By: Wayne Klinger
reg has been on the website near the beginning when I started it with his last release "Wyrd". I can't really say much before then as he has two other solo releases in the late 90's as far as comparing anything but I will tell you "Azrael Block" is a genuine masterpiece. Greg is another one of those 7-stringers and doesn't have that Martone/Kopyto sound going on which definately gives him more identity (even though you can tell Martone and Kopyto apart) and this new 12-track spin is everything it was mentioned to be; complex, darker, progressive and intricate as far as the compositions. Greg does all the music himself as well as has his own studio; quite a brain on the guy!
"Azrael Block" is probably one of the most diverse recordings I've heard since Martone as far as utilizing tons of genres within a vortex of the Prog-Metal/Jazz/Fusion element. At times it can be melancholic, exotic and hit present-day/Post Modern idealogy with melody, bridges, mind-boggling time sigs and alot of "against-the-grain" ideas that all work. It's a bizarre twist of Holdsworth, Montrose, Page and Blackmore in a sense but no main guy really stands out. The recipe Greg had in mind is nothing you'l find in the latest Emeril book and it's as authentic as it gets. Not your typical guitar release in the least!
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