KRUK - Be 3 (2013)

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Polish hard rockers KRUK - Raven in English - delivered a really good album in 2011 (presented here in this blog) featuring the collaboration of shouter Doogie White and gaining positive reviews on specialized magazines.
The new album (the third in the band's career) entitled "Be 3" sees the group faithful to their traditional Hard Rock style but this time adding high doses of more commercial Melodic Rock sounds.

The riffs and influences from the greats Rainbow, Uriah Heep and Thin Lizzy are still there, yet this time with a clear approach to classic Euro Melodic Rock.
This new sound for the band is revealed since the start with the bouncing opener "Rising Anger". Really melodious with elaborated harmony vocals and a more clear sound than anything recorded by Kruk before.
And they are really good in this new sonic territory, as heard in the following tracks "Steal Your Heart", "Master Blaster" (recalling Swedes melodic rockers Silver), the Gotthard-like "It's Gone" and the pure Melodic Rock midtempo "On The Station", one of the highlights.
Also the couple of ballads "At The Desert" and "Miss Sometimes" are definitely melodic, Scandi sounding.
Of course we have some tracks in the original Kruk style, as the Rainbow influenced "Burnin' Inside" (love the guitar solo) and the Thin Lizzy attack of "Calling You".

As you read, Kruk has turned their sound for the most part to European Melodic Rock blended with their Classic Hard root style resulting in a more than interesting product.
The song skeleton and arrangements are certainly more accessible than before still retaining the traditional Hard Rock vibe, particularly in the instrumentation.
Kruk impressed me favorably with their previous effort, but with "Be 3" they really surprised me. Solid and mature, this new work opens a new horizon for this Polish band which now sounds more 'Swedish' than many real Scandi acts.
Recommended.


01 - Rising Anger
02 - Steal Your Heart
03 - Master Blaster
04 - At The Desert
05 - Calling You
06 - Burnin' Inside
07 - Miss Sometimes
08 - It's Gone
09 - On The Station
10 - Child In Time
11 - Rising Anger [Instrumental mix] (bonus track)
12 - Burnin' Inside [Instrumental mix] (bonus track)
13 - Gdy upadl swiat (bonus track)
14 - Jestem Bogiem (bonus track)
15 - Jak glaz (bonus track)

Tomasz Wisniewski - Vocals
Piotr Brzychcy - Guitar
Krzysiek Nowak - Bass
Michal Kurys - Keyboards, Synths
Dariusz Nawara - Drums


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KRUK - It Will Not Come Back (2011)

Polish hard rock band KRUK follow up their debut 'Before He'll Kill You' with the exciting "It Will Not Come Back", an enticing collection of Deep Purple / Rainbow / Uriah Heep / Whitesnake / Led Zeppelin influenced songs that is sure to spark interest in retro lovers worldwide.
Though there are plenty of bands doing this sort of homage to the heavyweights of yesteryear, Kruk have the chops and dedication to really make it work most the times, and the have delivered a really enjoyable slice of vintage melodic hard rock here.

The band is made up of Piotr Brzychcy (guitar), Krzysztof Walczyk (hammond organ), Tomasz Wiśniewski (vocals), Krzysztof Nowak (bass) and Darek Nawara (drums).
Together, they form a tight unit and produce songs with expert musicianship, catchy hooks, crunchy riffs, and loads of melody.
Guest star Doogie White (ex - Rainbow, Cornerstone, Yngwie Malmsteen, Tank) duets on vocals with Wiśniewski on the soaring Hammond drenched rocker "In Reverie", and Walczyk's Hammond & synths do battle with the powerful riffing from Brzychcy on the Purple/Heep influenced "Now When You Cry".
Wiśniewski really is a fine vocalist, his style falling somewhere between Klaus Meine, Bob Catley and Mark Boals.

Tasty guitar licks and raging keyboards permeate the driving "Imagination", and the 8-minute barnburner "Embrace Your Silence" in another heavy rocker with plenty of crankin' guitar & Hammond riffs to get your fist pumping in the air.
The heavy-funk "Every Night" will instantly remind you of Burn / Stormbringer / Come Taste the Band Deep Purple era, and prog rock fans will love the epic 12-minute title track, complete with lush acoustic guitars, dreamy vocals and haunting Hammond, so powerful here it will take you back to the glory days of Ken Hensley & Jon Lord.
As a bonus track, the band covers the Tina Turner hit "Simpy The Best", an odd choice but it works, with Wiśniewski turning in a stunning vocal performance. This rendition is catchy and upbeat, which makes it very hard to dismiss due to its Hard Rock edge and heavier arrangements.


All in all, "It Will Not Come Back" should be a mandatory purchase for fans of all the classic hard rock legends mentioned above.
Many of the tracks on here move at a melodic, slower pace, and when things do pick up or become a little more technical from the simpler Hard Rock approach, such as during keyboard or guitar solos, it becomes a real treat to the listener's palette.
Hammond organ enthusiasts will also just love what they will hear throughout the album, but most importantly, except a couple of fillers, Kruk knows how to write enjoyable rock songs that make you want to go back for more.
Production could be better, I mean, the album it is focused to sound in the 'ol style which is a good thing in this kind of material, but the drums are a bit muddy although that's not a big issue.
The CD comes with a live DVD, recorded in a small hall in Poland in front of an adoring crowd. At just over 90 minutes, it's a great bonus to have with this release.


01 - Intro
02 - Now When You Cry
03 - In Reverie (feat. Doggie White)
04 - Imagination
05 - Embrace Your Silence
06 - Forever
07 - Here On Earth
08 - Cold Wall
09 - Every Night
10 - It Will Not Come Back
11 - Simply The Best (Tina Turner cover) [Bonus Track]


Tomasz Wisniewski - Vocals
Krzystof Walczyk - Hammond, Keyboards

Piotr Brzychcy - Guitars
Krzystof Nowak - Bass
Dariusz Nawara - Drums



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