Krank Amplification is an American company that is based out of Arizona. They design and manufacture guitar amplifiers. They manufacture tube amps as well as a new hybrid amplifier. This company has been notable in several publications such as guitar magazines, including guitar world, guitar one, and total guitar. Krank has been in business since 2003. They are known for the Revolution and Krankenstein amplifiers. They have other models including the Chadwick and the Junior. These amps have also been used in games such as Guitar Hero by the players.

Bottom Line Krank is the way to go as far as quality amps!

The NEW Rev Jr. micro stack and Krankshaft overdrive pedal came out in April/May 2008. Here is some info:

The Rev Jr. Mini Stack is a professional studio quality rig featuring a 20W all tube dual channel head (2 5881’s, 3 12AX7’s) with boost switch and active tube-driven effects loop. One thing we should mention is the 1×12 solid poplar wood cabs (same construction as their big brothers, the Rev and Krankenstein 4×12 cabinets) will handle a 100W head for home studio use, serving multiple purposes. The full stack will be $899 MAP, $699 MAP for the half stack (*NOTE: the head will not be sold separately). The Rev Jr. delivers great tube tone backstage, in the studio, at intimate club gigs or at home where volume and space can be an issue.

Also coming is the Krankshaft overdrive, a very hot-rodded tube screamer-type pedal that sounds great as a front end lead boost or as a dirty sound on a clean channel. That will MAP at $129.

Both got rave reviews and were listed as some the top items seen by the various guitar magazines this past January at Winter NAMM 2007. For any further inquiries please e-mail them at sales@krankamps.com.

Based out of California Austrian Death Machine falls somewhere between a Thrash and Crossover Metal Band.  After having first heard this band’s first album “Total Brutal” for the first time a few days ago I became hooked. This band parody’s Arnold Schwarzenegger and all of his 80’s Action Movies, but don’t let that make you think this album is a joke because the music is actually very good. Tim Lambesis is a one man show behind this band on the album, having done all of the vocals, guitars, bass and drum work solely by himself.  Chad Ackerman does the guest impersonation of Arnold Schwarzenegger and some of the funniest lines are between songs and in particular when “Arnold” gets frustrated while the Band keeps practicing.

With song titles like “Get to the Choppa, If It Bleeds We Can Kill It, and It’s Not A Tumor” anyone who was a fan of Arnold’s action movies, or who enjoyed spoofing them can place every song to a line in one of the films. They are all here (Kindergarten Cop, Total Recall, The Terminator, Running Man, Commando, Eraser and The Terminator (you will get it when you listen to the first track of the album).

You can’t help but enjoy the humor of the album and the hilarious and very accurate accent of Arnold Schwarzenegger but when the song’s kick in in full, you find yourself thrashing about. I actually work out when listening to this album as the music is loud, harsh and vocals quite angry which makes for a good adrenaline rush.

The were recently here in Arizona for the “End of Summer Scorcher” in September.

Here is a clip of one of their best songs “I Am A War Machine” from YouTube for those interested in giving them a try.