Artist: Marco Ferrigno CD Title: "The Quest" Reviewed by: Nick Martinelli Reviewed: 7/18/2001

     Got Neo Classical?  Well Marco Ferringo has it down to a science, with his insane over the top melodic neo classical chops.  If your a fan of the classical and neo-classical genres you'll fall in love with Ferringo's playing.  He's a very tight shredder and knows how to blend great melodies and shred together.  It's real rare that a guitarist can release a neo-classical cd without it sounding to Yngwie ish, but Marco delivers the goods with this technical masterpiece.  Marco's playing defiantly gives me the "Guitar Super Hero" feeling.  I really enjoyed his playing, and I did sit down and practice my own chops after hearing this wild one!

     Track one "Paradise Shadows" opens with some smooth a melodic guitar playing with a very classical feeling to them.  I liked how he incorporated fast keyboard playing to help enhance the mood.  Then Marco kicks the song up a notch with an amazing main melody line that sings it self (or should I say sells it's self).  01:56 marks the point of one of my favorite repeating licks, a medium speed melodic arpeggio line.  Before I go on, I must mention the pure skill of this artist.  Ferringo's chops are unbelievable.  His speed picking is extremely clean, along with his arpeggios.  He has a real sense for melody as well.  I really think this CD will sell well, its defiantly a must own for guitar driven fans!  The rest of the song carries out nicely.  Marco busts a groove in melody town for sure.  I also loved the use of keyboard and bass harmonies throughout the song, they really added to the atmosphere and overall feeling of the track at hand.

     "The Quest" song two opens with some insanely articulated arpeggios.  His hands must have melted off after recording this intro, I know mine would have.  After that, Marco brings in the main melody line that is extremely catchy.  I think the title for this song was an obvious choice because Marco's playing goes on a musical journey ranging from speedy licks to super catchy and harmonious melodies.  I also enjoyed Javier Leal's keyboard playing, it really accented the song's feel nicely.

     Song three "City of Gods" is a high energy guitar driven powerhouse that left me numb.  Marco's main melody line starting at 00:18 just plain rocked the house.  Its an amazing sounding hook line, so be ready for it.  I keep stressing melody in his playing and I totally swear by it with him.  He's not like most neo-classical shredders who just shred harmonic minor runs and arpeggios, wowing only with there speed and arpeggios.  Ferrigno goes five steps further and kills you sweet sounding hooks and this song is packed with them.  02:54 marks one of the coolest lead passages in the track.  He hits you with clean and tasty speed runs, bends and some hot arpeggios.  I really like how he uses his speed runs, they don't get old after while, his note phrasing is timeless. For you shred nuts, check out 03:58 for one of the most over the top arpeggio section followed by a nasty keyboard solo (nasty meaning freakin' awesome).

     The Drum solo was a nice break up to the CD.  Ruly Tamez's drum skills are real impressive, he builds up a massive rhythm foundation in this and all the songs on "The Quest."  I have to also give Marco a hand for using a real live drummer on the CD instead of a drum machine.  Most self released shredders rely on drum programming, but Marco went the distance and got Ruly Tamez to contribute some smokin' percussion work.

     "Space & Time Factor" track five has a very deep progressive feel to it,  especially in the first part of the song.  After that, Marco brings in his signature hook line special, tearing your ears off in the process.  This song is an melodic chop fest, enticed with arpeggios and real tight lead lines.  This song really puts his technique up on display and I know you'll become a fan of Ferringo's guitar playing after hearing this inspiring number.  I also enjoyed the solo sections, he added plenty of separate sections that deviated from the song's main theme, interesting ones they were at that.

     "Megalopolis"  song six open with a huge guitar / keyboard into that will give you that altered state of mind feeling.  I think this song would be a perfect sound track for a sci-fi movie, it just has that kind of feel to it.  The keyboards are a real huge part of the song contributing for massive massive tonal structure.  Marco's leads are very well picked and he used a good variety of bends, speed, and phrasing.  He can really put a song together very well, and I can't wait to see what he releases next. 

     Track seven "Hidden Dimensions" will tear you to shreds (no pun intended) immediately with Marco's high speed arpeggio antics.  Then he backs off into a slower groovy lead section, full of double guitar harmonies.  Check out 01:12 for an old school Marty Friedman and Jason Becker style, odd minor harmony.  This song also has many different movements to it, just like regular classical music does.  As I mentioned early, Ferrigno's compositional skills are really up there, each movement flows into the next smoothly, with no abrupt change, that will throw you out of whack.  The leads are very well chosen and written.  Marco knew what he wanted and went for it.

     Song eight "Paradise Shadows II" opens up with some killer double bass drum work by Ruly Tamez and a pounding bass performance Daniel Ulloa.  I'd have to say that this song was one of my favorites of the cd.  The leads really got to me, and I felt them creep inside my mind, and they truly altered my thinking on how to composing songs.  This track is huge!  Marco breaks up the song nicely though, by bringing in his signature hook line.  Then he goes into little nested shred fests.  Normally, I'm not into totally leaving the main theme of the song, but this time it worked and actually added to the feel and vibe of the track.  It needed the mini shred fests.  They kept the song moving in new directions and at the same time made more interesting to liisten to.

     Last but not least, "The Rods"  brought this neo-classical masterpiece to a close with a monstrous bang.  Marco pulled out all the stops in this one.  He give you exciting hook lines and some really fat leads.  One thing I didn't mention yet was Ferringo's guitar tone.  The tone is really clean, and was very well EQed.  He must have spent some time dialing in his lead tone.  It really made the leads in the songs come to life and even sing at times.  Ferringo also added a nice blend of effects.  Not to much, but just enough to add texture to the overall sounds.  "The Rods" has some very interesting passages in it, so keep your ears peeled and be aware that Ferringo has something to say when your listening to this mighty number.

     Looking back, I would really like to recommend this CD to all you guitar nuts out there.  Especially if your a fellow shred head!  Marco Ferringo's guitar playing and compositional skills rock.  His leads will shred you to pieces, and melody writing will leave you humming them for days and days.  The production quality is super high, no rough sound here.  Everything is clear and crisp.  I have to give Ferringo lots of credit for taking the time and effort to put out such a top notch release.  Everything sounds good, from the mix to the musicianship.  You really get your monies worth Marco' guitar playing.  In fact, it will force you to bust out your trusty axe and brush up on your techniques.  Superb job Marco, so when is the next one due out?  So shred fans there you have it.  Please do yourself the justice and pick it up at Guitar 9 right away you won't regret it.