KAISAS (ft. Tony Mills) – Unify (2011-12)
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“Unify” is the bebut release from KAISAS, a band that takes it’s name from founding member Greek guitarist and basist Babis Kaisas, former member of Zandem, a project featuring ex- Shy drummer Alan Kelly.
This is an international project, as renowned UK vocalist Tony Mills (Shy, TNT, Siam) and Brazilian drummer Acacio Carvalho (Dark Avenger, Single Bullet Theory, Quester) complete the line-up.
“Unify” was released through a small UK label in 2011, but now has been pushed by Bertus distribution for a major worldwide reach.
Although production was handled by Babis Kaisas, post production activities have been undertaken by the redoubtable Sheena Sear (Magnum) at M2 studios in England, so you know that it is going to have a big sound – and it does.
Considering that Babis’ previous band Zandem was already in the commercial side of the hard rock genre, and knowing the musical avenues usually traveled by Tony Mills, I think no one will be surprised to find Kaisas going in that same direction.
Kaisas plays Melodic Hard Rock with some US ’80s metal influences, in a sound and style that evokes TNT, Alice Cooper (the ‘Kane Roberts’ era), MacAlpine (Eyes Of The World), Dokken, and of course, Shy.
In fact, most the songs seems to be written for the showcasing of Tony Mill’s vocals abilities, and Babis Kaisas works as orchestrator, adding an occasional guitar solo.
There’s some really good songs of offer here, as the melodic hard rock bliss of “Chemistry” where Mills steals the show, sporting one of the strongest choruses on the CD.
Strangely, the album opens with the midtempo, semi-ballad “Sins Of Mankind”, an interesting song with an Euro feel ala Place Vendome.
“Mystery Man” is a dynamic melodic hard rocker with cool harmony vocals, followed by the Americanized “Innocent Cry”, filled with good lyrics about the horrors of war.
“Somewhere Someplace” is one of the highlights, delivering a powerful ’80s-like refrain resembling early Queensryche, again with Mills singing his heart out.
The balladesque moment arrives with “All Unite”, but immediately the tempo rise-up with the hard rocker, riff-based “The Whole Picture”.
In the digital version (surprisingly not present on the CD) we have a cover of Dokken’s classic “In My Dreams”, very well done and arranged with a rocking performance by Tony Mills, altough strangely Babis’ solo is rather weak.
Not all are roses on this release. I don’t understand the inclusion of the Christmas ditty “Jingle Bells”, with Tony crooning his way through a call and response (slightly re-arranged and rewritten) version of a song that is just way too jolly for it’s own good. The other track that does not work for me is “That’s Me”, a rocker apparently mainly sung by Babis’ itself in an Alice Cooper-way.
“Unify” is an effective Melodic Hard Rock recording with both American and Euro influences is style & sound.
The songs are interesting and well crafted, with the inclussion of some effects and cool spoken intros / outros. Babis Kaisas is a good player, but as said, acts for the most part as orchestrator, leaving room for Tony Mill’s oustanding vocals, he really shines as usual on the leads and the harmonic backings as well.
Really well produced, “Unify” is a good ’80s-inspired recording that deserves to be listened by any MHR fan, specially Tony Mills / Shy aficionados.
You’ve seen it first here, at zerodayrockz
01 – Sins Of Mankind
02 – Chemistry
03 – Surrender
04 – Mystery Man
05 – Innocent Cry
06 – Jingle Bells
07 – Somewhere Someplace
08 – All Unite
09 – The Whole Picture
10 – Take Away Your Pain
11 – That’s Me
12 – Rock You
13 – In My Dreams [Dokken cover] (Bonus Track)
Tony Mills – Vocals
Babis Kaisas – Guitars, Bass
Acacio Carvalho – Drums
BUY IT !
www.amazon.com/Unify/dp/B005T78KXI
