Richie Kotzen - Richie Kotzen 1989

Format: ape + cue + log

Genre: Instrumental rock

Release Date: 1989

Label: Shrapnel

By the time of Richie Kotzen's debut album in 1989, Mike Varney's Shrapnel label was cranking out young guitar virtuosos like an assembly line; it seemed like each week, a fresh-faced teenaged prodigy would emerge from the Shrapnel stable with a self-titled debut, backed up by an all-star rhythm section. Pennsylvania's Richie Kotzen was one of these. With bassist Stu Hamm and ex-Journey drummer Steve Smith behind him, he added yet another all-instrumental shred guitar album to Shrapnel's catalog. But, fortunately, he avoided many of the cliches that plagued many of his contemporaries. Rather than attempting wide-screen neo-classical melodrama, his style here is offbeat and humorous; witness the hilarious stop/start dynamics of "Unsafe at Any Speed," with its cartoonish scherzos and ridiculously over-the-top blasts of rapid-fire guitar fills. Kotzen obviously owes a debt to Steve Vai here, but adds his own quirks to the formula. The production assistance of labelmate Jason Becker also helps to distinguish Richie Kotzen from the other predictable-sounding stuff on the Shrapnel label; the record is mixed bone-dry instead of reverb-drenched, which adds a more personal charm to the proceedings. Both Kotzen's chops and tone would improve greatly over the next year or so, but this is an interesting entry in the genre nonetheless. ~ Andy Hinds, Rovi

Steve Morse Band - The Introduction (1984)

Format: flac + cue + log

Genre: Instrumental Rock, Guitar virtuoso

Release Date: 1984

Label: Musician

There's a reason Steve Morse is one of the most respected guitarists alive; he's a virtuoso that can speak, sing and cry through his instrument with a sense of melody that touches on the divine. Like seemingly every Morse album I've ever heard, The Introduction is the kind of disc you spin once to give a good first listen, then end up spinning incessantly for the next week just because there's so much to hear. It touches on any style it comes across but leaves no mistake just who you're listening to. As an introduction, though, it's probably not the best one to pay full price for. I'm happy my first buy was the wonderful Structural Damage instead.
First off: there's a lot to recommend this album. The opening "Cruise Missile" ranks with the most powerful, blazing road anthems the man's produced. The rock/jazz/country diversity he showed through all those Dregs albums is in fine form, as you can probably guess from titles like "Mountain Waltz" and "General Lee." The playing is skilled enough to make fellow musicians grit their teeth with envy. It's heavy enough to wail out of your speakers and happy enough to bring a bright ray of sunshine into any day. Most importantly, the writing is just as important as the performances themselves; those who like good string-bending and those who look for a good composition will both find a lot to enjoy here. Those who like a good lyric should just be warned that Steve does instrumental work.

Then why does it not quite live up to its title? For one thing, it stands at a quick 34 minutes. For another, it's in dire need of remastering - it sounds pretty good if you crank the volume up a lot, but it lacks the near-perfect sound mix of later offerings like Major Impacts. Forgivable, true (it was 1984 after all), but along with the fine remastering treatment some of the Dregs catalogue has been receiving, The Introduction is past due for a sonic overhaul of its own. The guitar world will be just that much better for it. If you know Morse's music already and want to hear more, you wouldn't want to be without any of them. If not, a good starter would be Structural Damage (if you can still find it), High Tension Wires or this year's Split Decision. It only takes one to get hooked.. ~ Amazon.com

Vinnie Moore - Mind's Eye (1986)

Format: flac + cue + log

Genre: Instrumental Rock, Guitar virtuoso

Release Date: 1986

Label: Shrapnel

1. In Control
2. Daydream
3. Saved By A Miracle
4. Hero Without Honor
5. Lifeforce
6. N.N.Y.
7. Mind's Eye
8. Shadows Of Yesterday
9. The Journey



AMG by Robert Taylor :

