MICHAEL ANGELO BATIO – Shred Force 1 (2015)
*
Without a doubt one of the pioneer of the shred guitar genre, MICHAEL ANGELO BATIO will release his first career-spanning retrospective, “Shred Force 1: The Essential Michael Angelo Batio”, April 14th via Rat Pak Records.
The album not only highlights Batio’s best work to date, but also brings together many renowned hard rock and heavy metal musicians.
“Shred Force 1” offers some of Michael’s most memorable performances including a dynamic version of Rush’s “What You’re Doing”, which features Queensrÿche vocalist Todd LaTorre, Metal Church guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, Alice Cooper bassist Chuck Garric, Metal Church / TSO drummer Jeff Plate and guitarist Craig Blackwell.
There is also a cover of Deep Purple’s “Burn” with Queensrÿche vocalist Todd LaTorre and Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti.
Of course you have Batio’s renowned instrumentals such as the awesome “Hands Without Shadows”, or “8 Pillars of Steel” with guest appearances by Elliott Dean Rubinson, Dave Reffett, Jeff Loomis, Rusty Cooley, George Lynch (ex Dokken) and Craig Goldy (ex Dio, Giuffria).
“Juggernaut” showcases ex Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland, Dave Reffett, Annie Grunwald, Guthrie Govan, Mike Lepond, and super talented Michael Romeo.
The album also consists of Michael’s tributes to some legends. One of them is Eric Clapton in the track “Slowhand”, mixing famous songs from the British guitarist and re-done with a ‘heavy’ arrangement. Despite the contrasts, this works really good in grand part thanks to Warren Dunlevy Jr. excellent vocals.
“R R R” is a salute to the immortal Randy Rhoads (great guitar sound by Batio) featuring Rudy Sarzo on bass, and there’s a new version of MAB s unique tribute (“Diamond”) to the late great Darrell ‘Dimebag’ Abbott of Pantera, that features guitarist Michael Wilton of Queensrÿche.
If you love shred guitar, “Shred Force 1: The Essential Michael Angelo Batio” is a must. On the other side, if this type of things bores you, check this one anyway, because interspersed between these hot instrumentals there’s a buch of great US Metal / Hard Rock tracks.
Yes, Batio cleverly put 1 song with vocals / 1 instr. / 1 song with vocals and so on… and works greatly, it’s a quite dynamic listen.
Many tracks have been re-recorded / re-mixed, so if you already have Batio’s discography, you need this one as well.
Very Recommended.
01. Hands Without Shadows
(feat Bobby Rock & William Kopecky)
02. Burn [Deep Purple cover]
(feat Todd LaTorre & Mark Tremonti)
03. Juggernaut
(feat Chris Poland, Dave Reffett, Annie Grunwald, Guthrie Govan, Mike Lepond & Michael Romeo)
04. What You’re Doing [Rush cover]
(feat Todd LaTorre, Kurdt Vanderhoof, Chuck Garric, Jeff Plate and Craig Blackwell)
05. 8 Pillars of Steel
(feat George Lynch, Craig Goldy, Elliott Dean Rubinson, Dave Reffett, Jeff Loomis, Rusty Cooley, Andrea Martongelli)
06. Call To Arms
(feat Dan Lenegar, William Kopecky & John Mrozek)
07. 2X Again
08. Slowhand
(feat Warren Dunlevy Jr.)
09. Diamond
(feat Michael Wilton & Elliott Dean Rubinson)
10. Rainforest
11. Gotta Run
(feat Dan Lenegar, William Kopecky & John Mrozek)
12. No Boundaries
13. R R R [Tribute To Randy Rhoads]
(feat Rudy Sarzo & Bobby Rock)
PRE-ORDER:
www.amazon.co.uk/Shred-Force-1-Essential-Mab/dp/B00UC3BZ40
.
