Many will recognize the name of Kiko Loureiro as the lead guitarist for Brazilian power metal veterans Angra, but the axe slinger has also delivered a few scorching solo releases to his credit, the latest titled Sounds of Innocence. All instrumental, Sounds of Innocence combines Loureiro's blazing metal chops with a melodic feel for native South American influences, making for a very enjoyable offering that should appeal to any fan of guitar oriented recordings.
The fact that this guy can shred with the best of them is already a known fact for anyone who has been following Angra for the last two decades, and while there are plenty of scorching chops here on Sounds of Innocence, the material is very song based and Kiko uses his talents to accentuate these melodic and memorable instrumental metal tunes. "El Guajiro" is probably the heaviest tune of the lot, with super crunchy riffs and catchy Latin grooves supported by sizzling, sweep-picked leads, but there are plenty of other memorable & quite rocking tunes, such as "Gray Stone Gateway", "Conflicted", and the acrobatic "Twisted Horizon", a real guitar workout that is a must hear for fans of Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. The jazzier, more Latin influenced tunes are also stellar, with drummer Virgil Donati adding his virtuoso touch to groovers "Reflective", "Ray of Life", and the gorgeous "Mae D'Agua". As impressive and flawless as all the musicianship is here, the important thing you walk away with is just how melodic each and every tune is; take for instance the closing number "A Perfect Rhyme", which features some lovely piano from guest Maria Ilmoniemi and Loureiro's tasty jazz lead lines. Beautiful stuff.
Whether it be furious speed metal, Latin jazz-fusion, and blistering hard rock, Kiko Loureiro has it all and then some here on Sounds of Innocence. Should something ever happen with his day job with Angra, he's got no worries at all if he keeps delivering stunning instrumental outings like this one.
Track Listing
1) Awakening Prelude
2) Gray Stone Gateway
3) Conflicted
4) Reflective
5) El Guajiro
6) Ray of Life
7) The Hymn
8) Mae D'Agua
9) Twisted Horizon
10) A Perfect Rhyme
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