Alex Masi
Theory of Everything
Rating
Style: Guitar Instrumental
Release date: July 16th 2010
 

Moore, Vai, Satriani, John5. We've all heard them before. But what makes an instrumental heavy metal guitar shredder album interesting is the heart, soul and passion put forth by the musician.

Italian guitar virtuoso Alex Masi first broke out with his band of the same name in 1987 with Fire in the Rain, but it was 1988s Downtown Dreamer that garnered Masi some MTV attention with the song/video "God Promised A Paradise."

Masi has a vibrato playing style with a vibrant tone, and uses different styles and elements to express himself. There are similarities to all the above guitarists. If you put on each of these shredders one after another, would you be able to distinguish between them? Perhaps, but only to the trained ear. But Masi's conglomeration of styles: metal, fusion, progressive, funk, classical and Middle Eastern, give the guitarist a distinct sound compared to his contemporaries. He's not as well known in North America as the aforementioned shredders, but he can definitely hold his own with the axe.

But the thing about Masi is, he's a multi-talented musician. He handled every instrument, as well as wrote, recorded, mixed and produced Theory of Everything. He utilized technology techniques with the use of new software, samples and loops to create the album.

The eclectic mix of styles on "Theory of Nothing," "Big Bad Science" and "Queen of Headfuck" are really diverse and interesting. The funky Latin rhythms on "Have a Talk with God" sound like a modern age porno soundtrack. And I mean this in a good way. "Ladies of the House" displays his Middle Eastern flair with a distorted riff.

The album as a whole is something you'll be able to digest without being confused or bored. You won't get lost in guitar wankery because there are so many different and interesting styles to enjoy.


Tracklist
01. Theory Of Nothing
02. Ladies Of The House
03. Queen Of Headfuck
04. The Past
05. Breakfast At Owsley’s
06. Big Bad Science
07. Scratch The Meat
08. Jam On Haunted Hill
09. Have A Talk With God
10. Soul Virus Hack
Label: Lion Music
Distribution: Border Music Distribution AB
Reviewed by: Kelley Simms
Date: July 3rd 2010
Website: www.myspace.com/alexmasi