Who's faster: Yngwie Malmsteen or Vinnie Moore? That was the question back in 1986 when this recording was released. An obvious clone of Malmsteen, Moore burst upon the scene proving that, yes, someone else could play "that fast too." The problem with Mind's Eye and the subsequent genre of shredding that followed was that it became stagnant. Malmsteen turned heads from all musical styles because of his technical proficiency back in the early '80s, but those same heads quickly turned away to find out that there was little more being offered than really fast scales. The speed alone was not enough to hold many rock or fusion fans' interests for very long, as each guitarist seemed to be playing the same ideas, just at faster speeds. Without being too hard on Moore, he is one of the more interesting of the shredders and has one of the cleaner sounds. Ironically, Tony Macalpine is the keyboardist here and would soon emerge with an identical sound to Moore's. The better moments here are on the more aggressive numbers such as "In Control" and "Saved by a Miracle," with the latter containing a decent drum solo by the underrated Tommy Aldridge and a fine acoustic introduction by Moore. Mind's Eye is a classic in the shredder community, but rates as just a display of technical ability to the casual listener.

Neil Zaza - When Gravity Fails 2006

Genre: Instrumental Rock
Format: ape + cue + log
Released: 2006
Label: Melodik Records

1) Something Anything

2) Purple Plush

3) Cinematic

4) In My Dreams

5) Bleed

6) Celestine

7) Danza Della Notte

8) Heavyocity

9) My Only Son

10) My Dearest

11) Ultra

12) The Awakening

13) Before the Throne

Neil Zaza (Lead, Rhythm, Baritone & Bass Guitars, Synth)

Michael Anthony (Bass)

Timothy M. Bradford (Keyboards)

Bill Cioce (Drums)

Peter Frampton (Guitar)

Doug Johns (Bass)

Scotty Kormos (Drums)

Mark Leach (Hammond B-3 Organ)

Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (Keyboards)

Bobby Rock (Drums)

Jordan Rudess (Keyboards)

Steve Smith (Drums, Percussion)

T.M. Stevens (Funky Bass)

David Strieter (Keyboards)

Garry "GMan" Sullivan (Drums)

Anyone that is familiar with Zaza’s work will know that his work is a near perfect marriage of

melody and flash and "When Gravity Fails" is perhaps his ultimate exercise yet in this art form.

"When Gravity Fails” is a superb instrumental album. I defy anyone to listen to this album and not be blown away. Zaza really has come up with an ace with this record, and whilst "Melodica" was a very good album, ‘”When Gravity Fails” can be considered to this point Zaza’s magnum opus. Stylistically it has all the right ingredients, yet there is an element of passion here that is

often missing from instrumental works even from the perceived big name instrumental market leaders. On the basis of this album (not to mention Zaza’s back catalogue), Neil Zaza deserves to be at the very top of the guitar elite. ESSENTIAL. - Virtuosityone.com

Now comes When Gravity Fails, the Ohio native's eighth CD loaded with 13 melodic hard-rock gems, jaw-dropping solos and an even more impressive guest list than Staring at the Sun that would make better-known players squeal. Unlike other instrumental guitarists, Zaza is smart enough to retain control of his playing. Sure, When Gravity Fails lifts off with lots of soaring, high-pitched arena-rock soloing (part of what makes the record so refreshing and endearing), but nary a single note sounds out of place. Nor does Zaza ignore his fellow musicians. In fact, “Cinematic” emerges as one of the album's prettiest and best songs precisely because Zaza allows Rudess a mesmerizing piano solo in the middle, accented by Frampton's classic-rock fretwork. The man's example is one that many younger players - and even some older ones - should heed. We need more musicians like Neil Zaza. - Sea Of Tranquility ~

Greg Howe - Greg Howe 1988

Genre: Instrumental rock, Guitar Virtuoso / Shred / Kickass Guitar Music
Format: FLAC + cue + log
Released: 1988
Label: Shrapnel Records

