CONSTANCIA - review added 8th July 2009
Album Review: Lost And Gone (2009)
For fans of: Hard Rock... and great ballads
The Constancia project was started by keyboard player
Mikael Rosengren who had written a number of songs but had no outlet for them. With the help of guitarist Janne Stark, the band was formed and quickly expanded to include drummer Peter Svensson, Jaded Heart bassist Michael Mueller and the awesome vocals of David
Fremberg.
The sound is something of a revelation. Janne describes it as 'melogressive metal' and to be honest he's probably right. The bass, drumming, and some of the guitar riffs wouldn't be out of place in a death metal band, but there's a melodious edge to the record that's almost emotional at times. Match the two sides up and you get something as beautiful and savage as a snake in ballet gear.
The glue that binds the heaviness and beauty together is that masterly gob-monger David Fremberg. He really does have a bloody good voice with oodles of oomph and bagfuls of sweetness. His turns on the ballads are especially memorable.
'Fallen Hero' opens the album in bombastic style. It's isn't necessarily an exceptional track, but the clarity of sound and quality of playing are first class. 'Troublemaker' starts off in similar style although, by the chorus, it's pulled out a large lead over the previous song. The rhythms are groovy and thumping and the guitars are up there with birds of paradise for ear-tingling noise. it's a track full of controlled heaviness and pomp-wannabee flourishes and we love it.
'Blind' is a great track with a fluid amalgam of silky guitar riffs, brutally heavy bass and amazing vocals. The drumming isn't the worst either, especially the rhythmic double kicks toward the end. The way it weaves and dummies between raw power and mellow emotion sets it apart from 'normal' tracks. The chorus is simply huge. 'Little Big You' is a hard hitting ballad with soaring vocals and monstrous bass/lead guitar battles. It's like a beating heart covered in studs and missile batteries: it's poignant and alluring but as powerful as the Sun.
'The King Is Calling' is a nice enough track. It doesn't put a foot wrong throughout its stay but, equally, neither of its feet step in the cow pat of brilliance. 'Dying By Your Flames' is of a similar level, as is 'Save Me'. They are tracks you'll admire but never get excited over. Think of them as a pleasant way to pass the time until the next amazing track comes along and you'll be on the money - you could describe them as gilded fillers.
'No One Like You' is a touch better. The chorus is brighter and altogether more vivacious than the previous few songs although it still isn't as massive as it should have been. Fortunately, all is saved with the extraordinary 'Life Is A Mystery'. It's a rolling ballad with an understated build-up and utterly mesmerising chorus. It's one of the best tracks we've heard for ages and, whilst not by any means perfect, it's fabulously close.
'I Never Said Goodbye' is a speedy track with battle-spec drums and another top vocal performance. It isn't a massively catchy track in principal, but there's something strangely off-key and moorish about it. 'I Wish I Could Fly' sounds heinously boring when it kicks off but, by the end, it's surprisingly captivating. The album closes on the strangely titled 'www.lostandgone.com'. It's one of the better tracks and covers the ground between sad ballad and 80's rock masterpiece. It finishes the album on a high... even though the very end of the song is really, really odd.
Maybe with dozens of listens Lost And Gone could become a sneaky favourite. As we don't have time for that we'll have to base our judgment on a mere ten or so runs through. On balance this is a cool album with a couple of very good songs and no waste-of-time fillers. However, even though the performances are exceptional, especially David Fremberg's vocals, there are too many so-so songs to allow this release to reach for the stars. It's close, but Constancia's rocket boosters aren't quite powerful enough yet.
Check out... 'Life Is A Mystery'. Oh yeah.
Track List:
1. Fallen Hero
2. Troublemaker
3. Blind
4. Little Big You
5. The King Is Calling
6. Dying By Your Flames
7. Save Me
8. No One Like You
9. Life Is A Mystery
10. I Never Said Goodbye
11. I Wish I Could Fly
12. www.lostandgone.com
Label: Frontiers Records
Band websites: Constancia , MySpace
