Turbo (Polish band)
Encyclopedia
Turbo is a Polish heavy metal
band. It was started in January 1980, in Poznań
, by Henryk Tomczak (formerly in Stress and Heam, both pioneering Polish hard rock
groups). Turbo is one of the most important bands in polish heavy metal. Turbo's most famous album is Kawaleria Szatana (Satan's Cavalry), considered an opus of Polish heavy metal. The band is best known for tracks "Dorosłe Dzieci", "Jaki był ten dzień", "Żołnierz fortuny" and "Wszystko będzie ok".
.
In 1983 the first LP
was released, entitled Dorosłe dzieci
(Grown-up Children). The music it contains is a blend of traditional hard rock and NWOBHM. The title track has become a hit and most recognizable Turbo song. Having the LP recorded, the group kept playing extensively, amongst others at Rockowisko in Łódź and the famous Jarocin
festival. Despite the success, the line-up kept changing, the drummers were consequently after another: Marek Olszak, Ryszard Oleksy and Przemysław Pahl. Finally, the drummer's place was taken by Alan Sors. Piotr Przybylski (bass) left, and was replaced Bogusz Rutkiewicz.
Having troubles completing the line-up, the band would have to deal with some other difficulties. The record company would insist on softening the band's sound and recording more 'catchy' tracks. Wojciech Hoffman later called that 'a time of mistakes and distortion'. Due to the insists in 1985 a compromise, softened LP Smak ciszy
(The Taste of Silence) was recorded. Despite the sound being relatively soft, the riffing resembles Iron Maiden, and the vocals give the music more heaviness. The charting songs were "Smak Ciszy" and "Jaki był ten dzień" ("How That Day Was").
A year later Turbo recorded an LP that would become one of the best Polish heavy metal acts of all time - Kawaleria Szatana (Satan's Cavalry). Heavy riffing, Maiden-like soloing and lyrics dealing with typlically 'heavy' themes such as death, war and pain completely changed the band's image. The LP was very much successful and still is considered to be the groups' greatest effort. After the release Turbo went to collaborate with Metal Mind Records, what enabled then to play at the Metalmania
festival.
In 1987 the band did record another LP, Ostatni wojownik
(Last Warrior
, an English version was released as well in Europe a year later). It was a debut for the new drummer - Tomasz Goehs. The band's style hardened even more, influenced by early Metallica
- so did the lyrics, even darker than before. In 1988 the first live recording Alive!
was released, containing material recorded at two gigs 30.12.1986 and 3.03.1987.
and Flotsam and Jetsam
the musicians recorded Epidemie (later English edition, Epidemic
), a highly technical thrash album.
In 1990 a break-up occurred, when Grzegorz Kupczyk and Andrzej Łysów quit the band. Tomasz Olszewski joined on bass, and the new singer was Robert "Litza" Friedrich. This line-up went on, creating Dead End which resembles somewhat of death metal
vocals, but the songs' structures are still thrash
. The break-up and lack of concerts would cause the band's inactivity. A compilation of 1980-1990 songs was released, containing tracks unreleased before.
Wojciech Hoffman tried to form a new line-up in 1992, releasing One Way
(tapes only), but the effort turned out to be a commercial loss and Turbo finally ceased.
The following years, several compilation albums were released - in 1992 Titanic, with unreleased songs from the 'softened times', and a year later Dorosłe Dzieci i inne ballady (Grown-up Children and other ballads) - a collection of all Turbo ballads.
In 1995 Turbo played at a gig in Poznań
, the line-up being Wojciech Hoffmann, Grzegorz Kupczyk, Bogusz Rutkiewicz together with Marcin Białożyk – guitar and Szymon Ziomkowski – drums. The applause caused the group to reform, and 1.01.1996 Turbo regrouped. In 1997 another compilation was released, this time entitled Intro: 1982-1996, composed of most popular songs. In 1999 Metal Mind Records released a Turbo discography on CD. The band played at Thrash'em All and Metalmania
festivals.
With 2001 came another LP, after a ten-year silence. Awatar (The Avatar) was an experimental, new-sound album, influenced by modern hard rock. The experiments were disapproved by the heavy metal diehards, who rated the album very low. The line-up formed was Hoffmann, Kupczyk i Rutkiewicz and Mariusz Bobkowski - drums.
