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 and Scandinavian sound, with 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.
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
Andy Layer Vocals, Guitar
Till Janouschek Keyboards
Armin Wagner Bass
Tobi Janouschek Guitars
Dieter Trabert Drums
Vera Cruz – Hot Games (1989)
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