Monday, November 30, 2009

Mike Keneally Interviewed in San Jose

On Novemeber 21, ACtv interviewed guitarist Mike Keneally. Keneally is part of the touring version of Dethklok – the band of interest in the animated series Metalocalypse. The interview was conducted at Event Center in San Jose, California and can be streamed below.

Photos of the concert in San Jose can be viewed at DirtJunior.com.

Leading music product providers Alfred Music Publishing have teamed up with Cartoon Network Enterprises (the licensing/merchandising arm of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, which showcases Metalocalypse) to present an album-matching guitar tab songbook of Dethklok’s sophomore album, Dethklok: The Dethalbum II.

Metalocalypse was created by Tommy Blacha (Da Ali G Show) and Brendon Small (Home Movies) and debuted on Adult Swim in 2006. The series is currently in its third season. Among the most popular series on the network, Metalocalypse features Dethklok – a band with unheard of popularity (they are even ranked as the seventh largest economy on earth). In 2007, the band released its first album, The Dethalbum. It debuted at No. 21 on the Billboard 200 and has since sold more than 300,000 copies. The album-matching songbook for The Dethalbum became one of the bestselling songbooks of the year. With Dethklok: The Dethalbum II, the band has topped the first-week success of The Dethalbum. The sophomore release debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 and sold nearly 45,000 copies in its first week alone.


The guitar tab songbook for Dethklok: The Dethalbum II is available at most music retail stores. It can also be purchased online at alfred.com. It has a list price of $22.95 USD.

Titles in the new songbook include:

* Black Fire Upon Us
* Bloodlines
* Burn the Earth
* Comet Song
* The Cyborg Slayers
* Dethsupport
* The Gears
* I Tamper with the Evidence at the Murder Site of Odin
* Laser Cannon Deth Sentence
* Murmaider II: The Water God
* Symmetry
* Volcano

Regarding the chart debut of Dethklok: The Dethalbum II, Metalocalypse creator Brendon Small said the following:

"I'm both happy and humiliated that Dethalbum II reached No. 15. Happy because we beat the first Dethalbum numbers and humiliated to have been beaten by our second album numbers by ourselves. Either way we're still not as good as The Archies, and I never want to forget that. Having said all of that, dear god I am fantastic and talented."

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Skolnick Says Hetfield is "An Unsung Virtuoso"

On November 17, Testament guitarist Alex Skolnick posted some thoughts concerning Metallica guitarist/frontman James Hetfield on his official blog:

"Recently a writer from The Quietus, Mark Eglinton, asked for my thoughts on Metallica's James Hetfield.

"While it's no secret that the fans, myself included, haven't always agreed with every decision Metallica has made as a band, I've chosen to look at a subject which seems to have gotten lost in the chaos of Metallica's superstardom: James, the musician.

"James Hetfield is a an unsung virtuoso. His guitar and vocal sound, along with his song ideas, has enabled Metallica to go from being classified alongside Motörhead and Venom to being aligned with Bruce Springsteen and U2. Much of hard music today has been changed by his guitar tone, rhythm playing and vocal technique, making him arguably the most influential musician of his generation.

"James has had more of an influence than most 'lead' guitarists and is a great lead guitarist himself. His occasional solos are among Metallica's most memorable, proving that speed and chops are secondary to melody. He is also a terrific acoustic guitarist, playing intricate parts with a lot of depth, consistency and dynamics.

"I'm convinced that had he chosen to play drums, bass or lead guitar in his band, James Hetfield would have been just as influential and virtuosic."

Friday, November 27, 2009

Ronnie James Dio Diagnosed with Stomach Cancer

Wendy Dio, wife and manager of renowned metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio (Dio, Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Heaven & Hell), has released the following statement:

"Ronnie has been diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer. We are starting treatment immediately at the Mayo Clinic. After he kills this dragon, Ronnie will be back on stage, where he belongs, doing what he loves best, performing for his fans.

"Long live rock and roll, long live Ronnie James Dio.

"Thanks to all the friends and fans from all over the world that have sent well wishes. This has really helped to keep his spirit up."

Ronnie James Dio, now 67, is famous for his affiliations with his own band, Dio, as well as Black Sabbath, Rainbow, and Elf. He also worked on other projects, including Hear ‘n Aid, a fundraising effort for famine relief in Africa. Dio is widely hailed as being among the most powerful singers in metal. He is also credited for popularizing the “devil’s horns” gesture, which became a prominent part of metal culture. As of late, Dio has been involved with Heaven & Hell, an endeavour that includes former Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Vinny Appice, and Geezer Butler. On April 28, 2009, the group released their first studio album entitled The Devil You Know.

