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op verzoek van therocker via http://poprock.actieforum.com/


Marty Friedman has shown to have one of the more interesting solo careers with his playing style mixing heavy metal with a Japanese style of melodic rock. Loudspeaker held promise to be Marty Friedman’s most aggressive album yet, and with the powerful thrashy opener Elixir you would believe it. Although later tracks prove this statement to be false, you mustn’t deny Loudspeaker greatness. 

Since leaving Megadeth, Marty has become a well known Japanese session guitarist featuring on many J-pop albums and mainstream music. The ‘poppy’ feel rubs off unto Marty’s recent albums and Loudspeaker is no different. Loudspeaker switches between edgy metal riffage and almost pop chord progressions. On paper this seems like a bad thing but with Marty’s well crafted melodies over the chord progressions it flows well and still remains to be metal.

The leads are typical Friedman and at times predictable, but they fit the music well. They still have the same oriental feel about them and go for a more melodic approach rather than constant shredding. The production is excellent; glossy and wide and the rhythm section is great. There are vocals on a few tracks but the album is almost entirely instrumental. 

This album features some big music names; John Petrucci appears on the track Black Orchid which is a more punky kind of metal song. The solo isn’t typical Petrucci which is good to hear. Jens Johansson adds a keyboard solo to the song Glycerine Flesh which is a slow more melodic track which shows Friedman’s virtuosity (and plenty of twin leads). Steve Vai is on the track Viper which is another kind of punk rocky song. Plenty of weird guitar effects and awesome soloing in this song thanks to Mr. Vai. And Bass master Billy Sheehan plays on Elixir and Paradise Express. 

Loudspeaker contains a good mixture of fast aggressive metal and slow melodic rock tracks. The album isn’t entirely metal, but it shouldn't expected to be as it is a solo instrumental album. Highlights would be the thrashy Elixir, punk rocky Black Orchid, and the pulverising Stigmata Addiction. Recommended for fans of Marty’s previous work, instrumental solo artists (like Satriani, Vai, etc) and any who likes a more Japanese melodic punk metal style.



"Elixir" - 4:35
"Street Demon (Santa Rosa Wrecking Crew Mix)" - 3:30
"Black Orchid" - 4:31 (featuring John Petrucci)
"Paradise Express" - 4:47
"Sekai Ni Hitotsu Dake No Hana" (SMAP cover) - 4:16
"Glycerine Flesh" - 5:15
"Stigmata Addiction" - 7:08
"Viper" - 3:05 (featuring Steve Vai)
"Coloreas Mi Vida" - 3:13
"Devil Take Tomorrow" - 4:00
"Static Rain" - 2:47 (featuring KIRITO)

+ 3 extra nummers waarschijnlijk de japanse edt.