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)