Craaft

Formed in 1984, this German melodic rock quartet emerged with Marcus Schleicher on guitar (formerly of GMT), Tommy Keiser on bass (ex-Krokus), Tommy Schneider on drums, Franz Keil on keyboards, and Klaus Luley handling vocals (previously with Tokyo). Their arrival injected vitality into the mid-80s teutonic rock landscape, then largely defined by interchangeable speed metal acts. The group projected a distinctly American character despite their origins, skillfully weaving together the styles of Night Ranger, Whitesnake, and Toto. Luley demonstrated exceptional vocal ability, deploying his wide range and strength to drive the melodic lines, while the keyboards supported the overall texture through restrained, unobtrusive layering. The band issued two strong albums yet attracted minimal attention beyond Germany.