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Kawaleria Szatana (1986)
Released in 1986, Kawaleria Szatana is Turbo's third album and a prime example of classic '80s heavy/speed metal. These Poles managed to shake off their wimpy early stuff and deliver something far more aggressive. The playing is tight, the solos are killer, and the riffs are memorable. There’s even a noticeable Iron Maiden influence creeping in with some of the melodies, which adds to the album's charm.
The vocals are a weak point for sure. They're not the worst but his screams sound like a crow wandered into the studio. During his more restrained moments, Kupczyk's voice is tolerable enough but just lacks the smoothness that most singers would usually have when trying such high pitched parts. It can definitely be grating.
For an album recorded in Communist-era Poland, Kawaleria Szatana sounds surprisingly good. The production doesn't come off as cheap, despite that dreadful cover art, which seems to scream "low budget." The songwriting is varied, but it’s the faster tracks that really stand out. Highlights like “Żołnierz fortuny” and “Kawaleria Szatana cz. II” show the band at their best: tight, energetic, and full of raw, early-'80s metal spirit.
The vocals are a weak point for sure. They're not the worst but his screams sound like a crow wandered into the studio. During his more restrained moments, Kupczyk's voice is tolerable enough but just lacks the smoothness that most singers would usually have when trying such high pitched parts. It can definitely be grating.
For an album recorded in Communist-era Poland, Kawaleria Szatana sounds surprisingly good. The production doesn't come off as cheap, despite that dreadful cover art, which seems to scream "low budget." The songwriting is varied, but it’s the faster tracks that really stand out. Highlights like “Żołnierz fortuny” and “Kawaleria Szatana cz. II” show the band at their best: tight, energetic, and full of raw, early-'80s metal spirit.
(6 May 2025)
Ostatni wojownik (1987)
Released in 1987, Ostatni wojownik is Turbo’s fourth L.P. Recorded behind the Iron Curtain in Communist-era Poland, this album shows the continued musical evolution of the band, as the sound here is more aggressive than ever before. It's a bit of a mixed bag, though. On one hand, it features two of the best tracks they ever recorded: "Ostatni wojownik" and "Miercz Beruda". The latter, in particular, is my favourite of their entire catalog. It starts with a somber, melodic part that quickly rips your face off with intense riffs. As the tension builds, around the 2:50 mark, everything is unleashed, the aggressive riffs, the high-pitched screams, and some epic melodies. It’s a great mix of speed and thrash, showcasing tight playing as well as a solid sense of melody and song structure.
By this point, the drummer from Wilczy Pająk had joined the band, and you can tell he brought a much-needed dose of viciousness. The vocals, while a bit rougher than before, still include those high-pitched screams that add a distinctive edge. Turbo sticks with their native Polish for the lyrics, though they also released an English version. I don’t see any reason to bother with the English one. I’d rather hear it as it was meant to sound, with no compromises.
Unfortunately, after the first two tracks, the album loses its momentum a bit. The third track starts with some noisy intro that goes on for far too long, instead of just getting right to business. The atmosphere is further undermined by the fact that this is followed by a live recording of "Seans z wampirem". The noticeable change in sound quality isn't nearly as jarring as the audience noise. The flow of the album never quite recovers. By the time "Koń trojański" comes around, the damage has been done and while there are some epic melodies, this instrumental track drags a bit.
Nitpicking aside, Ostatni wojownik features a lot of great '80s speed/thrash metal and is definitely worth a listen. "Miercz Beruda" is an especially unforgettable song. It’s a shame Turbo didn’t stick with this direction afterward though they never were ones for consistency throughout the years.
By this point, the drummer from Wilczy Pająk had joined the band, and you can tell he brought a much-needed dose of viciousness. The vocals, while a bit rougher than before, still include those high-pitched screams that add a distinctive edge. Turbo sticks with their native Polish for the lyrics, though they also released an English version. I don’t see any reason to bother with the English one. I’d rather hear it as it was meant to sound, with no compromises.
Unfortunately, after the first two tracks, the album loses its momentum a bit. The third track starts with some noisy intro that goes on for far too long, instead of just getting right to business. The atmosphere is further undermined by the fact that this is followed by a live recording of "Seans z wampirem". The noticeable change in sound quality isn't nearly as jarring as the audience noise. The flow of the album never quite recovers. By the time "Koń trojański" comes around, the damage has been done and while there are some epic melodies, this instrumental track drags a bit.
Nitpicking aside, Ostatni wojownik features a lot of great '80s speed/thrash metal and is definitely worth a listen. "Miercz Beruda" is an especially unforgettable song. It’s a shame Turbo didn’t stick with this direction afterward though they never were ones for consistency throughout the years.
(6 May 2025)
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