2007-04-30
It's quite difficult for me to review instrumental albums by such shredders as Paul Clark, I'm not a guitarist and I have no idea what neo-classical mambo jumbo technique the guy is using, but this album is a different story.
The thing about instrumental guitar albums is they can go in two directions: masturbatory self indulgent crap for musicians only, the kind that screams "I'm a better player than you are!", and this kind - rich, melodic, well crafted instrumental pieces that could have just as well served as soundtracks for a film, and since the album has a theme of historical or mythical themes running throughout, it does seem like a collection of soundtracks, albeit quite heavy and technically impressive as well.
The one bone I have to pick with the album is that it opens with what is, in my opinion, its strongest cut – "The Rape Of The Sabine Women", some truly catchy and strong neo-classical melody lines, and a great quiet mid-section with a strong display of feel. It's all good after that as well, but it's hard to top such a strong opener.
Another interesting approach by Clark is his infusion of such epic and progressive cuts such as the second track – "The Raft Of Medusa" – this is something which very few metal guitarists might try to do, the 14-minute track is both epic and melodic enough to be enjoyable, but the sheer scope of it is staggering.
Clark's knowledge and mastery of different classical periods is well evident in the third track – "Requiem", in which his guitar has a fantastic, almost non-guitar like softness and feel.
It's also well worth a mention that Clark does everything on the album, not just the guitars, but also the solid drum work and the orchestral keyboard work. The sound could have been a bit stronger, the drums are a bit flat some of the time, but with so much going for it, that fact is non-consequential in the overall picture.
Among very few guitarists whose instrumental work I've enjoyed, I have to tip my hat off to this guy, great work.
Alon Miasnikov
