Cain's Alibi - 'Sanctified'

Released on Nightmare Records in 2000

THE BAND:
Paul Miller - lead vocals, rhythm and lead guitar
Krister Pihl - lead, rhythm and acoustic guitar, backing vocals
Mark Christenson -bass guitar
Derrick Dotterweich - drums percussion, and backing vocals

TRACK BY TRACK:
1.) "Guilty of Humanity"- This intro opens with a very Eighties style guitar arrangement and sound. The drums are playing a standard hi-hat open and closing pattern. The vocal arrangement and style are a lot like classic Geof Tate of Queensrche. The chorus has the same open and close hi-hat pattern as the intro, which gives the song a very radio friendly sound. The little lead scales played through the choruses really add to the texture of the song.
2.) "Sanctified" The intro of this one has this huge bass line. As far as the guitar goes the sound and arrangement is of a very classic metal sound. The way the band smoothly changes the rhythm arrangement for the chorus will through you if you're not paying attention. Paul Miller has a very powerful vocal style and this is just one of the few songs on the CD that showcases that talent.
3.) "War Gods" - This track opens with a Vinnie Moore type lead scale, followed by the rest of the band kicking the song in. The vocals are very progressive and after the first verse there is a huge lead scale. Cain's Alibi has excellent guitar players and this is evident through the solo. After the first minor solo there is a small bass break down before leading into the major solo.
4.) "Rise Up" - When this song kicks in it sounds a lot like some of Manson's material. The mixing of the verse and chorus where right on the mark and had a great sound. The solo section is real laid back much like the rest of the song.
5.) "Live by the Sword" - This track has a awesome acoustic intro. Even though Paul's vocals do not sound like Ozzy, the arrangement of music and lyrics are very Black Sabbath sounding. The solo has almost a modern Rhoades sound to it.
6.) "His Lullaby" -The intro to this one has a very Deep Purple sound to it. Paul pulls back to a very early Geof Tate, which really has a great sound. At times the vocals take a mystical sound. The solo has a Egyptian sound which has a nice effect for the track.
7.) "Powermad" -This track opens with a classic metal guitar pattern. The highlight of this track is the little lead riffs between the choruses.
8.) "The One" - This track kicks off with a very abstract bass line. When the guitar kicks the song in the song takes a Eighties progressive feel to it. The bass line within the track is unreal. I completely was not expecting the small acoustic guitar solo on this track. The main solo is electric and very melodic.
9.) "Millennium Drum" -The track opens with a very modern sounding twelve bar pattern. The pre-chorus is very late seventies punk sounding.

      I really enjoyed hearing the different influences of classic metal and progressive bands Cain's Alibi sound like. So If you are into modern progression with a classic metal edge than this Cd is for you.