SANTA CRUZ (FIN)

(FINLAND)

KATHARSIS

(2019)
LABEL:

AUTRE LABEL

GENRE:

HARD ROCK

TAGS:
"Calibrated for US FM radio, this album is not what we expected from Santa Cruz !"
LOLOCELTIC (04.12.2019)  
3/5
(0) opinions (0) comment(s)
But what could have happened that night in March 2018 when the rest of the band kicked Archie off the bus in the middle of a US tour in support of Fozzy? While Santa Cruz seemed destined to be the new sensation of a modern and rebellious hard rock at the same time, the Finnish quartet exploded in flight without really being able to identify the reason for this self-destruction. And here comes an unexpected "Katharsis" on our turntables which seems to have been recorded only by Archie and by the producer Kane Churko (Five Finger Death Punch, Papa Roach, Ozzy Osbourne) with whom he would have ensured all the instruments.

If the singer-guitarist had the honesty to change the band's logo, he still kept the name and this could destabilize many people. Opening the fire, 'Changing Of Seasons', the first single released to the public before the release of the album, is dark and introspective and sees the electro arrangements replace the famous guitar duels that were part of the Helsinki band's reputation. Next, 'Bang Bang (My Worst Enemy)' has accents worthy of Five Finger Death Punch, 'Salvation' an introduction worthy of Guns' n' Roses' Sweet Child O' Mine', 'Into The War' is reminiscent of a muscular U2 and 'It Was You' would not have mismatched in Linkin Park's discography. There is plenty to lose your bearings. 

Several tracks actually seem calibrated for US FM radio and could have been written by any fashionable band of the moment ('Smoke Signals','Salvation') and even the ballad 'I Want You To Mean It' is very commercial despite its very Scandinavian atmosphere. We find a little bit of the original anger on the catchy and syncopated "True Believer", on the big riff of "Tell Me Why" with a catchy chorus, or on one of the rare soli worthy of the name ('Testify'), but that it already seems far away the band that was shaking everything up with its mixture of energy, insolence and melody...

Composed of good tracks, this "Katharsis" could nevertheless destabilize the fans of the band and prove to be particularly cleavable. At a time when the other three members of the original formation have disappeared from the radar screens, it is difficult to know if Archie will continue to keep his grip on the Santa Cruz appellation. What is certain is that he marked the latter with strength and confidence. Those who decide to follow him can be satisfied with well-constructed and not lacking in efficiency tracks. But is that what we expected from the Finnish team?
- Official website

TRACK LISTING:
01. Changing Of Seasons - 2:45
02. Bang Bang (my Worst Enemy) - 3:10
03. Into The War - 3:31
04. I Want You To Mean It - 4:27
05. True Believer - 3:19
06. Tell Me Why - 2:47
07. Testify - 3:27
08. Smoke Signals - 3:23
09. It Was You - 3:45
10. Salvation - 4:01
11. Time After Time - 3:47

LINEUP:
Arttu "archie" Kuosmanen: Chant / Guitares
Eemi "ero" Lamberg: Basse
Joe Perez: Guitares
Tuomas "toxy" Lehtonen: Batterie
   
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