Machine gun guitarist and prolific recording artist, Dave Cardwell, hails from Indianapolis, Indiana. His first three albums were released in 2006 and 2007 under the bandname Raise the Shield, and in the summer of 2007, Dave teamed up with Chicago shred master, Zack Uidl, to release the album “Recollection” in early 2008, as Thoughts Betrayed.
Dave released his solo album, “Gone”, in the summer of 2008, and is currently working on several album projects to be released in late 2008 and early 2009.
While having a well-stocked arsenal of uber-shred techniques, Dave’s albums are never a vehicle for his guitar chops alone. Instead, he exhibits his plethora of talents, including mature songwriting skills, a strong production technique, and decent vocals.
Having listened to Dave as Raise the Shield, I fully expected the songs on “Gone” to be shred-heavy and packed full of Dave’s old-school and modern thrash metal influences, and I wasn’t disappointed.
“Gone” is made up of 11 tracks crammed with all the double kick drums, razor-sharp rhythm guitars, and lightning-quick solos you could shake a pointy headstock at.
What I liked about each track:
Get Me Fired: Massive intro to the album, evil chorus vocals, super cool solos, and excellent old-school ending.
Ages: Head-banging riffs, top-class vocal vibrato, and face-melting solo.
Maya: Very European-sounding atmospheric bridge with a nice guitar and keyboard harmonized outro solo.
Fate: More fantastic harmonized guitar and keyboard.
Echoes: Crazy Rusty Cooley-inspired intro, and driving rhythm section.
Liars: Great neo-classical-inspired intro and outro.
City: A great showcasing of Dave’s ability to produce modern metal mayhem.
Gone: Great vocals and harmonized solo intro, and possibly the album’s single.
Jade: Old school heaviness, twisted riffs, and a blazing solo.
Why: Scary piano intro and awesome breakdowns.
Stranger: Heaviest vocals on the album, with haunting keys in the background.
“Gone” is a great album for both shredders as well as metal fans who don’t play music themselves. In short, get it.
www.cardwellmusic.com
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