In 2004 Turbo are back (Wojciech Hoffmann, Grzegorz Kupczyk, Bogusz Rutkiewicz and Tomek Krzyżaniak – drums and Dominik Jokiel – guitar). The Tożsamość
(Identity) LP was released, being a comeback of pure heavy metal. The diehard public consider it to be an excellent come-back, while others claim the group to be repetitive. In 2005 a limited edition of Tożsamość together with Akustycznie
(a record of the acoustic performance XII 2003) came out. The band went to Metalmania
and released the gig as a live DVD.
During to un-olved problems with the record company coming out, and a bad music-market situation, the band ceased once again. Wojciech Hoffman went on a solo career, Grzegorz Kupczyk worked with his band CETI, and Bogusz Rutkiewicz joined Gotham.
In March/April 2007 the group took part in Metal Marathon Tour 3, together with Chainsaw - being Turbo's first tour since 2001.
In 2009 Metal Mind Productions
released a remastered reediction of all Turbo albums, including One Way album. Also in 2009 Turbo release another album (Strażnik Światła
) with a new member, Tomasz Struszczyk, on vocals. On this album band return to the classic heavy metal music style.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band. It was started in January 1980, in Poznań
Poznan
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
, by Henryk Tomczak (formerly in Stress and Heam, both pioneering Polish hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
groups). Turbo is one of the most important bands in polish heavy metal. Turbo's most famous album is Kawaleria Szatana (Satan's Cavalry), considered an opus of Polish heavy metal. The band is best known for tracks "Dorosłe Dzieci", "Jaki był ten dzień", "Żołnierz fortuny" and "Wszystko będzie ok".
1980-1989
The first line-up were formed by Wojciech Hoffmann – guitar, Wojciech Anioła – drums and Wojciech Sowula – vocals. Soon a single was released, the tracks being "W środku tej nocy" ("Deep in the Night") and "Byłem z tobą tyle lat" ("So many years with you"). The band's style back then was very much like 70s-early 80s hard rock. November 1980 the singer quit, and was replaced by Piotr Krystek. New tracks were recorded, and frequently aired by the radio. Soon more line-up changes came, the original founder and bassist left. 16-year old Piotr Przybylski took his place. Andrzej Łysów joined as second guitarist, and the singer was changed once again. Since then Turbo's vocals are handled by Grzegorz Kupczyk, one of the most famous Polish heavy metal singers, sometimes compared to Bruce DickinsonBruce Dickinson
Paul Bruce Dickinson is an English singer, songwriter, airline pilot, fencer, broadcaster, author, screenwriter, actor and marketing director, best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden....
.
In 1983 the first LP
LP album
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
was released, entitled Dorosłe dzieci
Dorosłe dzieci
Dorosłe dzieci is the debut studio album by Polish heavy metal band Turbo. It was released in 1983, in Poland, through Polton. The album was recorded on July, August and November 1982, at Rozgłośnia Polskiego Radia studio, in Szczecin...
(Grown-up Children). The music it contains is a blend of traditional hard rock and NWOBHM. The title track has become a hit and most recognizable Turbo song. Having the LP recorded, the group kept playing extensively, amongst others at Rockowisko in Łódź and the famous Jarocin
Jarocin
Jarocin Jarocin Jarocin ( is a town in central Poland with 25,700 inhabitants (1995). Since 1999 Jarocin has been located in the Greater Poland Voivodeship, prior to that it was located in the Kalisz Voivodeship (1975–1998).- History :...
festival. Despite the success, the line-up kept changing, the drummers were consequently after another: Marek Olszak, Ryszard Oleksy and Przemysław Pahl. Finally, the drummer's place was taken by Alan Sors. Piotr Przybylski (bass) left, and was replaced Bogusz Rutkiewicz.
Having troubles completing the line-up, the band would have to deal with some other difficulties. The record company would insist on softening the band's sound and recording more 'catchy' tracks. Wojciech Hoffman later called that 'a time of mistakes and distortion'. Due to the insists in 1985 a compromise, softened LP Smak ciszy
Smak ciszy
Smak ciszy is the second studio album by Polish heavy metal band Turbo. It was released in 1985, in Poland through Klub płytowy "Razem". The cover art was created by Jacek Brzosowski, and fotos by Andrzej Szozda....
(The Taste of Silence) was recorded. Despite the sound being relatively soft, the riffing resembles Iron Maiden, and the vocals give the music more heaviness. The charting songs were "Smak Ciszy" and "Jaki był ten dzień" ("How That Day Was").