Just last week, Dio cancelled its European tour after Ronnie had reportedly taken ill. The band line-up was slated to include Whitesnake/ex-Dio guitarist Doug Aldrich (due to regular guitarist Craig Goldy having prior touring commitments with Budgie in Australia).

Dio’s most recent release was the Holy Diver Live album which featured the classic album performed in its entirely, from beginning to end, for the very first time. The album was recorded in 2005 in London.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Astral Doors: Album Artwork and Track Listing Revealed

Swedish metallers Astral Doors are scheduled to release their fifth studio album, Requiem of Time, in early 2010. The album will be released in Europe on January 15 and in North America on February 16 via Metalville.

The following is the official CD track listing:

01. Testament of Rock
02. Power and the Glory
03. Rainbow Warrior
04. Call of the Wild
05. St. Peter's Cross
06. So Many Day So Many Nights
07. Blood River
08. Anthem of the Dark
09. Metal DJ
10. Fire and Flame
11. Greenfield of Life
12. The Healer
13. Evil Spirits Fly
14. When Darkness Comes

The band commented that "All the previous releases from Astral Doors have been mixed by the master Peter Tägtgren (Pain, Hypocrisy). He has done a great job for us and we love and respect him very much. This time around, however, we decided to give our very own guitar player, Martin Haglund, the chance to be in control of the mixing process.

"Martin has really improved as a sound engineer and technician the last couple of years, and we felt that he could do as great job as his best friend Tägtgren.

Martin's mix is just incredible and we can't wait to share it with the entire world."

The band has described Requiem of Time as "a mixture of classic hard rock, like on the debut, Of The Son & The Father, and more modern metal like on the previous disc, New Revelation. Call it what you want; it contains the best songs the band has ever written."

Astral Doors recently parted ways with bassist Mika Itaranta. He was replaced by Ulf Lagerström (Barfly, Lunatic Parade).

The band’s last album, New Revelation, was released in September 2007 through Locomotive Music. The album was recorded at both Big Turn Studio and The Darkside in Borlänge, Sweden. It was mixed at Abyss Studios in Sweden by Astral Doors and Peter Tägtgren.

Album artwork:

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Buz McGrath Interviewed by German Media

Buz McGrath, guitarist for the Massachusetts metal band Unearth, was recently interviewed by Germany’s Bunch TV. The interview was conducted during the band’s European tour with Throwdown and Chimaira in September. The interview can be streamed below.

On Novemeber 10, Unearth’s latest album, The March, was released as a deluxe edition CD. It includes a bonus DVD entitled The Three Day March. The DVD is a tour documentary which features footage captured by director Doug Spangenberg (Every Time I Die, Lamb of God, Job for a Cowboy) during the band’s recent tour of the northeastern U.S. The bonus DVD also features studio footage from Unearth’s recording sessions for The March as well as party footage (entitled Gig Life) from the band’s tour with Testament. The deluxue edition CD also includes live footage of four songs from the Wacken Open Air festival in 2008. In addition, three music videos are included, all of which were shot for The March: “Grave of Opportunity,” “Crow Killer,” and “My Will Be Done.”

An Unearth press release stated that “fans who have got their hands on the band's DVD, Alive From The Apocalypse, know that Unearth are a near-perpetual party machine while on the road, so this bonus footage and the new videos are not to be missed!"

Monday, November 23, 2009

Review – Fight Juice: Crack One Open


Kris Kelly is the guitar coach at Kelly FretWorks and is the guitarist for the fusion group Fight Juice. Fight Juice recently released their debut CD “Crack One Open”. Outside of Fight Juice, Kris has performed with a number of bands including; Deadly Blessing, Ben Vega & the Believers and Heist. Kris also appeared on the IRS/MCA Heist album “High Heel Heaven”, alongside rock icons Ronnie Montrose, and Night Ranger’s Jeff Watson and Kelly Keagy. Kris continues to teach, record, produce and collaborate in northern California.

On to the review of “Crack One Open”:
Fight Juice is a rock-metal-blues fusion of instrumental tunes “for driving, loving, drinking, working and living!” according to the band.
Speaking of the band, the members include Kris Kelly (Guitar), Rick O'Connell (Drums), Dave "Mr. Pie" Riegert (Bass) and Ben Vega (Keyboards).

