Anyone who has read most of my reviews may know that I have
more than a soft spot for a female vocalist, from Benatar to Wilson and quite a
few in between. At the recent HRH AOR festival at Hafan Y Mor, Nr Pwllheli,
Kane’d were one such band with a female singer or so I thought…. On closer
inspection, make that three female singers, and in this instance all of them
sisters.
At first I thought I was watching Earth Wind & Fire or Haggard
or (insert band with 6+ members here_____). I was immediately taken with their
sound as there was apparently nothing sonically that could be covered. I’m not
usually in favour of reviewing albums that are already available as no-one
really wants to read them, but I wanted to push this a little, even if just a
handful of people go out of their way and seek them out. I’m that kind of guy.
Whilst they are not exactly AOR, Kane’d are more like
melodic metal to be honest. Seeing as I’m concerned about where the headliners
of the future are coming from, new and young bands need all the help they can
get.
Kane’d hail all the way from Swansea, but don’t hold that
against them. Whilst hot previously a hotbed of metal talent, Kane’d are about
to lead the way, and based on ‘RISE’ I think they could definitely put Welsh
metal back on the map especially after that singer that will never be talked
about here…..
They are fronted by three sisters, Chez, Stacey and Steph.
Back this up with Harry Scott Elliott (Guitar), Alex Rees (Bass), George
Elliott (Drums).

I defy anyone to listen to ‘La Di Da’ and not want to
undertake a ‘Men In Black mind wipe’ after two days of hearing it. Sounds negative? Wrong! ‘La Di Da’ is one of
the most infectious songs I’ve ever heard. I found it completely embedded after
2 listens (it was pretty much settled in after one listen), but even a week
down the line, I still find it coming back to me at regular intervals. It’s
more of a heavy pop song, until Harry kicks in with a killer solo. It’s
fantastic stuff.
‘Covered In Roses’ is another Kane’d anthem that has yet
another killer chorus, and proves that whatever our Scandinavian counterparts
can do, Kane’d can match them for bombastic effect. It’s as if Lizzy Hale,
Kimberly Williams, and Kelly Clarkson got together for a secret tryst and Kane’d
was the outcome. ‘Guilty Of Nothing’ proves to be yet another rousing anthem in
the Kane’d songbook. ‘Love Her Madly’s’ dirty riff falls more in the genre of
someone like Opeth or Dream Theater, but then is reigned back to a more melodic
vibe, but with the girls taking control of the outcome. ‘Frozen’ is the kind of
track that could easily be a hit on the radio. If it were the US market then,
they would be slavering over a band like
this. The final song, and title track ‘Rise’ shows a little more of their
gentler and vulnerable side, but is still beautifully constructed.
‘Rise’ is both short and sweet, weighing in at an un-hefty
36minutes. You don’t need albums lasting 75 minutes when you can make a hard
hitting point in half the time and that’s what Kane’d have done here. Whilst its not the first Van Halen album, Kane’d
have an album that is a great listen, and shows exciting promise for the future.
Kane’d went down a storm at HRH AOR. Whilst I agree that
they are not AOR, they are still one hell of a band worth anyone’s admission
money. When you mix the Kane sisters vocal talent with the guitar playing of
Harry Scott Elliott, then it makes for a great band in the making. Support
British music other than the shite on BGT and The Voice, you know it makes
sense!
Score - 8/10
Kane’d are….
Stacy Kane (Vocals)
Chez Kane (Vocals)
Stephanie Kane (Vocals)
Harry Scott Elliott (Guitar)
Alex Rees (Bass)
George Elliott (Drums)
Tracklisting –
Hero
La Di Da
Covered In Roses
Guilty Of Nothing
Wasted
Love Her Madly
Watch Me
Frozen
3-2-1
Rise
Buy a copy of the new album here - http://kaned.co.uk/?product=rise-cd
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