Tag Archives: Instrumental

State Of The Art – RUSSIAN CIRCLES

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Welcome to this week’s state of the art! I’m proud to introduce you to the Chicago, Illinois instrumental metal band RUSSIAN CIRCLES: a metal outfit that isn’t constrained by the conventional rules many other metal bands religiously adhere to. Where most metal musicians try to pummel the listener with heavy riffs and pure aggression, instrumental trio RUSSIAN CIRCLES (which formed in 2004 and consists of guitarist Mike Sullivan, bassist Brian Cooke, and drummer Dave Turncrantz) opt for the more subtle and nuanced approach of creating music that emphasizes atmospherics over pure brutality, and the result is emotionally stirring heavy metal that ferries the listener on a musical journey through spiritual highs and lows.

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MARTY FRIEDMAN’s New Track “Miracle” Will Evoke Ultimate Euphoria In You!

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There can never be a guitarist as good and diverse than MARTY FRIEDMAN, period! This new song is just another testament to this long standing fact. I am just spellbound, and awestruck!

MARTY FRIEDMAN is going out all guns blazing on his new upcoming record, ‘Wall Of Sound‘, to be released on August 4, 2017 via Prosthetic Records. The ones following Marty closely already know that he has not wasted a pinch of time in releasing two mind numbing tracks already from the upcoming album, and if you haven’t checked those out already you are seriously missing out something major happening. ‘Self Pollution‘ and ‘Whiteworm‘ are the two already out for you to take dibs and bask in the glory and awe of Marty‘s soulful and technical fretboard work. Today, Marty follows up with another soaring new track, “Miracle“, posted alongside an interview with Billboard Magazine. 

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THE NUCLEAR POWER TRIO (Members of ALLEGAEON, HAVOK, CEPHALIC CARNAGE, JOB FOR A COWBOY) Release Music Video

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Just an hour ago, something legendary was released. For the last week, Havok and Allegaeon have been teasing something with satirical political photos with Donald Trump, Kim Jong Un, and Mike Tyson. The wait has finally ended and we get to see what it’s all about. Members from Allegaeon, Havok, Cephalic Carnage, and Job For A Cowboy all gathered together for the ultimate side project, The Nuclear Power Trio. Kim Jong Un is shredding on guitar, Donald Trump creating funky basslines, and Mike Tyson shredding on the drum kit. What is seen in the video below can’t be unseen. I’m hoping that this is just the start and there will be more music to come. See what the band members have to say and check out the instrumental jam below and be on the lookout for more music from The Nuclear Power Trio. Check out the masks created by Landon Meier at http://www.hyperflesh.com. Continue reading →

MARTY FRIEDMAN’s New Song “Self Pollution” Is A Shred Fest

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Grammy nominated guitar god and ex-Megadeth member Marty Friedman is back with a new song, “Self Pollution” from his forthcoming studio album, ‘Wall Of Sound‘ that awaits it’s release on August 4, 2017. Prosthetic Records will be helping Marty Friedman release his latest installment of a record. ‘Wall Of Sound‘ happens to be his much awaited release after his 2014 Billboard charting record, ‘Inferno‘. The guitar virtuoso who now lives in Japan and takes part in their culture will see him dish forth 11 brand new tracks in the record, that also features a wide range of diverse artists as guests : Jinxx (Black Veil Brides), Shiv Mehra (Deafheaven) and Jorgen Munkeby (Shining). Marty Friedman has time and again pushed the envelope when it comes to instrumental music, especially his guitar playing abilities, and I am sure ‘Wall Of Sound‘ will breathe the same music of epic proportions, creating the best what he is always known for.  Continue reading →

Review: Camel Driver – ‘Camel Driver’ [Album Stream]

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Photo Credit : Andreas, PsyKArin    neckbreaker.de

Camel Driver is a three piece instrumental group coming out of Kiel, Germany. They started up in 2012 and are consisting of Christoph (bass), Alex (drums) and Lutz (guitar). These guys have worked and earned their respect both on stage and in their scene and in their native home of Germany. Camel Driver are quoted as “Going Deeply into versatile songwriting to create their own colorful and massive sound landscape.” They are citied as desert rock with metal infusions along with some fine-tuned jazz oriented parts. Their album was via Pink Tank Records. Pink Tank is a DIY label that was founded in 2013 and is based out of Hamburg, Germany. Camel Driver is one among the 20 bands on the Pink Tank roster. Though the band released their self titled debut on August 31st, 2014, it still resonates with fans both new and old.
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Review: SPARROWMILK – ‘Articles of Separation’ [Album Stream]

