Instrumental Metal – Metal Express Radio

NUCLEAR POWER TRIO – Wet Ass Plutonium

August 8, 2023 Bryce Van Patten

For those of us who are into super-shredding Prog/Fusion/Metal with a taste of political satire, this new release from Colorado based Nuclear Power Trio will certainly hit the spot. As the follow up to 2020’s A Clear and Present Rager, the new album Wet Ass Plutonium is a collection of nine over the top instrumentals that kick serious ass. Though the band members like to remain anonymous using their nicknames Kimmy, Donny, and Vladi P., this reviewer has tracked them down. The band is comprised of drummer Pete Webber (Fear Factory, Havok) as Kim Jong-un, guitarist Greg Burgess (Allegaeon, Cryogen) as Donald Trump, and bassist Nick Schendzielos (Cephalic Carnage, Havok) as Vladimir Putin. About the Album Nuclear Power Trio – Wet Ass Plutonium is an incredible collection of instrumentals that truly showcase the talent of the band. Every song has its own mood and theme, and every song allows each band member to show their stuff. The silly titles show the sense of humor of the band, and the performances show the awesome musical skills that each band member brings to the table. Final Notes Instrumental albums aren’t for everyone (to some people’s great loss), but in the case of Nuclear Power Trio – Wet Ass Plutonium, they should be. While the songs have elements of Heavy Metal, they lean more towards Fusion and Prog. The concept is fun, and funny, even if the image of “Donny” doesn’t quite look like the infamous Donald Trump. We certainly won’t hold that against these dudes, and on the contrary recommend this album highly. Fans of John Petrucci, Dream Theater, Sons of Apollo, and all Prog/Fusion/Metal blends will absolutely love this album. Nuclear Power Trio – Lineup Supreme Drums: Kimmy (Pete Webber – As Kim Jong-un) Tremendous Guitar: Donny (Greg Burgess – As …READ MORE

GUS G. – Quantum Leap

September 28, 2021 Séverine Peraldino

Quarantine hobbies While some tried to make bread, practiced yoga or hoped to grow edible vegetables, others got to work and proved that twiddling their thumbs was not for them. Gus G. needs no introduction as he is the figure of the modern guitar hero par excellence. He is a prolific composer for Firewind and used to be Ozzy Osbourne’s stage guitarist. Amidst all this, he found time to compose and produce several solo albums, Quantum Leap being the latest. Heroes of the past One thing to truly appreciate with Metal music is how the genre keeps an important place for virtuosity in its modern aesthetics. That being said, instrumental albums are still in a way musical UFOs. You don’t listen to them with the same perspective as a classic album. They need a true virtuoso composer to replace melodic vocal lines with instrumental. A comparison with Classical music, in that case, does not seem out of place. Paradoxically enough, Gus G. admitted he is not a big fan of solo albums as they tend to be too long. However, Quantum Leap is not short. With two CDs, the second one a collection of live songs could be viewed as a bonus. This review will mainly focus on the new materials. The soundtrack to a journey home The first impression you gather from these new compositions is the clearness of the sound. Despite the obvious virtuosity and technical lyrical flights throughout the songs, it never gets messy. Trills, ornaments and artifices are always carefully dosed so that the album remains coherent. Gus G. develops various atmospheres, from classic Hard Rock to Progressive Metal. For example, “Enigma of Life”, with the acoustic highlights is both soothing and impelling. The opening title “Leap Into the Unknown” offers a good appetizer to the …READ MORE

BLACK 7 – Look Inside

September 28, 2021 Bryce Van Patten

One Vision Back in the 80s and 90s the concept of a single musician being able to write, record and produce their own album was a pipe dream for all but the most connected. In today’s music scene it is now possible for a person to create an entire project from the ground up and see it through to completion, as well as release, and that’s exactly what German guitarist Lars Totzke did. Over the last 12 months, he has written and recorded the album Black 7 – Look Inside which marks his first release with this well done guitar instrumental collection of songs. Judge the Book Look Inside is a collection of 14 songs that come in at just over an hour in total, and if this reviewer had to guess at the inspiration for the project name of Black 7, it would be the 7 string guitar that is prominent in the promo pic. When thinking of great guitar instrumentalists, names like Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Tony McAlpine come to mind. While Lars Totzke lacks the flash of these famous players, he does have a great sense of melody and feeling that comes through in his music. Totzke plays all of the instruments with the exception of the drums, which are looped performances Totzke has manipulated to fit his compositions. Final Notes The music on Black 7 – Look Inside is compelling, and brings a great sense of mood and emotion. It’s one of those records that’s great to listen to while doing art projects, playing video games, or just chilling. The production is pretty good, with some room for improvement in the mix. While listening to the album, this reviewer had a flashback to the video game soundtrack to ‘Lords of Thunder’ by Satoshi Miyashita: cool …READ MORE

