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Fronted by husband/wife duo Ben and Hannah Stacy, Kainos’ debut is a mixture of hard rock/metal and pop sensibilities, with female vocals immediately reminiscent of Gwen Stefani.  They’ve succeeded in mashing together a sound that’s fairly unique within the Christian music industry, and have written a set of songs centered about a Biblical “new creation” concept.  

Unfortunately, the band’s song writing feels undeveloped throughout the recording.  The record slams on the gas pedal with the promising “Selfish Me,” a mix of grungy rock with lingering vocal deliveries not too far from what you’d expect to hear from Evanescence frontgirl Amy Lee, sans the picture-perfect production and overt goth-poppiness.  “When You Come Back Down,” is possibly the most memorable song on Alive, bearing an opening acoustic melody line that builds in ominous tension until the duet-sung chorus slams it out of way, a possible blueprint for what Kainos is potentially capable of delivering.  But the excitement sadly drops off by track four and never quite picks up again, with melodies that lack solid hooks or impressive song craft.

The style is there, their heart is readily apparent, but they need to further hone their song writing to properly capture the exciting and compelling sound they are attempting to achieve.  Alive may not quite be the impressive debut you’d hope for from a new and moderately unique Christian rock act, but potential is undoubtedly here.  

Jonathan Avants 9/23/05