Artist: Bill Majoros CD Title: "Alignment" Reviewed by: Shane Chess Reviewed: 8/26/2003

The Shred Zone.com has a treat for all you shred crazy guitar fanatics out there today. We're happy to present for the first time at this site Bill Majoros with the "Alignment." Its a guitar festival that will take you on an intergalactic space ride from planet shred to, rock to, blues to, jazz to, and its finally destination, new age. I knew I was in for something special when I read Bill was a research scientist who had been involved with the Human Genome Project. No only did he help decode the human DNA string, but he packs a punch when it comes to guitar playing. So let's get started!

"Launch" begins the album with a lift off into progressive space. When I first heard this track I was taken back to the 80's, to the golden age of shred ruled. I immediately thought this guy should have been on the Shrapnel label! "Launch" is great song with a cool melody line that takes you on many twists and turns with his stellar guitar playing. This is the type of playing expected from a great CD and Bill tears up fretboards! No movements are overplayed including the guitars, keyboards, bass and drums. To me, it sounds like everyone has room to breath in this song.

Track two "The Moment" moves at a faster tempo and really holds your ear with some great shredding. Bill's guitar skills are top notch, and I really have to give the keyboard a hand for the interesting section at 00:52. The sound is extremely large and atmospheric. The boards add a killer dimension to the song that help gets this tune where it needs to go! I really sense Bill plays his guitar straight from his heart and he has plenty of color that really is lacking in today's music market.

"Imminent, Part 1" engulfs the listener with unreal guitar playing! You can really feel this song in your gut. Its a great melodic adventure that has kind of has a sci-fi feel to it! This song is definitely one of the many highlights on the record.

"Big Blue" really reminds me of Joe Satriani's "Surfing With The Alien" period! I can understand why they call Bill a young Satriani. Don't get me wrong, Bill is not satch clone at all! He has his own style and needs to copy no one. Majoros possesses a surreal feel that can be heard with every note played. His lead work captivates the amazing skill and technique that is most desired in an instrumental cd. Again, the shred is not overdone. Bill is true a guitar chef that cooks with all our favorite spices.

"Swinging with the Monkey" is my favorite track from the CD. The musicianship just rocks the house! Bill is very tight and you can tell he is well schooled! His guitar playing and keyboard melodies work together very well and build up a huge musical front. Once again, I am taken back to the "Golden Age" of shred. Its great when someone plays stuff you can really connect with.

Track six "Live Solo" is where Bill gets to really show his goods. Bill solos by himself and goes off the wall. He shreds all over the place, from blazing runs, to tapping, and even neo-classical pedal movements. In this day and age we don't hear a lot of guitar players willing to step up on a CD and just go off alone and it is truly great to hear Bill cut wood! Everyone should check this song out just hear what a solo live should sound like! And the crowd goes wild...

"Lonely in Paris" begins with a mellow beginning accompanied by a superb asian sounding midi effect. Bill goes in a direction that is surprising, but fitting. This tune is very creative and I don't think I've ever heard anything quite like this before. He took a chance on this track and I like what came of it. The overall mood of this song fits a modern space age progressive metal dream. You can hear a story being told and in the world of instrumental music this is a mark of a phenomenal musician!

Song eight "Liquid Sunshine" is a nice tune that takes the tempo down and really shows that Bill can play anything he wants. The lead work is melodic and full of feeling. I know you'll be as impressed as I was. Shred on brother.

"Sunriser" carries on with the progressive vibe that "Lonely in Paris" left off with. The song as a new age feel to it, but keeps things going to where it should progress to. The song writing is a triumph and commands the listeners attention. Though Bill backs off on the guitar a little, but he still creates a progressive anthem.

"Imminent, Part 2" definitely picks where part one left off. Majoros goes beyond any normal meter, opting to change tempos throughout the track. Along with that, keep your ears peeled for some chimes, they added plenty of texture to the song, helping to build a strong atmospheric shell around the main melody. Keyboards drive the song along where the guitar hops on for a ride. Majoros's main melody lines are superb and are so melodic that I lost my breath.

Wrapping the cd up is "Alignment." I want give the bass guitar and drums props on this one! They do a great job of holding down the fort. Again, Bill's playing is reminiscent of Satriani, but he makes things all his own! I also dug the cool oriental orchestrations in this one! Is there anything this guy can't do? Shred fans, I don't think there is.

Looking back, "Alignment" extravagant instrumental guitar cd that is worth buying and turing your fellow musicians onto. Bill can easily stand up to many of the industry heroes that's for sure. Majoros is a true master of his instrument and is a soul monster. His songs are worlds of their own, taking the listener off to a different dimension with every listen. The only thing I can't figure out is why this guy isn't on a label? The labels are missing the boat on Bill's emotional musicianship and strong song writing abilities. I can just imagine what these songs would sound like on a big budget. I think Dream Theater's instrumentals would have a run for their money. So check out Bill Majoros's music and buy his CDs. at www.mp3.com/Bill_Majoros today or I'll personally reach through your monitor and force you buy it!