Perhaps the best thing you can say about Man of the World, the second solo instrumental album from metal drummer extraordinaire Mike Terrana, is that it doesn't sound like a solo instrumental album from a metal drummer. And I mean that with the utmost respect. Here is a guy, an American musician living in Germany (hence the album's title?), who has toiled in undeserved obscurity while gigging with the likes of Axel Rudi Pell, Tony MacAlpine, Artension and most recently Rage and Zillion – and he has put out an album that's a veritable melting pot of musical styles that doesn't overemphasize the beat.
Sure, "Easy Does It" boasts intricate percussion techniques and "Spin Drifter" sounds like rolling thunder, and every song certainly has a dominant groove. But all of Terrana's playing is accented by stunningly melodic and crisp accompaniment from guitarists Victor Smolski (Rage) and Cyril Achard (Taboo Voodoo), plus bassist Kevin Chown (Magnitude 9, Artension, MacAlpine). "Revenge of the Cachaca" even delights with piano and horns to give the song a sing-songy Latin vibe, "Sonata #9 Pathetique/Beethoven" features only a piano, and "One for the Road" borders on jazz fusion.
But don't let these songs fool you: Terrana is monstrous drummer. I've been to a Rage gig, and the drum solo (and charming wit) that poured forth from this man made Mike Portnoy and Neal Peart look tame. For proof, just listen to the 11-minute drum solo finale on Man of the World, which was recorded live with Rage in Japan in 2002. If you don't already own some of the albums on which Terrana plays, get them. And pick up this one while you're at it.
Superb.
Track Listing:
1) The Omen
2) Native Tongue
3) Easy Does It
4) Revenge of the Cachaca
5) Spin Drifter
6) Sonata #9/Pathetique
7) One for the Road
8) Five Alive
9) Jungle Alley
10) Sorcery
11) Drum Solo
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