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When I tell you that Finland is a country with many good bands and skilled musicians, I tell you nothing you don't know yet, but perhaps the band Constantine is a new name for you. Sure it was a new name for me and I have to say that it is a pleasant surprise. Taking into account that this is their first album, they did a perfect job and released one of the better 2011 debuts. Hearing the style progressive metal I immediately think about a band that tries to put as many as possible tempo changes and technical instrumental virtuosic stuff in an 8 minute long track. A lot of times bands forget to write decent songs and songs turn into loose sand. Constantine certainly is a progressive band, but they don't sound-a-like a Dream Theater clone in any way. The songs have a kind of NWOBHM base with a Fates Warning kind of twist and rags of Queensryche, but with a modern sound. The vocal performance of Lassi Vääränen has not yet the class of Bruce Dickinson, Jon Arch or Geoff Tate, but he sounds like a mix of the three. The guitar solos have similarities with Maiden and drummer Marko Möttönen shows that he is an excellent drummer. With very tight drumming and with a lot of variety, he gives every track something extra. The last song "The Darkest Age" is the most impressive one. A long epic track with beautiful melodies, guitar harmonies and a lot of variety. You can compare it to Iron Maiden's "Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner", or Mercyful Fate's "Satan's Fall", not because of the music, but more because of the atmosphere the song breaths. A perfect ending to an album that really impresses. If the band is able to continue or better yet, exceed their songwriting capacities on the next album, then a new hit is born. | ||||||||||||||||||
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