Mathias Holm Review of "Pictures Of A Dream" n the late 80's, Rock Music saw a new musical trend. That trend would be the birth of guitar players that were labeled as, "Shredders". Players like Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony MacApline, Dave Sharman, Joey Taffola, Vinnie Moore and Joe Satriani to name a few. Rock music today is a little different, as far as instrumental recordings go. Only a few have managed to survive the "Grunge Age". One of the up and coming players whose star is definitely on the rise is a Swedish guitar player by the name of Mathias Holm. A player who's influences include, Al DiMeola, Vinnie Moore and Mike Oldfield. His debut release, 'PICTURES OF A DREAM', is a instrumental masterpiece that displays the energetic and emotional force that Holm's guitar possesses. What makes Mathias Holm unique is that his style has substance. He lays all his cards on the table and doesn't hold back. It's one thing if a guitarist can play at the speed of light, but if that's all he has in his repertoire and doesn't posses any emotion, it can be a dull listen. Mathias Holm's repertoire is an arsenal that will hit your senses from all angles. Displaying speed, grace and groove, 'Pictures Of A Dream', is a CD that demands to be heard! The opening piece, "Voyage", sets the stage for what Mathias Holm has in store for the listener. A neo-classical piece that will have you picking your mouth off the floor! "Golden Snow", is up next and just when you thought it couldn't get any better, Holm's shifts gears and shows his melodic side with, "Sea Of Mirrors". This, in my opinion, is Holm's strength. His capability to experiment with different arrangements and have them sound so intoxicating simply amaze me. One intoxicating example of this is the title track. The notes that Holm's hit on this piece will make the hair on the back of your neck stand at attention. Providing Holm with a strong rhythm section are Mats Eriksson-Wigg and Thomas Backman on bass. On the tracks, "High Trees" and "Hepatica", Holm displays soaring diverseness, something that I have only heard a few guitarists do. Showing that his fingers are no stranger to doing acoustic pieces, Mathias serves up, "Acoustic Mind", a track that would make Andres Segovia proud. All in all, 'Pictures Of A Dream', is a CD that you have to hear to appreciate the talents of Mathias Holm. Already getting praise and rave reviews in Europe and Japan, its only a matter of time before guitar fans in America catch on and that time is coming really soon! Mathias Holm a musician whose star is definitely on the rise! © The Atomic Chaser Voyage Day Of Silence Sea Of Mirrors Irresistible Grass Call It Alive Jammu The Tables Of Testimony