Swiss Hard Rock doesn’t start and end with Krokus and Gotthard. Before modern bands like Shakra and Lovebugs there were also rockers like Toad, Transit and Mud Slick and arguably finest of all- China(though I must admit that’s pretty much all the Swiss in my Hard Rock collection).
The connection here is that American vocalist Eric St.Michaels who joined the band for their 1991 ‘Live’ album and appeared on that same year’s ‘Go All The Way’; 2010′ s ‘Light Up the Dark’ and 2013’s ‘We Are the Stars.’
For those that have followed King Zebra so far then this wont exactly be new music to your ears with the first three tracks ‘That’s What I Like’; ‘Firewater’ and ‘Like a Hurricane’ already released as singles in 2018. The EP adds two new tracks in ‘King Zebra’ and ‘Bad Reputation.’
What you get if you haven’t heard is some cool 80’s flavoured hard rock starting with the infectious ‘That’s What I Like’ – a great feel good rocker that will certainly catch your ear. ‘Firewater’ that follows a similar hard rocking path and even has a touch of bands like The Sweet about it, with a little less Pop sugar but a nice freshness and energy.
And if you love the sounds of the 80’s and all the big riffs, soaring vocals, kick-ass drums and sizzling solos the you’ll love both those and the rest. ‘Like a Hurricane’ has more of a Poison-vibe and a nice fat chorus, but it’s great to hear the two new additions here – and they’re just as good.
Both though sport a slightly harder more Metal edge ‘King Zebra’ itself which not only has ‘zebra’ in the title but also sports the line “We don’t care if you’re black or white, graze all day or hunt in the night” is actually a killer tune despite the questionable claims of the zebra being lord of all he sees!
‘Bad Reputation’ is just a cool as hell song with some wonderful guitar and a real good time feel. This is rock an roll and the sign that tere’s surely a lot more great music on the way from King Zebra!
