CROSS

Well.

Cross: a swedish prog. band.A mix of symphonic and neo prog rock music.

Long time composing and playing.

We can feel that in this album:Wake Up Call

This is now a band with experience,solid ,credible.

Maybe in comparison to modern prog rock (the music of Big Big Train,Gazpacho,Anathema for example) today's Cross music is not very original....but is nice,well composed,good arrangements....good songs..solid.

This album shows a mix of concepts :Symphonic prog of Genesis (Phil Collins era -75-80) with mostly Neo-Prog of their fellows of Sweden GALLEON and British Pendragon.

Long beautiful songs.

Falling Beyond and Waking Up my favourite songs.

A very enjoyable album.

4 to 4,5 stars.

There is no doubt that Hansi Cross can write catchy tunes, take the opening track "Human Resolution" and track three "Falling Beyond" on this CD, both tracks are over nine minutes in length but both possess choruses that are memorable and appealing which are enhanced by Hansi's fine vocals, which is a great rock voice with no accent These two tracks are divided by the short and pleasant instrumental "Remembrance" which features initial acoustic guitar and then quiet keyboards. The fourth track "Racing Spirits" is also an instrumental which sounds mysterious and sinister in parts. This leads into the longest track on the album, the 18 minute piece "Waking Up" which is a mixture of all things that is good about prog music, there are quiet sections dominated by acoustic guitar which give way to excellent keyboard and guitar solos, there is also some nice violin thrown in for good measure before a long run off leads into the bonus track "Now". I understand this track dates from 2001 and was written by Hansi Cross for the Swedish band Spektrum and now appears as a bonus on this album. Guests on the album are Jock Millgardh (lead and harmony vocals), Mats Bender from Introitus (keyboards), Lizette Von Panajott formerly lead singer with Spektrum (voices), Stefan Damicolas from Brother Ape (harmony vocals) and Hannah Sundkvist and Sabina Cross on violins. The album is symphonic in parts but has its rockier moments and is certainly more raucous than "The Thrill Of Nothingness", no doubt a fine album worth a solid four stars. My only complaint about the album is the artwork, green writing on a green background makes it almost impossible to read the lyrics and the credits and has given me some eye strain, but never mind about that, buy the product and enjoy another album which continues the high quality that is expected from Swedish prog bands.

This second I work of the Swedish band CROSS entitled "Second Movement", it pleased me even certain point, because, although it cannot consider a "masterpiece." the disk pleased in the sense that in spite to be classified in the category Nep-Prog, and to really have plenty elements of the style, it presents some variations, at least interesting, in relation to other styles of progressive as for instance the keyboards presence (eventually in duets with the guitar) playing in a timbre that simulates a brass orchestra, as in the case of Track 1 "Emergency" and still of Track 7 "Fanfarre Song" that approximates them of Symphonic-|Prog. Besides those two tracks it would like to highlight the Track 8 "Impregnable eyes" that presents a brilliant opening in the best style of Heavy-Prog or Prog-metal , however , there is no continuity in the development of the theme, although the track is very good. However, the disk left me with the clear impression that they could have conceived a more elaborated work in the sense of taking advantage of this easiness in "flirting" with other styles and in that way to please more fans of other styles of progressive music . My rate i 3 stars.

This is CROSS' ninth studio album released in 2004. Quite a few guests on this one mostly helping out with vocal harmonies, but there is some guest sax and violin as well.

"Let The Play Begin..." opens with keyboards before the bass and drums join in as a full sound arrives. Vocals after a minute as it settles. I like the guitar before 3 minutes that solos tastefully.The synth solo after 4 1/2 minutes is interesting.It then settles with some lazy guitar before kicking back in with vocals. "Deja Vu" has some low end to it as bass and drums lead early on. It does lighten as this instrumental plays out. Heavier again before 3 minutes then the guitar starts to solo slowly. "A New Beginning" opens with keyboards and atmosphere as reserved vocals join in.The guitar cries out after a minute and continues until about 2 1/2 minutes when the tempo picks up and vocals join in. Some smooth sax 8 minutes in. Atmosphere ends it.