01. Kick It All Over

02. The Pepper Shake

03. Bad Racket

04. Super Unleaded

05. Land Of Ladies

06. Straight Up

07. Red Handed

08. After Hours

09. Little Rose

Greg Howe: guitar
Billy Sheehan: bass
Atma Anur: drums

During the mid- to late '80s, talent scout and Shrapnel Records owner Mike
Varney was the ultimate source for new high-tech guitar virtuosos in the
post-Yngwie Malmsteen era (Malmsteen was also one of his finds). Among the
dozens of young guns who emerged from Varney's stable, Greg Howe was
one of the best. His debut album, Greg Howe, was groove-based, and
favored funk and fusion flavors over gothic neo-classicism. It sounded fresh
compared to the melodramatic work of peers like, say, Vinnie Moore.
Front-loaded with two devastating tracks, "Kick It All Over" and "The Pepper
Shake," Greg Howe is immediately engaging. Unlike other music in the
note-heavy "shred" genre, these two pieces sound fun rather than academic;
the irresistibly slippery grooves provided by the crack rhythm section of Atma
Anur (drums) and Billy Sheehan (bass) provide a supple bed for Howe's
playful fretwork. Unfortunately, the rest of the album falls off a bit after
that. The remaining tracks have some interesting ideas and plenty of
enthusiastic performances, but sound more like vamps for Howe's soloing
than songs. A few premonitions of Howe's more fusion-based future reveal
themselves on Greg Howe, although it's primarily a high-octane, indulgent
rock romp. Worth hearing.
Andy Hinds, All Music Guide

JOE STUMP - Speed Metal Messiah (2004)

Genre: Heavy/Shred Metal
Format: APE + cue + log
Released: 2004
Label: IROND

01. Prelude

02. Speed Metal Messiah

03. The Red Priest

04. Eastern Beast

05. Weapon Of Choice

06. Reflection

07. The Killer Instinct

08. Dragon's Den

09. Unleashing The Fury

10. Retroactivity

11. Psycho Shred Suite 1st Movement

12. Cadneza Diablo

13. Psycho 2nd Movement

14. Chamber Maid

Joe Stump: guitars
James Francis Simpson: bass
Jeff Tortora: drums
Joe Codi: keyboards

"Joe Stump is an American guitarist and composer. His style is similar to Yngwie Malmsteen's neo-classical metal. He released albums with his band, Reign of Terror and also as a solo artist. Stump is a professional shredder, and Guitar One Magazine voted him 6th position among the Top 10 fastest shredders of all time. Joe has taught for many years at the Berklee College of Music in Boston."
Excellent album! Highly recommended!

Virtuosityone.com writes in their review of Joe Stump's 2004 CD

"Speed Metal Messiah sees Stump raise his game in every department. The first major apparent improvement is the production of this album - sonically this album is superb with a very clear mix and great separation between the instruments (the album was mixed by Reign Of Terror vocalist Michael Vescera). In addition Joe has really honed his instrumental crafting skills and the sound now is firmly his own. Lastly the actual playing itself has taken several more steps up the ladder (never one thing Stump has been lacking for sure) with the whole guitar work just sounding supremely confident and really going for the jugular with its precision, skill and sheer energy. With Speed Metal Messiah, Joe Stump has delivered the album his previous releases have all hinted at. This release is home to sheer class in every department with enough sonic tapestries to make even the most hardcore guitar nut die with ecstasy, yet enough focus and restraint (where required) to make the album appealing to those not so impressed by instrumental releases."

