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Lion music has compiled a
number of tracks from their various artists on this 2002 sampler.
The CD covers a range of styles of guitar-intensive music
including hard rock, metal, progressive, neoclassical. Overall,
it is a mixed bag and some tracks are good and others not. But,
the beauty in samplers is that you can weed out the ones that
don't appeal to you. Ritchie Kotzen: "Scared
of You" from Snow Ritchie Kotzen's "Scared
of You" is a hard rock format track including vocals that
are set to Kotzen's aggressive guitar rhythms. Knowing of
Kotzen's other works, notably "Inner Galactic Fusion",
this track did not impress me all that much relative to what
Kotzen is capable. Kotzen has done some intensive instrumental
work, some with Greg Howe, and guitarists that follow advanced
instrumentalism that have never heard him may want to check him
out. Byrd: "Omen"
from Anthem "Omen" by Byrd
is a neoclassically influenced track that is reminiscent of the
Yngwie-style rock format that fuses classical style with vocals
in rock arrangements. The guitar work is well-played, notably for
the signature neoclassical arpeggios that constitute the themes.
Also, notably (especially coming from me!), the vocals on this
track are of a pleasing quality. If this track is indicative of
the remainder of the CD, the music is not pure, instrumental
neoclassical, but instead fuses elements of neoclassical into
rock songs. "Omen" from the album Anthem is a tempting
track that leaves me thinking that I would like to get the rest
of this CD for review to see if it is able to keep a good level
of neoclassical intensity throughout. Tony MacAlpine: "Violent
Machine" from Violent Machine Tony MacAlpine makes a
significant departure from his mainstay of highly-structured
neoclassical works on Violent Machine.
MacAlpine ventures into new territory as he fuses elements of
progressive, neoclassical, and fusion together into a new, unique
format that superbly integrates aggressive guitar pyrotechnics,
MacAlpine's trademark melodic themes, and a new, fresh feel from
the guitar god. This is a great album and fans that had lost
interest in MacAlpine's neoclassical venue should take a listen
to this CD to see the new direction he has taken. MacAlpine has
reinvented himself on this CD. The track "Violent Machine"
from this sampler is a good sample from the Violent
Machine album, indicative of the other
music that can be found on it. For the full review of this CD, go
to http://eer-music.com/EER_music_reviews/Tony_MacAlpine.html
Lion
Music Sampler
2002, Lion Music, LMCP2
CyberHome: http://www.LionMusic.com
Mister Kite: "All In Time" from All in Time
Mister Kite's "All In Time" is a progressive hard rock track that features hard-edged guitar rhythms, some decent vocals, and aggressive lead work. Being a fan of instrumentally intensive music, the format of this track comes up short for me. But, fans of hard rock and metal may take an interest in this group.
Kelly Simonz' Blind Faith: "Eternal Flame" from Sign of the Times
Kelly Simonz is a talented guitarist with firm roots in the Yngwie Malmsteen brand of aggressive, driving, neoclassical rock. This track features a driving rhythm, accessible neoclassical themes, and Simonz' polished, neoclassical lead work. I have previously written a review of Kelly Simonz' release Silent Scream that is a good, solid effort of the neoclassical / hard rock fusion variety. This track, "Eternal Flame", seems consistent with the caliber of that CD. For the full review of this CD, go to http://eer-music.com/EER_music_reviews/Kelly_Simonz.html
Takara: "Spotlight" from Eternal Faith
Takara's "Spotlight" is a hard rock format track that features vocals set to well-produced guitar and keyboard rhythms. The group is reminiscent of latter years of Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow with Joe Lynn Turner, though the leadwork may be more intensive with a heavier metal edge and some neoclassical overtones. Not a bad effort, considering the format, but still I would like to see more leadwork than what this track offers.
Tony Hernando: "At the Crossroads" from The Shades of the Truth
Tony Hernando is a hot new shred guitarist that can tear it up on a number of different venues. His album The Shades of Truth covers a lot of ground with the coverage of different styles that Hernando explores. This album is diverse and I don't think this one track is indicative of the breadth that Hernando covers on this CD, or even the basic character of his playing. See my complete review of this album at http://eer-music.com/EER_music_reviews/Tony_Hernando.html
Baltimoore: "Ballerina" from The Best of Baltimoore
Baltimoore's "Ballerina" is another hard rock format track featuring vocals set to not-so-heavy guitar rhythms, keyboards, and drums. This track contained no leadwork to speak of on guitar and was disappointing in that regard. Though well-produced, this track just didn't do anything to set it apart or make a statement.
Under-Radio: "Acrobat" from Under-Radio
Under-Radio's "Acrobat" is a hard rock format track that features vocals set to heavy guitar rhythms that voice metal type progressions that venture outside of diatonic tonality. This track did not show anything that set it apart and the leadwork was virtually a no show.
Star Queen: "The Myth" from Star Queen
"The Myth" by Star Queen from their self-titled release is a hard rock track that features tenor vocals and some speedy guitar work that is set to heavy rhythms. There is some advanced guitar work and changes on this track that makes this track decent for the format, though it is not as instrumentally involved as suits my tastes.
