Joe Stump is an artist that for too long has
lived under the shadow of Yngwie Malmsteen. However, Speed Metal
Messiah is guaranteed to make The Maestro sit up and take notice,
and most likely sweat a little for this is neo-classical guitar
work of the highest quality.
Its been a few years since Joe's last proper studio album 1998's
Rapid Fire Rondo, which if being honest I found a bit of a let
down after the guitar tour-de-force that was its predecessor Supersonic
Shred Machine. However, during this time Joe has released an album
of live material and demo outtakes (2001: A Shred Odyssey) and
project solo albums (the recommended Armed & Ready is one
of these) in addition to a couple of albums by his superb vocal
neo-classical band outfit Reign Of Terror. However, fans of Joe's
solo work have been waiting for a 100% new solo album for some
time - simply the wait has been worth it.
Speed Metal Messiah sees Stump raise his game in every department.
The first major apparent improvement is the production of this
album - sonically this album is superb with a very clear mix and
great separation between the instruments (the album was mixed
by Reign Of Terror vocalist Michael Vescera). In addition Joe
has really honed his instrumental crafting skills and the sound
now is firmly his own. Lastly the actual playing itself has taken
several more steps up the ladder (never one thing Stump has been
lacking for sure) with the whole guitar work just sounding supremely
confident and really going for the jugular with its precision,
skill and sheer energy
Those familiar with Joe's previous solo releases will have some
idea of what to expect and the short opener Prelude
is a classically fuelled mix of arpeggios over a grandiose backing.
Speed Metal Messiah (the track)
swiftly takes off with a fast riff over which Stump layers up
the guitars. The track is reminiscent in some ways of the material
from Supersonic Shred Machine (it has a similar vibe) in that
we have a riff followed by numerous guitar motifs. One aspect
of the track that shows the improvements Joe has made are the
more melodic bluesy moments within this track. These help give
the other furious parts more impact and keep the track more streamlined.
The 2 stringed Blackmore-ish arpeggios around the 2:50 mark are
a particular joy and really give the track a sense of pace and
excitement - sublime stuff.
The Red Priest starts out with more
furious classical touches before another scalding metal riff tears
your face off. This leads into some more neo-classical touches
with pedal points merging with arpeggios, yet all the time keeping
a coherent melody within the structure. These transcend down the
neck in linear fashion before the metal riff reappears. At 2:55
the track breaks down into an riff that has a classic Megadeth
feel with some phasing effect to add more evil to the tonality,
before Joe leads into some snaky lead work combining fast linear
licks with devilish bends. A couple of key changes later the track
builds to a majestic harmonised melody that sees nice instrumentation
with a harpsichord underneath.
Eastern Beast commences with a clean
guitar tone playing around some medieval sounding scales with
a strong Blackmore slant to the note choice. A mid paced simple
yet effective riffs lead takes over which leads into a variation
of the initial riff with atmospheric keyboard chords adding more
depth. Over this Joe lays down a sublime octave divider led melody.
The track is one of the most accessible on the album yet showcases
everything Stump can do extremely well. The moody main melody
leads into more heavily classical orientated lines before the
majestic riff comes forth once again. Eastern Beast is guaranteed
to become a Joe Stump classic.
Weapon Of Choice is home to some
of the most frenzied arpeggios I have heard in some time! A classic
metal riff then creates the backdrop for the track. After the
frenzied opening the track leads into more melodic water. Fear-ye-not
Stump fans this is still Joe Stump 100% through and through. Again
there is a Blackmore-ish tinge to some of the lines heard here.
Things then get super melodic for Reflection.
The title suggests the nature of this track and indeed it is a
track with a lot of emotion within it, and is easily accessible
for even the most hardened guitar instrumental cynic. The guitar
work here is simply beautiful with extremely strong vibrato and
choice note selection throughout its 7-minute plus running time.
Reflection is another highlight and worth the price of purchase
alone!
The Killer Instinct is another mid
tempo track yet the guitar work is extremely technical and intricate.
Again there is good structure to the track, and the main melodies
are good once again strong, special mention must go the great
backing from Jay Rigney (bass) and Jay Gates (drums) who underpin
the whole album tremendously throughout.
Dragons Den is a solo piece from
Joe that moves from an etude with Joe duelling with delay pedal
before building the tension through some rapid arpeggios all very
classically influenced.
Unleashing The Fury is dedicated
to Yngwie Malmsteen and Ritchie Blackmore and is another album
highlight. The intro arpeggios and riffing are certainly reminiscent
of Mr Malmsteen before heading into a bluesier Blackmore vibe
with simpler riffing before the main lead guitar comes in with
more Blackmore charm. The track then builds with some more classically
influenced lines before Stump plays some of the most inspired
lead lines I have heard from him. This is where the enhanced clarity
of this recording really pays off; hearing the intricacies in
full sonic glory is delightful.
Retroactivity sees Joe getting down
and dirty in true blues style. This is upbeat blues (think Frank
Marino, Band Of Gypsies era Hendrix) and for sonic authenticity
Stump stomps on the Rotovibe for that swirling phasing effect
- great stuff. A great riff comes in at the 3:00 mark, simple
yet powerful.
Psycho Shred Suite 1st Movement
features some of the most intense playing I have ever heard from
Stump. Very classical in nature yet chock full of metal attitude
the track is sure to delight the legions of Stump fans around
the world.
Cadenza Diablo offers somewhat of
a breather after Psycho Shred Suite 1st Movement, a beautiful
solo piece that sees Joe playing some fine classical licks over
keyboard textures provided by Mats Olausson.
Stump then pounds back with Psycho 2nd
Movement Presto which if not quite as intense as the 1st
Movement is still enough to mere mortals bow down at the alter
of the Shred Lord. Again a strong early Rising Force vibe is here,
which adds more charm to the track.
The 2-minute track Chamber Maid
closes the album with its baroque overtones. Very classical in
nature with extra authenticity coming from Mats Olausson's orchestration
on harpsichord and strings. Here Stump's guitar tone is superb,
clean, glassy and pure allowing all the nuances to stand out.
With Speed Metal Messiah Joe Stump has delivered the album his
previous releases have all hinted at. This release is home to
sheer class in every department with enough sonic tapestries to
make even the most hardcore guitar nut die with ecstasy, yet enough
focus and restraint (where required) to make the album appealing
to those not so impressed by instrumental releases.
In short Speed Metal Messiah has everything you could want in
an instrumental release in the neo-classical genre, and in the
process Stump has delivered a masterpiece all of his own.
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