Fuck yes, Jeff Loomis!

[thetroy]

#3. I can see how the comaprisons to Becker etc would shine thru here but how could they not when playing this genre.
Inevitably you're going to be compared to either Becker or Malmsteen when playing shred in these
modes. (especially when you can do it this well.).

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.

[horns666]

Pete did bring up a good point..a very obvious one.

He listed a few players from the Yngwie school...I'll just add one more.

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

All of them have something to say in their very own way..

[horns666]

Very well said Bibz/Nick..I agree. Even tho I haven't listened to it yet! Fuck I downloaded the fuck and the fuck won't open, burn, play or dick!

Here's the deal..There is MANY disciples of Yngwie/Eddie/Jimi..too much to list. Sure, there's many great players..too much to list. BUT, they don't sound like Jeff Loomis..they don't write like him, they don't sound like him. Jeff cultivated his very own style from players he loved ..just like all of us...but way better!

That is the bottom line. Jeff is NOT Marty , Marty is NOT Jason, Jeff is NOT Jason...and nobody is Eddie. These are facts!

[petedz]

#3. I can see how the comaprisons to Becker etc would shine thru here but how could they not when playing this genre.
Inevitably you're going to be compared to either Becker or Malmsteen when playing shred in these
modes. (especially when you can do it this well.).

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.

[kmanick]

OK I've listened to this a few times now (thanks Bibz!).
Devils Theory and Miles of Machines are enough to secure me buying this when it comes out.
#1. What is Jeff playing thru? it sounds like 5150's, is this what Engls sound like recorded?
#2. There is no question this guy has got serious chops, his mechanics are
just crazy good, however I wish some of these metal guys would get away
from the dominant Phrygian and show us some "other shred" once in a
while. It seems like as soon as anyone picks up a 7 or tunes down to C,
they automatically start with the dominant Phrygian stuff (I know becuase
it sounds mean as shit in lower keys, I get it), but come on enough
already.

#3. I can see how the comaprisons to Becker etc would shine thru here but how could they not when playing this genre.
Inevitably you're going to be compared to either Becker or Malmsteen when playing shred in these
modes. (especially when you can do it this well.).

One thing I do like about this Cd is that to me anyway it doesn't sound like Nevermore tunes without vocals.
This drummer has a very different feel from Van Williams and honestly when I played the first track, the riffage
and the tone of his guitars and the style of the drummer, I almost thought
I had put on an "In Flames" track by mistake. A lot of the riffage sounds very "Gothenburg" to me.

The more I listen to this CD the more I like it .
Obviously there is a lot of good stuff to try and cop off of here, and since I already have a 7 string tuned down 1/2 a step I'm all set to jam out to this CD.

For a first solo CD attempt I have to give it 5 stars,
There is a lot of serious shredding going on here.

On his next one (if he does another) I'd like to see him branch out into
some other modes of shred.
I know he can do this style and do it well.
I want to see what else he's got.
Ok I've got to go and start learning some of this stuff

[bibz]

The guy can write just fine, if you listen to Nevermore's ballads the dudes got talent. Memorable licks are all through this shit! If you disect the 'fast run' into what he's playing it makes it incredible to me. The size of whats gone into it impresses me, and his tone, feel, phrasing, everything I just cannot get sick of. Think of what it would take to create this entire album. Imagine yourself doing it, and what you've written yourself. Thats what I compare it too, not cacophany, not even perpetual burn. Theres been alot of great music over time, and this is definitely up there 'imo'.

[thetroy]

Yep NextInLine's opinion is close to my own. I just don't see what's groundbreaking or even appealing about it. CD's like these are dime a dozen. I 'm kind of disappointed, I guess.

It's not groundbreaking or innovative, but that doesn't make it bad.

I like it about a little more than Rusty's self-titled solo album.

The difference is I actually like Rusty's stuff.

Weren't you the one who likes Necrophagist? This is at least as good as their stuff even if you disregard the vocals.

[Jacksons Shred]

Yep NextInLine's opinion is close to my own. I just don't see what's groundbreaking or even appealing about it. CD's like these are dime a dozen. I 'm kind of disappointed, I guess.

I kinda understand what both of you are saying, someone asked me if it was better than perpetual burn and I responded with. "On a all out technical shred factor, yes, on a musical and song writting factor, no".


I think the album's awesome, and it has a lot of great moments.

[petedz]

Yep NextInLine's opinion is close to my own. I just don't see what's groundbreaking or even appealing about it. CD's like these are dime a dozen. I 'm kind of disappointed, I guess.

I think "dime a dozen" is a bit unfair.

There's so much Cacophony on this album that Loomis almost completely disappears under his Friedman/Becker influences. Track by track:

Shouting Fire At A Funeral--lifts the clattering machine-like double bass drums and hyperactive didgeridoo riffing straight from the Nevermore catechism. Somewhat redeeming are the slower melodies, which really invoke Cacophony era Marty.
Opulent Maelstrom--more of the same. I'm torn. The lead playing is really interesting. The man can certainly play.
Jato Unit--less bouncing didgeridoo. I'm struck by a strong sense of deja vu. This material isn't just derivative. It is Cacophony with seven strings.
Azure Haze--ah, now I hear a bit more originality. Pretty cool slower piece. Some of the note choices are part of the unique voice I've heard from Loomis before.
Cashmere Shiv--the best track so far, marred by the return of the didgeridoo. In spite of that, I'm really struck by how creative this track is. It defies description.
Race Against Disaster--an absolute snooze fest until the slow part in the middle. Then, for a a few seconds, Loomis channels Friedman so perfectly that it's uncanny. Sadly it goes back to more follow the bouncing ball shit after that.
Sacristy--sweet classical-ish piece. Very nice.
Devil Theory--more Cacophony.
Miles Of Machines--even more Cacophony, but the solos have more Loomis signature to them.
Departure--umm, I guess.

