The new Cross album Wake Up Call is in shops now, having been released on February 3 by Progress Records.

This time the acclaimed Swedish progressive rock band delivers their most symphonic sounding work up to date. The guys are partly back to the somewhat heavier sound found on Secrets and Playgrounds with dashes of the softer approach on The Thrill Of Nothingness.

But there is also the fresh element to Wake Up Call, with plenty of multi layered string sections and a true symphonic feel merged into the overall soundscape. This is not totally new to Cross but this time they have pushed it a fore. The core trio, Hansi Cross himself with Tomas Hjort and Lollo Andersson is intact. As usual there is a number of guests contributing. This time the most noticeable are Mats Bender of Introitus (keyboards), Jock Millgardh (lead and harmony vocals) and Hannah Sundkvist (electric violin).

An edited version of the opening track "Human Resolution" can be found at: youtu.be/uVmb4I00nUA

[Source: Progress Records/Cross]