Transformation

Alex Skolnick | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 14, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Magna Carta
• ASIN: B0002VL0ME
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,908 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Alex Skolnick – guitars, vocals
Nathan Peck - double-bass, vocals
Matt Zebroski – drums, percussion, vocals

Special guests:
Charlie Hunter – 8-string guitar on "Scorch"
Dave Eggar – cello on "Transformation"

Alex Skolnick, grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and at age sixteen, became lead guitarist for the metal band Testament, whom he was with for seven years and five albums, touring the world with acts such as Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and others. During that time, an exposure to Miles Davis’ music inspired him to learn jazz. After leaving Testament in 1992, Alex went on to earn a BfA from New York’s New School University where he studied with jazz legends such as Cecil McBee, Hal Galper and Richie Beirach. It was here where he met fellow student and future trio drummer Matt Zebroski. Between trio activity, Alex is a featured member of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and recently recorded for their upcoming release on Lava/Atlantic Records. Earlier this year, Lamb Of God contacted Alex to say that they were longtime fans and invited him to play on their debut album for Epic Records. Composer Frank Wildhorn recently placed Alex with a 30 piece orchestra for Jeckyll ! & Hyde: The Concert, the new production of his hit Broadway show. Alex also plays with folk legend Debbie Friedman, Paris based pop/world music superstar Ishtar: The Voice Of Alabina (where he plays Spanish guitar), numerous New York based improvisational artists and when not on tour, is on staff at American Institute Of Guitar in New York City.

Product Description

Straight ahead jazz mixed with heavy metal? Welcome to the world of the Alex Skolnick trio. When they first began in 2000, the idea was admittedly a bit far out: an improvisational trio doing creative arrangements of tunes by groups such as Black Sabbath. Even more unusual was the fact that this combo was led by a former speed metal guitar hero who had traded his electric guitar for a hollowbody archtop (known as a ‘jazz box’), moved to New York and studied with legendary musicians through the jazz department of New School University, where he earned his BFA. It was here where Alex hooked up with two fiery young prodigies in their early 20’s on upright bass and drums; the three began practicing composition assignments and jazz standards. Frustrated with the limitations of the jazz repertoire, Alex stumbled upon this concept one night by hearing an arrangement of a Scorpions song in a dream. Arrangements of songs by Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne, the Who and others followed; the group quickly developed a following in such New York City venues as Wetlands and the Knitting Factory.

The new trio album, "Transformation" (Magnatude), represents a turning point for the band. Original compositions fill just over half the album along with new arrangements of tunes by Judas Priest, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, and more. There is some new sonic territory in the covers; from the fiery Middle Eastern section in Deep Purple’s "Highway Star," to the Latin acoustic flavor of Dio’s ‘Don’t Talk To Strangers.’ Similarly, the originals cover a wide range of styles: from Alex’s ethereal ballad ‘Fear Of Flying,’ to the surf/blues of ‘Both Feet In’ (penned by drummer Matt Zebroski) and Alex’s creative composition and title track, ‘Transformation,’ which combines a driving rock beat with jazz harmony, a rock guitar solo section and a haunting, catchy melody sung by all three members. This melody is enhanced by the cello of special guest Dave Eggar (who has recently played with such jazz greats as Michael Brecker and Dianne Reeves). Another special guest, Grammy nominee Charlie Hunter, comes aboard on his 8-string guitar/bass hybrid for Alex’s funk/jazz composition, Scorch.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly great album. BUY IT!, March 18, 2005

By 

Darkslide (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Transformation (Audio CD)

I'm a huge Testament fan from back in the day. HUGE! Like many I was incredibly dissapointed when I learned that Alex, who is and was one of my biggest guitar heroes, left the band. I followed his career through Exhibit-A (his fusion band), Savatage and kinda lost interest because I wanted him to be the same guy he was with Testament. So when he resurfaced a few years later with his new jazz trio I said, "Meh..." and completely ignored the voice in my head telling me to give it a shot. I've been dissapointed too many times. BIG MISTAKE. A few months down the road A friend makes me a CD of guitar music he thinks I'll be interested in and he says to me, "There's a surprise on there for you." The surprise was an unlisted version of War Pigs that was FRIGGIN INSANE. I had no idea of who it was and boy did my friend take pleasure in telling me it was Alex Skolnick's new Trio from the record I had panned. I ran out and bought Goodbye to Romance and re-fell in love with one of my favorite guitar players of all time.

