GOTUS – Gotus

This deftly executed slab of varied hard rock nearly got away from my enormous review pile but luckily found its way to the CD player before it was too late – something that I am extremely grateful for as the music housed in this great-looking jewel case is a fine and classy example of how to craft atmospheric rock with finesse and depth to it. The pipes on Ronnie Romero (Michael Schenker, Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, The Ferrymen) are out of this world and he sounds phenomenal on top of Krokus guitar-slinger Armand “Mandy” Meyer’s inspired playing and sturdy riffs. One of the best and most memorable aspects of this self-titled debut offering is the fact that it sounds like a proper band effort in some ways – there is certainly more chemistry and organic warmth to it than numerous other releases by Frontiers Records. Gotus is expertly produced, well-composed, and it might just be the beginning of an exciting new musical adventure as its eleven tracks bode very well for the future and lack neither sophistication nor longevity. I am thoroughly enjoying this diverse hard rock record and such gems as the epic and moving ‘Love Will Find Its Way’, the Whitesnake-esque ‘Undercover‘, and the playful, Southern-tinged ‘What Comes Around Goes Around’ keep me coming back for more.