Weiss, Adrian: Criminal Record

Also the guitarist in German power metal outfit Gloryful, Adrian Weiss has now released three albums of instrumental guitar led fare. As with his two previous solo efforts, Weiss is joined by bassist Marcel Willnat and drummer Lars Zehner, while a gaggle of guests appear - members of Axxis, Pitts/Minnemann Project, Warrant, Orden Ogan and Fountainhead all playing their part in making an eclectic album come together.

Weiss is, unsurprisingly, a skilled fretsmith and one not afraid to point his talents in completely different directions. Album opener, "Bird Hair Day", while playing by the guitar instrumental album rules, combines two styles to good effect through a decidedly power metal beat. Thankfully it's the beginning of a journey that refuses to pigeonhole itself by heading down a jazz-metal fusion path on "Beguiled (Fanboy)" and a much more controlled blues vibe on "Three Wishes". Still, the more expected inspirations such as Vinnie Moore, Joe Satriani and Andy Timmons still play a part in the album's make-up, "Anticipatory Obedience" a more expected piece of mid-paced fret dramatics, while "The Dorian Way" is straight out of the Satch book of pensive musings.

However with the funky bounce of "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" adding a more mysterious side and "Completely Cut Loose" a full on metal workout of booming drums and melting guitars, things remain eclectic. While with "Bassment Laughter" an intentionally awkward shuffle and kick and the album's title track combining many of the elements utilised earlier, the byword here is always diversity. Adrian Weiss is a skilled, talented six string man, however, that his desire to illustrate that fact plays only a small part in what you'll experience on Criminal Record makes it and him all the more interesting.

Track Listing
1. Bird Hair Day
2. Beguiled (The Fanboy)
3. Three Wishes
4. Anticipatory Obedience
5. The Dorian Way
6. Everything´s Gonna Be Alright
7. Completely Cut Loose
8. Bassment Laughter
9. Criminal Record

Added: March 31st 2017
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Adrian Weiss at CD Baby
Hits: 1801
Language: english

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