A year later Turbo recorded an LP that would become one of the best Polish heavy metal acts of all time - Kawaleria Szatana (Satan's Cavalry). Heavy riffing, Maiden-like soloing and lyrics dealing with typlically 'heavy' themes such as death, war and pain completely changed the band's image. The LP was very much successful and still is considered to be the groups' greatest effort. After the release Turbo went to collaborate with Metal Mind Records, what enabled then to play at the Metalmania
Metalmania
Metalmania is one of the biggest heavy metal music festivals in Central Europe. It has been held annually since 1986. The 2008 edition was held on the 8th of March at Spodek in Katowice, Poland.-Large stage:*Sepultura*Paradise Lost*Testament...
festival.
In 1987 the band did record another LP, Ostatni wojownik
Ostatni wojownik
Ostatni wojownik is the fourth studio album by Polish heavy metal band Turbo. It was released in 1987, in Poland through Pronit. The album was recorded on May–September 1987, at Giełda studio, Poznań. The cover art was created by Jerzy Kurczak. Also issued as a cassette by Polton, with different...
(Last Warrior
Last Warrior
Last Warrior is the fifth studio album by Polish heavy metal band Turbo. It was released in 1988, in Germany through Noise Records. The album was recorded on March 1988 at Musiclab Studio, in Germany...
, an English version was released as well in Europe a year later). It was a debut for the new drummer - Tomasz Goehs. The band's style hardened even more, influenced by early Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
- so did the lyrics, even darker than before. In 1988 the first live recording Alive!
Alive! (Turbo album)
-Bonus Tracks:-Personnel:*Wojciech Hoffmann - guitar*Grzegorz Kupczyk - vocal*Andrzej Łysów - guitar*Bogusz Rutkiewicz - bass*Tomasz Goehs - drums*Robert "Litza" Friedrich - guitar -Release history:...
was released, containing material recorded at two gigs 30.12.1986 and 3.03.1987.
1989-2000
With 1989 came several changes in the line-up - Bogusz Rutkiewicz quit, Andrzej Łysów took bass instead of guitar, and as the new guitarist came Robert "Litza" Friedrich. Influenced by AnthraxAnthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
and Flotsam and Jetsam
Flotsam and Jetsam (band)
Flotsam and Jetsam is a thrash metal band that formed in Phoenix, Arizona in 1982.-1981-1986: The beginning:The band's original name was "Paradox" founded by Drummer Kelly David-Smith and two other guitarists, until 1982 when bassist Jason Newsted joined. Jason had come to Phoenix with his band...
the musicians recorded Epidemie (later English edition, Epidemic
Epidemic (album)
Epidemic is the sixth studio album by Polish heavy metal band Turbo. It was released in 1989, in Italy through Metalmaster. The album was recorded on March–May 1989, at Giełda studio, in Poznań. The cover art was created by Jerzy Kurczak...
), a highly technical thrash album.
In 1990 a break-up occurred, when Grzegorz Kupczyk and Andrzej Łysów quit the band. Tomasz Olszewski joined on bass, and the new singer was Robert "Litza" Friedrich. This line-up went on, creating Dead End which resembles somewhat of death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
vocals, but the songs' structures are still thrash
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
. The break-up and lack of concerts would cause the band's inactivity. A compilation of 1980-1990 songs was released, containing tracks unreleased before.
Wojciech Hoffman tried to form a new line-up in 1992, releasing One Way
One Way (Turbo album)
One Way is the tenth studio album by Polish heavy metal band Turbo. It was released in 1992 through Carnage, only on CC. The album was recorded in 1992, at Giełda studio, Poznań...
(tapes only), but the effort turned out to be a commercial loss and Turbo finally ceased.
The following years, several compilation albums were released - in 1992 Titanic, with unreleased songs from the 'softened times', and a year later Dorosłe Dzieci i inne ballady (Grown-up Children and other ballads) - a collection of all Turbo ballads.
In 1995 Turbo played at a gig in Poznań
Poznan
Poznań is a city on the Warta river in west-central Poland, with a population of 556,022 in June 2009. It is among the oldest cities in Poland, and was one of the most important centres in the early Polish state, whose first rulers were buried at Poznań's cathedral. It is sometimes claimed to be...
, the line-up being Wojciech Hoffmann, Grzegorz Kupczyk, Bogusz Rutkiewicz together with Marcin Białożyk – guitar and Szymon Ziomkowski – drums. The applause caused the group to reform, and 1.01.1996 Turbo regrouped. In 1997 another compilation was released, this time entitled Intro: 1982-1996, composed of most popular songs. In 1999 Metal Mind Records released a Turbo discography on CD. The band played at Thrash'em All and Metalmania
Metalmania
Metalmania is one of the biggest heavy metal music festivals in Central Europe. It has been held annually since 1986. The 2008 edition was held on the 8th of March at Spodek in Katowice, Poland.-Large stage:*Sepultura*Paradise Lost*Testament...
festivals.
