martin Häusler.

"Hoodoo" track listing:

01. Drive It In
02. Hoodoo Woman
03. Born To Be Wild
04. Rock N' Roll Handshake
05. Ride Into The Sun
06. Too Hot
07. In My Blood
08. Dirty Street
09. Keep Me Rolling
10. Shot Of Love
11. Firestar

The digipack version includes a bonus DVD containing some of the "magic moments" from KROKUS' 2008 reunion concert at Stade De Suisse in Bern, Switzerland.

The song "Hoodoo Woman" is now available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

Partnered with Ariola and Arista, KROKUS became an international success and ran up the charts with their hit albums "Metal Rendez-Vous" (1980),"Hardware" (1981),"One Vice At A Time" (1982),"Headhunter" (1983),"The Blitz" (1984) and "Change Of Address" (1986).