Wheels in Motion, is an aptly titled first cut on this album. Immediately leaping to ones senses is Orlandos prowess in managing the vast technical range used. Sweep, tapping, speed picking are all at home, but always used with discipline in the strict construction of the piece. In addition to the guitarist, were immediately aware of the imposing presence of the drummer, Steve Tobin, up to the task of playing in perfect synch with Orlando. The two musicians seem to complementary each others play, generating that kind of play-off that strikes even those listeners less expert. The guitarists style greatly reminds one of the great Jason Becker.

Next comes Sonic Stomp in which a sweep opens the path to a more rock themed piece in which guitar and drums express themselves in perfect synch. Game Over is next where we find a guest star, Ron Thal, who has a certain affinity with Mike Orlando. The intro has a quasi-tribal quality to it that leaves room for a successive rock song in which the musicians give their best. Mike offers up an excellent performance as a bassist in which he makes good use of a number of slaps indicative of a professional with the instrument. The cut shows numerous interchanges in theme and tempo.

The successive piece, Jam On It, is a collaboration between Twisted Sisters AJ Pero at drums and Lenny Rocillo on bass. The piece exhibits a new streaming neoclassical sweep interspersed with funky blues in which Orlando proves himself a master.

Horizons is the albums first ballad In this case the technical pyrotechnics are momentarily set aside to give our ears a rest, up until this point bombarded by an ocean of notes. The guitarist demonstrates himself to be at his height even playing fewer notes, mixing in his sense of musicality with his technical powers.

Changes comes next and it does as it implies - it signals and anticipates a spectacular change of style and tempo which were ready to take on. The opening riff engages bass, drums and guitar - all of which move like a machine gun. After a stop it shifted to a slowed-down bit in which Orlando cements insanity. The end of the cut is worth noting.

Movement is the next song - probably the most diverse of all the others for its style, rhythm and complexity. In the ensuing flex the band brings to mind the aggressiveness of Liquid Tension, in particular Acid Rain. The song is well organized and one of the most homogeneous of the whole album.

Slam is next with a drum introduction in perfect synch with guitar. Its an angry cut. This song probably best describes the two side of Michael - one side, the shredder - the other, a blues rocker. Even on this song the interplay between guitars and drums is noteworthy.

After Slam comes Velvet Sky, the albums second ballad. Orlandos songwriter gifts are evident. Even in this case his technical talent makes room for a tune that in all respects can be appreciated even by those listeners that dont normally listen to this particular type of music. It almost seems like it could be a love song that would play on the soundtrack to a love story.

Second to last, A Moment in Time consists of a guitar monologue, with a total absence of of rhythm, on a simple carpet of keyboard, over which the guitarist fully expresses his range.

Old School Bogie concludes this work of art. You can tell where this one is heading just by its title - Country dressed in a shred salsa, in which Mike lets go without limits his expressionism. In its totality, this is a great disc. Mike's bravura is beyond doubt (I told you.) A bravura put to the service of musical expression. In listening to this disc we become buried in an ocean of notes, without, however, drowning. The guitarist succeeds in perfectly balancing the "plettrate" and the sweeps "funamolici" (I told you, again), with the most vital vibrato and bending. The soul of a bluesman and that of a shredder co-exist perfectly giving over to a fine sense of timing as to when to switch off on the other. The emotions one has when listening go from being stupified to marvel, without, however, veering into a freak show. Even the non-guitarists among us listening to this disc can't help but compare and contrast the artists's bravura and precision that from a technical and expressive point of view may easily be put side-to-side with the various Malmsteens, Vais and Beckers.

We at chitarristi.com are happy to greet to the pantheon of Olympic guitarists Mike Orlando, always hoping that in the future we'll hear more of him.