"The Battle Of Thalyma" opens with a heavy beat and synths standing out. Guitar before a minute but it's the synths that dominate on this instrumental. "...And Enter The Game" opens with synths and a heavy beat. Vocals join in quickly. Not a fan of the lighter harmonies here. Guitar and keyboards lead the way though. "Fjarilshonung" is less than a minute of acoustic guitar and mellow instrumental music. "Mesmerizing Enterprize" ends it with over 15 minutes of sand moving music. Powerful start with synths and drums then the tempo picks up. It settles as the vocals arrive. Nice guitar after 3 1/2 minutes. The tempo and mood continue to shift. A calm with vocal melodies 8 1/2 minutes in. Then it builds back up very slowly.

A pretty good album overall.

This is the seventh studio album from CROSS released in 1998.This Swedish band is led and named after Hansi Cross who's name has popped up often over the years in various projects.The keyboards and guitar usually lead the way with those ever-present vocals which are average at best.

"The Riddle" opens with synths before settling with acoustic guitar as vocals, bass and drums help out. Mellow stuff. Guitar after 4 1/2 minutes as the tempo picks up. "White Lies Dark Truth" is more uptempo and brighter. Vocals and some great sounding bass lines after a minute. Synths lead for a minute but they trade off with the guitar the rest of the way. "Deep" is a short atmospheric instrumental.

"In A Questionable Mark" features these pulsating synths with vocals leading early on. Nice bass 1 1/2 minutes in.The guitar is prominant briefly 3 1/2 minutes in. Organ late. "The Earl Of Doncaster" is an instrumental that opens with some chunky bass. Piano and synths follow then guitar 1 1/2 minutes in. "Walls" is mellow with laid back guitar and vocals. "Pain" opens with gusto but it settles back quickly with vocals. Some raw guitar after 1 1/2 minutes. "New Dimensions" is the longest track at over 12 minutes.This one is pretty good as we get changes in mood and tempo with some good guitar and synth work. Organ too in this one. A pulsating rhythm late. Good song.

3 stars but just barely.

The Thrill of Nothingness marks the latest chapter in the Cross saga, and I would say this is the strongest Cross album to date. Its funny, I dont think frontman Hansi Cross realizes just how good they are when they go acoustic, because it is so rare and brief when they do. But those brief and rare moments are wonderful.

For the most part, the album is heavy, with big chords, and emotional melodies. Hansi's electric guitar playing is excellent, with touches of Andy Latimer and Allan Holdsworth. The one thing that would make this album stronger is a great vocalist. Hansi's voice is probably similar in quality to Steve Howe's. However, much of the album is instrumental.

The first six tracks are very much in keeping with the high quality of 'Secrets' and 'Playgrounds'. No complaints there, (especially 'Innocence' with its powerful chord progressions.) But, then comes.'Eternity', which is easily my favorite Cross song to date. This is a wonderful track, carrying an almost magical Genesis-type feel. A wonderful way to close the album.

The limited edition includes a disc 2, 'The Thrill of Somethingness', which is just about as good as disc one. A bit more variety on this one perhaps, and like the first disc, quite consistantly good. My only complaint is that music of this calibre needs a singer to match.

The most recent album from Swedish proggers Cross is easily the best of theirs that I have heard to date. Intricate and sometimes quite menacing (check out opener "Bleeding In Silence") with good musical interplay, all fans of modern prog will enjoy this album. A few guests add some extra touches (such as cello), but for the most part this trio rock on quite nicely with no outside help. Hansi Cross provides guitars/synths/vocals while Lollo Andersson is on bass/Taurus and Tomas Hjort is on drums.

It is very accessible album, one that can be listened to and enjoyed immediately. I nearly didn't hear the 'hidden' piece of music as the first time I played the album I turned it off when the last song ended. The next time I was too far away from the player, and after a while I heard some keyboard chords and wondered where it was coming from. I didn't see much point of this unless it was to see if reviewers were listening to the album all of the way through!! They move through one style to another very comfortably and while this may not be groundbreaking progressive music, it is very nice all the same and I for one enjoyed it.

Feedback #60, Oct 2000

I remember reviewing an album by Cross which was released on Cyclops some time ago, but I know that they had released other albums even then. They have now set up their own label and their latest album is its' first release, but with no biog I can further very little else.

Cross are based around lead singer/guitarist (plus extra keys and mandolin) Hansi Cross, although the others do get some input on some of the songs. This is soaring prog, with large elements of Eighties Genesis and Pendragon, and at some points, it is almost Camel-esque. While there are many intricate passages, the focus is much more on songs with a purpose instead of meandering aimlessly.

