It's been quite a few years since Marty Friedman first burst on the scene alongside Jason Becker on the Shrapnel shred-fest Cacophany. Over the years he has recorded a few albums with metal kingpins Megadeth, as well as released a batch of solid solo albums. Now, he's back with the long awaited Loudspeaker, a return to heavier instrumental sounds that features Marty's excellent lead work and crunchy riffing over metallic rock arrangements.
With guests like Billy Sheehan, Jens Johanssen, Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Mick Karn, and a few different drummers, Loudspeaker is a tasty treat from start to finish. Whether trading solos with Dream Theater's John Petrucci on "Black Orchid" or blazing alongside Steve Vai on "Viper", there's no shortage of guitar-o-rama throughout this CD. However great Friendman's chops are, it's his sense of melody that really shines through on "Elixer", "Street Demon", and "Paradise Express". Want pedal-to-the-metal crunch factor? Check out the beefy riffs and soaring lead lines of "Sekai Ni Hitotsu Dake No Hana " and the futuristic metal sounds of "Stigmata Addiction", which features some wild wah-wah solos from the guitar virtuoso. On the melodic and majestic "Glycerine Flesh", the guitarist gets into a stunning duel with Stratovarius keyboard wiz Jens Johanssen-no doubt fans would love to hear these two work together some more in the future. For sheer emotion and technique, the closing stunner "Devil Take Tomorrow" is just a total pleaser.
If you've wondered what Marty Friedman's been up to since his days in Megadeth, fear not, for Loudspeaker proves this guitar ace has plenty up his sleeve. Fretboard fanatics be prepared to be wowed.
Track Listing
1. Elixer
2. Street Demon
3. Black Orchid
4. Paradise Express
5. Sekai Ni Hitotsu Dake No Hana
6. Glycerine Flesh
7. Stigmata Addiction
8. Viper
9. Static Rain
10. Coloreas Mi Vida
11. Devil Take Tomorrow
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