Yngwie Malmsteen - Unleash The Fury (2005)

Genre: Guitar virtuoso, Instrumental music
Format: Flac + cue + log
Released: 2005
Label: Spitfire

01. Locked And Loaded

02. Revolution

03. Crackin’ The Whip

04. Winds of War (Invasion)

05. Crown Of Thorns

06. BogeyMan

07. Beauty And A Beast

08. Fuguetta (Instrumental)

09. Cherokee Warrior

10. Guardian Angel (Instrumental)
11. Let The Good Times Roll
12. Revelation (Drinking With The Devil)
13. Magic And Mayhem (Instrumental)
14. Exile
15. The Hunt
16. Russian Roulette
17. Unleash The Fury
18. Paraphrase (Instrumental)

Neo-classical rock guitar legend Yngwie J. Malmsteen returns with Rising Force with Unleash The Fury, a guitar shredder’s dream album! From the opening riff of "Locked & Loaded" to the 4
instrumental numbers, Malmsteen and Rising Force (Dougie White - Vocals, Patrick Johansson - Drums, Joakim Svalberg - Keyboards), produce an album that excels in every facet of musicianship. Two of the instrumentals ("Fuguetta" and "Paraphrase") are both variations of
themes composed by Bach, while "Cherokee Warrior" allows Malmsteen to show off his vocal
talents as well.
A former member of Steeler and Alcatrazz, Yngwie J. Malmsteen turned the music world on its
heads when his Rising Force album was released in 1984. The album hit #60 on the Billboard
charts and earned him a Grammy® nomination. His next album Trilogy would continue to showcase Malmsteen’s high standard of excellence, which continues to this day. Yngwie J. Malmsteen is one of rock’s greatest guitar heroes. He continues to be a featured draw in every guitar-oriented magazine on the planet. With a mix of technical playing, appreciation for classical composers, and hard rock edginess, Malmsteen is one of the most respected players around. He performed in the G3 tour in 2003 with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai.

Yngwie Malmsteen - Angels of love 2009

Genre: Guitar virtuoso
Format: Wv + cue + log + test
Released: 2009
Label: Rising Force

01. Forever One

02. Like an Angel

03. Crying

04. Brothers

05. Memories

06. Save Our Love

07. Ocean Sonata

08. Miracle of Life

09. Sorrow

10. Prelude to April

Yngwie’s core fans will be pleased anyway, even if lightning arpeggios are rarely seen (don’t bet...) in this compilation CD. The Swedish virtuoso’s rivals will have another arrow in their quiver, not to forget, even if now it’s not the time for accusing the man of infinite shredding. Who’s left then? Well, fans willing to taste alternate versions of the originals plus fans of mild music is a case study,. After listening to "Angels Of Love" for a dozen of times in a row (gazing at the attractive lady in the cover frequently, to recapture the muse tendered) it’s no wonder I’d take a glimpse again shortly.

What’s the scenario here: the ’neoclassical’ shredder compiled this album with (nearly) acoustic versions of some of his ballads all these years. Using acoustic guitars - with a slice of electricity scattered for some climax to be uncapped - and keys arrangements, Yngwie lets his inner self loose in service of the resulting equilibrium and tranquillity. Some of the songlist does not fly away from the original versions, mainly due to the inflexible composing pattern while enough songs do gain a fair new-fangled point in terms of letting loose ’parallel’ emotions once buried under the nonstop virtuosity of this mentor.

I think (did not count, it’s a general impression) the takes recorded here do not - in a whole - depict 100% of the duration of the originals; let’s just say that each tune here carries the main theme (or a set of themes) correlating to the preliminary composition. In addition, I cannot recall any existent song named "Ocean Sonata" in Malmsteen’s so far catalogue, not being a die-hard follower though...Anyway, some last notion obtained is that - due to his performance or the new arrangements or whatever - the final upshot approaches more the Uli Jon Roth blend rather than the Ritchie Blackmore pen (if only these two choices ever existed in Yngwie’s mind, haha).

Sum it up? Yeap, this is the road the Swedish maestro walks on the last quarter of a century. Nothing new in terms of style, still listening to this album while driving in the countryside, seeing beautiful landscapes, reading on a winter’s night or just sitting by the fire is some kind of a nice companion soundtrack. "Angels Of Love" is perfect as a present too, let’s propose.

On second thought: if Yngwie Malmsteen also wanted to deliver a certain message to his critics, he possibly did it... Reviewed by Grigoris