While the vocals are important, the main elements are the interplay between the guitar and keyboards along with some very strong, almost tribal, rhythms. An album that I have enjoyed playing immensely.

Feedback #59, July 2000

This album by CROSS comprises good combination of keyboard and guitars as main soloists, accompanied with good rhythm section comprising drums and bass. It's good for a musical break after you might have been bombarded with hard-edge progressive metal or even metal music. The music of "Playgrounds" is quite relaxing - the music flows smoothly from one segment to another with transition pieces of guitar and / or keyboard solos. It's typical neo prog music vein.

"Let The Play Begin... "(7:37) is a keyboard-based composition in relatively medium tempo that combines a floating singing style, nice guitar solo and multi-layer keyboard sounds. The music flows smoothly, featuring different kind of segments - those overlaid with guitar solo or keyboard works. If you listen to this track, it's recommended to set high volume on your amplifier and you would get subtleties of the music.

"Dejá Vù" (4:36) continues the music almost seamlessly with soft guitar riffs in faster tempo than the opening track. It's an interesting instrumental track in relatively upbeat mood. "A New Beginning" (10:10) might be considered as an epic. The music reminds me the kind of Pendragon, IQ or Pallas. It starts mellow with low register vocal notes combined beautifully with Floydian guitar work. The music moves in crescendo with faster tempo at approx minute 2:30. In terms of change dynamics, the band tries to avoid such thing as sudden change because the music is floating with relatively no major breaks into different style. The music explores its peak with symphonic style in he middle of the track using solo synthesizer. The use of alto sax solo has enriched the texture of this song.

"The Battle Of Thalÿma" (5:31) is another floating music with intertwined keyboard and guitar works. It's quite odd to me as the title is about "battle" but the song does not represent a nuance of battle. Or I might be wrong expecting something like Genesis "the Battle of Epping Forest"? Oh yes, I'm wrong as when the music enters minute 3 I can hear the change of style into more symphonic with a bit like marching drums that relate us to the battle nuance. After this instrumental track the music continues with "...And Enter The Game" (9:44) that has vocal parts. The music changes from flat style into more dynamic ones in the middle of the track. The album concludes with an epic "Mesmerizing Enterprize" (15:20) - exploring the multi-layered keyboard sounds and guitar solos.

I think, this is a main characteristic of any neo prog venture: if the floating / ambient styles are not combined with changes in tempo or sudden change of beats in a dynamic way, the music tends to be boring. This is what I feel about this album. In terms of musical flow and melody, this album is quite enjoyable especially with the flux of guitar solo and some keyboard sounds - it makes the music is interesting. But then what if the music is not augmented with sudden change of chords in higher notes? There is not much variations that I can enjoy, emotionally. Unfortunately, music is emotion. You might have great compositions but if they lack melody and / or harmony - they will be passing your ears and not succumbed into your heart / mind. In any case, this is not a bd album at all but this one really fails to stimulate good emotion to me. So I just consider this as good but not essential neo prog album. Keep on proggin' ..!

"Minds are like parachutes - they only function when they are open"

3.5 stars. I was surprised at how heavy this album was, reminding me a little of ARENA. The mellotron is a nice touch, as it appears on all but the two instrumentals.

"Bleeding In Silence" is a great way to start the record, lots of time changes, and as i mentioned earlier quite heavy with some good riffs and guitar melodies.There is some cool drum/cello interplay(bet you don't hear that often) and a lighter keyboard solo. "Little One" is a short guitar instrumental. "The Core" is one of my favourites, with beautiful guitar melodies and also a drum/piano melody.The extended guitar solo is great. "Awakening" is another instrumental with guitar and keyboards leading the way. "Changed Reality" opens with cello, this song has a GENESIS feel to it, i think it's the sound of the keyboards. Another extended guitar solo is a real treat.

"Pall Of Illusion" is another favourite of mine. I call this the magic song because for some unknown reason it takes me back to one of the special times in my life, over 20 years ago, obviously way before this record came out. There is a keyboard melody throughout this very intoxicating song. "Welcome To Utopia" features tempo changes galore, it opens with a mellotron, synth combination, then the drums come in, followed by two minutes of gently soaring guitar. I haven't mentioned the vocals yet, but they work well with this album although they're average at best. This song also features a too short wave of beautiful mellotron(it's always too short). The highlight of the whole record for me is the last 3 minutes or so of this song where Mr.Cross gives us an emotional, uplifting guitar solo that is hard to put into words.