Artist: John B
Title: Row
Type: Album
Label: Secret Port Records

Instrumental albums are far from my radar nowadays, however, I specifically requested this CD to re-tune my ears and maybe take some inspiration from it. Anyway, John B from Athens, Greece, is the guitarist of the Greek heavy/thrash band ‘Hybrid’. None of the 11 tracks on this, his first full-length album as a solo artist, has names. The tracks are merely numbers, or movements if you go into classical musical speak!

From the outset, its clear that the song structures match those of Steve Vai and Joe Satriani, however, sometimes musically it comes across as very much a Yngwie Malmsteen influence, especially on ‘IV’. The guitar work is truly amazing if you’re into all that showmanship. The only downside for me is that the drums sound too synthesized. The tracks are short in relative terms, all just under the 4 minute mark or thereabouts. Keyboards do tend to play an integral part on this CD. Thankfully they are tastefully done and more inspired by classical music and progressive rock rather than other elements of keyboards in music today, however, ‘V’ which is a total keyboard track does get tedious. Thankfully the guitars are back with ‘VI’, and you would almost think it was Joe Satriani himself during his ‘The Extremist’ period. There is certainly a bit of Nevermore in John B’s repertoire also, especially on ‘VII’. The pick sweeping finger work intertwined with finger tapping does sound majestic on ‘VIII’ coupled with acoustic passages and for me displays a stand out track on the album.

It’s hard to put into words an album like this. You have either heard it all before or just cannot be bothered with it all. However, it is fair to say that this is a classy affair and one that you should listen to intently at home, its not really a group/party album that you can wail along too. In short, a welcomed change from the norm and a chance for ‘John b’ to put across his musical talent and vision.

http://www.myspace.com/johnbhybrid
http://www.secretport.com

Paul Maddison


MTUK HOME

[ posted on 08.12.2008 ]

INFRAVISION

THIS EPILEPTIC SERENITY (40:32 min.)

SECRET PORT / GRIECHENLAND-IMPORT
Nach den ersten paar Runden im Player meines Autos, dachte ich, ich hätte eine Musical-CD meiner Frau in den Schacht gesteckt. Zumal mir Theodosis Miras, der Labelinhaber von Secret Port Records, nur eine CD-R ohne jegliche Beschriftung zugesandt hatte. Aber noch bevor eine komplette Minute um war, erklangen erste harte Töne und der Versuch der Stilbeschreibung im Beipackzettel erwies sich als deckungsgleich mit dem musikalischen Inhalt. Wobei man sich mit einer Stilbeschreibung doch sehr schwer tun muss, denn das nordgriechische Trio wuselt sich mit handwerklichem Können und einigem an songwriterischen Geschick durch die zehn Kompositionen. Technical Death Metal trifft auf Thrash, progige Sequenzen auf abgefahrenes Riffing, elektronische Samples auf schreddernde Gitarren, schnelles Drumming auf Industrial-Einsprengsel und der Gesang von Gitarrist Cosmas deckt eine große Spannbreite ab, ist grundsätzlich sehr experimentell gehalten, fügt sich allerdings harmonisch in die Songstrukturen ein. Lediglich das Röhren in die Kloschüssel klingt nicht wirklich gut. Trotz des progressiven, zeitweise gar experimentellen Touches ist die Musik recht aggressiv und der Sound zu jeder Zeit wuchtig. Tracks wie „Life Disconnected“ oder „Damage Per Second“ gehen durchaus als experimentelle Abrissbirnen durch. Einziger Kritikpunkt ist, dass man auf den letzten Songs die Ausflüge in elektronische Fahrwasser und sonstige Spielereien etwas zu sehr übertreibt. Man möchte den Jungs manches mal zurufen: „Bleibt bei einer Linie.“ So trübt auch das zwar recht gute, aber völlig unpassende Bonusstück „Descending In Time“ den zu Beginn noch so kompakten Eindruck und zieht die Note leicht nach unten. http://www.myspace.com/infravision ; http://www.truemetal.org/secretport
7,5/10 - SBr

[ posted on 06.11.2008 ]

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WARNING: all stuff is original and new or some are used but they are noted.

[ posted on 31.07.2008 ]

hallo my friends


please visit those greek music stores to get GIUSSEPE SILVESTRI NEW RELEASE:


EAT METAL RECORDS,SIREN RECORDS AND STEEL GALLERY RECORDS

AND ALSO TO NOREMORSE RECORDS AND SUPREME MUSIC CREATIONS E BAY STORE!!!!


HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!!!

[ posted on 29.07.2008 ]

Giuseppe Silvestri – La Rosa Del Deserto CD (Secret Port Records) Cd review
Giuseppe Silvestri – La Rosa Del Deserto CD (Secret Port Records)

This is the second CD from 34-year-old guitarist Giuseppe who recently singed a contract with Secret Port Records and he definitely carries the tradition of the great Italian scene! I really enjoy instrumental albums, especially when the composer strongly focuses on his inspirational melodies and riffs, without having in top priority his demonstration in various techniques. The style of the album ranges from my favorite Neo-classical songs (“Inferno”, “Coral Castle”, “Portrait of Isabel”, “Les Fleur Du Mal”), to Eastern-influenced tracks (“Gates Of Passion”), mid-tempo pompous compositions (“Eternity”) and quite sentimental moments (“La Rosa Del Deserto”, “Daisy”) so there’s plenty of variety for the listener to choose which songs fits his taste best. Giuseppe is totally enjoyable when he performs the songs: he uses catchy phrases which never produce a dull moment and I think that this is the great advantage of his second effort. Allow me also to express my admiration to the song named “Portrait Of Isabel” since I think that in this particular song Giuseppe proves his advanced skills as a composer! Support independent releases like this and send your encouraging comment to Giuseppe. Visit his mySpace profile (unfortunately it is written in Italian only): www.myspace.com/silvestrigius. Order his CD through Secret Port Records: http://www.truemetal.org/secretport. His first self-titled CD is also available from: http://cdbaby.com/cd/gsilvestri

Dimitris Starakis
Posted by Magic_Starlight at 1:08 PM

[ posted on 29.07.2008 ]