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Red Cain: Kindred Act I
Red Cain - Kindred Act I Music Review

Red Cain: Kindred Act I

Modern Heavy/Power Metal
3.5/5.0

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Unsigned/Self-released
Released: 01.03.2019
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 27.02.2019

Coming from Calgary, Red Cain is a new band started by vocalist Evgeniy Zayarny with a desire to bring some Faustian mysticism back to heavy metal. The band has had an ambitious start, dropping Red Cain, a four song EP, in 2016. The next year Red Cain was YYC Awards Metal Recording of the Year. Now the band presents their debut full-length album, Kindred Act I.

Red Cain Photo - Click For Larger Image

Red Cain

The great thing about my job is getting to hear new and different bands and their music. Not so much different, because I stick to the genres I know best. Then there's a band like Red Cain which throws me a curve. First impressions being what they are, notoriously dubious, I really didn't know what to make of Red Cain or their sound. After one spin, I can honestly say I didn't like them. But, one listen is never enough, and I now have other thoughts of the band.

At the forefront of Red Cain is simply the voice of Evgeniy Zayarny, who has a diverse range and makes every attempt to prove it from song to song. The result was that I was equally intrigued and put off by his vocals. This was especially so with his grizzly, near death, vocals within Snakebouquet and Juliet. Musically, Red Cain can also be diverse. The foundation is obviously traditional heavy and power metal, but on the European side maybe with notes of Evergrey and Kamelot in a darker character. A wall of twin guitar riffs are supported by a bombastic and heavy rhythm section, but also some symphonic synths. Sometimes those synths can have ambient to industrial metal character as well. Put together, at their heaviest, a song can be punishing and brutal, such as All Is Violence. Alternatively, melody and groove rise better within Wing Of The Crow or Zero, yet both are still heavy while Zayarny's voice mellows a tad. Which he also does within Blood & Gold, something of a metal ballad with lingering piano, synths, and a touch of light guitar.

In the end, Red Cain's Kindred Act I had parts both intriguing and entertaining, but not enough to sway me away from my lingering ambivalence towards both the band and album. Nevertheless, you may feel differently. Listen to the video below as well as the others that can be found on the Internet. If you like what you hear, by all means, support the band.



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The Bottom Line

In the end, Red Cain's Kindred Act I had parts both intriguing and entertaining, but not enough to sway me away from my lingering ambivalence towards both the band and album. Nevertheless, you may feel differently.

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