Empire: "Into the Light" from Hypnotica
Empire's "Into the Light" is a hard rock / metal track that features some inspired Vocals from metal vocalist extraordinaire Mark Boals, solid guitar work from Rolf Munkes, Don Airey keyboards, and driving drums from Anders Johannson. This track delivers some impressive instrumental depth and I for one would like to hear the rest of the album to see if it keeps up the intensity of this track. Sounds like it could be a good album... Send it on over! ;)
Masi: "Crow Heaven's Corner" from Eternal Struggle
"Crow Heaven's Corner" by Masi is a hard rock track that features some good vocals set against well-produced, heavy rhythms, as well as Alex Masi's blazing, virtuoso fretwork that demonstrates some good instrumental depth. Sounds like another winner to me from this track. Send it on over for a more thorough review!
Bruce Gaitsch: "Haunt Me Tonight" from Nova
Bruce Gaitsch's "Haunt Me Tonight" is a bittersweet ballade that features some heart-felt vocals set to tactful acoustic guitar rhythms and themes, as well as subduing keyboards. Though the guitar playing does not delve into any progressive leadwork, the track is decent for the genre that it represents.
Bob Katsionis: "Turn of My Century" from Turn of My Century
Bob Kasionis is a hot new guitarist with extraordinary compositional skills that plays in a progressive and neoclassical fusion format. His album, Turn of My Century, is a superb debut and all fans of progressive and neoclassical should check it out. The title track of the CD that appears on this sampler is indicative of the quality of the ENTIRE release from Katsionis. This is one of the best releases I have heard this year. Please see my full review at http://eer-music.com/EER_music_reviews/Bob_Katsionis.html
Arabesque: "Haunted" from The Union
Arabesque's "Haunted" is a hard rock track featuring vocals over heavy guitar rhythms. The track is repetitive and fails to differentiate itself from other music of the same genre.
Transcendence: "Endless Reign" from The Meridian Project
"Endless Reign" by Transcendence is metal track that features driving guitar riffs and fluid keyboards that follow, reminiscent slightly of the Yngwie rock song format with the vocals that join in. Though the track is a decent song and has some well-phrased guitar work, notably the driving rhythms and arpeggios, the depth of the instrumentalism seems a little shallow compared to the instrumentalists that are out there today. But, this is only one track from the album and I wouldn't preclude the possibility that there may be a better showing of talent on the album.
Truth of Fiction: "So Damn Clear to Me" from Truth of Fiction
Truth of Fiction's track from the sampler, "So Damn Clear to Me", is a hard rock track complete with wah-wah guitar riffs played along with vocals over crunching rhythm guitar. This track does not really make any kind of statement that sets it apart from the slew of hard rock groups of this type. The lead guitar work is virtually not present on this track.
Lars Eric Mattsson & Mark Boals: "Hammerhead Shark" from Warmth in the Wilderness - A Tribute to Jason Becker
"Hammerhead Shark" from Swedish guitarist Lars Eric Mattsson and metal vocalist Mark Boals is a hard rock / progressive song that features Mattsson's neoclassically influenced lead guitar. Boals' vocals on this track are superb, as always. The Warmth in the Wilderness album is itself a compilation, so there are a number of different artists that appear on it. Fans of hard rock and neoclassical will want to check out this tribute to the great neoclassical pioneer, Jason Becker. There is an impressive array of artists that have contributed to this CD. Jason Becker was tragically plagued by the ALS disease after some superb neoclassical releases with Marty Friedman in the late 1980s.
| Tracks: |
| 1) Ritchie Kotzen: "Scared of You" from Snow |
| 2) Byrd: "Omen" from Anthem |
| 3) Tony MacAlpine: "Violent Machine" from Violent Machine |
| 4) Mister Kite: "All In Time" from All in Time |
| 5) Kelly Simonz' Blind Faith: "Eternal Flame" from Sign of the Times |
| 6) Takara: "Spotlight" from Eternal Faith |
| 7) Tony Hernando: "At the Crossroads" from The Shades of the Truth |
| 8) Baltimoore: "Ballerina" from The Best of Baltimoore |
| 9) Under-Radio: "Acrobat" from Under-Radio |
| 10) Star Queen: "The Myth" from Star Queen |
| 11) Empire: "Into the Light" from Hypnotica |
| 12) Masi: "Crow Heaven's Corner" from Eternal Struggle |
| 13) Bruce Gaitsch: "Haunt Me Tonight" from Nova |
| 14) Bob Katsionis: "Turn of My Century" from Turn of My Century |
| 15) Arabesque: "Haunted" from The Union |
| 16) Transcendence: "Endless Reign" from The Meridian Project |
| 17) Truth of Fiction: "So Damn Clear to Me" from Truth of Fiction |
| 18) Lars Eric Mattsson & Mark Boals: "Hammerhead Shark" from Warmth in the Wilderness - A Tribute to Jason Becker |
~ Christopher Ruel ~ www.ChrisRuel.com ~ Chris@ChrisRuel.com ~ Chris Ruel's Monthly Spotlight
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