Kreek - Kreek via Frontiers Music SRL (album review)

Hard rock without all the needless add-ons. A clean rough and tumble sound that still has enough air in it to allow a full interpretation of what you are hearing. A lead singer that has touches of Ian Gillan and David Byron (former Uriah Heep). Bass lines that are high in the mix and give the music a high octane groove. Guitar solos that harken back to the guitar slinger era and add so much depth and texture to the music. Drums that are clean and crisp and drive the band forward. 

Welcome to the first album by the British band Kreek. In addition to all these aforemention traits, Kreek has crafted some amazing, original material. "At The Bottom of Hell" leads off as a nearly 7 minute story perfect for a horror movie soundtrack. If mainstream rock radio took a chance on this it would be an immediate hit. The band is made up of some real talented men. Antony Ellis (formerly of Bigfoot) on lead vocals, Nick Clarke on electric guitar, Lee Andrews on bass guitar and Seb Sweet on drums. "Missiles" and "Meet Your Maker" are both rocking, the latter being a bit of a punky shout and holler anthem. "Million Dollar Man" is a radio ready rocker with great chord changes and a killer chorus. Ellis can sing his ass off and proves it on every track. The joy of hearing every instrument and vocal clearly gives Kreek a big advantage on this album.

"One Voice" and "Man on My Shoulder" both rock out but are stylistically very different. Kreek doesn't employ a monolithic template to any of these songs. There are elements of hard rock and old school metal, but it's rather hard to categorize. "Stand Together" is a bluesy Zeppelinish tale that glides along with both electric and acoustic guitars. Another rock radio ready song. "Down and Dirty" borrows some from Collective Soul but it's airy bass line takes the song in a different direction. "Get Up" is another traditional rocker with each player firing on all cylinders. These guys write new and interesting hooks. "You're On Your Own" is the album's only ballad. And it's the perfect way to end the album with guitars still blazing and drums still pounding. Kreek is a band you shouldn't overlook especially if you are from the old school way of rock but are looking for some fresh sounds.

Album Rating 9.4