Album opener, Corporate Casual, is a rock ‘n rollish number, with distinct elements of Jazz/Rock fusion. Kelly’s overdriven tone is right there with the usual big name fusioneers, and his chops don’t let him down either.

Track 2, Roscoe’s Shuffle, has a great organ tone from Vega and a fantastic erm…shuffle rhythm to it, but the vibe stays quite dark, helping the Kelly’s awesome clean(ish) solo to stand out. The main solo has a great climax, all the while staying true to the blues genre.

The 3rd track is way down instrumental rock avenue. With a wah being used on the head, tapping, wammy stunts and a driving rock rhythm, most would recognize the Satch influence here. Very fun.

Missing You, the 4th track is a laid back, loungey piece. Great fusion sensibility from every member of the band, a real pleasure to listen to. Kelly pulls out a biting tone for the main solo and drops some scary legato licks.

Track 5 mysteriously named, 3rd I, is back into the Jazz/Rock Fusion arena, complete with a fast waltz feel, storming bass solo from Riegert and another mind bender from Vega.

Rainy Day At The Sunglass Hut features a wonderful guest solo by Jim Harrison at 3:13-3:37. Sadly, Jim has passed on to the big stage in the sky. A great fusion track, perhaps with a nod to genre pioneers.

The slowest track on the record, Blueberries In My Kibble, has at least one foot in the blues, with emotive solos from Vega and Kelly

The 7/8 feel of the 8th track, Orbit, is loads of fun. I heard some Caribbean influence, as well as a definite throwback to prog and fusion inventors from the 70’s.

The closing track, Goodbye (Reprise) starts off with some atmospheric synth sounds and a clean lead guitar, and heads into another big rocker. This is probably my favorite track as a result of both Kelly’s tone and playing. An excellent track to end on.

If you’re at all into Return to Forever, Vital Information and Tribal Tech, check these guys out for sure.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Cinderella Guitarist to Appear on Hard Rock Nights

Guitarist Jeff LaBar (Cinderella, Freakshow) is scheduled to be the special guest on the next edition of Hard Rock Nights. LaBar’s appearance on the internationally syndicated radio program is slated to air during the week of November 20-26. The guitarist will recount the early days of Cinderella, how he came to join the band, and the future of the group. He will also talk about his role in Freakshow, the rock super group featuring Markus Allen Christopher (M!ss Crazy), Frankie Banali (W.A.S.P., Quiet Riot), and Tony Franklin (The Firm).

Hard Rock Nights can be heard on numerous rock and metal radio stations.

Cinderella’s latest album, Live at the Mohegan Sun, was released through Frontiers Records and hit the shelves in Europe on November 6. The CD features the band’s original line-up, which consists of Tom Keifer (vocals, guitar), Jeff LaBar (guitar), Eric Brittingham (bass), and Fred Coury (drums). The album is a recording of the band’s concert in Uncasville, Connecticut on July 21, 2005 which was part of the VH-1-sponsored package tour entitled Rock Never Stops. The tour also featured Firehouse, Ratt, and Quiet Riot. An LP edition of the live album is being released in Europe as a primer for the band’s European tour in 2010.

The track listing for Live at the Mohegan Sun is as follows:

01. Intro
02. Night Songs
03. The Last Mile
04. Somebody Save Me
05. Heartbreak Station
06. Coming Home
07. Shelter Me
08. Nobody's Fool
09. Gypsy Road
10. Don't Know What You Got ('Till it's Gone)
11. Shake Me
12. Fallin' Apart at the Seams *
13. Push Push *
14. Still Climbing *

* Denotes bonus tracks available on the first pressing in digipack

On March 31, Cinderella released their Authorized Bootleg: Live at the Tokyo Dome – Tokyo, Japan Dec. 31 1990. The album was distributed by Island/Mercury.

In the summer of 2008, the band was forced to cancel its tour with Lynch Mob, Warrant, and Lynam after Tom Keifer’s left vocal cord haemorrhaged during rehearsal, rendering him unable to sing.

Friday, November 20, 2009

John Petrucci Interviewed by The Crooked Step

Spain’s The Crooked Step interviewed Dream Theatre guitarist John Petrucci on October 24, 2009, before a concert in Barcelona. The interview can be streamed below.

