Exist by Freedom Cage.

Having not heard of this band before, I was intrigued to hear them particularly because first and foremost, they are an original band and write their own stuff. The album is called Exist. It was recorded at Ranscombe Studios in Rochester and admirably it only took 4 days to record because most of the tracks were done on the first take. Exist was launched in ctober !"#$. The %& package is nicely produced with a picture of the band and a track list on the rear of the cover and more pictures of the band inside the sleeve. Freedom Cage are a si'(piece rock)fusion band that originates from *aidstone in +ent. ,ormed almost two years ago after many years of friendship, the band is headed by %raig -enham ( vocalist and songwriter. %raig also wrote all the tracks on this album. &an %rosby is lead and rhythm guitar, .hil &enyer on rhythm guitar, /rian 0asson bass, %hris -ilson playing keyboards and /rett %leall on drums. The band describe themselves as being a mi' of rock)alternative and blues. Their influences are also a blend of musical tastes that have a wide range from The &oors, Hendri', 1!, 2ames /rown and 3ed 4eppelin to The 5dge, 0uns 6 Roses and The manic Street .reachers. Sometimes when not singing their own stuff, Freedom Cage do covers such as T(Re', The -ho and bad %ompany so they provide plenty of variety. The first of the #7 tracks on the album is called Grow. /eginning with an almost haunting start, this powerful and energetic song is about love, lust and the confusion in between. I loved the lyrics including 8you can watch me bleed 9ust twist the blade.: Its erotic, passionate and it has a wicked guitar and drum instrumental. To my mind, a pretty damn hot song; Track ! is called The Highwayman. I understand that %raig wrote this after an e'perience of past life regression. In my opinion the song has a seventies rock sound to it. Towards the end of the song there is a lovely piece of instrumental that builds in pace and 9ust as you think the song is drawing to a close, %raig on vocals hits you with another verse ( very original. Victoria is the name of track $. This song fools you into thinking that it:s a ballad. ne moment it:s steady and light but the ne't minute it romps up to being <uite a heavy number. It has a beautiful instrumental during the song that:s very powerful and gets to the core of the listener. Track 4 is called No Denying. 0ood drum beat at the intro. It:s a fast, upbeat, lively song that has more of a funk( based theme to its predecessors. To me the song has almost a hint of a 0reen &ay flavour about it. Really en9oyed this track.

The Purification is the name of track 7. 0reat song. I love the lyrics, 8I:m still searching I wont be taken in, no serene interim. This is the purification.: It:s got lots going on in this song with a great beat that builds and builds and you 9ust can:t help but 9oin in; Track = is called She Has Sou . It starts off with the sound of a beautiful guitar and %raig:s voice that sounds emotional, deep and romantic. True( this is a love song and the lyrics would melt even the hardest of hearts; I:m sure many people could relate to this song. -ith an ama>ing title, First !ast chance" it:s ne't up. ,abulous drum intro followed with guitars. I loved this song before I even heard the first line. To me the song has more of a modern rock feel to it. ?gain, I loved the passion and the lyrics in this song(8Sweet sin you let me in but I can:t walk away.: -icked instrumental and they really thrashed it towards the end of the song; /rilliant. The track called !ifted !o#e follows with its @":s rock sound. -ith lyrics such as, 8late at night I still dream and were are all together like yesterday, it seems its all so precious co> it goes so fast in the ne't life, we:ll make it last.: ?n up( tempo song with a catchy beat. Tenerife Track A( what a song; -onderful keyboard intro followed by lovely guitar. Bery powerful, moving sound and lyrics. I could imagine this song being the theme track to a movie. ,or me there were also .ink ,loyd moments to this song. %ertain that ,loyd fans would be hooked; 6e't track is called Craw . ?gain, a wicked intro. This song has an addictive beat and is evocative with lyrics such as 8touch yourself and say my name, come on girl play the game.: Rocking song that the listener 9ust can:t get enough of it; Track ## is called !ost $ith Ho%e. 0od I love this song. I would describe it as a passionate rock number( awesome. The guitars talk to you and they build up to what I can only describe as a crescendo of electric stringed heaven; It:s one of my many favourites on the album. Permanent is Freedom Cage&s the ne't track. -ithout meaning to sound repetitive, an almost haunting intro to the song with keyboards and drums that was soon backed up with guitars and -enham:s vocals that delivered deep, thought provoking lyrics. Bery satisfying;

0et ready for this one, History 'f $ords. It revs up almost instantly to an up beat tune that identifies with the passing of the writer:s ,ather. *0 its ama>ing because but 9ust as you think its about to make you cry, the song builds with it:s words and strength and it lifts the listener. It contains very deep and thought out lyrics. I love it; ,ollowed by Surface. This is my ultimate favourite song on the album. Simply stunning( it:s something else; I waited with baited breath at the intro, not knowing what Freedom Cage was going to deliver but I knew that it was going to blow me away in its first few seconds. It:s very deep and moving. He who doesn:t get this song doesn:t have a soul; ,or me, it also had every element to the perfect rock song and at the end the guitars sounded as though they were crying. 3ast but by no means the least, is the final track called (e )nd (y Friends. Straight away this song grabbed me. ? proper summer rock fest tune( it would have everyone else rocking too. *oody, deep and passionate are the words for me that basically sum up this beautifully composed classic rock song. 1ntil the listener gets to know the album, he really doesn:t know what he:s going to get ne't; Exist by Freedom Cage really keeps you on your toes with an ama>ing variety of original, refreshing rock songs. If I have to be critical which isn:t easy, the only thing I would say is that %raig does not need to americanise his voice in some of the songs because it:s perfect 9ust the way it is; I will finish by sticking my neck out and saying that these very talented and passionate musicians will give any band a run for their money. I also believe they have a very bright future. 0o on, check them out and see them soon. Cou wont be disappointed;;

Su*ie Todd Cantor Elite Music Promotion & Artist Management www.cantorelite.weebly.com