Fuck yes, Jeff Loomis!

[horns666]

You go Nick!!!

Fuck, I'm not even gonna bother..but alot of his riffs are giving me some ideas of my own. That's exactly what I love about Jeff Loomis. No other guitarist has done THAT since Eddie Van Halen..ummm Iommi and Frank Marino ..not even Yngwie..well..I can't play like Yngwie..so fuggums.

I LOVE his writing..it speaks to me..fuck that..it sceams to me!!! Jeff Loomis is the best metal guitarist IMO..hands down!!

[kmanick]

I've been listening to this CD pretty much non stop since I got it and I
am getting into it more and more as I go along.
Minute 4:00 to 5:00 of "Devil Theory" is one of the best one minute spots of the whole CD.
M*ther F*ucker this guy can play

"Sacristy" - Nice Jeff throws in some Lydian phrasing that sounds just great.
I've been working on "Shouting Fire at a Funeral" and "Miles of Machines".

ya gonna need some serious tablature to figure this shit out. It's
like a zillion freaking notes in each song at a hundred miles per hour

[horns666]

I have been busy @ home..including listening to a bunch of new music..with this one in constant rotation.

Bibz..yeah man, I was pretty floored when I heard that. I was making Iced Tea and the music was just playing in the background..kinda like a white noise. Then that riff came and smacked me in the face. That riff is not like "smoke on the water"..to hear anything close to it coming from Jeff fuggin' kills me..in a good way!!

Stve and Nick..I think being a download may have something to do how it sounds. I don't think its that bad, but one of my stereos is pretty revealing for some reason. John downloaded COB's AYDY before it came out and that sounded kinda funky, compared to the actual release. Regardless, I didn't get into that album anywhoo.

I think "Zero Order Phase" is right up there with the best 80's instrumental classics. I can hear some influences here and there..but everything sound like Jeff and connects me to parts of early NM, Fear Tech, Rohrschach Test, Pmaela Moore's (Ryche's sister Mary) and his early dempo stuff when he was a kid. Like any good player puts his stamp on it.

With this release along with Warrel's solo, The upcoming DVD, and a new NM album/tour..I predict something big for Jeff/NM. I could see them going on tour with Megadeth. I could see Loomis having guest spots or co-writing new Megadeth material that'll smoke anything they've done..only Jeff could make that happen. I like Chris Broderick, great player.. but he hasn't been around like Jeff and hasn't written anything really amazing. I remeber talking to Harry Conklin of Jag Panzer when he just joined the band. Harry was super bummed when they lost Joey Tafolla, and Chris was still kinda "green"...he's come along way in 10 years. He can learn just about anything and duplicate it spot on. Ironically the only song from Jag Panzer w/Chris I thought was cool is the first song on "Casting the stone"..and it sounds just like Nevermore. I wonder if Joey Tafolla will be joining JP again or if Chris B will do both bands like Glen did with Eidolon. We shall see. Maybe RD knows this ..he's good friends with JP's drummer.

Dave was considering Jeff before Marty got that gig...but Jeff looked "too young" at that time. I wonder why Jeff never joined Megadeth afterwards. Is it his loyaty to Nevermore, because of contracts..or maybe it would be too demanding. I'm just glad to have Nevermore, and I hope they're here for a long long time!

[bibz]

I love hearing my ideas in songs. SYL actually uses the same sample I had used in '99 or so in their last album! Oh and we also knocked off the 'angels to some, demons to others' from hellraiser, so when Dimmu used it I laughed

Heil Loomis!

[khabibissell]

So far so good. This is definitely worth picking up when it become available (yes, I WILL be paying for it ). Lots of shredding of course, but three tunes I've heard so far are interesting and don't come across as a half assed four minute backing track with shredding on top of it... I was afraid of that. The acoustic piece that closes the record is nice with some haunting melodies in there. Jeff is a very talented player for sure.

Bill, I can also hear a riff similar to Father Felon in Race Against Disaster that ties the middle section with the rest of the theme. That's pretty cool!

