New gunslinger in town, Magna Carta Records' own Ethan Brosh, whose debut CD Out of Oblivion is being heralded as the second coming of the guitar hero. Is it all hype or fact?
Being proclaimed as "trend-bucking arena rock for instrumental guitar music freaks" is quite a statement, but can the guy live up to it?
With solid guest stars on Out of Oblivion such as the legendary Guitar God, George Lynch, the incomparable Greg Howe, hyper speed shredder Joe Stump and amazing drummer Mike Mangini (Extreme, Annihilator, Steve Vai), this CD is already starting off on the right foot. To add to this release the record was mixed by famed producer Chris Tsangarides (Thin Lizzy, Y&T, King Diamond and one of my personal favorite producers of all time) and the CD's artwork is provided by none other than Derek Riggs, the man who has made all of Iron Maiden's album covers come to life, so the packaging and sound of the CD are both top notch, so what about the playing?
I had never heard about this Ethan Brosh before settling in to listen to this CD. At first listen it is obvious that the Berklee School of Music grad, Brosh is a talented guitar player and is well versed in Metal/Hard Rock, as well as having a strong melodic sensibility. Songs like "Ancient Land" with its Egyptian feel and slow, brooding taste with a guest solo from Joe Stump is a good example of what Ethan Brosh can write. And the pedal to the metal of "Downward Spiral" featuring George Lynch is another highlight on Out of Oblivion. Straight forward and a fast shredder, this will make guitar fans sit up and take notice. But the true strength of Ethan Brosh is his Classical/Flamenco tunes. Brosh is a super talented nylon string player and the two songs on this CD of this material, "Illusion" and "Bach Prelude #4" leave me longing for more of this. Steve Stevens proved a few years ago that an entire record of Flamenco guitar could be fun and NOT boring in the slightest and I hope that Brosh will do more of this in the future. Beautiful and gracious are the words that come to mind of his Classical playing, a true talent. "In a SentiMetal Mood reminds me of mid '80's Shrapnel Records players like Tony MacAlpine. It hits you in the face nice and hard and doesn't let up. But the CD gem is easily the tune "Blade Runner", featuring the incredible Greg Howe swapping licks back and forth worth with Ethan Brosh. A little bit funky with a cool pulsating bass line, Brosh and Howe get to have some extended fun on this one. A CD favorite for sure.
Now is Out of Oblivion the CD that will buck the trends of arena rock for instrumental guitar? No, it's not. But for that matter who has ever been able to do that? Joe Satriani and Steve Vai maybe? But this IS a solid release and isn't just a full on Metal shredfest. Ethan Brosh shows that his decade long quest to become a legitimate guitar hero and to have this 11 track CD show its face to the world has finally come true. Part Yngwie, part Django, part '80's Shrapnel shredder's, Ethan Brosh rolls all of that into a ball and adds his melodic flair to it all to find his own voice.
Not quite totally original but a huge talent for sure, Out of Oblivion is a pleasure to listen to and should find a welcome home to any Hard Rock/Metal instrumental guitar fans out there. The guy can play!
Track Listing
- The Hit Man
- Night City
- Downward Spiral
- Blast Off
- Ancient Land
- Illusion
- In A SentiMetal Mood
- Blade Runner
- Bach Prelude No.04
- Affliction
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