Obscure Heavy Metal Album Reviews: Kruiz Kruiz-1

When you think 80's metal what comes to mind maybe Dragons, Warriors, Knights, Communism? Yes that's right, I'm talking about classic soviet metal album Kruiz-1 released in 1985 by who else Kruiz.

Kruiz a long a storied past. Formed in 1977 in Moskva in the USSR they would explode onto the soviet hard rock scene in 1980 with their debut album The Top Keeps Turning which was followed up rather quickly in 1981 with Listen Man, both of which featured the amazing guitar work of soviet guitar master Valeri Gaina. Though by 1983 things began to sour between Gaina and then vocalist and keyboardist Alexander Dronov who wanted the band to take a more radio friendly pop sound. The original Kruiz would release one last album before splitting in 1983. Entitled P.S. To Be Continued which was more or less a Gaina solo album, but none the less amazing. Skip ahead 3 years it 1986 Kruiz has reunited sans Dronov and they are recoding tracks for what will become the most influential soviet metal album of the 1980's KRUIZ-1.



Cover Art: 3.5/5
The album cover which features the three band members looking amazingly 80's and well they are in the USSR and well all they know about American rock bands in what they see on illegal western music video's, so I'll cut them a break. Though aside for the bands amazingly 80's get up the cover isn't that bad, though it's definitely cheesy it is most assuredly 80's METAL!.


Songs: 5/5
Unlike the cover the songs on this album are nothing to laugh at, hell most of these songs rock harder than most western metal artist of the time could ever dream. The second the first track begins your ears are assaulted with some of the fastest and heaviest metal that the 1980's can deliver and that really sets the tone for the whole album. Each song is heavier than the last but until you've reach the second side you haven't heard anything. While Gaina's guitar work is fierce on side one he decides to crank it to 11 for side 2 and whats even more surprising he does this while injecting elements of American Melodic Hard Rock. All I can say is one So Come With Us comes on just turn it up and enjoy the show.


Overall: 5/5
This is a definite must have for any 80's/foreign metal fan. Every thing about this album from the cover to the songs is just oozing with so much 1980's heavy metal that it's just METAL!



Track List: all videos are from the 1987 Trans-Soviet tour.
1. Intro
2. Distant Light
3. It Has Arrived
4. The Last Dawn
5. So Come With Us
6. Mirage
7. Time
8. Don't Lose Your Head
9. Mirage (alternate version)
10. Rock Is Eternal (was not officially released until 1989)

Heavy Metal Album Reviews: Wolf Edge of the World (Unreleased)

Another victim of the Pop/Radio Metal Craze the swept the world in the mid 1980's, wolf was poised to release their debut album Edge of the World in 1984. Formed by former Black Axe members Chris English (Vocals), Simon Sparkes (Lead guitar), and John Shearer (Percussion) in Newcastle England in 1981. They were joined by Bill Keir (rhythm guitar) and Stewart Richardson (bass) in 1982 for their debut single Head Contact released by Chrysalis Records. The single stirred up quite a bit of interested upon it's release and lead to the band sighing a record deal with Mausoleum records the following year.



















Cover Art:5/5
This cover is very well drawn and detailed, it's almost like it's mural on the side of some van in Milwaukee circa 1977. I personally like the blood dripping from the wolves mouths as they howl toward the sky on a lonely cliff as the moon rises behind them, it's just so METAL.

Songs 4.5/5
The album really starts out strong with the title track Edge of The World and that strength continues through the album, with only a minor hiccup here and there. While Songs like Edge of The World, Highway Rider, Heaven Will Rock N Roll are definitely Wolfs strength they do a rather solid job on the more melodic songs like A Soul For The Devil, Rest In Peace, and Medicine Man. This album is definitive proof that the New Wave of British Heavy Metal was far from waning in 1984, if only the record labels would have seen it that way.

Overall: 5/5
This is a solid album and is also one of the best examples of a NWOBHM band that had the talent and the drive but because of the change in musical tastes was shafted. If you can find a physical copy (which is easier said than done, see notes) or hell a digital copy do it, you won't regret it.


Notes: While this album was technically unreleased by Mausoleum it was released in 1988 in K-tel records METAL BOX collection.
John Shearer would leave that band and move to Florida in 1984 and would form Hurricane in 1984.

Song List:
01. Edge Of The World
02. Highway Rider
03. Heaven Will Rock'n'Roll
04. Shock Treatment
05. A Soul For The Devil
06. Head Contact
07. Rest In Peace
08. Too Close For Comfort
09. Red Lights
10. Medicine Man

Heavy Metal Album Reviews: Attila Rolling Thunder

The Glam Metal movement was at it's peek in 1986 and no one would think that in a few short years it would all come tumbling down, It seems that the 1985-1986 time frame was the time for an unknown band to release a debut album.

Enter a little known band called Rolling Thunder from New York city with a hunger for fame and an even stronger hunger for loud music, fast cars, women and drugs, they would change their name to Attila in 1985 upon receiving a record deal with Shattered Records who in 1986 would release their debut album.....Rolling Thunder, how original. Sadly the good time would come to a screeching halt during their 1987 promotional tour of the New York and Phillidelphia club scene when guitarist John "De" Lorion (real name John DeLeon) would be involved in a tragic car accident that would cost him his life.

Now that I've managed to bring you down lets review this mother.


Cover art: 1.5/5
This is one of the ugliest pieces of album art I have ever seen in my life. I can't really tell what is happening on this cover. The background places this in some post nuclear wasteland, and for some reason a truck busting through some guard rail with a ICBM either falling off the trailer or just sitting on it. This is just sad, even for an unknown band on a little back alley label.

Songs: 3.5/5
While this albums art may totally blow fat sweaty horse balls the actual musical content is a sonic triumph, though that isn't to say that the song list is without flaw. Now the only song that any one will probably know from this album and even then were talking like 25 people in New York in 1987 it would be the cover of Schools Out. Now while Alic Coopers 1972 original is with out a doubt superior, that doesn't mean it sucks quiet the apposite this song is really the stand out of the album. Now while it is kinda sad that one of the Strongest song on this album wasn't even written by the band, the album does still has it's original standouts. The first song that comes to mind (that was written by Attila) is Turn Up the Power, which is simply put about Rocking LOUD AND HARD! (that sounds a little dirty.) Now with any album their are stinkers, Gorky Park had Peace in Our Time and Winger had..... every song they ever wrote. Attila's is Thermonuclear Warrior which really just sounds like it was tossed on the album to fill space (which i does so..in theory), though I do know some people that do enjoy it.
Overall: 4/5
While this album may not be the greatest example of 80's metal it is a very good listen and I highly recommend it to any one that considers themselves a fan of 80's Metal.

Track List:
1.Turn Up The Power
2.Urban Commandos
3.March Of Kings
4.Defcon 1
5.Thermonuclear Warrior
6.Rolling Thunder
7.Wild
8.School's Out (Alice Cooper cover)
9.Chains Around Heaven
10.Tryst