Artist: The Chris Allen Power Trip CD Title: "Trouble on the Horizon" Reviewed by: Nick Martinelli Reviewed: 8/15/02

     Looking for heavy guitar riffs, soaring leads and tons of balls? Enter Chris Allen! Chris has the chops, riffs and licks to keep you jamming for days. This is a self released album and I think he did a superb job with it.  He basically did everything on the cd, from writing to producing. The sound quality on this self released cd is amazing. The guitars are in your face and loud, (the way I like em). Everything is crystal clear with top notch recording and mastering. Chris's guitar acrobats are excellent and its a pleasure to be able to feature a high caliber new comer as Allen on our site. So with further a due lets get into some trouble with the power trip.

    Track one "Trouble on the Horizon" opens with a super ballsy / crunchy guitar riff that will defiantly crack the paint off your walls so beware.  He doesn't bring in a major lead line for some time, but just carries along with some major rhythm guitar riffing. I liked the way this song was written, its rare to hear instrumental songs that are riffed based. Cool idea huh? The song didn't need any major leads to carry it, but I did love the main solo section, that started with a neo-classical pedal idea leading into some nice note phrasing.  Chris uses a lot of palm muted picking in his leads and you'll hear lots of it throughout the cd.

    "C-YA" starts out with some super high pitched guitar squelches thanks to the Digitech Whammy pedal. Then Allen builds the song's tension perfectly with a super melodic intro. After that, Allen busts into some bluesy driven bend lines that scream "I have soul." I loved the lead break that started at 00:53, it was super catchy and melodic. Allen is a very melodic player and knows how to write a catchy hook line.  He even breaks into some clean arpeggios in the middle section of the track.  Check out the nice speed run at 02:29 that moves to a classical stint then back into a finishing run, nicely executed!

    "Fly'n" song three brings out Allen's super catchy, melodic and slow side.  This track has an amazing main melody line to say the least! Reminds me of something that Vinnie Moore would have done on "Meltdown." I like his use of acoustic and clean toned guitars throughout the track.  Check out 02:32 for a killer acoustic lead. Its not packed with 1,000 notes, just melodic phrasing and I think it really added a lot to the song musically. If your a George Lynch fan defiantly check out 02:53, he busts into on of my favorite George Lynch leads ever, I'm not going to say which one, so you'll have to buy the cd to find out! Ok, I think Mr. Allen broke all song writing guidelines with this, I mean how many players toss in one of their favorite guitarist's leads into their song? NONE! Ok, criticize him all you want for it, but after hearing it in the context of the song you'll by like "Dude, that rocked!" (laughs)  I give Chris the two thumbs up on this one without a second thought.

     Song four "Funk Shop" takes a little different direction. Allen brings in some heavy groove with his bass and drum work.  They lay a super fat foundation and allow him to tear up some boards. I also liked his use of clean guitar accented with WAH for that super 70's sound that we all love, you know the porno music (laughs) note... Your author has never heard that type of music, I've only heard about it!  (laughs even harder)  Seriously now this was a hot track, and give a close listen to Allen's main lead section in this one he really goes to town with some bad ass guitar playing.

     "Disturbing the Peace" song five opens with another hard and heavy Chris Allen riff.  This guy writes some of the most impressive heavy metal riffs I've heard from an independent artist.  From know one I'll refer to him as the Riffmaster! This track is another riff driven tune, there are some leads, but they aren't the main focus.  The Riffmaster uses onslaught of rhythm guitar playing to bring his point across. Check out the clean break at 02:30, his tone is very effect drenched with choruses in this movement. It was a nice break up and took the song in a different direction for a moment.  You have to check out 3:03 for his wah wah rendition of Yankee Doodle! I tell you guys, Allen does some crazy stuff with his playing. Its priceless.

    Lastly, "Ty" closes this action (riffed) packed album.  Its a nice clean acoustic track with some effects driven lead tones. Chris belts out of some his most melodic lead playing in this one. Check out the section starting at 1:10 and you'll see what I mean. I would also like to take the time to mention his guitar tone.  His tone is very dialed in and crisp. He uses plenty of drive and some effects that give him a very layered and large sounding guitar tone.  Lastly, you must check out the pinch harmonics he used around 02:00 to 02:10, where talking George Lynch meets Zakk Wylde style here and what a combo that is.

    All in all I give this record a 4 star rating, for excellent sound quality, musicianship, technique, ballsy riffing and most of all super melodies! The Riffmaster aka Chris Allen, has a unique approach to guitar and is a player that I can most identify with. I am a mega George Lynch fan myself and his playing has been a large part of my playing influences. So when I hear artists that credit George Lynch as a fellow hero I get all misty eyed.  Let it be written though, Allen has a hot style of his own blending, speed, palm muting, trem bar use, bends, and tons of soul to bring his point across. "Trouble on the Horizon" is a must own for any instrumental guitar fan. I will recommend this cd to everyone I know and make sure they follow doing the same. I was really impressed with Allen's guitar playing and writing skills.  In that respect, I hope he puts out a second CD soon! Without a doubt in my mind you'll love this cd after the first listen as did I.