[khabibissell]

Okay, just downloaded the album. Shouting fire at a Funeral sounds good so far. Man... I need to do more writing on the 7 string!

[kmanick]

I've been listening to this pretty much non stop since I got it (that and "Perpetual Burn" to see what all of these comparisons are all about, which I don't really agree with that strongly anymore, now that I've given this more listening time and I've been listening to Becker). Ya he's an influence on him for sure, but isn't that a good thing?

I've got to say , I think Jeff did some woodshedding before he recorded this, because he is really smoking on this CD. He sounds much smoother and faster than he does on most of the Nevermore stuff.
(either that or he's really taken to his new Schecter sig)
One thing that is bothering me is the mix. I know this is a promo release so I'm hoping they adjust the mix a little bit for the final release. In a lot of places the rhythm guitar is "boomy" and it takes away from what Jeff is doing over it.

[horns666]

Listened to it a final time. Then deleted it. Boring, uninspired tripe, IMO.

Hey, GOR..go beat up some old ladies or sumthin' ...dammit.

Listen up guys..I haven't listened to the whole thing yet. I'm actually giving each song about 10 runs or so to absorb them. There is alot to soak in. I got punched in the fuggin' balls when I heard MY main riff to "Father Felon" kick in on track #6 @ 2:06!!!

The very riff I bitched about when a local hack copped it..yeah, that's the one. I'm more than thrilled that I created a riff along the EXACT lines as the master!!! I'm not of his calibre by no stretch..no fuggin' way..but its exciting to know we speak the same language. Yes I did give him my gay demo..maybe he actually listened to it. Glen Drover did the same thing..

I'm not into song titles..they don't mean shit when it comes to instrumentals. Its all about the music.

As far as Jeff's sig..I heard it the second the CD started. It doesn't sound like anyone but Jeff IMO! Everything on this CD can be connected to his prior work. As soon as the first song started I was immediately remindied of "CBF" from NM's first s/t cd. In fact I can actually hear Warrel singing in much of what I've heard so far. I never thought of Marty, Becker, or anyone but Jeff while listening to this, I never gave them a single thought! Other than "genre" of guitar oriented music I hear no other musical connection. Its ALL Jeff Loomis to me, except for trk # 6 @ 2:06 (that's me!) . Nothing more than comparing Tony Mac to Greg Howe to Ritchie Kotzen to Vinnie Moore and so on..they all have their own sig! But I've been worshipping Jeff since early '96..just as I did with Ed...until early '96!

My thoughts on his direction and style. That's his fuggin' style. It works for him. He's a METAL guitarist..the best in the biz IMO. Nothing but great things are in the future him. Its been a LONG time coming..mark my words! Actually, I'm quite surprised how dynamic and diverse this cd is, including nice acoustic stuff and one bad ass bass spot..!?

I'm not qualified to give track by track comments yet..but I'm loving what I'm hearing!!

[GodOfRhythm]

Listened to it a final time. Then deleted it. Boring, uninspired tripe, IMO.

[bibz]

After the first song I knew this wasn't going to be for everybody, but if you were into it a little it'd blow you away. And I totally agree nick, he really does need to explore more diversity in his soloing, which I think this and more solo work will allow him to do. Hopefully he gets enough revenue to continue these pursuits, because that'll help us all with his technical brilliance! Housed, clothed, fed, shred. Sucks its in that order

[Jacksons Shred]

Well Nick..thank you for..well..all of that. We are on the same page!

I GOT IT!!! I burned it...My Broham Clevo-John walked me thru the mudderfugger. I did not listen to it yet. I'm going to do a cleansing ritual before I aborb the the unholy notes!!

I said it for years and I'll say it some again. Jeff Loomis is the best METAL guiitarist to date..IMO! He's certainly my main fave and inspiration..blessed be Da Loomis!

