olf Munkes is a 34 year old German guitar player. Munkes has already recorded two albums with a band called ABRA. 'No More Obscurity' is his wonderful debut solo album, whilst most shredders are content to just create the ultimate album full of widdle diddle, Munkes takes the initiative by recording a number of songs with singers such as Lance King (Balance Of Power), Goetz F. Mohr and Roland Rooby Rubner.
Of the song orientated material there are five tracks which bare similarities to Talisman, Plus a song featuring Balance Of Power's Lance King which is a cover of Sting's classic 'Message In A Bottle', Lance does a pretty good version.Goetz F. Mohr, whom I have never heard of before sings the lead on 'You And I', 'The Man Who Learned To Fly', 'Starsailor' and 'Lord Of Lies'. Mohr has a really powerful Classic Rock voice, on 'You And I' he sings with an amazing range that lies somewhere in-between Soto, Coverdale and Glenn Hughes, the chorus is very melodic and the song would be a good song to sell to someone like Joe Lynn Turner. 'The Man Who Learned To Fly' is a silvery ballad, and 'Starsailor' is a great melodic rocker a'la Talisman, the best of the song orientated material on the album, proving that Munkes is gifted in the songwriting department as well.
Goetz F.Mohr has a huge future ahead of him, I feel very soon everyone will become familiar with this guys name, I strongly urge Munkes and Mohr to record a full song orientated album in this style, together they are a very strong force.
Rubner's spotlight track 'Where Do We Go From Here?' is again like Talisman, so we end up with not one but two brand new world class singers to keep your eyes on in the future.
Of the instrumental pieces there are nine tracks - one of which 'Drumatic' is a shit hot drum solo performed by Anders Johansson, and I have to say it's pretty chunky, fast and vibrant, nice one Anders.
The best of the instrumental songs is an atmospheric song called 'Mystic Overture' which reminds me of Nuno Bettencourt's 'Gates Of Heaven' coupled with a touch of Vai's 'For The Love Of God'', one minute and sixteen seconds worth of breathtaking virtuoso played with immense emotion.
'That's New' is a legato style composition reminding me of MaCalpine's 'The King's Cup', whilst 'Tap That Thing' flows with killer speedy riffs, but my favourite track is a song called 'Up And Down' which Rolf dedicates to his wife, it's a beautiful accoustic piece similar to Gary Hoey's style and is quite touching and romantic. Because of the albums diversity Rolf Munkes has delivered a wonderful album that never gets boring and keeps the listner
> interested and impressed right the way through.
Rating:- 8/10
olf Munkes is a 34 year old German guitar player. Munkes has already recorded two albums with a band called ABRA. 'No More Obscurity' is his wonderful debut solo album, whilst most shredders are content to just create the ultimate album full of widdle diddle, Munkes takes the initiative by recording a number of songs with singers such as Lance King (Balance Of Power), Goetz F. Mohr and Roland Rooby Rubner.