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Alright Bro, I've finally gotten to the point where I think I can safely write a review for you.
First off, let me just say, you are such a phenomenally gifted guitarist, this CD is great, If it was released in the 80's I think you would be a in house Varney name. You have a great great great sense of melody, chord progressions, chord voicing, and counter-point idea's. I guess this isn't really a review as much as a motivational write-up. I guess I'll skip the ass kissing and jump straight to the bullshit!
With all that being said, I think you under utilize your abilities! When I listened to this I was blown away by how great of a guitarist you are, and there are some really beautiful moments on this album that I would rank up with some of the Cacophony material (Besides their shreddy shit, they had great melodies!).
A word of advice, your slow phrasing is great, but sometimes when you jump into world domination mode (the super fast noodling). While yes, I do love it, I think for how great you are at capturing melody and phrasing, you need to think about the wanky stuff more and make it blend better. End on a strong strong note that makes you want to scream, make it more rhythmic, or throw in some odd groupings -- it will stand out more.
It sounds like you're utilizing the neck pickup a lot, and for some of the songs, the shred is so aggressive and in your face, the smoothness of the neck pickup kind of contradicts that feeling. Though, that is opinion based, but if you listen to old Yngwie, he used the neck pickup a lot, but it didn't sound warbley, it had a lot of attack and aggression in it.
I believe somebody already mentioned that the songs seem repetitive as how they are structured. I partially agree and disagree. Like I mentioned earlier, this album has a TON of great moments, and I think having sections that are a little less verse-chorus-solo esque will make your playing even better. Go outside the box, let the song build up till it just nuts in the listeners face!
Or hell, make it super poppy - A good example is Greg Howe's - Kick It All Over. It's totally structured like a pop song, but hey, it's different and still rad.
I can totally hear all your influences, and while I do love hearing the Bouillet and Lynch in Tempted by Fire, and the MacAlpine in Brief Encounter -- I think you're so beyond that, and I want to hear your style more.
Overall, I think this album is great. I don't enjoy much instrumental music anymore because it has gotten boring and repetitive to me. This made me pick up my guitar and throw on Second Heat and Perpetual Burn and just start jamming away. If this review came off harsh, It's not my intention at all. It took me a really long time to think of anything that I could complain about.
Keep playing, keep writing, keep shredding, and I guarantee by the time your next album comes out it will just be out of this planet like 'Powers of Ten' or 'Rising Force'.
And Yes... A more advanced Tony MacAlpine!
First off, let me just say, you are such a phenomenally gifted guitarist, this CD is great, If it was released in the 80's I think you would be a in house Varney name. You have a great great great sense of melody, chord progressions, chord voicing, and counter-point idea's. I guess this isn't really a review as much as a motivational write-up. I guess I'll skip the ass kissing and jump straight to the bullshit!
With all that being said, I think you under utilize your abilities! When I listened to this I was blown away by how great of a guitarist you are, and there are some really beautiful moments on this album that I would rank up with some of the Cacophony material (Besides their shreddy shit, they had great melodies!).
A word of advice, your slow phrasing is great, but sometimes when you jump into world domination mode (the super fast noodling). While yes, I do love it, I think for how great you are at capturing melody and phrasing, you need to think about the wanky stuff more and make it blend better. End on a strong strong note that makes you want to scream, make it more rhythmic, or throw in some odd groupings -- it will stand out more.
It sounds like you're utilizing the neck pickup a lot, and for some of the songs, the shred is so aggressive and in your face, the smoothness of the neck pickup kind of contradicts that feeling. Though, that is opinion based, but if you listen to old Yngwie, he used the neck pickup a lot, but it didn't sound warbley, it had a lot of attack and aggression in it.
I believe somebody already mentioned that the songs seem repetitive as how they are structured. I partially agree and disagree. Like I mentioned earlier, this album has a TON of great moments, and I think having sections that are a little less verse-chorus-solo esque will make your playing even better. Go outside the box, let the song build up till it just nuts in the listeners face!
Or hell, make it super poppy - A good example is Greg Howe's - Kick It All Over. It's totally structured like a pop song, but hey, it's different and still rad. I can totally hear all your influences, and while I do love hearing the Bouillet and Lynch in Tempted by Fire, and the MacAlpine in Brief Encounter -- I think you're so beyond that, and I want to hear your style more.
Overall, I think this album is great. I don't enjoy much instrumental music anymore because it has gotten boring and repetitive to me. This made me pick up my guitar and throw on Second Heat and Perpetual Burn and just start jamming away. If this review came off harsh, It's not my intention at all. It took me a really long time to think of anything that I could complain about.
Keep playing, keep writing, keep shredding, and I guarantee by the time your next album comes out it will just be out of this planet like 'Powers of Ten' or 'Rising Force'.
And Yes... A more advanced Tony MacAlpine!
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