No. it not what he plays..its how he plays it. I don't give a fuck about modes, arps, sweeps, and pings..that's icing on the fuggin' cake. Jeff bakes one hell of a cake..that's what alot of players don't do...no cake..just icing..lots and lots of icing (Rusty Cooley ).

Amen.

[Soap]

..its how he plays it. I don't give a fuck about modes, arps, sweeps, and pings..that's icing on the fuggin' cake. Jeff bakes one hell of a cake..that's what alot of players don't do...no cake..just icing..lots and lots of icing (Rusty Cooley ).

Well said.
You should like it Bill.
I don't/didn't know anything by him except the years ago very limited Nevermore tunes I heard, as I mentioned earlier, the singer ruined it for me.

When I listened to Zero Order Phase I had no idea what to expect, having a virgin oriented mind set is all I had going into it.
I'm pretty opened minded about listening to new players and being a player I know what to listen for.
The stuff on this CD blew me away, very soulful and I connected.

[horns666]

Well Nick..thank you for..well..all of that. We are on the same page!

I GOT IT!!! I burned it...My Broham Clevo-John walked me thru the mudderfugger. I did not listen to it yet. I'm going to do a cleansing ritual before I aborb the the unholy notes!!

I said it for years and I'll say it some again. Jeff Loomis is the best METAL guiitarist to date..IMO! He's certainly my main fave and inspiration..blessed be Da Loomis!

No. it not what he plays..its how he plays it. I don't give a fuck about modes, arps, sweeps, and pings..that's icing on the fuggin' cake. Jeff bakes one hell of a cake..that's what alot of players don't do...no cake..just icing..lots and lots of icing (Rusty Cooley ).

[kmanick]

I think his lead tone, bending, and vibrato sound almost exactly like Jason's. Sure the note choices are similar as well, but not to the same extent.

that's funny you picked up on that, I also noticed that his lead tone is very similar to what Becker used.
Not anything like his lead tone when he plays with Nevermore.

[kmanick]

I really respect your opinion, especially since I know you can actually play that crazy shit.

Having said that, let look at some guys who fall into the Yngwie disciple category:

Jason Becker
Marty Friedman
Tony MacAlpine
Vinnie Moore
James Byrd
George Bellas
Paul Gilbert (on occasion)

All of 'em put a unique stamp on Yngwie's rip off of Uli Jon Roth.

To my ears, this Loomis album doesn't do that. I think it's self evident which two guys on that list he writes and plays like.

good point, but if you went back to Vinnie Moores first solo Cd he got hammered with Yngwie comaprisons when that first came out.
(BTW I love Vinnie so this is by no means any slam on him, he's one of my Fav's)

Becker, well Becker IMO is a one of a kind player so he didn't get nailed with the comparisons. He did take it in his own direction.

Tony McAlpine , Thank you Thank you, Thank you for bringing his name up.
He is the guy I tell people to listen to that has really given his own unique
phrasing and sound to the NeoC shred scene. (currently into him big time)

I can't stand Geoge Bellas so I won't comment on him.

Paul Gilbert? really I don't think he plays this style at all.
He's another one of my favorites, I'd group him more with the Frank Marino's etc. Racer X did do some Cacophy style tunes (Scarified etc)
but his solo stuff is much more blues and pentatonic based than what Loomis is doing here. but you're right he's not cloning anyone , he is his own player.

I don't know who James Byrd is so I can't say anything in regards to him either.

Having said all of that I completely agree with you, he could've put more of an original stamp on this stuff, but I also agree with Bill, I can recognize Loomis's playing right away, he does have his own thing going on, now he needs to cultivate it and grow it into something completely his own (which I completely think he can and will do over time)
Like I said above , for a first solo effort, I think pretty fugging impressive.
the more I listen to it the more cool little licks I'm picking up on.
he's got the talent to do it , I hope he gets the opportunity to grow as a solo instrumental guy and give
us some stuff in the future that just blows us all away.
I love his playing, he is the main reason I picked up a 7 string in the first place.