A Pound of Flesh (1975)
Minnesota’s entry into the hard rock arena—melodic, muscular, and dipped in just enough mysticism to keep things interesting.
Cain’s A Pound of Flesh is one of those records that lurks on collector shelves, whispered about but rarely heard. But once it hits your ears, it’s clear: these guys weren’t amateurs. What you get is tight, professional American hard rock with soaring vocals, catchy hooks, and guitar work that walks the line between arena flash and barroom fire.
They don’t reinvent the wheel, but they don’t need to. This album is hooky, heady, and heavier than it gets credit for, with lyrics that nod toward biblical weight without turning into concept album bloat.
Track-by-Track Review
- Queen of the Night – 5/5
A killer opener—riffy, anthemic, and made for cranking loud. Power chords and pomp with just the right bite. - Katy – 4/5
More melodic and radio-friendly, but still rocks. A sweet tune with sneaky guitar chops. - South Side Queen – 4.5/5
Blues-based boogie with muscle. Feels like it came out of a beer-soaked rehearsal room in the best way. - Bad Side of Town – 4/5
A hard-driving groove and gritty vocals. Not the flashiest, but solid all the way through. - Born of the Wind – 4.5/5
Epic, mystical, and heavy. Hints of early Kansas with more dirt under the nails. - Heed the Call – 5/5
The centerpiece. Big, bold, and spiritually loaded without being preachy. Prog-tinged power rock done right.
Shining Star: “Heed the Call”
Heavy, melodic, and mission-driven. Cain delivers their most ambitious song with confidence and conviction.
Final Verdict: 8.5/10 – A hidden gem with arena ambition and garage grit.
Cain’s A Pound of Flesh may not have made waves in ’75, but in hindsight, it’s a rock-solid slab of American hard rock, packed with passion and players who knew their way around a stage.
If you like Deep Purple, early Styx, or Angel, and dig a little moral weight with your power chords—this is one worth digging up.