Tracklist: 1. Altitudes
2. Perpetual Burn
3. Mables Fatal Fable
4. Air
5. Temple Of The Absurd
6. Eleven Blue Egyptians
7. Dweller In The Cellar
8. Opus Pocus
Jason Becker was a phenomenal guitar player back in the 80�s and a very creative musician to this day. After being crippled with ALS he stopped playing guitar but it didn�t stop him creating albums. This however is an album from when he was still playing guitar and hadn�t been diagnosed with als yet.
At the time of these recordings Jason Becker was at his peak. His technique was flawless and unlike some incredibly technical guitarists he had an ear for melody as well, making him an all round accomplished guitarist. Also unlike some guitarists he doesn�t just stick to some of the more contemporary styles but was also greatly influenced by Mozart and Paganini. Giving him a really broad musical diversity.
Altitudes- starts off with quite a slow classical opening which gradually gets layered up into an incendiary rock track that his more than enough technical showcase to please any guitar fans but he doesn�t forget the art of phrasing on this piece. A great opener with some top playing on it. 5/5
Perpetual Burn- a much faster paced more rockier style to altitudes but still maintains that neo classical style. Some cool ideas used in it and the drums have some cool double bass sections with great drumming in it from atma anur who is his old band cacophony�s drummer. He features throughout this album. Melody is a little weak but has plenty of drive to it. 4/5
Mabel�s Fatal Fable- cool harmonic idea at the beginning really sets the standard for the rest of the song. Has some brilliant drumming again, very Metallica esq. Riff in the background could do to be brought to the fore front as it is very hard to hear. But the lead guitar is as you expect, beautiful and very creative.4/5
Air- possibly the best piece on the album, you can really here Mozart�s influence on this track. Great use of melody, and such creativity that gives such a strong argument that he was not just a great guitar player but a great musician. When malmsteen was 19 years old he wouldn�t have been this good a guitarist. 5/5
Temple Of The Absurd- this one features Marty Friedman of Megadeth joining in for some guitar madness on what is possibly the heaviest track on the album. Great use of twin guitars to get that excellent harmony. Pure shred solo�s throughout that prove those 2 to be the best guitarists at the time. The only downside to this one is that the drumming is a little plain and not very adventurous. 4/5
Eleven Blue Egyptians- Marty also plays on this track, however I feel it sounds a little too similar to the last track and doesn�t seem to be too different except for the very cool blues solo�s that are used but otherwise isn�t very impressive. A good song for anyone other than these 2. 3/5
Dweller In The Cellar- the last of the songs with Marty on, some very cool clean and phaser guitar ideas being used at the beginning before going into a slow heavy riff. Has some of the best solo�s on the album from both Marty and Jason, very expressive and technical at the same time. Bass really comes through well on this track and drumming is pretty good. A top track. 5/5
Opus Pocus- nice ending to the album. A very unexpected song for the end of the album, thought it would start off faster and be more driving but starts like he finishes and is similar to altitudes. Has my favourite melody on the album and is the standard you expect from him. 4/5
stand out tracks:
Altitudes
Air
Temple Of The Absurd
Dweller In The Cellar
Not an album for death metallers, more an album for the 80�s thrash and hair metaller. An amazing album in my opinion that deserves great respect as one of the best guitar albums around. A well deserved 4/5 in my eyes.
If you like this album check out Jason�s band cacophony which features Marty Friedman of megadeth. Another good album would be David lee Roth�s a little ain�t enough which he plays guitar on. This is my first review, constructive criticism is welcome.
good review especially for an instrumental album. cacophony is amazing and so is this. only one problem... do you think you could change the album cover because that is not the right one. no big deal though.This Message Edited On 05.09.07
Jason Becker getting ALS is one of the biggest tragedies in music history. Imagine what he could be doing now if he could still play. Like i said in the my last comment, he was only 16 when he recorded this! A true prodigy.
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