EVAN – Blue Lightning [Japanese Edition +2] (2016)

“Blue Lightning” is the solo debut album by EVAN, a young German guitar virtuoso who knows his ‘strings & notes’ for sure. The record intertwines elaborated instrumentals with songs performed by Fabio Lione (Rhapsody, Angra, Vision Divine) and Markus Johansson Markus Johansson (4ARM, Sylencer, Them) on vocals. This Japanese Edition includes 2 bonus tracks.

Those who remember the Shrapnel Records glorious days when guitarists like Tony MacAlpine, Paul Gilbert, and Yngwie Malmsteen ruled the scene will be delighted by Evan’s guitar play and diversity.
The overall sound & style of the album has that ’90s feel akin Cacophony (Marty Friedman & Jason Becker) and Racer X, but all with a modern feel and set up.

What makes those these compositions so tasty are primarily Evan Koukoularis (real name) sense to keep things in a ‘song format’, taking melody as main focus and not endless solos or riffs.
Clearly, these are songs with a head and tail and surprising risers. Evan also mastered the art of the ‘guitar singing’ ala Joe Satriani. Additionally, talented Bob Katsionis (Firewind, Outloud) keyboard contributions help to provide even more variation and textures.

Fortunately Evan is clever enough to know that’s not the Nineties anymore, and needed to spice the album with some vocal tracks.
Fabio Lione does a great job on the high octane ‘Edge of the Sky’, easily raising his pipes to the riffs on display while keyboardist Bob Katsionis provides his ivory dexterity to match Evan’s axe prowess.
The delicate ballad ‘One Last Time’ delivers a welcomed balance, Fabio adding a lot of his lower register skills during the verses to convey the emotional connection.

Then there’s a surprising cover of British artist Black and a song from his ’80s debut, the electro-pop/gothic oriented number ‘Everything Is Coming Up Roses’, done by Evan in a guitar-driven version with vocals performed by Markus Johansson. It’s a great cover with a dark vibe providing even more diversification to the album.
This Japanese release include as bonus Evan’s take on Yngwie’s classic ‘Far Beyond The Sun’, a great showcase for his lightning fingers and amazing skills, and an early, different instrumental version of ‘Edge of the Sky’.

Not only for electric guitar aficionados but also melodic metal fans, “Blue Lightning” is a highly entertaining album perfectly balanced between vocal songs and strong instrumentals.
Despite his young age, Evan has the talent and skills to become a serious name in the metal genre very soon. He play guitar like the best, additionally his songwriting feels mature and focused (he wrote lyrics here as well), and this debut sound production is top notch.
Strongly Recommended

01 – Rising
02 – Into The Light
03 – Skies Of Shred
04 – Picking The Stars
05 – Orchestra Of Withered Clouds
06 – Blue Lightning
07 – Edge Of The Sky
08 – One Last Time
09 – Everything Is Coming Up Roses (Black Cover)
Japan Bonus Tracks:
10 – Far Beyoud The Sun (Yngwie cover)
11 – Edge Of The Sky (Instrumental version)

Evan Koukoularis – guitars, bass
Fabio Lione – vocals
Markus Johansson – vocals
Bob Katsionis – keyboards, arrangements
Jimmy Pitts – keyboards on 9
Jim C. – bass
Danny Joe Hofmann – drums

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www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/KICP-1792
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