I loved Cacophony back in the day, and still like the idiom. Loomis doesn't write as well as Becker and Friedman did 20+ years ago, but what he's done is thoroughly enjoyable. Bottom line, I'd like to have heard a bit more Loomis in there. My favorite tracks, Azure Haze and Cashmere Shiv, are the least like Cacophony. I enjoyed the ride, and I'll pick up the CD one of these days.

[kmanick]

I can't find this in any of the newsgroups would someone PM me where I can download it and check it out?

[GodOfRhythm]

Yep NextInLine's opinion is close to my own. I just don't see what's groundbreaking or even appealing about it. CD's like these are dime a dozen. I 'm kind of disappointed, I guess.

[NextInLine]

I listened to the album a couple times also. Here are my thoughts:

First of all I'd like to state a couple things about Nevermore, because what Jeff has done is IMO related to his work on this album.

Nevermore was one of my fav. bands in early 2000s. Imo they topped with Dead Heart In a Dead World. Amazing album, one of my all time favs. Great songs, great vocals, great solos everything was done superb to the very small details. Once you reach that level your listeners start expecting that level songs/albums from you. So what I expected from Enemies of Reality and This Godless Endeavor was albums full of great songs (on all levels) maybe a couple fillers.

Enemies of Reality only had 2 great songs and a very good one, the rest was just mediocre. I rarely listen to that album, and Jeff's solos started to get "standardized" from that album. (so did Warrel's vocals) I don't know why but he started improvising a lot, caring much less for details and melody. Very same fast runs etc. This Godless Endeavor had much more songwise (much more modern approach with some great riffing) but the solos started to get even more standardized. The very same fast runs again and again, no attention to detail same melodies (same melodies a guitar player uses when he improvises) mediocre sweep picking etc..

Now we have his solo album and most of this album is "boring" imo. It has its very good moments and a couple great/incredible parts but not more than that.. To be able to write albums that will be remembered for a long time (like Perpetual Burn) you have to pay attention to all the details a lot. This album doesn't have that vibe. Most of the songs are badly structured (they do not evolve, do not go somewhere etc.) there are like 20 of the very same solo and you hear very similar (if not the same) fast runs numerous times. The most important thing is that the album doesn't have enough melodies that you won't hear on a random Jeff Loomis solo.. For an album to be great you have to have lots of unique melodies that will be remembered especially if that's an instrumental guitar album.. Or else you can't go much further than a basic shred album IMO

Finally everybody was speaking about this album as if it's going to take Perpetual Burn's place. It's not even close to it musically and it's not on par with it technically either imo

Besides all these, this is just his first solo album, I expect much more from his second and also from the next Nevermore album..

[AfterForever]

Just heard the album.. What to say..

First of all, it's much more metal than I expected. It's like instrumental Nevermore with more solos. Double bass and everything haha. I expected more slower paced / less metal songs.. don't know why.

Secondly, there are some insane parts the guy sure can play!

[horns666]

You bastards!! I was being nice about it and not leaking to much info/hype so it wouldn't lead such fine angelic individuals into temptation
It's been in my car since too

Seriously tho, this album is fucking insane. Its metal because a huge stonking riff lights our fires. Its just as tasteless as perpetual burn too, its a guitar album ffs! Every part here has its place and I believe the structure and size of this album is up there with the best. It incorporates the virtuosity and diversity of loomis' playing, some see it as just a blur, those of us who can see through the speed runs get more from it. He does so much with the guitar, in the ambience and timbre of the songs, and it seems so effortless.

jacksons shred; funny you got the cacophany vibe from jato unit, thats the song guesting pat o'brien

Bottom line, theres no-one like him out there, and looads of people know it. Any minor, quiggly doubts Ive had in the past have been removed, rhoads-dime-loomis, the progression continues

AGREED ..+ a gagillion!! Nevermore is a true evolution of the Metal/shred continuum . They picked up the ball that bands like Meatallica, Queenryche, and Megadeth DROPPED during the mids 90's..and they ran with it..and kept fuggin' runnin' without looking back!!! They make those bands sound like fuggin' childs play IMO..then and now.

BIBZ... Hail Yesterday!

I wanna thank Soap and Nick for the link and assist. I may take Soap on his offer if I have any problems trying to burn a copy this weekend..thanks guys!!

[bibz]

You bastards!! I was being nice about it and not leaking to much info/hype so it wouldn't lead such fine angelic individuals into temptation
It's been in my car since too

Seriously tho, this album is fucking insane. Its metal because a huge stonking riff lights our fires. Its just as tasteless as perpetual burn too, its a guitar album ffs! Every part here has its place and I believe the structure and size of this album is up there with the best. It incorporates the virtuosity and diversity of loomis' playing, some see it as just a blur, those of us who can see through the speed runs get more from it. He does so much with the guitar, in the ambience and timbre of the songs, and it seems so effortless.

jacksons shred; funny you got the cacophany vibe from jato unit, thats the song guesting pat o'brien

Bottom line, theres no-one like him out there, and looads of people know it. Any minor, quiggly doubts Ive had in the past have been removed, rhoads-dime-loomis, the progression continues