Sorceress of Sin - Constantine

 

Band: Sorceress of Sin

Album: Constantine

Release date: 6. August 2021

Record label: self released

Genre: melodic power metal

From: Cambridge, UK 

 

 

 

I have followed Lisa and Paul Skinner since before they started the band Sorceress of Sin. This is now their 2^nd album under this name, and I’m happy to review their progress. (You can find my review of their first album here)

The core of the band is the same since the previous album, namely Lisa Skinner on vocals, Paul Skinner on drums, Constantine Kanakis on guitars and Tom Maclean on bass (in studio), keyboards and orchestral arrangements as well as being responsible for mixing and producing this album. For their live shows they are joined by John Turner on guitar and Daniel Mackender on bass guitar.

 

The songs vary from fast paced heavy metal to epic metal, often with a symphonic side. At 1 hour 1 minute, with 9 songs, it is exactly long enough. No songs are filler tracks, and the epic last song is just what is needed to finish the album.

 

The first and last song on the album include an intro and an outro for the whole album. I’m happy that rather than make it stand alone intro and outro tracks, they are part of the songs and work well as parts of those songs rather than being afterthoughts for the album.

 

The band sounds more mature just a year after their last album “Mirrored Revenge”.  Compared with their previous offering, the songs are longer, and while not necessarily more complicated, they seem to have a more thought out arrangement.

Lisa Skinners vocals are even more powerful, and the production is clearer, with more space for each instrument.

 

When listening to the vocals and vocal arrangements, it’s clear that Lisa has some classic and operatic training, with a great range. However, rather than going into the trap of doing operatic vocals for the whole songs, the focus of the vocals is more traditional heavy metal style vocals delivered with great emotion.

I’m also impressed with how extreme she can make the vocals, giving a sharper edge making one think of Rob Halfords screams and the vocal delivery of Leather Leone.

 

While the centre of the songs is the powerful vocals, the arrangements makes it clear that the rest of the band isn’t just a backing band: with each instrument, including the bass guitar and drums, adding their parts to embellish the songs, often doing a little unexpected extra that sets this band apart in the heavy metal crowd.

 

It’s clear that the guitar player Constantine Kanakis draws inspiration from many great guitar players. His leads are technical and melodic, and I like that there often are lead parts together with the vocals.

Being a guitar player myself, I’m very happy with the guitar sound both on lead and rhythm tracks on this album. The use of effects is modest but placed just right to enhance rather than distract from the main themes of the songs.

 

I’m happy to find the bass guitar being placed prominently in the mix rather than hidden away. The bass sometimes takes more space, giving some riffs or melodies, but is mostly focused on the drive of the songs.

 

The drums almost constant double bass drums and the prominent use of the china cymbal seems to be a signature of Paul Skinner. He makes good use of rhythmic patterns to keep the songs exiting without deviating from the flowing main theme and it’s clear that the songs were written for live drums rather than using drums only as a timekeeper.

 

The bands sound is further build up by Tom Macleans synth and orchestral arrangements. They add an extra dimension, changing up parts that otherwise might feel to drawn out, as well as giving a more epic atmosphere.

 

Special mention has to be made of the last song on the album. At almost 12 minutes, “Constantine” is a true epic making one think of Rhapsody and Epica.

This song even made space for a bass lead melody as well as extensive keyboard arrangements.

 

To sum up, this album should be checked out by any fan of power metal, heavy metal or powerful vocals.
I’ve ordered the album, and you should as well at the bands bandcamp: https://sorceressofsin.bandcamp.com/album/constantine
You can also follow the band on social media: https://www.facebook.com/Sorceressofsin/