Predating 'Downdown Dreamers', or both of Italian guitarist Alex Masi's late '80s instrumental solo releases 'Attack Of The Neon Shark' and 'Vertical Invader' was the band Masi's 1987 Metal Blade release Fire In The Rain. The CD, a textbook example of mid '80s metal/hard rock, was released with praise from the critics, lots of airplay on the new KNAC LA radio and received massive response from the public. Fire In The Rain features a good bit of Alex Masi's squalling lead guitar riffs, and each song offers a typically blazing solo passage with enough energy to stop a charging rhino dead in his tracks. The albums closer, 'Movements', hints at Alex Masi' forthcoming solo work - a four minute instrumental complete with jagged, at times dissonant, axe work and a solo piano passage right in the middle of the piece - easily the most creative offering on the recording. Heavy Metal/Hard Rock.
Product details
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer
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No
Product Dimensions
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4.88 x 5.59 x 0.47 inches; 3.1 Ounces
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1987 debut solo album by Italian guitar virtuoso Alex Masi (reissued in 2002). It would be fair to say that through his lengthy career, Masi has received credit not only for his technical proficiency on the six string instrument but also for his ability to compose direct and memorable melodic metal/hard rock songs.
It would be no exaggeration to suggest that the material on `Fire in the Rain' sound fresh and relevant more than twenty years past their release and continue to inspire: Apart from the melodic/shredding solos, which are the inescapable must for any neoclassical metal album, Masi puts much greater emphasis on his riffs and rhythm guitar parts which sound unconventional but catchy at the same time. On that count you will be incredibly hard pressed to find a saturated or typical guitar line on this album.
Beyond the subject of guitars, the lead vocals are also considered crucial for the appeal of this album: Lead singer Bernie K. does not rely upon the high pitched vocal that is so characteristic of the genre, instead he follows the hard rock (even glam metal/poser rock) singing style which makes for huge choruses, emotional verses while also being tailored to match the guitar riffs and rhythm parts.
Finally the rhythm section of Chris Marxx (b) and Dave Brown (d) which fluently support the band through standard temp tracks such as `Rock your soul' to the speeding `Daybreak' to the mid tempo magic of the title track.
Being perceived by one as classic I could not highlight the album's greatest moments as all 9 tracks prove themselves as equally relevant; yet the ones that left the greatest impression on me were probably `Fire in the Rain', `Rock your soul' and `Nothing to loose'
Above all, `Fire in the rain' does not prioritize guitar virtuosity at the expense of the compositions and overall performances; instead it is perfectly balanced between the two. For fans of `YJMs Rising force', 'Impellitteri', `Nitro' and `Mattsson' this is another classic to add to your collection.
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2009
I went to see Blue Oyster Cult in the early 80's and Masi was the opening act. From the first song I knew I was hearing something special. Although the bass player was far from being great and the drummer stunk, I was amazed at Alex Masi's guitar playing. I remember thinking that this guy sounds a lot like Ulrich Roth or Yngwie Malmsteen. The guy was GOOD. So despite the awful live performance I bought the album and was pleased to hear well produced songs with good backup musicians. I became a fan then and there and forever.
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