Cross

Cross is a Swedish progressive band fronted by Hansi Cross, an ex-Von Lyx guitarist. It is a melodic progressive act from Sweden, associated with crossover prog and progressive rock, with a sound that develops across its albums from more Floyd-influenced material to darker and more complex arrangements.

Style and development

The band’s music is described as heavy and complex neo-prog with a strong emphasis on melody. Hansi Cross’ guitar work is a central feature of the sound, and his playing is sometimes compared with Steve Hackett. The vocals are also noted for a resemblance to Dave Gilmour.

Across its career, Cross moves from smooth, Floyd-like writing towards darker and more Crimson-like material. The earlier albums mix long pieces with shorter pop-oriented songs and are compared with Pink Floyd, Twelfth Night and, to a degree, Genesis around Wind and Wuthering, but with a heavier edge. Later releases become heavier and darker, with long guitar solos, spacious keyboards and shifting time signatures that bring comparisons with Rush, Echolyn, Anekdoten, Landberk and Morte Macabre. The album Playgrounds is described as the most restrained and spacious of the later material.

Albums

The band’s career spans more than eight releases, including a mini-symphony CD, issued between 1988 and 2004. The first three albums are gathered on the compilation Dream Reality. A later phase begins with Paradox, followed by four further albums before Playgrounds.

Context

The name Cross is used by several different acts, but this entry refers to the Swedish progressive band led by Hansi Cross.