2000-present
In 2000 a remastered version of Titanic was released, called Remix '92. On 20.01.2000 Turbo played at a gig celebrating Grzegorz Kupczyk's 25-year activity on stage. The gig was released as a CD 20012000'.With 2001 came another LP, after a ten-year silence. Awatar (The Avatar) was an experimental, new-sound album, influenced by modern hard rock. The experiments were disapproved by the heavy metal diehards, who rated the album very low. The line-up formed was Hoffmann, Kupczyk i Rutkiewicz and Mariusz Bobkowski - drums.
In 2004 Turbo are back (Wojciech Hoffmann, Grzegorz Kupczyk, Bogusz Rutkiewicz and Tomek Krzyżaniak – drums and Dominik Jokiel – guitar). The Tożsamość
Tożsamość
Tożsamość is the eleventh studio album by Polish heavy metal band Turbo. It was released on December 13, 2004 in Poland through Metal Mind Productions. The album was recorded in 2004, in Poland. The cover art was created by Maciej Piotrowski, and fotos by Grzegorz Kupczyk...
(Identity) LP was released, being a comeback of pure heavy metal. The diehard public consider it to be an excellent come-back, while others claim the group to be repetitive. In 2005 a limited edition of Tożsamość together with Akustycznie
Tożsamość
Tożsamość is the eleventh studio album by Polish heavy metal band Turbo. It was released on December 13, 2004 in Poland through Metal Mind Productions. The album was recorded in 2004, in Poland. The cover art was created by Maciej Piotrowski, and fotos by Grzegorz Kupczyk...
(a record of the acoustic performance XII 2003) came out. The band went to Metalmania
Metalmania
Metalmania is one of the biggest heavy metal music festivals in Central Europe. It has been held annually since 1986. The 2008 edition was held on the 8th of March at Spodek in Katowice, Poland.-Large stage:*Sepultura*Paradise Lost*Testament...
and released the gig as a live DVD.
During to un-olved problems with the record company coming out, and a bad music-market situation, the band ceased once again. Wojciech Hoffman went on a solo career, Grzegorz Kupczyk worked with his band CETI, and Bogusz Rutkiewicz joined Gotham.
In March/April 2007 the group took part in Metal Marathon Tour 3, together with Chainsaw - being Turbo's first tour since 2001.
In 2009 Metal Mind Productions
Metal Mind Productions
Metal Mind Productions is a Polish record label founded in 1987. Currently it is one of the lead independent labels in Poland with over 1000 of licences and over 10 million of data mediums sold. The label focuses mainly on rock and heavy metal genres...
released a remastered reediction of all Turbo albums, including One Way album. Also in 2009 Turbo release another album (Strażnik Światła
Strażnik Światła
Strażnik Światła is the eleventh studio album by Polish heavy metal band Turbo. It was released in 2009, in Poland through Metal Mind Productions. The album was recorded in 2009...
) with a new member, Tomasz Struszczyk, on vocals. On this album band return to the classic heavy metal music style.
Current members
- Wojciech Hoffmann (1980–present) – electric
- Bogusz Rutkiewicz (1983–1988, 1996–present) – bass
- Mariusz Bobkowski (2000–2001, 2011–present) – drums
- Dominik Jokiel (2001–present) – electric
- Tomasz Struszczyk - (2007–present) - vocal
Former members
- Alan Sors (1983–1986) – drums
- Andrzej Łysów (Non Iron, CETI, Izotop) (1981–1990) – guitar, bass
- Daniel Cybusz (Abathor, Citizen Dick) (1991–1992) - drums
- Grzegorz Kupczyk (CETI, Non Iron, Panzer X) (1982–1989 and 1996–2007) - vocal, keyboards
- Henryk Tomczak (Stress, Heam, Non Iron, Izotop) (1980–1981) – bass
- Marek Olszak (1982) – drums
- Marcin Białożyk (1996–2000) – gitara
- Tomasz Krzyżaniak (2001–2011) – drums
- Piotr Krystek (1980–1981) – vocal
- Piotr Przybylski (1981–1989) – bass
- Przemysław Pahl (LombardLombard (band)-Band line-up:* Grzegorz Stróżniak: Keyboards, vocals, lead * Marta Cugier: Vocals * Daniel Patalas: Guitar * Michał Kwapisz: Bass guitar * Mirosław Kamiński: Drums -Discography:...
