Single & EP reviews: RED CAIN, MICHAEL ARMSTRONG, BLINK

RED CAIN [Release date 25.11.16]

Hailing from Alberta, Canada Red Cain consist of Evgeniy Zayarny (vocals), Nik Ryzhenkov (guitar), Rogan McAndrews (bass), William Lancaster (synths/orchestration) and Samuel Royce (drums).

This is a self-released EP and of very good standard it has to be said. The band when they first started off had a gothic leaning, which does pop-up now and then in their sound. One band they do remind me of, more in the arrangements than vocally, are the mighty Kamelot. They do focus on melody and have some neat musical twists like the bass intro on ‘Hiraeth’ and Evgeniy Zayarny gets to highlight his dark and brooding vocal style on ‘Unborn’.

Red Cain have the songs and are worthy of your time if you are seeking a new symphonic metal band. ***1/2

Review by Jason Ritchie

MICHAEL ARMSTRONG Little Girl (Bells Of Christmas

A seasonal ditty from Michael Armstrong (who’s debut album is highly recommended) and Warren Bennett. This songs has an interesting back story in that in 1967, the owner of Liverpool’s famous Cavern Club, and friend of The Beatles, Alf Geoghegan wrote and recorded a song for his daughter, Debbie, for Christmas.

For close to half a century that song has remained unheard outside of the immediate family. Several years ago, Debbie and her husband Nigel met Michael Armstrong and they have since become huge fans of his music. Then last year, Debbie presented Michael with a copy of her father’s Christmas song, which Michael, along with Warren Bennett, has updated and recorded. The single also features Warren’s dad, Brian of the Shadows, on drums.

As Christmas songs go it is not bad at all, with a seasonal lyric and memorable chorus. Hopefully it will do well as we need some new Christmas songs to replace the overplayed classics. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

BLINK Happy Christmas 22 (I Still Miss You)

Blink have had a successful career in their native Ireland and have recently announced plans to re-release all three of their albums in 2017 on their Garage Records label. The band said “to mark the re-release of the entire Blink catalogue, the original Christmas song has been at long last been released as a single – 22 years behind schedule it would seem, although the title would suggest that this was the plan all along!?” The recording features John O’Neill of The Undertones on guitar, alongside Steve Hillage.

The single is dedicated to Aiden Lambert, brother of vocalist Dermot Lambert, who sadly passed away just before Christmas 2015.

It is an indie dance floor filler that’s for sure, with a distinct guitar tone and a touch of the Stone Roses on the backing vocals. Really good tune and worth a download in this festive season folks. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)