On November 18, Dream Theatre’s promotional video for “Wither” made its online debut. Footage for the video was shot during five different shows on the band’s recently completed European tour:

• Oct. 04 - Zenith - Paris, France
• Oct. 06 - Zenith - Lille, France
• Oct. 07 - Ahoy - Rotterdam, Netherlands
• Oct. 09 - Apollo - Manchester, UK
• Oct. 10 - Wembley - London, UK


The Wither EP was released via online retailers. The track listing is as follows:

01. Wither [Album Version] (5:25)
02. Wither [Piano Version] (5:07)
03. Wither [John Petrucci Vocal Demo] (5:24)
04. The Best of Times [Mike Portnoy Vocal Demo] (13:04)

Track 1 was taken from the album Black Clouds & Silver Linings, while tracks 2-4 were previously unreleased.

Black Clouds & Silver Linings, Dream Theatre’s tenth studio album, sold 40,000 copies in the U.S. in its first week of release, landing a position at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart. Dream Theatre’s last album, 2007’s Systematic Chaos, sold 36,000 opening units and entered the Billboard 200 at No. 19. In 2005, Octavarium launched with 27.000 copies and debuted at No. 36.

In addition to a standard-version CD, Black Clouds & Silver Lining was released as a vinyl LP as well as a three-disc, special edition CD that includes the full album and two bonus CDs: one of instrumental mixes of the album, another of six cover songs.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

New Michael Schenker DVD to Be Released

A web posting on the Michael Schenker News and Tour Information site recently announced that MVD has slated January 26, 2010 as the North American release date for the DVD of Michael Schenker’s 2001 performance at the Castle Donington Rock & Blues Festival. The DVD, entitled Doctor, Doctor – Live in Donington, will be released in Europe on Novemeber 20, 2009.

Schenker’s band as featured on the DVD includes:

• Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions) – Guitar
• Barry Sparks (Yngwie Malmsteen, Dokken) – Bass
• Don Airey (Deep Purple, Rainbow, Ozzy Osbourne) – Keyboards
• Clive Bunker (Jethro Tull) – Drums

The DVD contains the full show as well as backstage footage and five live, audio-only tracks featuring Schenker and Gary Barden.

DVD track listing:

01. Doctor, Doctor
02. Let It Roll
03. Midnight Train
04. Rock Bottom
05. White Room
06. Nemo
07. Assault Attack
08. Attack of the Mad Axeman
09. Lights Out
10. Natural Thing
11. History I
12. History II
13. Photogallery
14. Discography

Bonus material:

• Bonus audio (five songs with Schenker and Gary Barden)
• Biography/discography
• Fully animated menu

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Dio Cancels European Dates

Dio has seemingly cancelled its previously announced European tour due to the recent illness of the band's frontman, legendary heavy metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio. An official announcement has yet to be made, but word has been circulating that the entire U.K. leg of the tour (which was set to start on November 21 in Glasgow) has been called off and several other dates in central Europe have been eliminated as well. It has been speculated that the remainder of the tour will follow suit.

Dio's European tour lineup had been set to include Whitesnake/ex-Dio guitarist Doug Aldrich. This was attributed to regular guitarist Craig Goldy having prior touring commitments with Budgie in Australia.

In June 2002, Dio released Killing the Dragon on limited-edition vinyl. Only 500 copies, all hand-numbered, were made available
.
In March of this year, The Very Best of Dio was certified gold by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). This was for shipments in the U.S. which exceeded 500,000 copies. The album, which was originally released in October 2000, is the band's second collection of greatest hits and the first to be given a U.S. release.

The last CD release from Dio was Holy Diver Live, which featured the Holy Diver album in its entirety. The performance marked the first time the classic album had been recorded live and was performed in London in 2005. The track list includes songs from Ronnie James Dio's days with Black Sabbath ("Mob Rules," "Heaven and Hell," "Sign of the Southern Cross"), as well as those from the Rainbow era ("Man on the Silver Mountain," "Tarot Woman," "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll") and "We Rock" from his solo venture.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Interview - Adrian "The Mad Scientist of Shred" English

After hearing Eddie Van Halen at age 10, Adrian English decided that "this is how a guitar should sound!" The Mad Scientist of Shred has featured on Shred Guy Records compilation albums, Shredding Across The World Volume 2 and 3, and has released a full length album called A.D.D. Here he is to talk about his music and his path to success.


