VERA CRUZ - Hot Games [Bootleg CD] (1989) + demos

Requested in "Request & Fill Corner" section...

Germans VERA CRUZ debuted in 1989 with "Hot Games" released through a small indie label, pressed on CD but in limited quantities. Much sought after by collectors, original copies were sold at eBay for $400!

Despite of being released in '89, the style in "Hot Games" is mid-eighties Melodic Rock / AOR with the typical German + Scandinavian sound; lots of keyboards & synths, melodic guitars and hooky choruses.
Actually, Vera Cruz sounds here quite Swedish, like early Skagarak (not so tight), early Treat, Quolio, Maeday and alikes.
All tracks are catchy with good musicianship, and although production isn't stellar, if you dig '80s Scandi-AOR you'll love it.



This is a rip (not mine) at maximum quality from the bootleg CD released in 2003, decently transferred from an unknown source.
Vera Cruz reformed around 2001 only with original member Tobi Janouschek, featuring new female vocalist Kirsten Janschke.
I have included as bonus several demos (very good sound), some of them included in Vera Cruz's indie CDR 2005 mini album "Careful". Keep in mind that this new millenium material is much more 'modern' oriented.


01 - One Way Or Another
02 - Don't Smash The Mirror
03 - Hot Game
04 - Lonely Times
05 - Slave Of Your Heart
06 - Burn Me
07 - Head Over Heels
08 - Another Year
09 - Weenah
10 - Another Beat of The Heart (Don't Cry)
11 - Frontiers
Demos;
12 - Angel (2003)
13 - Hello (2005)
14 - Special Person (2005)
15 - God Damned Shame (2005)
16 - Take Care Of Yourself (2005)
17 - Fate (2008)

Andy Layer: Vocals
Tobi Janouschek: Guitars
Till Janouschek: Keyboards
Armin Wagner: Bass
Dieter Trabert: Drums




VERA CRUZ Hot Games

HERO (Denmark) - Hero (1986)

Requested in "Request & Fill Corner" section...

From Kalundborg, Denmark, HERO was founded in 1982. The band started to play the typical NWOBHM of the era, recording two demos distributed locally.
Circa the mid-eighties they changed their style to a more commercial hard 'n heavy / melodic rock adding a permanent keyboardist.

Signed by Vertigo, Hero released their self-titled debut in 1986.
We have here that unmistakable Scandinavian '80s sound focused on strong guitars and vocals peppered with AOR synths all over.
However, Hero's music is slightly more edgy than the bands of the same period, with more in common to Norwegians TNT. Their style also reminds you Pretty Maids on many places, not strangely drummer Michael Fast joined the Danish rock institution later in 1991.

"Race And Revel", "Illusions Of Yesterday", "Masquerade", "You're A Hero", "Land Of Tomorrow", all are good, rockin' exponents of the band's style, very well produced by Nils Henriksen with a crunchy and crisp sound.
Hero disbanded in '88, as said Michael Fast joined Pretty Maids and keyboardist Bo Brinck went to form Harlot (later Savage Affair).
Never released on CD, this is a really fine vinyl-rip cleaned by myself.


01 - You're A Hero
02 - Race And Revel
03 - Land Of Tomorrow
04 - We Came To Rock
05 - Masquerade
06 - Jealousy Kills
07 - Now We Play To Win
08 - Illusions Of Yesterday
09 - Turning Out A Star

Steen Larsen: Lead & backing vocals
Bo Brinck: Keyboards, backing vocals
Johnny Thomas: Guitars, backing vocals
Peter Fernando: Guitars, backing vocals
Rik Jensen: Bass & shout
Michael Fast: Drums, percussion & shout





HERO (Denmark) 1986

VON ROSEN - Someone Like You +1 [single] (1987)

Requested in "Request & Fill Corner" section...

Von Rosen was a Swedish duo comprising the talents of Magnus Rosen and Peter Sandberg (Madison, Alien, Midnight Sun). They recorded and released back in eighties a couple of singles in the best Scandi - AOR tradition.
"Someone Like You / Time" was the last one (the other single can be found HERE), featuring stellar contributions by Mats Olausson (Glory, Yngwie) and Goran Edman.

In short; truly great rockin' AOR tunes of the best Scandinavian pedigree.
There's a vinyl-rip circulating amongst collectors, but with many clicks and skips all over.
This one was made by me, cleaned and restored for your listening pleasure, including artwork.
Love this stuff.