) (1983) – drums - Radosław Kaczmarek (Creation of Death) (1991–1992) - bass
- Robert "Litza" Friedrich (Acid DrinkersAcid DrinkersAcid Drinkers are Polish thrash metal band formed in September 1986 in Poznań. Acid Drinkers were formed on September 21, 1986 consisting of Tomasz "Titus" Pukacki and Robert "Litza" Friedrich . The band's style from back then to present is thrash metal, with influences of heavy metal...
, Creation of Death, Flapjack, Savoy, Kazik Na ŻywoKazik Na ZywoKazik Na Żywo is a Polish rapcore band formed in 1991, in Warsaw.-History:Their first performance was during the music festival in Sopot, Poland, in 1992...
) (1989–1990) – guitar - Tomasz Goehs (Wolf Spider, Creation of Death, Kr'shna Brothers, Kazik Na ŻywoKazik Na ZywoKazik Na Żywo is a Polish rapcore band formed in 1991, in Warsaw.-History:Their first performance was during the music festival in Sopot, Poland, in 1992...
) (1987–1990) – drums - Tomasz "Lemmy Demolator" Olszewski (Creation of Death) (1990–1991) - bass
- Wojciech Anioła (LombardLombard (band)-Band line-up:* Grzegorz Stróżniak: Keyboards, vocals, lead * Marta Cugier: Vocals * Daniel Patalas: Guitar * Michał Kwapisz: Bass guitar * Mirosław Kamiński: Drums -Discography:...
) (1980–1982) – drums - Wojciech Sowula (1980) – vocal
Studio albums
- Dorosłe dzieciDorosłe dzieciDorosłe dzieci is the debut studio album by Polish heavy metal band Turbo. It was released in 1983, in Poland, through Polton. The album was recorded on July, August and November 1982, at Rozgłośnia Polskiego Radia studio, in Szczecin...
(Adult Children's) (1983) - Smak ciszySmak ciszySmak ciszy is the second studio album by Polish heavy metal band Turbo. It was released in 1985, in Poland through Klub płytowy "Razem". The cover art was created by Jacek Brzosowski, and fotos by Andrzej Szozda....
(Taste of Silence) (1985) - Kawaleria SzatanaKawaleria SzatanaKawaleria Szatana is the third studio album by Polish heavy metal band Turbo. It was released in 1987, in Poland through Pronit. The album was recorded in from December 1985 too January 1986, at Giełda studio, Poznań...
(Satan's Cavalry) (1987) - Ostatni wojownikOstatni wojownikOstatni wojownik is the fourth studio album by Polish heavy metal band Turbo. It was released in 1987, in Poland through Pronit. The album was recorded on May–September 1987, at Giełda studio, Poznań. The cover art was created by Jerzy Kurczak. Also issued as a cassette by Polton, with different...
(1987)- Last WarriorLast WarriorLast Warrior is the fifth studio album by Polish heavy metal band Turbo. It was released in 1988, in Germany through Noise Records. The album was recorded on March 1988 at Musiclab Studio, in Germany...
(1988)
- Last Warrior
- EpidemicEpidemic (album)Epidemic is the sixth studio album by Polish heavy metal band Turbo. It was released in 1989, in Italy through Metalmaster. The album was recorded on March–May 1989, at Giełda studio, in Poznań. The cover art was created by Jerzy Kurczak...
(1989)- Epidemie (1990)
- Dead End (1990)
- One WayOne Way (Turbo album)One Way is the tenth studio album by Polish heavy metal band Turbo. It was released in 1992 through Carnage, only on CC. The album was recorded in 1992, at Giełda studio, Poznań...
(1992) - Awatar (Avatar) (2001) POL #21
- TożsamośćTożsamośćTożsamość is the eleventh studio album by Polish heavy metal band Turbo. It was released on December 13, 2004 in Poland through Metal Mind Productions. The album was recorded in 2004, in Poland. The cover art was created by Maciej Piotrowski, and fotos by Grzegorz Kupczyk...
(2004)- Identity (2005)
- Strażnik ŚwiatłaStrażnik ŚwiatłaStrażnik Światła is the eleventh studio album by Polish heavy metal band Turbo. It was released in 2009, in Poland through Metal Mind Productions. The album was recorded in 2009...
(Guardian of Light) (2009)