What steps have you taken to forge a career in the music industry?
I have been playing every day since i was 10 years old, ...being based from Hawaii I was exposed to Marty Friedman and all the staple shred gods from a very young age, and learned from a master by the name of FRANK PAULINO who taught with MARTY, as with us being local boys, Shawn Lane was also a regular to HOT LICKS guitars HAWAII back in the early an end 80's,and actually there is a large list of known shredders that treaded ground through that little shred shop like the likes of GLENNY TELFORD from SKINLAB a seasoned touring grind metal band, from the old school days MARK KALAWEHEA (SACRED RITE),and of course MARTY FRIEDMAN (MEGADETH,CACOPHONY,HAWAII) years ago during the beginnings of "REAL" shred which today’s kids don’t understand is the true definition of "TEXT BOOK SHRED!" i started playing clubs here in Las Vegas at the age of 15 and shortly there after got with a few good musicians by the name of Tony Lopez (who just happens to be my best friend of 20+ yrs. and the guy that hand drew every single note inside and out...my CD art work on (A.D.D.) , JAMIE BORDEN (drummer)who has toured with Neil Peart. Tony and I submitted our first demo with JAMIE to MIKE VARNEY(SHRAPNEL),mike responded with putting me in GUITAR WORLD spot light column alongside Mike Romeo (SYMPHONY X),at the same time I was submitting guitar lesson columns all over the globe. At one point besides being in a top qualifier for the OZZY audition back in 94 to replace ZAKK, I always kept shredding though the "DARK AGES". I never gave up. Because it’s my truest of true passions. I always go back to a joke with my best friend and true math metal freak friend Tony Lopez and say...."YEEEUP ....HUHHHH I WILL BE SHREDDIN THE SAME HYPER LICKS WHEN IM 80 YRS. OLD LEANING ON MY WALKER RIGGED WITH NITROUS!!! and A PORTABLE GUITAR STAND ". At current point i have been given a sick opportunity thanks to Mike McDowell and SHRED GUY RECORDS for giving me a well needed BOOST, so people can hear me!

What advice do you have for people looking to get into the music industry?
NEVER EVER QUIT!!!!!!! The only people that make it in music are THE most stubborn and truly driven people with a voice or instrument in hand! DONT GIVE UP!! I figured with all the recognition as a killer shredder I was getting by the time I was 19 I would be soooo signed and following my MANY hero's footsteps. One of which namely dime bag!!! There is no excuse here but when you have the epic of all epic family tragedy's occur and loose you're mom at 22 yrs. old. Music and everything below becomes second, I almost quit playing! But that’s not what my mom wanted to end up happening ,I realized it and ....after waking up played and recorded even more ,harder....break the writer’s block…force the passion into your fingers...and....."BLEEEEED!!!! Send demo's left and right which for the longest time I did. It sucks when the more, the more people you know in the biz over rides every stinking effort you have on your own actions busted your ass to achieve results gets you to your destination ten times faster. DONT QUIT!

What are the pressures in the industry and how do you cope with them?
The music industry IS A JOB! When you sign a deal with a major label you are basically signing onto an unpredictable MAJOR CREDIT CARD plan. I have never been signed to a MAJOR but have known and played with many, many people that have and are! Every story pans out! Plus it helps when you know someone that wrote just one song back in 62' that was awarded a Grammy, because the BEATLES and to follow now 1700 artists world wide have used. I was schooled from a very young age. Treat it as one of the funnest jobs you will ever "HAVE TO" be responsible to and for. I’m in the beginning stages with shred guy, and I am working every free second to live out my dream, so I basically live eat and *&^t shred.

How did you get involved in the Shredding Across the World compilations?
I’ve known about the starts of shred guy through a fellow shred bro by the name of RUSTY COOLEY. but primary connection came through inner workings with another shred freak named PETE PACHIO, I re-did a song that I wrote back in 93' called "FLIGHT OF THE BLUE PHEONIX" which was one of my highlight songs to Mike Varney which landed me in GUITAR WORLD JUNE 93 featured with MIKE ROMEO of SYMPHONY X when I was 18. I redid the song, Pete guest appeared on a number of harmonies and solo's, sent it to shred guy, and Mike Mcdowell was into it! From there it was all about opening a new can of my shred history. Mike released "flight" on S.A.T.W. VOL 2, and as a result I sent him some other demo work which was pre-cursor to " A.D.D. "as well as another more straight forward technical song called "G-THEORY", which again he was way into, and released on vol.3.

