Like his predecessor, Marc Storace, Tanner supremely rips off an AC/DC vocalist. But there's a catch; on tracks like the tragically titled "Rock and Roll Gypsy" the singer apes Brian Johnson instead of Bon Scott (whom Storace plagiarized famously). What makes things even more interesting, Tanner does a much better job (or at least a more listenable one) by occasionally riffing on Accept's Udo Dirkschneider to form an amalgam that's briefly compelling. Joining Tanner on Stampede are first-time Krokus members Manny Maurer (guitars), Tony Castell (guitars), Peter Haas (drums), and longtime Krokus guitarist/songwriter Fernando Von Arb, who curiously plays bass on this record. The power metal of the opening title track is Stampede's absolute highlight, with its tight riffing and layered choruses. From there it's mostly downhill, but the production, writing, and performances are as good as anything released by Krokus since Headhunter. Stampede isn't exactly a real Krokus recording, but it is one of the finest discs with the group's name printed on the cover.
- Jason Anderson - allmusic.com
