MARTY FRIEDMAN – Inferno (2014)
*
Unfortunately, to some, MARTY FRIEDMAN is just ‘that guy’ who played guitar and contributed to several of Megadeth’s best records. But often his mind-blowing efforts in Cacophony go undermentioned or unknown by modern fans, as does his continually solid solo career — a career that has shifted toward Japan where he relocated some time ago, became a TV celebrity, and released many eclectic albums.
The man has an unreal discography behind him, and his new CD “Inferno” is not a showcase of solo showboating or an example of resting on past achievements and styles.
“Inferno” is more than a scorching storm of guitar pyrotechnics or a cliche title. Ultimately, its intensity serves as a reminder that Marty Friedman isn’t done blowing minds yet, and the beautifully emotive feeling in his playing is alive and well here.
This new record is somehow a back-to-basics offering, packed with trenchant, off-kilter melodic heavy riffs and virtuosic solos, yet with modern updates such as groovin’ influences which find their way into a few tracks, but the leads and soloing over the top of those grooves put most all to shame.
The smart thing Friedman did on “Inferno” is to mix instrumental tunes and regular songs which include vocal parts; the best of both worlds.
The album starts furious; “Inferno” and “Resin” are two instrumental which are breathtaking fast and those songs prove why Friedman belongs still to the best shred guitar players in these days. It’s the mix between neo-classical elements and some heavy riffs, which makes the compositions very exciting and energizing. These two anthems could be your acoustical caffeine shot in the morning.
The first songs with vocals are coming half way and they are placed at the right spot in the playlist. For “I Can’t Relax” Friedman managed to gain Danko Jones for the job behind the mic. Jones’ vocals are quite poppy and the song itself almost catchy.
Another song which track pretty well too is the thrashy “Sociopaths” with vocals from Revocation guitarist and singer David Davidson. The rough pipes and screams from Davidson are an excellent chosen contrast to Friedman’s filigree way of playing guitar.
Danko Jones does a second appearance alongside Children Of Bodom’s Alexi Laiho on the energetic melodic stomper of “Lycanthrope”. The guitar work here is sick.
Meanwhile, “SteroidHead” features Skyharbor’s groove specialist Keshav Dha, with Friedman nimbly accompanying him with monster riffs. It’s a schizophrenically awesome song with two different identities that coalesce splendidly. “Inferno” absolutely rips, roars, and constantly redefines itself throughout.
Marty Friedman allows the record, like many of his prior works, considerable space within which experimental ideas flourish. This leads to things such as the extreme saxophone infusion courtesy of Jørgen Munkeby (which you might now from Shining) paired with Friedman’s wild shredding on the appropriately titled “Meat Hook”, and the contrasting acoustic-shred nuttiness of “Wicked Panacea” with calming Latin contributions courtesy of superb guitarists Rodrigo y Gabriela.
One of my favorites cuts is the melodic, quasi-anthemic “Undertow”, one of the few moments of calm on the disc, featuring terrific performances by Gregg Bissonette (David Lee Roth, Steve Vai) on drums and Tony Franklin (Don Dokken, Blue Murder) on bass.
The last surprise pops up closer towards the end of the CD. Jason Becker, who has to suffer from the ALS-syndrom, was able to compose “Horrors” together with Marty Friedman. It’s a grandiose, intricate maze of shadows and light, a veritable musical orgy of shred joy that Cacophony will love. It’s great that those two companions got that chance to do write together again.
While Marty Friedman already has created numerous absurdly high-caliber albums, I can confidently say “Inferno” is right up there with his very best work. Friedman delivers ample evidence on this new record that he is still hungry and evolving, a trail-blazing guitar icon not content to confine or repeat himself.
He has created here his heaviest, shreddiest, and most experimental solo record yet. Clearly the man is still on fire — spin the flames of “Inferno” until headbanging severs your head from your neck.
Recommended.
01. Inferno
02. Resin
03. Wicked Panacea (feat. Rodrigo y Gabriela)
04. Steroidhead (feat. Keshav Dhar)
05. I Can’t Relax (feat. Danko Jones)
06. Meat Hook (feat. Jørgen Munkeby)
07. Hyper Doom
08. Sociopaths (feat. David Davidson)
09. Lycanthrope (feat. Alexi Laiho & Danko Jones)
10. Undertow (feat. Gregg Bissonette & Tony Franklin)
11. Horrors (co-written by Jason Becker)
12. Inferno -reprise-
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