Impellitteri news update

Chris Impellitteri has just posted the following on his official fansite

Hello Friends,

The new IMPELLITTERI recording titled "Good and Evil" is proceeding nicely. We are recording at the Village Recorders in Los Angeles. Also, their is a BIG SURPRISE as to who is singing in the band!! Beware!!
We are recording 13 fast riff crazy tunes with all of the Impellitteri signature shredding guitar solos, screaming vocals, pounding drums, brutal bass, with a lot of melody thrown in. And we are actually working with a co-producer, who is giving us some new and welcome input!! SHRED ON!!!

Chris is featured in the June issue ( on news stands now!!) of Guitar One Magazine with Rush on the cover. It is officially the magazines last issue, so thanks Guitar One for including Impellitteri. They have some solo ideas based on the Play With Fire riff, which actually should be based on the Black Impellitteri EP not Stand in Line. The EP has the better version!!

You can check out the solo to Play with Fire on the audio section of this web page. It was one of those crazy solos that started it all. Every shredder seems to have that IMPELLITTERI Black EP which was one of the most enjoyable discs we made because we were so poor and we just played live with virtually all room mics. Crude, rude, and taking it too the limit with everything.

Anyways, the new disc is going to sound huge and it will shock you from start to finish.

We also posted some free songs on the audio section for anyone to ripp. So, please enjoy!!

In addition we posted the bootleg footage of Impellitteri's infamous "Screaming Symphony-Instrumental" and "Space Jazz Bulldozer" live videos for all of you youtube fanatics. The bootlegs where actually recorded by some audience member at a convention we were playing as a favor to JBL It is funny how many people watch that thing, it is becoming a cult classic.

-Chris Impellitteri

Michael Harris - Orchestrate review

MICHAEL HARRIS - ORCHESTRATE review
Lion Music - Out Now

“Orchestrate” sees world acclaimed guitarist Michael Harris back with the most ambitious album of his career. With a style best described as "Neo Orchestral Metal” the album is a modern day masterpiece. One listen reveals the unique combination of electric guitar playing a very “classical meets metal” style with an orchestra and metal drumming complete with stunning guitar virtuosity. Fans of Yngwie’s Concerto album and Uli Jon Roth’s works on ‘Transcendental Sky Guitar’ will have some idea of the basis to which Michael has taken his cues from, but to limit this album as a wannabe of the above would be selling it cheaply. ‘Orchestrate’ is simply a work of original beauty with immense guitar work that manages to combine a near perfect marriage of melody and technicality over orchestral backings which are both intelligent in their composition and stunning in their arrangement. Yet the album manages to fuse rock drumming and metal rhythms into the work.

The production of the album is also superb. Michael’s guitar tone is nearer to the Uli Roth school of tone than the Yngwie Strat attack and to some degree this tonality may well have pitched where Michael takes the orchestral backing. Opener ‘Opus Concerto’ is nothing short of breathtaking with in its music, guitar work but also production. ‘String Theory’ sees Michael take his guitar through every conceivable emotion there is the neo-classical genre from deft grace notes to blow your head off fretboard melting. The majestic ‘The Mad Composers Rage’ is a full on classical metal assault. ‘Notes From The Kursk’ has a dark and menacing Russian/Slavik vibe to it. ‘Battle At Storms Edge’ is probably the easiest track for straight metal heads to get into and reminded me a little of James Byrd’s ‘Out Of The Temple’ (from Son Of Man) which his no bad thing at all. The acoustic ‘Guiprice’ is short and concise yet musically beautiful before ‘Mysterioso’ sees the music go more towards traditional neo-classical waters which is further built upon with ‘Octavian II’. ‘The Anti Shred’ sees more restrained music come back to the fray and sees the main melody from ‘String Theory’ rearranged which is a nice turnaround before ‘Schizo Forte’ rips your head off with its cocked wah pedal tone full of counterpoints, impressive drumming from Matt Thompson whose work is equally as impressive throughout as Harris’s guitar. I view this track as Michaels own version of say a Trilogy Suite Op.5 (Yngwie Malmsteen – Trilogy) i.e. strong melodies intertwined with virtuoso guitar and its a great way to the end the album.

Overall Michael Harris has delivered what should be viewed as a classic of the neo-classical (or neo-orchestral) genre. There is plenty here for even the most hardened guitar addict to sink their teeth into yet enough accessibility for the more casual listener to enjoy. Overall a highly recommended release.

Now read our exclusive interview with Michael at:
http://baroqueroll.blogspot.com/2007/01/michael-harris-interview.html

Buy Online at:
USA - Guitar 9
Europe - Lion Music Store

Masi - Eternal Struggle review

MASI - ETERNAL STRUGGLE REVIEW


‘Eternal Struggle’ released by Masi (led by guitar whiz Alex Masi) is one neo-classical album all readers of Baroque & Roll owe it to themselves to own. Released back in 2001, ‘Eternal Struggle’ stands up as well now as it did back at the time of its original release. Home to a sound that is commercial yet heavy; its sure to appeal to all fans of the classic Rising Force output.

Alex Masi shows off his guitar wares with equal aplomb whether it be on electric or nylon acoustic with a technique that is full of speedy arpeggios, chromatic and dissonant licks and a wailing vibrato. Simply said if you enjoy energised lead guitar and pounding riffs then ‘Eternal Struggle’ is an essential purchase. Also featured is a cover of the Foreigner classic ‘Blue Morning, Blue Day’ to which Masi adds a tonne of TNT with explosive results. Highlights come in the form of practically every song from the opening gambit onslaught of ‘Crow Haven’s Corner’ and ‘All I Want’ to the more melodic yet dark waters of ‘Wheels Roll On’ and ‘Black Flames Allure’ whilst the more commercial tracks such as ‘Lost In The City’ and ‘On & On’ hark back to the glory days of Yngwie’s ‘Odyssey’. album. The tender ‘Writing On The Wall’ is simpy beautiful showcasing Masi’s acoustic technique with nice orchestration here for added texture not to mention a great vocal from Kyle Michaels.

‘Eternal Struggle’ is one of the best neo-classical albums released so far in the 21st century and whilst Masi seems more content to play in fusion waters this will be an everlasting tribute to his skills as a neo-classical writer and performer.

Order at:

USA - Guitar 9

Europe - Lion Music Store