Search - Cross :: Playgrounds

After being a member of Von Lyx (81-84) and Voodoo (85-86)guitarist /vocalist Hansi Cross decided to go solo, and write music in a more progressive direction. At this time a decision was made to develop a CROSS style by making three albums that together would be a trilogy, known as the Uncovered Heart Trilogy. These were released on the Swedish independent label Lyxvax.

The first one, " Uncovered Heart ", featured drummer Hadders (who also was a member of Von Lyx and Voodoo) and bassplayer Olson (at the time member of Talk Of The Town) and some guest musicians. It was released in March 1988 (LP) and December the same year (CD).

"Second Movement "was a result of a collaboration between Cross and Hadders who wrote most of the tracks together in their newly opened Progress Studio. André contributed with some nice keyboard work and once again Olson played bass. When all tracks were recorded Cross and Hadders met vocalist Tai (who at the time had a band together with André) who was asked to add vocals on 50% of the tracks which he willingly did. Ulf Adåker (trumpet) and Idde Schultz (background vocals) are also heard on the album that was released in 1990.

The third and last part was recorded now and then during 1992 - 1993 and was titled " III - Changing poison into medicine". It's a mixture of longer epic songs as well as shorter pop songs. Once again Jock "Tai" Millgårdh sang nearly half of the material. Among many contributing musicians former Von Lyx bassplayer Johan Nordenfelt is heard. Released December 1993.

By the time of the release of this, the third album, interest for progressive rock was increasing in Sweden. Curious about how it would work on stage Hansi Cross put together a live act, featuring Tai as the lead vocalist and Tomas Hjort on drums, for some club gigs. Hansi and Tomas had met a couple of months earlier, during a recording session in Progress Studio. In September Hansi met an innovative bass player, Tomas Christensen, who joined the band and together they started to compose material for the next album.

Hansi also wrote and recorded a "miniature symphony", titled "Paradox", where he played all instruments. This 18 minute one track CD single was released in 1995.

Fourth album "Gaze" was recorded late 1995 and early 1996 and showed a new, less sophisticated direction. Heavier, rougher but still very "crossish". On this one Cross, Christenen and Hjort were joined by Floke on keyboards. Halfway through the recording Hjort left the band for a new job in the US. Stenmark temporarily took over the drumming and the album was completed. Gaze was first released in March 1996 by Lyxvax. The English label Cyclops contacted Hansi and even though Cyclops at this time had decided to not sign any new acts they felt that they could not resist CROSS. A deal was made and Cyclops released a different version of "Gaze". On this new version of " Gaze" a couple of songs were added and a couple were taken out. The album was released in September 1996.

After the release of "Gaze", CROSS was looking for a new drummer and keyboardist. Old drummer Tomas Hjort introduced master drummer Robert Iversen to the band and Iversen brought along his long time friend Olle Siljeholm on keyboards. After some gigging this line-up went into the studio to rerecord some old stuff from the Uncovered Heart Trilogy for the compilation "Dream Reality" which was released by Cyclops in late July 1997. This album consists of remastered, remixed and rerecorded material from the sold out three first albums.