(c)2022 Roxx Records
- Note Shaker
- Guitar Graffiti
- Ode To The King
- Gracias Ken
- Opus
Kevin Pike--Lead, Rhythm Guitars
Timothy Gaines--Bass
Arnaud Krakowa--Drums
Instrumental music, especially in hard rock and metal, is an interesting beast. Sometimes, with guys like Malmsteen, Vai, Satriani, etc., the music says everything. Really, what words could you possibly put to "Surfing With The Alien"? But other times, the music may be fast and aggressive, but it is definitely missing something. And that something can be so hard to pin down, but you know that it isn't there when you hear it. For me, without lyrics, most music...well, it fails to really grab me, to be honest. Oh, sure, there are records that grabbed me instantly. Marty Friedman's Dragon's Kiss did that the very first time I heard it, followed by what he and Jason Becker did with Speed Metal Symphony. Mark Wood and his speed metal electric violin completely captures my attention and imagination on Voodoo Violince. And, in the 80s. shred metal was everywhere, especially on labels like Shrapnel Records, which pretty much cornered the market on this highly technical, typically blazing fast style of guitar playing, and I owned just about everything Shrapnel released. Eventually, Christian metal adopted the shred metal style, with Jeff Scheetz's Woodpecker Stomp probably the most famous example of a Christian artist releasing a lyric-less album that left me slack-jawed (and the man is an incredibly nice guy to meet, as well!). But, like so many other trends, shred fell out of favor when grunge, and later extreme metal and metalcore, moved away from the highly technical style of playing, and in many cases, moved away from any time of soloing in favor of aggressive breakdowns or short, violent guitar bursts. So, when I first learned that Roxx Records was releasing a new shred album I have to admit I was intrigued, and a bit leery, about what would come of the project.
Kevin Pike is the long-time guitar player for 80s/90s Christian metal band, Arsenal. While that band is noted for playing the melodic hard rock and hair metal style of the time, Guitar Graffiti is definitely not of the same ilk. Yes, it is still high energy, hard rocking music, but this EP features a style that allows Pike to really flash his stylistic flair in a genre that really has little in the way of musical constraints. If your heart and mind can feel it, and your fingers can do it, go for it!
The EP kicks off with "Note Shaker", a short introduction to the project complete with the sound effects of a can of spray paint being shaken at various points throughout the minute-long track, adding to the album's title of Guitar Graffiti. No other instruments are present as Pike makes a few sweeping runs up and down the fretboard here in what amounts to a warm-up for Kevin as he sets himself up to unleash far more on the following four cuts.
The EP's title track is up next, and this time Timothy Gaines (ex-Stryper) joins the adventure on bass, with his instrument being given a full voice as it helps to lay the musical foundation for Pike to scream across. Definitely keeping a melodic sensibility throughout the track, Pike alternates between a smooth, melodic flow, and a more frantic, aggressive playing style that features some excellent tapping work and high-speed runs. Rather than take my word for the insane amount of talent on display here, check out this teaser video for the track.
"Ode To The King" is my favorite of the songs here, as it is an exquisite piece of mid-tempo melodic metal that Pike is really able to pour his emotion into. I particularly like the section at about the 2:30 mark, where Pike's guitar takes on the role of the vocalist, seemingly "singing" to the listener in a haunting voice that begs to be heard, with Gaines' bass propping him up. For those who want flashes of staccato playing, the section at the 3:10 mark, or thereabouts, should definitely be of interest to you, as Pike's fingers are flying by this point, only to gather themselves back in and return to the plaintive, emotional call from earlier in the song, before coming to a powerful close. Love this song, and I have hit repeat on this track multiple times.
"Gracias, Ken" is, as you may imagine, a Spanish-styled guitar song that is expertly played on a nylon-stringed guitar. Just Kevin and his guitar again, this is a great addition to the EP. The acoustic Spanish guitar is one of my favorite instruments to hear outside of the metal world, yet it is an instrument that is pretty easy to sound "amateurish" on, as a lot of players lack the fluidity and nimbleness to move from note to note in rapid succession on such an unforgiveable instrument. Pike's playing here is amazingly clean, with no string squeaks or missed notes, which is always amazing to my ear, as I have watched incredibly talented players struggle with this type of high-speed playing on this beautiful instrument. I have always been a sucker for playing such as this, and I find myself repeating the introduction to the movie Desperado numerous times, just to hear the music! Pike's performance here is top-notch, and I would love to hear him do more of this type of music.
The EP closes with "Opus", three and a half minutes of high speed shred metal of the first degree. Pike's guitar kicks things off with a furious scale run, spitting out notes in rapid-fire fashion. Not to be outdone, Krakowa's drums come sprinting in at a frantic pace, challenging Pike to keep up with them as they thunder along. For the first stretch of the song, the drums seem to be winning the race as Pike merely layers a series of stretched notes across the rhythmic pattern, effortlessly establishing the melody line of the song as it goes. Soon enough, his guitar starts to flutter and flurry at a speed that the drums seemingly can't even keep up with, scorching their way at a break-neck pace atop Gaines' bounding bass line, swerving this way and that, sinking, climbing, twisting, and turning. With mere seconds to go in the race, the drums stop, a single bass note from Gaines is struck, and Pike's guitar emerges the winner, bringing the song...and the EP...to a screaming halt!
Now, THAT was a lot of fun!
Limited to just 300 units being pressed, if you are a fan of instrumental rock and metal, do not miss out on your chance to snag this! Order your own copy from Roxx Records today (I already did!)
Rating: Crankable, if you can keep up! Crank this to an all-too-short 8!
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