Customer Reviews

Transformation

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

All the accolades and good press for Alex Skolnick have already been said more eloquently than myself in the above editorial review as well as numerous jazz mags and online reviews.

Drummer Matt Zebroski deserves special mention. He can swing like crazy or pound his drum kit like Keith Moon. His sound is endlessly colorful, accents, swirls, soft taps, raps, rim-shots. Delicate and whisper quiet to freight train loud. Hi-hat, ride, splash, crash, and a few other cymbals are all used to fullest effect. He's in the pocket, then everwhere, but always back in time and it always sounds right. The icing on the cake is a superb recording. Every nuance is captured, yet the drums never overpower the mix. Does it sound like I'm impressed by this young man? You bet. IMHO Matt Zebroski is a name to watch.

I just heard these guys today. Downloaded a couple of live shows from the net. What a brilliant idea they have. I mean everybody does jazz standards over and over. To take music from a rock/metal genre and morph it into jazz is such a cool idea. There originals are done really well too. These guys are a refreshing sound that was needed. Both studio albums are great. Look for the live stuff on the net and you will be seeing them live too!

I'm not a traditionalist by any means, but this music is ugly why play jazz versions of metal . . . just play metal.

(negative stars aren't available?)

This guy has played with so and so and he studied at this school or whatever and he works with these guys and blah blah blah -he sucks! and this album sucks! and charlie hunter sucks! and is a gimmick. This is decay. If only his music were as good as his resume. (I'm sorry if this review does not meet guidelines of the review forum but) for the love of god and the sake of the future of our children let it be known that this album SUCKS!!

-So does Charlie hunter and his gimmick-style. Even Louis Scolnick makes Alex look like a nerd.