01 - Someone Like You
02 - Time

Peter Sandberg - Lead Vocals
Magnus 'Von' Rosen - Bass
Session Musicians:
Mats Olausson - Keyboards
Per Alm - Guitars
Bengt-Ake Andersson - Drums
Goran Edman - Background Vocals





VON ROSEN - Someone Like You +1 - NEW LINK

DA VINCI - Unreleased 3rd (1987 - 1990)

DA VINCI was one of the best Scandi AOR bands of all time.
Only 2 albums released, both filled with scorching tunes.
The group entered into studio and recorded the 3rd album in 1990.
But never was released... What happens in the middle?... A complete mystery.
They even put out a single as advance (tracks "Ain't No Goodbyes / "Blame It On The Radio", featured in my 'Most Wanted Scandi AOR Singles Ever Vol.2').

There's a compilation of these unreleased recordings, known as "The Lost Demos" or "Unfinished Business", shared here not so long ago by one of the greatest contributors of this blog: homer64.
But 5 tracks were missing.
Now, I made my own version including ALL the Da Vinci files.

The first 8 songs are taken from what should have been their 3rd album. Pre-production tracks with A+ quality sound.
The last 8 tracks are leftover demo material from their 2 first albums. Sadly, most of them are cut at the intros.
I've fixed all of them;
Intro fixed: tracks 9, 12, 13, 14, 15
Cracks: tracks 13, 15
Minor db jump fixed: track 10
Unbalanced channels: track 2
Besides, reduced the hiss and enhanced the sound a bit using my new toy; 'Analog Vitalizer MK2', a real cool vintage processor, totally 'eighty'.

All these songs are great IMHO, catchy keyboard-driven uptempo AOR tunes, just check "Breathless", "One Of A Kind" or "Where Eagles Die".
Beauty ballads, my favorites: "Won't Be The One", a late 80's Toto - style diamond. "You're The Only One" is in a David Foster style.
This band deserves a podium amongst the champions, on par with EUROPE, TREAT, BAD HABIT, SKAGARACK.
A must for scandi - AOR fans [like me].
Myself made art work.
Highly Recommended


01 - Blame It On The Radio
02 - Every Highway
03 - Breathless
04 - Ain't No Goodbyes
05 - How Many Miles
06 - Wait For You
07 - Won't Be The One
08 - Last Generations
09 - One Of A Kind
10 - Where Eagles Die
11 - Shadow Dance
12 - Close To The Edge Of A Brokenheart
13 - Electric Lady
14 - You're The Only One (The Light)
15 - Stand Up
16 - Action


Lars Aass - Vocals
Gunnar Westlie - Guitar
Bjørn Boge - Bass
Jarle Maaloy - Drums
Dag Selboskar - Keyboards



HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

HEARTLYNE - No Retreat No Surrender (1987 - 2009)

Die-hard collectors (like myself) already own these demo songs recorded between 1986-87 and published as bootleg.
Recently have been remastered from original tapes and released officially for the first time.
HEARTLYNE was the first german band of Tommy HEART and Chris LYNE (wise guys).
If these names doesn't ring a bell to you , Tommy would achieve a great success (especially in Japan) as ZENO and FAIR WARNING vocalist, and along with Lyne founded later SOUL DOCTOR.

These primitive recordings (still as semi-professionals) have all the charm and freshness of talented people.
Typical european melodic hard rock / scandi AOR style.
"No Retreat No Surrender" is a time capsule trip, mid-eighties feeling is here, a keyboard driven heaven.

The most notable tune is "Starlight" (fortunately they've included as bonus a version never heard before).
Another gem is the wonderful keyboard driven fest "Stay With Me", very well written, similar of what was to come from Tommy with Zeno and Fair Warning.
"Broken Promises" with its grandiose chorus wouldn't get out of place in any scandi AOR album from Sweden.

While some songs lacks some polished rework, we can appreciate the good intentions and the ability to create good melodies.
Tommy's voice didn't reach the full potential yet, but it sounds wonderful and above the standards of that time.

I love this music style, this set of songs are gold powder to me.
Listen to this record not judging the technical flaws, just enjoy the essence of the songs.
If you like pure mid 80's guitar & keyboard stuff ala TREAT, CRAAFT, ZINATRA, RAW SILK and of course FAIR WARNING and ZENO, don't miss this one!