During your formative years, what sort of practice regime did you have?
I never set myself to a forced practice. if I wasn’t in the mood I wouldn’t play, however ....I found myself obsessed to the point.....that it wasn’t about impressing my friends(mind you I was like 10,11 yrs. old) I could care a less what they thought of my obsession. I knew that I wanted to smoke every player on earth ...yet at the same time keep myself in check and never stop learning and knowing where I was as a player. be it told at 10 yrs. old I saw the solo for "lay it down"(Ratt/De Martini), and "in my dreams"(Lynch/Dokken) in 86' on MTV and was so screwed up over that, that I had to play "FORE EVER!!!" to this day LYNCH has been an inspiration for picking up the guitar and just feeling the tech feel! I used to practice I guess about 3 to 6 or more hours spread out in a day, every day. but the key is ....not forcing you're self, I’m now in 25 yrs. of shredding, and admittedly I will go a couple weeks without playing, you gotta take a break refresh and re-approach, or you will achieve "0"!! Only frustration! And stop worrying about what other people think of you're playing. They will either dig or hate it! Don’t ignore criticism though, if you take it to mind and not to heart and rechannel it to better you're self or just know that you are at the level you always wanted to be, then you will never stop kicking ass.

What advice do you have for beginner and intermediate players who are trying to achieve a highly advanced level of playing?
Mix it up, don’t drone on one style of music. Diversity is one of the key elements to breaking out with your own "STYLE". At the same token if you only love one kind of music be prepared that, that’s the carbon copy sound that will rub off on you, that’s great and all but...guess what!? Even fans of your genre will never be able to pick "you" out, like a sinister shining star that demands attention!! It either comes from within or not!! Listen to CDs, Ipods etc. and play with your favorite artists, jam with the CDs even if it is freestyle, as long as by ear you are hitting the proper notes in key and resonance. Always make sure you are tuned up so when you actually hit that right note ...blam! ...you will know it!!
Then noodle around with the existing notes in the scale around the fret board. Look into getting lessons, that’s a hard one cause trying to find the right teacher for "you" can be a lifelong path in some cases.

What gear do you use and (more importantly) why?
Currently I am a mesa boogie triple guy, I had to tweak it for direct recording cause it was never designed for that sorta thing, although I hammer this 150 watt beast through 2 MARSHALL 1960 LEAD 4X12'S and live it’s like driving a tank through a wall every time you do a muted dropped A 7string chord. I have always played on IBANEZ axes! They just fit me to a tune. I’m currently using a 7-string universe, as well as my rg-7 back up, I have my classic rg-570 6'r, and a limited Steve Vai EUPHORIA electric acoustic. I am in the works of putting together a packet for IBANEZ and hopefully something would arise from that. They just seem to be the biggest bang for the buck, reliable and solid. I personally am more of an aggressive player, I’m not much into the finesse aspect. So having a guitar that is trick able that way, shape-able is what I’ve found in the universe7. I have a few other racks and goodies that I use but to speak of those are my babies!!! I am down the road going to look into the Fractal Audio Axe-FX Ultra. From all the demoing I’ve heard this thing is the last piece of the puzzle I need to forge a "real world class tone"!

What parts of your playing reflects your personality and self expression most accurately?
Much like the title A.D.D. I have an ever scattering attention span only at times. At the same time i have a very flowing a emotional side as well! My growing fan base will come to see that with my follow up to A.D.D.! One massive extreme to the other. Then maybe follow that up with a 2000 lbs hammer of computers going friggen hay wire!...lol..you just never know! I write what I want to write because it makes me happy and it just so happens that shred guy supports that confidence to the fullest, and I will always appreciate that about mike McDowell and his cause.

