Kruiz  

Kruiz is one of Russia's oldest metal bands, with a storied and sometimes confusing history that dates back to 1980, when they formed in Moscow. At that time (indeed, for the first several years of their existence), they had nothing to do with metal, instead playing soft and hard rock with Russian lyrics. Nonetheless, they somehow drew the ire of the Communist government, who ordered them to disband in 1985. Guitarist Valeri Gaina wanted to push forward, and decided (with permission) to reform the band, with a new lineup and a new sound, and thus the metal version of Kruiz was born. A demo (featuring Gaina and drummer Sergey Efimov) was recorded, and eventually was released in 1986 as Kruiz-1, followed by a proper full-length album (self-titled as Kruiz) released in 1988, by which time they were a proper trio. A European tour ensued, but they weren't able to keep it together, and so they broke up, with Gaina moving to San Francisco, recruiting another new lineup, and recording the poorly-received Gain before disbanding. Meanwhile, several of the original Kruiz members (minus Gaina) reformed and released a couple of new albums, and may even be active to this day, though they still don't play metal and in fact want nothing to do with the "Metal Kruiz". Finally, in 2002, Gaina regrouped the 1988 lineup, recorded a demo, and announced plans for a full reunion.

Of the many albums Kruiz has released over the years, only two are really worth mentioning in a metal context (and thus the only two reviewed here), those being Kruiz* and *Kruiz-1. Kruiz-1 is a bit rough (sounding like the demo it is), with the followup Kruiz being the far more mature and better recording. The style, especially on Kruiz, is speed/power metal, sounding a bit like some of the German metal bands of the day. It's hard to know exactly how they intend to sound now, as it's been fifteen years since Kruiz's release, but there is certainly potential here.

Current Members Valeri Gaina guitars/vocals Fyodor Vasilyev bass Sergey Efimov drums

Former Members/Guests Alexander Monin vocals Vladimir Bajin vocals Konstantin Titov guitars Grigorij Bezuglyj keyboards Alexander Kirnitsky bass Oleg Kuz'michov bass Piotr Makienko bass Alexander Shprot bass Sergey Sarychev keyboards/backing vocals Matvey Anichkin keyboards Vladimir Kapustin keyboards Vsevolod Korolyuk drums/backing vocals Nickolay Chunusov drums/percussion Igor Drozdov drums Andrey Novikov drums Andrei Shatounovsky drums

Discography

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Krutits'a Volchok 
1980

Bezumtsy! Krutits'a Volchok Chto Podelayesh, Rabota Ne Ver'te Tishine Srednij Chelovek Viza Dl'a Kruiza Kto-to Dolzhen Stremlenija Ya ne veril Gonka Bach (J.S.) Krasota

Alexander Monin Valeri Gaina Alexander Kirnitsky Sergey Sarychev Matvey Anichkin Vsevolod Korolyuk Nickolay Chunusov

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Poslushaj, Chelovek 
1981

Popugaj Muzyka Nevy Ne Pozvol'aj Dushe Lenit's'a Grom Krasnaya Kniga Poslushaj, Chelovek Kak Skuchno Zhit' Bez Svetloj Skazki Odin Krasiv, Drugoj Um'on Grazhdanstvennost' Koshmarnyj Son Upr'okov L'od Tetradi

Alexander Monin Valeri Gaina Alexander Kirnitsky Sergey Sarychev Matvey Anichkin Vsevolod Korolyuk Nickolay Chunusov

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Puteshestvije Na Vozdushnom Share 
1983

Vozdushnyj Shar Mongol'fjer Poslushaj, Chelovek Kak Skuchno Zhit' Bez Svetloj Skazki P.S. Prodolzhenije Sledujet Krasota Ne Pozvol'aj Dushe Lenit's'a Stremlenija Krutits'a Volchok

Alexander Monin Valeri Gaina Grigorij Bezuglyj Oleg Kuz'michov Vladimir Kapustin Nickolay Chunusov

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P.S. Prodozhenije Sledujet 
1983

Dni Sonet Tolko Tak Vershina P.S. Prodolzhenije Sledujet Tsypa Li-li Odinochestvo Veter S Vostoka

Alexander Monin Valeri Gaina Grigorij Bezuglyj Oleg Kuz'michov Piotr Makienko Vladimir Kapustin Nickolay Chunusov Igor Drozdov Andrey Novikov

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KiKoGaVVa 
1985

Slova L'ubvi Ne Odin Moj Mir Parusnik Ne Padaj Duhom Mojo Zhelanije Zvezdnyj Katalog Ustalost' Mnogo Nas Ballada

Valeri Gaina Alexander Kirnitsky Vsevolod Korolyuk

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Kruiz-1 
1986 Melodiya

Intro Dalnij Svet Sluchilos' Poslednij Rassvet Idi Zhe S Nami Mirazh Vr'emya

Valeri Gaina Sergey Efimov

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Kruiz 
1988 WEA

Knight Of The Road Brave New World Heaviest In Town Avenger In Flames Dream 5000 Years Long Iron Rock Possessed V Ogon'

Valeri Gaina Fyodor Vasilyev Sergey Efimov

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Live At Robin Hood Festival  LIVE
1994

Krutits'a Volchok Ne Ver'te Tishine Poslushaj, Chelovek Stremlenija Vsem Vstat' Chto Podelayesh, Rabota Ne Pozvol'aj Dushe Lenit's'a Kak Skuchno Zhit' Bez Svetloj Skazki Muzyka Nevy Spasibo

Alexander Monin Grigorij Bezuglyj Alexander Kirnitsky Vsevolod Korolyuk Nickolay Chunusov

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Gain 
1995

Vladimir Bajin Valeri Gaina Alexander Shprot Andrei Shatounovsky

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Vsem Vstat' 
1996

Vsem Vstat' Prid'osh I Voskrese Kruizenije Tri Dorogi Liven' Ognennyh Strel V Etom Mire Dozhd' Id'ot Kuda-to Zolotyje Nochi, Zolotyje Dni Podvodnaja Lunnyj Blues (Lu-Blu) Trava Vsegda Prava L'ubov', Nadezhda, Vera Progulka Na Sklone Teb'a Ne Ubili Vchera Kuznechik Elitnyje Vojska Tihij Angel Elitnyje Man'ovry

Alexander Monin Konstantin Titov Grigorij Bezuglyj Alexander Kirnitsky Nickolay Chunusov