CONSTANTINE – Shredcore

If shredding is your thing, whether it’s listening to it or playing it, this new debut release by Constantine will make the hair on your arms stand. Don’t be dismayed or shy away because the word shred just so happens to be in the title. This debut release by Constantine is shredding at its finest. If you enjoy listening to good guitar then you will love this album. The sound from this production is absolutely fabulous in every sense of the word. It is Metal, of course, but if an actual label had to be placed on it then Melodic Guitar Shredding would sum it up best. While most shredders try to play as fast as lightening, hoping to catch the listener’s ears, Constantine’s approach is much simpler. He doesn’t try to break speed records with his shredding, although it may appear to sound that way at times. His playing is very much a controlled, tasteful, and almost effortless glide from one fret to the other. Listening to this release will be one of the musical highlights of your year to come.

Constantine, whose real name is Konstantinos Kotzamanis was born and raised in Athens, Greece. He began playing guitar at the age of 12. While some might say that this is a slightly late age to begin, it certainly doesn’t show in his playing abilities. Shredcore was produced by R.D. Liapakis (Mystic Prophecy, Firewind, Suicidal Angels). All guitars and bass are handled by Constantine, the drumming by Frank Huber (ex-Valley’s Eve) and keyboards by Bob Katsionis (Firewind). Before this debut release, Constantine had released two other albums: the first with the band Descending entitled Enter Annihilation in 2008, and the second with the band Mystic Prophecy entitled Fireangel in 2009.

The highlights of this 9-track wonder are three tunes in particular: “A Fine Day To Die,” “A Rose For Rejection,” and “A Tear In The Open”. “A Tear In The Open” is probably the most unique of the bunch. Constantine incorporates a Spanish/Flamenco overtone to the track that is ever so subtle, making it a real treasure to listen to. “A Fine Day To Die” has one of the most beautiful openings to it that you can imagine. It has such a soft and delicate ever-so-tasteful beginning that it almost doesn’t belong among this group of “shredfests.” The sound that Constantine creates with his guitar during “A Rose For Rejection” will have you begging for more. Another fine tune is “Rational Chaos” that even adds a touch of Satriani. “Jihad” and “The Blame Game” have some real nice double bass drumming … if drums are your thing.

Overall, you can’t go wrong in purchasing this CD — you’ll be glad you did after one full listen. If this isn’t a fluke, waiting for Constantine’s next project will be torture and an exercise in futility and patience at best.