Did I mention the band smokes? Matt Zebroski is an incredible drummer with impeccable time, fluid accents and a percussive ability that can go from rose petal soft Animal from the muppets hard in the space of a second. Nathan Peck is another monster. Imagine Mingus with MORE chops. Is that even necessary? I guess Nathan thinks so because he kills on every track.

The Trio reconvene on Transformation for another bout of metal meets jazz mayhem. This time the covers range from Dio and Priest to Pink Floyd and a handfull of Skol originals thrown in for good measure. The originals are very good and have become some of my favorite new jazz in a long time. Fear of Flying and Zebroski's Both Feet In are my favorites on the record. Both feet especially is a very touching ballad. I love the covers but their version of Highway Star in particular makes the album worth buying in my humble opinion.

So if you're looking for a new addition to your jazz collection, want some musical inspiration or just want to find out what a virtuoso you used to be interested in is up to purchase this record today. You and your ears will be happy!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This CD Is A Testament To The Skill Of Alex Skolnick, July 23, 2005

By 

Ken Pierce "Editor, PiercingMetal.com" (Brooklyn,, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Transformation (Audio CD)

Guitarist Alex Skolnick has returned with another unique CD that takes well-known Heavy Metal standards and converts them into jazz compositions. Many will immediately recognize Mr. Skolnick from his stellar guitar work in Testament years ago as well as his work with Trans-Siberian Orchestra's East Cost touring company. At first listen you might not recognize some of the tunes until a signature riff or key chord comes into play. I admit that even I took additional listens to it making sure I was in the mode of what the group was trying to deliver. This is really a well-done piece and the level of musicianship from Alex alone makes it worth picking up. While I am not a scholar of the jazz guitar, it certainly shows the skill Alex has and he really placed some effort into making this an interesting CD.

The group also includes some original numbers this time around and they are quite good. Among these pieces I enjoyed "Transformation" and "Fear Of Flying" most. Only six of the eleven numbers being reworked classics of Metal favorites. Among the anthems being "transformed" we have Dio, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, Scorpions, Judas Priest and Pink Floyd. I have to say of the reworks I felt "The Trooper" and "Electric Eye" were what I listened to the most. Its just such a unique take on their songs that it could not be helped. This CD is definitely a different medium for fans of the former Metal guitarist but the rock-solid production and killer guitar work will most certainly appease any music fan. Alex is joined on the CD by Nathan Peck (Double Bass) and Matt Zebronski (Drums/Percussion). I was very impressed by Matt's drumming on the entire CD.

I recommend this piece to anyone who is looking for that little bit of difference from time to time. It is a mature and intelligent release that if you can keep an open mind musically you will really like it. Jazz heads will like it and I think an open minded metal head can appreciate it as well. Magnatude is a subdivision of Magna Carta who do their very best to bring you excellent Progressive music.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A lot of fun and a great learning experience, May 2, 2005

By 

S. Price (Hampton Roads USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Transformation (Audio CD)

Okay, I admit my first thought when I heard about this project was that we had another version of Pat Boone's "In a Metal Mood." However, on hearing the tracks, I was extremely impressed. The arrangements are very tastefully done and the performances are first rate. This is a great entry-level disc into the world of "traditional" jazz and ideal for people who want to learn what it's all about. Kudos to Alex on taking a chance and pulling it off so well.