SCOTT ALLEN PROJECT – Escape Velocity

January 19, 2020 Zac Halter

The Scott Allen Project has released three full length albums since 2006. The band’s latest release is an EP. The band’s bio explains that it reflects the current trend of album format being less central and their desire to try something new. The music is described as their most progressive and diverse to date. “Hitting The Wall” and “Wrecked” both benefit from featuring Derek Sherinian of Dream Theater/Sons of Apollo on keyboards. The former staggers forth with sludgy guitar laced with pinch harmonics. Eventually guitar solos are interjected and begin alternating with old school organ bursts similar to Steppenwolf’s Goldy McJohn. The latter pushes the complexity level up to Progressive levels with frequent tempo changes, innovative percussion and keyboard fills. These songs don’t create an expectation that vocals should be inserted at any time. Other songs such as “The Tosser”, “Headed Due North” and “Taking The A Train” follow a more standard song structure where the lack of vocal accompaniment is more tangible. The first two share Joe Satriani’s frantic fret board style and the big riffs of 80s style arena anthems. The third sets itself apart with a bit of funk. ”Sunset” removes vocal expectation entirely by soloing constantly. A leisurely acoustic guitar and rhythm section supplies the canvas and the lead guitar’s brush never leaves it. Fortunately the paint runs out before the song paints itself into a corner. Escape Velocity delivers as advertised on diversity and Progressive elements. Each song has a distinct style and they’re an enjoyable listen from start to finish. While individual songs may be derivative of genres and individual artists, there’s little stylistic repetition. Maintaining a listener’s attention without any vocal connection is challenging, but the Scott Allen Project makes it happen. TUNE INTO METALEXPRESSRADIO.COM at NOON & MIDNIGHT (EST) / 6:00 & …READ MORE

LUCA PRINCIOTTA BAND – Rough Blue

June 3, 2018 Zac Halter

Italian guitarist Luca Princiotta is best known for his work with DORO. He also collaborates with other Heavy Metal artists and plays with his eponymous project the Luca Princiotta Band. The band says its sophomore album draws from the band’s influences of rock/blues riffs, breathtaking solos and melodies, catchy and energetic drum and bass grooves with rough, bluesy vocals. From the opening riffs of the mid-tempo instrumental “On Board”, high quality production is evident. Audibility and separation of the guitar, bass, and drums is superb. The three songs which feature vocals have superior sound as well. What, wait! Only three songs with vocals? Correct. Fortunately the seven instrumentals aren’t simply excuses for high speed, chest thumping solos. The band presents tastefully crafted and professionally executed tunes in a variety of styles and tempos. Up-tempo songs such as “Shake The Cake” and the title track “Rough Blue” will certainly evoke comparisons to Joe Satriani while the mournful blues of “When Everything’s Right” and “We Need Time” are reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughan. The vocals are rough, bluesy as advertised. “What It Takes” is the best track with vocals. It has a decent chorus and features uncomplicated, purposeful riffs interspersed with incendiary solos. It’s similar in style to Last In Line’s 2016 song “Devil In Me”. Rough Blue successfully avoided becoming a guitar centric instrumental ego stroke. By presenting a thoughtful mix of styles and strategically placing tracks with vocals throughout the album the band creates a highly listenable whole. Recommended for fans of Hard Rock, Melodic Metal, and Instrumental Metal. TUNE INTO METALEXPRESSRADIO.COM at NOON & MIDNIGHT (EST) / 6:00 & 18:00 (CET) TO HEAR THE BEST TRACKS FROM THIS UPCOMING RELEASE!!! TRACKLIST (Highlights: 1, 3, 4, 9) On Board Shake The Cake What It Takes When Everything’s Right The Guest …READ MORE