What are you trying to achieve compositionally?
What I am trying to achieve only comes from my moods,...."outlets ...expressions of what’s killing you, stoking you...pissing you off, or just plain closed eyed visions of nothing!...just "white"! Depression, love, hatred....etc.!!! Are for me what determine how my music sounds for the days sessions! in general I’m an aggressive person...so when you listen to A.D.D. you're gonna sit there and go ....."damn what’s wrong with this guy!!?" as far as influences...EDDIE VAN HALEN was the prime kicker when I was like 9 and 10 yrs. old, GEORGE LYNCH became probably the most influential player to me because he naturally shredded a bluesy feel with occasional ridiculously hard to copy improv and vibrato signature riffs that would just send a shiver up your spine. To this day one of the sickest "METAL LEAD GUITAR PLAYERS" to ever walk this earth definitely MR.SCARY, SHAWN LANE also if not at a higher level to this day...will never be challenged, had been a big influence for me with the "space invader licks" the whole tone and atonal freestyle warp speed space odyssey runs. because I’m able to play them with one hand like he was it just gives me another reason to throw in the second and third hand lol, and god rest his soul SHAWN in my opinion was pretty much THE most untouchable player on this earth, I would *&^% myself if he still being alive wanted to "cut heads" for my soul.. MARTY AND JASON ....very much an influence on my composition for writing instrumentals, McAlpine and Lynch again by far masters of the vibrato, the list goes on. but as far as really punching me over and over in the head to a heavier breed ...hands down DIME BAG!!! the guy was f*&king natural and wicked!!!
My best friend Tony Lopez a.k.a. reality hoax/tl once said… in response to a statement of mine…"man I know.... it’s like he has a way of making the guitar not even sound like one!!!" "REST IN PIECE DIME BAG!!!" I’ve always tried to mix it up as far as technique. I like the two hand switch over with tap slides. I like just a burst of speed picking a complicated 20 to 45 note scalar, always loved two note per string sweep skip sequences, and doing ...lol (I guess my signature riff) the 12 to 24 3 note atonal licks. hahaha what can I say I got big hands!

Talk about the process of recording your album.
I’ve been recording a long time. What’s funny is that I found myself getting my practice through recording, a form of intentional forced rehearsal. As a result I got better at recording, learning little tricks with multi stacking overdubs and as well as getting a basic understanding of some industry standards, that would make my demos sound better. As far as instrumental is concerned that’s always been my number one passion, I recorded A.D.D. in about 7 months, mind you sometimes 5 to 7 hr. days 7 days a week because I would get so over kill O.C.D. about certain riffs, harmonies etc, I would sometimes nail a lead or harmony on the first take, then the next harmony sequences would take me weeks because I just hated everything that I would do, i.e. "WRITERS BLOCK" and since I was 15yrs old recording demos that has always been how I’ve come up with new riffs, licks, lead movements, and also just the basis of an ever growing formula for a solid practice regimen, I have always kept every single second of my recordings since the early 90's, and once and a while .."now” like once a year or two I will reflect back randomly on my long walk up the broken shred escalator and really it’s to keep tabs on if I’ve improved or not, its safe to say that many people I’ve known for yrs have all said one thing. "YEEEUP!" I know to a lot of people "A.D.D." in general sounds deep seedy and garagish....but guess what people...that was the actual intent....listen to the playing...I’m expressing everyday life that could be construed a train wreck one moment then a total chaos party the next. THE POINT IS....I DIDNT GIVE A F*CK WHAT ANYONE THOUGHT OR WOULD THINK! I spear headed note for note down on digital what made me feel "spent"! Then fallows relaxed and then accomplished! I don’t know too many players out there that actually use their music for shaped and refined therapy. lol and it helps when you have a finished warp minded Frankenstein that people will actually buy and enjoy.

What is your take on your nickname of “the mad scientist of shred”?
Lol...hmmmm...well....I AGREE!!! There are a lot of players out there that demolish me when it comes to "over kill shred!" But this is my story....! If you like the story line then continue to read, if not put the book down and give it a minute! A.D.D. is a chapter in my life of real events over a short span of time that I happened to be able to splatter onto digital from my heart mind and spirit, and you either love it or you hate it.

What does the future hold for Adrian English?
I am in the works of an unpredictable follow up with a twist compared to the likes of A.D.D.! A lot more demographically appeal able. Appealing to fans of Satch and Vai, not cloning though, at times a bit heavier and still always throwing down the shred, but with a real drummer and budget, as well as a lot more refined writing, focusing on a spring release date next year with SHREDGUY. And pushing forward with bettering my playing to a world class standard.

Any last words?
TO ALL fans of shred...support underground shred, I know there is an ever re-growing fan base to this genre. It’s easier said than done in this current system of things but…if you want to hear more and better music you gotta put into it! We as shred guitarists live, eat, drink and %*&^ this stuff because it makes us happy, and i am a fan as well, that’s what gives me room to talk. SHRED GUY records is the beginnings of a channel for all of us, a fresh soon to be ever growing and evolving source, so always go to SHRED GUYS site for updates, there will always be something new around the horizon.