I'd seen ads for Kainos, so I wanted to check 'em out. At first glance, they look like they could be Evanescence-like. I almost bought their CD, then I read a review in Christianity Today. Their sound clips on-line, sounded a bit tinny, so I figured I'd better hear them better, rather than to buy on sight. Along came Crossover, and Kainos was a featured band. I heard 'em and added them to my collection.
On and off stage, the band members were real people --and treated us volunteer-workers as friends and co-workers. They get a good people-skills score! Kainos naturally draws comparisons with Evanescence due to the dark appearance of the band, and the female vocals which lead most of the time. I could play off that impression, or go another direction.
A lot of Kainos' music is hard and heavy, but the vocals are more emo than those of Evanescence. Their emo-alternative sound isn't nearly so overly abundant as punk-emo. (Thank you, Kainos!) In concert, Hannah's vocals reminded me, at times, of the heavy metal, Ordained Fate. She can yell and growl, and also sing crisp and clear, and can give an emoish slur and pout. I think if Ben, who's got a great heavy alternative voice, sang a bit more, Kainos might quit drawing comparisons with Evanescence.
If you want Evanescence, buy Evanescence. Kainos isn't trying to be Evanescence, as far as I can tell. They're their own band, and a worthy addition to the collection. [4]
If you've read much here at Christian Rock, you've likely heard me disavow a genuine like for rap. I still can't say, "I like rap," for the most part. Sometimes, however, a rapper comes across clear for me, and grabs my attention. I'd heard Lyrycyst do some solo stuff at Spirit FM's Storm Invasion, a couple years back. Storm Invasion is a Storm Radio night where youth groups get to hang out at the studio for the show. I wasn't impressed with the solo rap --sorry, Lyrycyst, but that's the way it was.
I got to hear Lyrycyst again at the Master's Touch Parking Lot Concert, but, I knew he was a rapper, so I allowed myself to get distracted. I wasn't ready to appreciate it yet. God put him in my path again at Crossover. This time, I actually listened. This guy's got some good stuff --and it's spiritually powerful, too!
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