SORCERESS OF SIN is a British formed in 2020 in Cambridge, England, U.K. Performing a mix of melodic and power metal tunes with elements of symphonic and hints hard rock/AOR, they forge a sound that is unique and familiar at the same time. "Constantine" is the band's sophomore effort. It was released independently on August 6, 2021.

The record starts with "Necropolis," a song about a city of the dead. The opening is epic. Ethereal keyboards and strings leading to a punchy guitar riff and some hard-hitting drums. Then there are the chanted vocals. This leads to a mid-tempo section that transitions to a faster paced area. These tempo changes are flawless and fluid. The vocals go more to a combination of gritty and shrieking. The layering of the high pitched over the main vocal line adds a lot of range to the song.

"Massacre Of Meridian" is a heavier song out of the gate. More dark lyrical themes tied into a frenetic rhythm that really add a good bit of tension, the song paints a picture. The guitar solo fills out the middle section gracefully. The slowed down bridge give a bit of respite, but the ending really kicks back up to finish strong.

Jumping down to "Until the Dawn," we get a slower intro that sets the mood. The intro leads to the spoken word with the simple drum/bass beat over some cool guitar tones. Then the main body of the song hits you in the face with a galloping guitar riff, leading to a full-on assault by the rest of the band. Again, the ability to shift and transition from one tempo to another is excellent.

We get another type of song in "Dimension IV." The slower intro is reminiscent of the JUDAS PRIEST classic, "Before the Dawn." The kick into a higher gear is a classic element, a building up for the chorus, only to drop back for the next verse. The ability to go back and forth through these tempos is pretty incredible.

"Erratica" and "Adira" are more examples of how to vary your sound. "Erratica" is fast-paced and takes us on a ride aboard the tune, using announcer-like spoken words to let you know the flight is about to take off. "Adira" is an almost sludgy rhythm with a chugging riff that oozes angst and attitude.

Wrapping up the record is the near 12 minute "Constantine." The title track is every bit as epic as you would expect from a long song by a band in the melodic, power metal realm. The intro sets the mood for a slow build that will waver through the entire song. Full of guitar solos and rhythms that can turn on a dime, this is the only way to end an epic metal album. This is the song that shows of everything the band has to offer. Great musicianship, skilled compositions and the ability to thematically tie the whole album together.

There are so many layers to these songs that it's hard to not like them. The sheer talent of the composing is displayed over and over. The instruments are played with tons of skill and even emotion. The vocals are powerful, even when quiet. The grit in the voice is a great sound for the music. Her ability to go clean, to belt, to whisper and to transition from any one of these to the others is a pleasure to hear.

This is a complete record. The drummer can set a tempo or leave the guitar in the dust with some powerful double-bass kicks. The bassist is always right where he needs to be. The orchestration any keyboard layering is excellent, really adding to the tone and feel of the songs. The guitarist is just off the chain. The solo work in "Constantine" ranks as some of the best in recent memory. This is a well-rounded band that should take the metal world by storm.