The first of the Citizen Cain solo projects – The much anticipated debut solo album from the band’s main composer and keys player Stewart Bell, is a prog rock opera featuring five vocalists; Simone Rossetti, Arjen Anthony Lucassen, Bekah Mhairi Comrie, Phil Allen and Stewart himself. The story is based on his own experiences as a lifelong lucid dreamer and follows the adventures of a young boy as he masters the ability to control his dreams. (more info here) The album is available to order here (there are also promo videos linked from...
read moreThe band’s debut album draws heavily from their musical influences with classic prog bands such as Genesis, Rush and Marillion inspiring their early writing style. Recorded and released in 1992 by SI Music the album was well recieved by critics who, despite pointing out the obvious comparisons, praised the musicianship and song-writing. This first offering from the up and coming Scottish prog outfit gained them the reputation of being “the band that sounds more like Genesis than Genesis themselves” and was often referred to...
read moreA collection of songs from the band’s early period as a three-piece (’84 – ’87). The only member from the current line-up present here is frontman Cyrus accompanied by Gordon Feenie (drums/flute/keys) and Tim Taylor (guitar). Without prominent keys the music is more rhythmic than melodic yet is still easily recognisable as Citizen Cain. The band’s early sound was inspired by the more obscure prog greats such as Gentle Giant and PFM although the influences that also inspired the later line-ups of the band (Rush,...
read moreCitizen Cain’s second album saw their song-writing and musical style develop and mature while still retaining their trademark sound. Comparisons were once again made with classic prog acts, especially early Genesis. This was due to the heavy similarity between front man Cyrus’ vocal style to that of Peter Gabriel and the overall sound of the material which again drew heavily from the band member’s influences. A new guitarist, bass player and drummer helped shape this new style and critics welcomed this change in musical...
read moreThis third offering from the Scottish prog rock outfit saw front man Cyrus return to bass guitar. Now also taking a more prominent position in the writing process he and keys player Stewart Bell delve into new areas of musical exploration. Reduced to a two-piece line-up they alone provide all the musicianship on the album and this new writing partnership saw the band move away from their musical roots on a voyage to discover their own sound and style. Recorded in 1996, released by Cyclops Records in 1997 and now remastered and reissued by...
read moreCitizen Cain’s fourth album introduced new guitarist Phil Allen to the audience and with the addition of his unique playing style the band continued their musical exploration to find their own sound. The musical partnership of vocalist/ bassist Cyrus and keys/ drums player Stewart Bell continued and although Playing Dead marked a return to a more mellow and melodic approach in the writing it still retained the complexity and technical musicianship of their previous album. Released in 2002, on the band’s own label Pig In A Poke...
read moreAfter a long period of inacvtivity the band returns with Skies Darken, an album that many consider to be their finest work to date. Stewart Bell once again takes the reigns with the writing process while vocalist/ bassist Cyrus takes a back seat. Now with the added writing/playing experience gained over the years and the new tricks learned from working alongside Cyrus, Bell’s influences once again shine through. The result is the perfect mix of the early Citizen Cain sound, “Somewhere But Yesterday” era, combined with the...
read more
