Artist: Tony MacAlpine CD Title: "Violent Machine" Reviewed by: Nick Martinelli Reviewed: 2/25/2003

    "Violent Machine," the title track opens the record with some blazing guitar playing. Tony's chops are always breath taking, and this song defiantly states his signature style. He always writes songs with the listener in mind. You'll never hear a MacApline song without a hook line that's for sure. This track is defiantly a butt kicker, and Tony’s main melody line is so smooth and to the point. I really enjoyed how he moved the song along; he’ll never lose your attention with his adventurous playing style. Don’t forget to check out all the lead spurts throughout the piece as well. At 2:43 Tony busts into a super evil, super melodic double guitar harmony. Its worth listening to a few times!

    “Unfortunate Lazarus” opens with some commanding guitar leads that build up the songs initial tension. Then Tony breaks right into his main hook line, and man is it an upbeat one. This song really reminds of the shredding that used to go on back in the shrapnel instrumental shred era back in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. I really miss that style of guitar song writing and many artists these days forget how to structure an instrumental guitar song, but it seems that MacAlpine never lost his groove. “Unfortunate Lazarus” has a very modern feel to it in the sense that his playing encompasses all areas of guitar shredding, from high octane leads, to legatos, to arpeggio melody lines with plenty of soul. Check out the mind numbing repeating climbs at 03:11, I fell faint after hearing these.

    “Circus De Soleil” song three brings the pace down a notch and Mr. MacAlpine anchors in some extremely moody and soulful lead work. The melody line at 1:10 left me speechless. This song has a soaring vibe to it. Next time I decide to superman around, I’ll have this song going in my disc man! Seriously now, MacAlpine is a very articulate guitar player that never stops awing me. I started out with “Maximum Security” and never looked back. If you’re looking for a conversation piece this one will fuel your fire.

    “Sophisticated Domination” is a sophisticated song with plenty of soul and class. After reading the song title I was expecting something more rough, but this song delivered the goods and then some. Tony stays in a mellow mood, and hits you with some interesting melodies to ponder upon. Along with that, please don’t miss out on his blazing fretboard work, MacAlpine rips his board to pieces with fiery leads and mind-boggling hooks.

    “Chopin Etude #12 Opus 10*” is a short elegant classical piano piece that will impress any classical enthusiasts thirst for lust. I’ve always been amazed with MacApline’s ability to play both guitar and piano at amazing levels of skill. I think its safe to say that its rare to find artists that can play more than one instrument at virtuoso levels.

    Track six “Shoe Shine Cyber Boy” brings the pace of the album back up with a high-energy adrenaline ride. Tony smokes the competition to pieces with this melody driven nightmare! His playing is off the scale, and you’ll feel obliterated after one listen. Tony’s main melody line is very catchy, and the backing guitar work fits it like a glove. The main lead section is to die for as well, with his guitar acrobatics and flare.

    “Carolina Blue” is a more laid back piece and sets up a huge atmosphere. This song is almost surreal, bringing the listener into a dreamlike state. MacAlpine’s keyboard playing is what really gives the song dimension and life. Songs like this really make me proud to say I’m a musician or better yet a guitarist. Tony’s guitar playing has always raised the flag for our genre and kept it alive. I also enjoyed Kevin Chown’s bass playing through the piece as well, his walking bass lines really added to the depth and musical nature of the song. They do seem complex to the ear, but give the song the texture it needed to succeed. Tony also blistered my ears with screaming leads in the main lead break. Tony covers a lot of ground with it and I defiantly recommend giving it a go, a few times over.

    “Mr. Destructive” is my favorite pick from the album. MacAlpine tears down all musical wall and soars to the heavens with this high-octane instrumental guitar fest! If you were to only purchase the CD for one song, this would be the one. Tony had me at hello, for lack of words. This track is action packed with some of MacAlpine’s best guitar playing ever, and he goes off on a tangent that can’t be opposed. Here’s the breakdown… Happy/upbeat repeating hook lines, complex melodies, fast picking and overall his virtuoso performance. Tony opened the song with a super catchy main melody line that will literally turn your brain to mush! Soon after he kicked my butt with a “not of this earth” chorus line. I mean folks this is instrumental guitar at its finest. Check out the killer tension build at 01:28, I just keeping screaming for more. MacAlpine has mastered the art of writing a solid song and its no wonder this guy is considered a guitar virtuoso. Not many skilled players can even compare to the intensity that Tony delivers with every note. The only other artist that I can safely say that MacAlpine should tour with would be Vinnie Moore. Could you imagine that, the two high priests of instrumental guitar on the same stage? All the world’s problems would be washed always in a brisk bath of guitar chaos.

    Song nine “ARS Nova” is a heavier instrumental number with a shaper edge. Mike Terrana gives a superior performance and keeps the song’s rhythm section moving like a freight train. MacApline parts the seven seas with his guitar madness throughout the song with a nothing short of perfect performance. Along with that, his playing puts on a magical spell that never wears off. Tony engulfs himself into one of the best guitar infernos I’ve ever heard! I can’t seem to get over how impressive MacApline’s playing is. This piece really raises the bar for guitar players, and ones like this should be a student’s introduction to guitar 101.

    “Space Ritual” is defiantly up in space with its groovy rhythm section and upbeat in your face leads. MacAlpine redefines all guitar boundaries with this award wining guitar performance. His guitar tone is also worth mentioning at this point. Throughout the record his guitar tone is flawless, every note rings clear and every muted run sounds evenly distorted. I don’t know how he does it but he always records with godlike tone and I wish my rig sounded like his. Getting back to the song at hand, Tony hits a homerun with tons of melodies and bone crushing licks. Also, pay close attention for some of his best harmonies ever. MacAlpine always writes with the listener in mind and in rock format, so you won’t get lost in 8 minutes shred fests with no starting or ending point. Tony is a very structured guitar player and his music states that with every note that comes from his shred torn hands. He plays with all the soul and skills of the gods. Hence why he is known as a shred god.

    Looking back, this album defiantly brings back fond memories when instrumental guitar was at its peak. I’m hear to say that Tony MacAlpine is keeping the flag for our genre of guitar playing alive. He always has something new to offer with every album. I have never heard a MacAlpine song that sounded alike and I never will because he’s that kind of a guitar player. Tony never rehashes a lick and always keeps the tunes fresh. There is a reason why Tony has a very successful career and will continue to have one. That reason is simply this, MacAlpine always pushs down the barriers and strives to unlock the doors of music with every note he plays. Tony plays like each note is his last breath of air on earth and that’s what the guitar world needs. I’m so glad I’ve had the opportunity to review an instrumental album like this; its not every day a CD of this caliber gets put into your CD player. Tony this album is perfect in every way so please don’t stop what ever magic your brewing, because we couldn’t survive with out it.

Visit Tony MacAlpine online at: www.tonymacalpine.com
Purchase it at www.lionmusic.com or www.guitar9.com.