CONSTANTINE - review added 17th August 2010
Live Album Review: Shredcore (Instrumental) (2010)
For fans of: Prog Metal... and that bloke from Mystic Prophecy
Guitarist Constantine, aka Konstantinos Kotzamanis, was last featured on these pages with the 2009 Mystic Prophecy release "Fireangel". We were a big fan of the album, so it's good to see the man bringing his fret-skills to the fore with a wholly instrumental release. We have high expectations for this.
"Shredcore" (which sums up the style of the album with aplomb) was recorded at Prophecy & Music Factory Studios. It was produced by Constantine and his Mystic Prophecy bandmate R.D Liapakis, and features drumming from Frank Huber (ex-Valley's Eve) and keyboard work by man-in-demand Bob Katsionis (Firewind).
This is one of the finest metal instrumental releases I've heard in a long while. Most instrumental releases sound way too clever for their own good and are too anal to be that enjoyable. Shredcore is clearly built first and foremost for listening pleasure. Yes, Constantine is an amazingly gifted guy, but the real clever part here is that you barely notice the fact the vocals are missing.
The sound is a mixture of thunderously heavy riffs and big chugging hooks, with tons of neoclassical wanderings laid over the top. Shredcore is intricately but accessibly progressive throughout too. The result really is stunning, and there's not a lot else I can add to that.
If you like heavy progressive instrumental metal albums, buy this. If you simply like heavy progressive metal, buy this anyway. It really is that good. This truly is an album where the music does all the talking.
Check out... All of it.
Track List:
01. 2 Fast 2 Furious
02. Distracted
03. Rational Chaos
04. Jihad
05. A Fine Day To Die
06. The Blame Game
07. A Rose For Rejection
08. A Tear In The Open
09. Playing With Fire
Label: 7Hard
Artist's website(s): MySpace
