Artist: Chris Brooks CD Title: "The Master Plan" Reviewed by: Nick Martinelli Reviewed: 9/23/2003

Chris Brooks is a native Australian guitarist who combines melody, shred, and progressive song writing to create a mystical listening experience. I don’t think I can compare him to any other guitarist out there today. He has a unique style all his own and really knows what strong instrumental song writing should sound like. He won’t bore you with two-minute arpeggio movements that leave you saying, "Ok, so what else can he do?" Don’t get me wrong, I love arpeggios just as much as the next guy, but there comes a point when it’s overkill. Brooks is a well-rounded player who draws new boundaries for where instrumental guitar should go. "The Master Plan" should stand as a new testament, influencing the works of other guitarists. This album is like a never-ending dream from which you never want to wake.

"Kryptica" starts off with blistering guitar acrobatics of phenomenal proportions. Chris Brooks shreds his board to pieces with overly melodic and concise playing. He also uses tons of melodies throughout this stellar track. The main hookline is a great example of what kind of gunslinger this Aussie shredhead can crank out. I really enjoyed the complexity of the rhythm sections; they definitely have a deep-rooted progressive metal vibe for which Brooks is known. Check out the breath-taking lead section at 2:06, beginning with an out-of-this-world bend phrase that leads into priceless speedy melodies. Another highlight is the atmospheric keyboard playing. It really adds a wide-open feel, and the intertwining melodies will nestle up in you soul.

"Inner Light" is an upbeat and soulful composition that uses some of the most peaceful notes ever expressed on guitar. Chris uses a nice variety of progressive rhythms and matched every one of them with heartfelt soloing. This song is well worth the cost of the CD. If I were to tell you to buy it for just one song, this would be the one!

"Crack in the Hourglass" brings the pace to a slower and more "out there" groove. Chris Brooks uses some interesting lead phrasing that have some neoclassical roots, but then unleashes the shred onslaught with his climbing melodics played at break-neck speeds. After hearing it, I became very dizzy and lost all orientation. To hear what I’m talking about, listen for it starting at 00:52. Brooks uses a large variety of licks and tricks that will have you rewinding over and over again. Overall, the song is well-written. Lastly, Brook’s main lead break at 03:17 will smoke the pants off you! The phrasing he used blew me away! It was so unconventional that I didn’t see it coming.

"Blue Sky Odyssey" is another beautiful melody-driven masterpiece. Brooks’s soloing is exquisite. He’ll tame any beast with the death-defying guitar leaps he takes in the song. I absolutely loved the acoustic section beginning at 01:13. I couldn’t get over his note selections; they are so well put together, and you can tell they came straight from the heart. Chris then brings in some heavier riffing and more aggressive leads with deep progressive overtones. "Odyssey" barely begins to describe Chris’s guitar playing. Brooks even cranks out some bluesy soloing at 3:01, and man does it rip! The walking bass line grooves right along and builds a huge presence.

"Funksion" is definitely the "funky" song on the album. It has a large fusion and funk influence in it, hence the name. Chris is able to cover more ground because of the songs more free-form agenda, but he never forgets to come back to a main melody line. There are so many cool licks and phrasing to check out, so I highly suggest giving this one a few listens.

Master Plan Suite I, "Theme for the Next World" is a quick number filled with spacey keyboards that will take the listener on a mystical journey.

II. "Axiom" brings back Brooks’s signature heavy progressive song writing burning down all that comes in its path. I really enjoyed the electric and nylon lead trade-off that took place near the one-minute mark. After that, beginning at 01:29, Chris did something I’ve never heard before. He took the movement and sped it up with every bar. In effect, it sounded like someone was fast-forwarding the licks, but this was all Chris’s doing.

III. "The Master Plan" brings the Master Plan Suite to a close with down and dirty progressive metal riffing and lead playing. If you’re into bands like Dream Theater, you’ll really fall in love with the writing style of Chris Brooks. He has a very distinct playing style that isn’t matched by any other player, period. Throughout the track, Brooks blisters through leads and licks, never losing sight of his vision or the listener’s ear. Chris writes his instrumental songs in normal rock format, always having a verse, chorus, and bridge. His music is easy to listen to and you’ll never find yourself skipping through songs because he knows what outstanding writing and production skills are needed to compose a song that will really impact his audience.

"Only Time" sings for itself, being the big power ballad on the cd. Chris blew me away with his heartfelt playing and gracefulness. He has some of the most textured and layered soloing on the cd. This song is by far my personal favorite on the cd because its simplicity really says a lot. I know the old saying goes, "the more shredding you do the more soul you lose," but I’m hear to say Brooks has composed one of the most emotional and heart-wrenching songs my ears have ever bared witness to. "Only Time" definitely gets The Shred Zone’s "Most Melodic Song" award. Chris says so much by playing so effectively and delivering unprecedented song-writing abilities. Oh, and if you’re looking for some music to get married to, be sure to choose this song when walking down the aisle.

Unfortunately, "Tales From A Distant Sky" brings this amazing instrumental guitar album to a close. I guess all great things must come to an end. Brooks plows through licks, melodies, and some frightening guitar acrobatics. Chris covers it all and then some. He blazes through speed runs, but stops to take a look at the view. I also enjoyed the keyboards throughout the piece as well. They always lock into the groove. Speakin’ of groove, the bass playing in this track is intensive and fat. Take note of his super-refined guitar tone. It’s well dialed in and really accentuates his lead style. Along with that, you’ll notice right away how clean of a player he is. Brooks is a well-versed musician who blends many different playing styles together for a hot cup of songwriting. You’ll hear runs, arpeggios, soulful bends, and some great progressive shredding. If you listen for a little while…just when you think the song has ended… Chris steps back in for a final bow with some unmatchable double harmonies and speed runs. He just wouldn’t let it end, could he! Actually, I wish it didn’t!

Looking back, what more can I say besides "WOW!" Chris Brooks really went beyond the call of duty as far as a guitar album goes. He hits every inch that a instrumental guitar player should, from shred to heartfelt melodies. Brooks is the kind of guitar player who we should all strive to be like. He puts melody first and shred second. Chris never comprises the integrity of a song to show off how fast he can speed-pick or play arpeggios. His goal is to suck you and squeeze the juice right out of you. The Aussie from down under gets a perfect score, and much deserved extra credit!

Chris Brooks official site: http://chrisbrooks.net
Guitar Nine Records' Chris Brooks page: http://guitar9.com/themasterplan