Hard rock band KuF is on a mission to restore old-school rock vibes having recently relaunched more than 20 years since their first emergence. The band is back bigger than ever with heavy riffs, engaging vocals and thought-provoking lyrics in a sound they describe as “dynamic, heavy, and emotive.”
KuF was first started by guitarist Todd Leclaire when he lived in Vancouver, Canada, in the early 2000s. The original band released an album in 2001 but went their separate ways, as Todd moved to the UK for ten years and played in various bands. But KuF was always on his mind and, when he moved to Virginia, USA, he found himself disillusioned with the current rock and metal scene.
He decided to reform KuF last year with a mission to, in his words, “bring back a stripped-down, old-school rock vibe while incorporating modern elements.” He ran a few tryouts before completing the new-look lineup with vocalist Ally, bassist Chris and drummer Kirk to take KuF to new heights.
On the sound they’ve crafted since, Todd told us: “KuF’s sound is a blend of classic and modern hard rock. We take the grit and intensity of old-school rock and mix it with modern production techniques and storytelling. Think big riffs, powerful vocals, and songs that pull you in.”
To get a taste for this, KuF sent us Dance of Deceit, their debut single that was released in October. It opens up with Black Sabbath-esque dramatic guitars and distant bell tolls, which continue under Ally’s engaging vocals. Building drums kick in and lead into a cool chugging riff before more upbeat vocals that gradually intensify into a big cry of “You know you want me, Lord knows I’ve tried, Broken promises, It’s done this time.” It drops back into chugging guitars and engaging vocals that flow back into those same vocals, which end with high-pitched guitar sounds teeing up a big solo. That sets up a powerful conclusion led by Ally’s delicious vocals.
On the track, Todd said: “The reception has been fantastic! Fans and listeners have connected with the song’s raw energy and lyrical depth. Dance of Deceit explores themes of deception and inner turmoil, paired with a haunting melody and a hard-hitting groove.
“What’s been interesting is how people interpret it differently. For me, it’s about the inner battle of good versus evil in your head. Others have taken it as the turmoil of a breakup. For anyone who hasn’t heard it yet, expect a song that’s dark, heavy, and a little cinematic.” Check it out in the lyric video here:
The band has since released Cosmic Cowboy, which starts with chugging guitars under Ally’s engaging vocals. A couple of cries of “Oh cosmic cowboy” usher in drums and heavier guitars as the vocals pick up pace. A second chorus gives way to cool bendy guitars, setting up a lively outro featuring more high-pitched guitars. Check it out in the lyric video below:
The KuF sound draws on a wide range of influences. Todd tells us he’s inspired by the likes of Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden and the raw energy of bands like Soundgarden and Alice in Chains. Ally is into Ally bands like Ghost, Type O Negative and BabyMetal, Kirk names the likes of Armored Saint, Saigon Kick and Van Halen, and Chris brings influences from Iron Maiden, Dream Theater and Savatage.
And on what inspires them to write music, Todd explains: “For me, writing music is about exploring emotions and experiences that resonate deeply. Themes like inner struggles, resilience, and self-discovery often make their way into our songs. We write music for ourselves, not to chase trends, and we’re thrilled that people are connecting with it and joining us on this journey.”
2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the new-look KuF as they plan to release a new single every two to three months, rather than a full album. “Albums can be great, but we feel like some standout songs often get overlooked,” Todd tells us. “We’ve just released Cosmic Cowboy to great reception, and we’re working on booking live shows to connect with fans in person. We’ll keep writing, recording, and building momentum – 2025 is going to be KuF’s true kickstart.”
And Todd adds: “KuF is about making music that resonates with us and our listeners. Whether it’s short, punchy tracks or longer, more atmospheric pieces, we aim to have something for all hard rock and metal fans. We’re incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received so far and can’t wait to share more of our journey.”
You can follow KuF on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, and check out their music on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, Deezer, Soundcloud and YouTube.
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