Do you like it? BUY IT (I've ordered a copy).
Encourage the bands to release this kind of material from the vaults.
Thanx to Josam for the rip! (gracias tron)


1. Starlight
2. No Retreat No Surrender
3. Victims Of Your Love
4. Broken Promises
5. Strike An Arrow
6. Change (All Over The World)
7. Sacred Heart
8. Stay With Me
9. Empty Eyes
10. Don´t Walk Away
11. Starlight (different version)

Tommy Heart - Lead vocals
Chris Lyne - Lead / acoustic guitars
CW Johannsohn - Lead guitars
Jogy Rautenberg - Bass
Alex Strauch - Keyboards
K.K. - Drums

HEARTLYNE - No Retreat No Surrender

DA VINCI - The Lost Tracks (1990)

DA VINCI was one of the best Scandi AOR of all time.
Only 2 albums released, both filled with scorching tunes.
This compilation (also known as "Unfinished Business") is what should have been their 3rd album.
But never was released...What happens in the middle?... A complete mystery.
They even put out a single as advance (tracks "Ain't No Goodbyes / "Blame It On The Radio", featured in my 'Most Wanted Scandi AOR Singles Ever Vol.2').

Catchy keyboard-driven uptempo AOR, just check "Breathless", "One Of A Kind" or "Where Eagles Dare".
Beauty ballads, my favorite: "Won't Be The One", a late 80's TOTO - style diamond.
This band deserves a podium amongst the champions, on par with EUROPE, TREAT, BAD HABIT, SKAGARACK.
Really good songs, a must for scandi fans [like me].
Thanx to homer64 (You Rock!)


01 Blame It On The Radio
02 Breathless
03 One Of A Kind
04 Wait For You
05 Where Eagles Dare
06 Won't Be The One
07 Action
08 Stand Up
09 Dancing
10 Electric Lady
11 You're The Only One
12 Edge Of A Broken Heart

Lars Aass: Vocals
Gunnar Westlie: Guitar
Bjørn Boge: Bass
Jarle Maaloy: Drums
Dag Selboskar: Keyboards


DOWNLOAD

MOST WANTED SCANDI-AOR SINGLES EVER! Vol.2

As requested, a new Scandi - AOR single rarities Volume.

One and only QUOLIO's single, extremely melodious, great harmonies and generous keyboards.
This single from the Norwegians JUMP is one of the most sought after by collectors, even rare in their homeland.
Top songwriting, soaring choruses, a pleasure to listen to.
Unfortunately, their one and only recording.

BORDERLINE plays classic scandi AOR strongly influenced by hard rock, very good combination, nice sound.
It's rumored that they recorded a full lengh, which remains unpublished to date.
MAEDAY released one LP, only on vinyl, with very good songs following the typical swedish Scandi - AOR mould.
I love their album, this is the promo-only single, not for sale.

Other Swedes, VON ROSEN, left some very good singles, with interesting arrangements and great vocals.
A goodie.
DA VINCI achieved great popularity with two superb albums, (and an unreleased).
This is their first single ever, featuring two songs never appeared in the LP's.
One of my favorite bands in this genre.

Very good vinyl rips.
Fully tagged with info release and myself made artwork.






MOST WANTED SCANDI-AOR SINGLES Vol.2
.

MOST WANTED SCANDI - AOR SINGLES EVER !

Another compilation, but a little different this time...
This is my favorite style ever: Scandi - AOR

A bunch of rare singles released by some well known bands, some not, only released in the cold scandinavian lands.
None of these tracks appeared on official albums and of course, all are 7'' vinyl only singles.

Swedes DALTON, wonderful band that left us 2 jewels, wonderful albums.
The first track is an '89 single B-side, the other two from their first single ever, released in '86, very rare.

LION'S SHARE will be reformed in the 90's, releasing high-quality albums but in a hard rock style. Few knows that in '88 produced this magnificent Scandi- AOR single with a completely different line-up.

CHERIE was a great swedish promise, unfortunately only recorded this single, extremely melodic, with great choruses.

RETURN released several singles in Norway prior to their first full lengh, this is the first of all and only has one song, a harbinger of great things to come...strong track.

AXIA used to play catchy and well crafted scandi aor, contagious.
One sided single, track not included in the LP (recorded one year later).
PEO Pettersson on lead vocals.

Finally, the great JIM JIDHED. Before joining Alien, he released several singles in Sweden, this one contains two great tracks beautifully performed.

Very good vinyl rips.
Fully tagged with info release and myself made artwork.



Do you want more?...Leave a comment.


MOST WANTED SCANDI - AOR SINGLES 1
.