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Clevelanders Sparrowmilk are a three piece atmospheric instrumental doom rock band with ample amounts of sludge a la carte. Founded in 2014 the band features members of Venomin James, Doomstress and Ancient VVisdom. They have quickly gelled and captivated listeners both near and far with their instrumental stylings. Though the band has no vocalist they certainly aren’t speechless. Their music speaks to you in ways that traditional lyrics could never do. Their influences range from fellow instrumentalists Pelican and Karma To Burn, then to Celtic Frost, Electric Wizard, Black Sabbath and even noting The Cure as well. While this seems like a broad range of influences the band’s sound isn’t scattered or all over the place, their music is refined and maintains cohesiveness. Sparrowmilk has recently released ‘Articles of Separation’ on February 15th 2017 via Kultland Recordings. This marks the bands debut, and has previously only released demo material. Their dominance of the instrumental metal genre begins now! Continue reading →

Croatia’s DRONE HUNTER Release Video For “Wine Dick”!

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Photo Credit: Patrick Kreling

Croatian instrumental trio DRONE HUNTER have released a video for the song “Wine Dick” which is from their November 15, 2016 release ‘Welcome To The Hole’. The album was recorded and mixed by Tomislav ‘Tompa’ Novosel at E Minor Studio in Varaždin, Croatia during the summer of 2016. Mastered by Igor ‘Meister’ Malečić at Meisterwerk Productions Studios in Zagreb, Croatia in November 2016. The footage was filmed throughout the year 2016 and covers DRONE HUNTER’s tours and journeys in Croatia, Slovenia, Switzerland, France, Germany, Czech Republic and Malta. The video is like seeing through the eyes of the band as they make their way through various countries. It comes across like a tourist video and includes amazing sites from the various cities that they visited along their tour stops. The music is a stellar soundtrack to the video and pairs well. DRONE HUNTER’s “Wine Dick” creates varying grooves, stoner rock elements and truly worship the. If you are a fan of riffs and especially instrumental bands look no further, DRONE HUNTER has arrived. Continue reading →

Review of The Blue Sunshine Family Band’s Dazzling, Self-Titled Debut

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The band’s name is The Blue Sunshine Family Band. They are from Santa Rosa, California. Now, go ahead and check out the beautiful and cool artwork by David Paul Seymour (also of various Wo Fat albums, Hendrix: Electric Ladyland (Redux), The Vintage Caravan, Ironaut, Doomstress and many others). Don’t listen to it yet though. Get a sound in your head that you think is going to fit. Thinking it is some sanctimonious, rehashed peace, love, rainbows and unicorns, hippie, acoustic crap? Maybe some weird, ethereal, atmospheric stuff with annoying, Far Eastern dissonance and sitars? A Pink Floyd tribute band maybe? No, no and, uh no. Said to have the “Heart of Metal. Mind of Jazz. Soul of Blues.”, The Blue Sunshine Family Band is a very heavy, fuzzy guitar based instrumental band that will simply blow your f’in mind!

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The Instrumental Machinations of The Caveat

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All Logo Designs by Jason McBurney (Greeley, CO)

Here is yet another example of band camaraderie. For those that follow my articles, you are well aware of my absolute love of my SOTA band from Colorado, Source. Recently, they shared a song by another local band called The Caveat. Having respect for my friends in Source, I trusted that they would not drop anything less than great, so I gave them a listen. One song led to another and then to another. Soon enough, I had listened to all of their singles and started over. Instrumental, Progressive Metal with influences from damned near every genre? Oh yeah. Instant fan! “That’s my jam”, in the words of you young pups!  I immediately contacted Ben Gleason with Source and asked that he put in the good word for me with The Caveat and was able to get in touch with Nik Schafer, the bass player out of this kick ass band that had grabbed my attention so tightly, to get all the good stuff behind The Caveat’s music. I would like to thank Nik and the rest of The Caveat for helping provide such an extensive explanation of what make them what they are. Good stuff that made this informative piece possible!

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Interview And Exclusive New Single Release Of “Leap Of Faith” With Angels On The Battlefield

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Angels on the Battlefield is:

JD McGibney – guitar, composer

Angels on the Battlefield has been on my band list for a while now.  I have listened to their EP countless times (you can download it FREE on Angels on the Battlefield); always finding some nuance that I had missed before or changing color based on my mood and/or situation.  Three songs that I just cannot seem to wear out or get out of my head.  This is definitely my kind of music!  Intelligent, melodic and unique.  Once I started work on the article and doing research, I was offered an interview with one of the best instrumental bands out there by their manager Alex Rodrigues and jumped at the chance.  Hell yeah!  Who wouldn’t like to interview someone you have so much respect for, right?  I absolutely love the music, and after working with them, I am an even bigger fan than before.  As a special treat, we have also been honored with the exclusive introduction of their new single “Leap of Faith” which continues their streak of fierce virtuosity.  So, sit back and read what the brainchild of Angels on the Battlefield, JD McGibney has to say about his bad-ass music and listen to the new single below.  Rock the f*ck out!  Cheers!

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