Internationally acclaimed ‘80s-influenced hard rockers SANTA CRUZ have revealed the music video for “Here Comes The Revolution,” the second single from the group's upcoming new album, “The Return of the Kings.” Featuring performance footage from the world-famous Whisky-a-go-go gig, the new song showcases a heavier and more in-yer-face sound exemplifying the diversity of the band’s new album.
"Probably the heaviest Santa Cruz song released so far," explains singer/guitarist Archie Cruz. "First song written for the record. True fuckin' metal!"
“The Return Of The Kings,” which again features cover art by Tim Lenoir (Guns n’ Roses, The Rolling Stones), will be released on CD, digital and limited-edition colored vinyl (200 copies) on Aug. 26th.
"I feel like this is my absolute best work so far," further explains Cruz. "Having written all the songs, played all the instruments, and co-produced the record I feel like this album truly represents me as a musician and an artist. I don't think anybody will be disappointed on this banger of a record."
Archie Cruz recorded “The Return Of The Kings” – the follow-up to 2019’s “Katharsis” – as a one-man studio project through 2020 and 2021 in his Native Finland with co-producer Otto Halonen (Apocalyptica, Hevisaurus, Wheel) and mastered by Svante Forsbeck at the esteemed Sonic Pump Studios. To fully enact the vision for the new record in the live setting he has turned to the modern Los Angeles hard rock revival which sees Finnish frontman/guitarist and founding member Archie Cruz now joined by the Los Angeles-based trio of guitarist Jerry Jade (BAD GVY), bassist Tommy Bradley (REVELRY GANG), and drummer Randy McDemian (ABRAHADABRA CLOTHING) paying tribute to the old-school Sunset Strip influences while also reinforcing the updated take on the sound that has allowed SANTA CRUZ to win over audiences worldwide. The band has announced a couple additional new shows including New York’s The Bowery Electric on Aug. 16th and a return to The Whisky on Aug. 25th for a retooled performance.
In the meantime, the music video for the first single, “Under The Gun,” can be viewed HERE while the song is also available on streaming/download platforms and getting commercial/active rock radio play at a number of stations across the country.
"'Under The Gun,' a nod to some of Metal's all-time greats like Ozzy and Dokken, comes out with a banging video, inspired by Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Western movies and Tarantino-esque cinema," explains Archie Cruz. "The video was shot in Joshua Tree with Industrialism Films and director Vicente Cordero. The plot is about four gunslingers having a Mexican stand-off for a suitcase full of cold, hard cash."
The singles/music videos, the upcoming new album, and future live show are just the latest developments in what has already been a busy 2022 for SANTA CRUZ. The band's metallic-fueled cover of One Direction's “Drag Me Down” was recently featured prominently in the hit HBO MAX/DC Universe series “Peacemaker,” and the group also now has new merchandise available through Rebellion Republic.
SANTA CRUZ first appeared on their native Finnish hard rock scene in 2007. Impressive demos and EP's full of catchy hard-rock anthems resulted in the band signing to Spinefarm Records, who released the group's first full-length record, “Screaming For Adrenaline,” in 2013. A series of European festival appearances and live performances alongside acts such as AC/DC, Skid Row, Buckcherry, and Kobra And The Lotus was soon followed by the release of 2015's self-titled effort. The group refined their rock 'n roll bonafides and continued to build their following with a workhorse-level of touring, sharing stages during that time period with Sebastian Bach, I Prevail and Amaranthe, as well as appearances at Rock On The Range festival and the Motorboat cruise.
SANTA CRUZ signed with M-Theory Audio in 2017. The group's new home label subsequently released “Bad Blood Rising” that year, and their 2019's follow-up, “Katharsis”. The band returned to live stages in 2019 with triumphant performances at Aftershock and Louder Than Life, three Finnish music festivals and European support slots to Whitesnake and Bon Jovi, followed by a nationwide U.S. tour supporting Atreyu, Whitechapel, and He Is Legend. SANTA CRUZ frontman Archie Cruz adapted to the challenges of 2020 and 2021 by continuing to work on the music that would become “The Return of the Kings,” and appeared as a contestant on Season 5 of “Survivor Finland.”
More information on SANTA CRUZ's new record, “The Return of the Kings,” and upcoming live performances will be revealed in the weeks to come by M-Theory Audio and at www.facebook.com/santacruzband.
