I first heard John Lowery rip it up on guitar as a part of David Lee Roth's band for the amazing DLR Band record back in 1998 and then the cool Two project with the Metal God, Rob Halford. He was then dubbed John 5 as a member of Marilyn Manson's band for the equally great 2003 release The Golden Age of Grotesque. The guy has left his mark everywhere he has gone & has yet to disappoint. Fast forward to his solo career and John 5 has released three stellar CD's and Requiem (60 Cycle Hum), his latest and 4th release finds John 5 not missing a beat and setting the bar for Heavy guitar instrumental music.
Simply put, Requiem is one of the best CD's released this year & the best instrumental guitar CD of 2008, hands down! Requiem is a 10 track guitar CD lesson. John 5 again manages to shred away and add a ton of humor, off the wall sounds and techniques throughout. Really, John 5 should be a household name at this point and I would have to believe that his day is coming. 10 songs and all 10 just kill!
From the openingnotes of the first single, "Sounds Of Impalement" you know that John 5 brings the goods as only he can. Hot spots are "Heretics Fork", the insane riffing of "Cleansing The Soul", and the tender, but sinister "Scavenger's Daughter". Also check out the crazy chicken pickin' on "Pear Anguish" and "Pity Belt". Albert Lee would be proud! Damn this guy just rules. Like a Steve Vai, who always manages to have his personality shine through, I think that's what I like most about John 5. You always know it's him within a few notes. He is a one of a kind, that's for sure.
If you only know John 5 as the pale faced guitar player with Rob Zombie or from his Manson days, do yourself a favor and kill for this CD. If you're a guitar player, this is one of those CD's that will make you either pack your guitar away in the closet or make you into a practice demon. Either way, John 5 is a MONSTER player & it is time for people to take notice. He has been one of the most consistent players over the past few years that has yet to let anyone down with his amazing performances. John 5 may wear some scary make up, but that's as far as the joke goes. The man can play and has backed it up every step of his career. John 5 Rules!
Track Listing
- Sounds Of Impalement
- Heretics Fork
- Noisemaker's Fife
- Pity Belt
- Cleansing The Soul
- The Judas Cradle
- Pear Anguish
- The Lead Sprinkler
- Scavenger's Daughter
- Requiem
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