CD Review SANTA CRUZ "Santa Cruz"

(8/10) I think that the name and the cover of this record are misleading. When I read Santa Cruz I haven't thought about hardrock with a strong 80's touch. And the cover didn't lead my thought into this direction either. I had more to think about some alternative rock that I supposed to hear.

Wrong, totally wrong. Santa Cruz plays, as said hardrock with a kick-ass attitude. If you should compare it with another band I would say that Skid Row delivered the blueprint for this album. 

But let's start from the beginning. Maybe some of you haven't heard about Santa Cruz either. The four guys are coming from Finland and started in 2007. Their debut album was called "Screaming for adrenaline" and was published in 2013.

Two years later the new longplayer is available. Simply called "Santa Cruz" the album comes with ten songs. 

Like their heroes from L.A. also the four-piece from Helsinki combine the rough guitar sounds with catchy melodies. The result is hard enough for metal fans but is on the other hand approachable enough for a bigger audience.

Songs like "Velvet rope" are my personal favorites on the album. The riff is heavy, the sound is energetic and the song just rules with its enormous punch."Let them burn" sounds more like the Sunset Stripe than Helsinki and also "Vagabonds" blows your speakers. 

Even the ballad "Can you feel the rain" is a song that is more than just a standard attachment. It is done very well and doesn't drown in sweet cliche syrup.

Santa Cruz released with their second album a modern interpretation of 80's hardrock that makes a lot of fun to listen to. And it can become the soundtrack for your next party too. Well done and eight points go to Finland.

(8/10)

Tracklist:

1. Bonafide heroes
2. Velvet rope
3. My remedy
4. 6(66) Feet under
5. Bye bye Babylon
6. We are the ones to fall
7. Wasted and wounded
8. Let them burn
9. Vagabonds (Sing with me)
10. Can you feel the rain

Label: Spinefarm

Genre: Hardrock