Platz, Hanz: Timestamps

Is Hanz Platz a 20 year veteran of instrumental guitar rock? Is Timestamps his first CD? With the number of special guest musicians (including Marco Minnemann on Drums and T.M. Stevens on Bass) I'm leaning towards the former.

The main lick on "Birdrange" is a nice wandering, mid-tempo melody that provides the basis for this song which to me acts like an intro to the CD. One can hear great right hand and left hand techniques through the middle of the song.

Marco's drumming is immediately detectable on track two and combines well with Hanz' tapping. The song continues with a heavier style and a few thoughts come to mind: video game soundtrack and Steve Vai. A clean section changes the dynamics and the opening tapping section returns. Very cool composition!

The staccato, muted lick-style appears on track three and is a cool sound. Lots of frenetic solos, this track can be described as contemporary fusion.

"Father" is a slower melodic rocker with many layers of guitars and stands out as one of the best on the CD. Lead runs and lots of emotion carry us though.

"Red Room Nine" and "Axetasy" are two funky excursions, one faster, one slower.

T. M. Stevens' low end is immediately detected on "Freak Sauna," A nice rocker with a hidden 15/16 rhythm (7 then 8) that really only sticks out if you are paying real close attention. Sometimes it's nice to NOT be hit over the head with an odd time signature.

Freak Kitchen's Mattias Eklundh lends some extra shredding on "Deadman." Marco Minnemann comes back on tracks 9 and 10 and I think he has infused Hanz' playing to meet his frenetic energy. "Alive" brings Timestamps to a close with clean, plaintive sounds.

Hanz Platz has great chops and an innovative style and melodic sensiblilty that is different from your generic instrumental rock guitarist. Timestamps has energy and creativity and a great cast of backing musicians.

Track Listing
1. Birdrange
2. Spanish Race on a Devil's Highway
3. Pull It Out
4. Father
5. Red Room Nine
6. Axetasy
7. Freak Sauna
8. Deadman
9. Timestamps
10. This is War
11. Alive

Added: January 29th 2014
Reviewer: Ryan Good
Score:
Related Link: Artist Facebook Page
Hits: 1952
Language: english

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