CAB – Melodic Ministry

CAB (Christopher Augustino Botolon) is a solo artist Detriot, USA. CAB is basically an old school seasoned drummer/percussionist from Detroit, who’s been around including playing L.A. music scene 1982-1989, then returned home to Detroit in 1989. He’s been active in a few top metal bands there until 2021 and moved to Florida gulf coast where he resides now. Past few years CAB has picked up the guitar and keys again and put together a wide range of melodic hooks with interesting melodies and rhythms, into this 13-tracker new CD entitled Melodic Ministry.

Melodic Ministry has been released independently, so everything about this particular release screams D.I.Y. way, where CAB is responsible for song-writing, performing, producing and engeneering at his own place during 2023. Thus, having in mind that he’s the one that plays all the instruments, I find Melodic Ministry to be a very listenable, entertaining and pleasant to the ear, with smart and meaningful lyrics, numerous melodic and hamonized riffs, some strange guitar runs, catchy hooks, nice soloing and confident and powerful in its vocal delivery. His vocal style can be defined as a mix of harsh & high-pitched and some clean, tuneful harmonies. Lyrical content (all lyrics printed inside) on Melodic Ministry is rather fun, but sometimes also serious dealing with things that concern him personally.

Featuring keyboard arrangements, CAB showcases both his technical prowess and a keen sense of melody. Some of the tracks are moody and dark, while others are happy and fast. Meanwhile, what all 13 tracks have in common is this delicacy and melodic & heavy edge. In other words; there’s something for everyone, and I promise you’ll not be bored. My favorite song off the album is “She Ownes My Sould”, reminiscent of early Black Sabbath.

No gimmicks, no mask painting here, but if you like your music melodic with heavy edge tunes, then you should just put Melodic Ministry in your stereo and just chill for an hour. Esp. recommended for fans of old-school rock/metal in the style of Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, but also modern European symphonic bands like Within Temptation.

For more info on Melodic Ministry, and CAB’s work in general, visit https://cabmusic3.bandcamp.com/album/melodic-ministry