Helsinki, Finland based ’80s hard rock revivalists SANTA CRUZ surprised us in 2013 with their massive debut album “Screaming For Adrenaline”. Although at the time the young quartet formed in 2007 put out a couple of EP’s previously, they never were heard outside their homeland.
In a few words, Santa Cruz loves second half of the Eighties American Hard Rock, spiced with that Scandinavian magic. And if you enjoy this style and sound, you will love this band at first listen. Get early Sebastian Bach’s Skid Row, Warrant, Ratt, add a dash of Hair Metal and an updated, contemporary vibe from bands like Crazy Lixx or Aussie’s White Widdow and you get Santa Cruz. The twin guitar attack is sharp (but clean), the rhythm section pumpin’, the lead vocals with the necessary rasp and swag, and all is crowned by great four-part harmonies during the arena-like choruses.
As the original CD pressing being out of print and hard to find, Bad Reputation Records has reissued “Screaming For Adrenaline“, remastered and including 5 bonus tracks.
“Screaming For Adrenaline” is full of adrenaline dor sure, a hard rocking song with a Skid Row angry attitude, punchy and kickin’. The following triad of “Anthem For The Young ‘n’ Restless”, “Relentless Renegades” and “Sweet Sensation” worth the purchase alone. Massive choruses, killer guitar riffs (we hear some Ratt’s Warren DeMartini influence here) and infectiously crafted melodies. Awesome stuff.
The rest does not fall short at all, on the contrary, there’s plenty of fantastic US Melodic Hard Rock styled tunes to enjoy: the melodic semi-midtempo “Nothing Compares To You” (akin Trixter), the dynamic “High On You”, the feel-good “Let’s Get The Party Started” or the Dokken-esque “Alive”.
And the list continues; “Lovin’ You (Is Just For Playing)” rocks with a wink to Ratt, while “Let Me (Lay My Love On You)” conjugates the ’80s DNA of Mötley, Cinderella, Poison, G’NR, Warrant, etc. all into one piece of hard rocking blast.
A killer ’80s debut from Santa Cruz, already praised as one of the best hard rock first showing of this Century.
HIGHLY Recommended
1 Screaming For Adrenaline 3:38
2 Anthem For The Young 'N' Restless 3:41
3 Relentless Renegades 4:06
4 Sweet Sensation 3:59
5 Nothing Compares To You 5:51
6 High On You 4:02
7 Let`s Get The Party Started 3:17
8 Alive 3:42
9 Loving You (Is Just For Playin') 3:56
10 Aiming High 4:17
11 Let Me (Lay My Love On You) 4:12
Bonus Tracks
12 Standing At The Crossroads
13 Hostile Shakedown
14 Over The Limit
15 Don't Runaway
16 Alive (Live At Tavastia)
Remastered and with five bonus tracks, which are Japan bonus tracks, live versions or tracks taken of the self-released EP Santa Cruz (5) - Anthems For The Young 'N' Restless.
Santa Cruz – Screaming For Adrenaline 2024 Remastered Bad Reputation, MP3+FLAC, CD w/ Scans
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