uy your tickets early and aboard "The Ziras Express." Hail to the Greek shred monster Theodore Ziras! Starting a new brand of Neoclassical guitar. A Neo-Classical shred fest for sure! He's the most innovative Neoclassical guitarist I've heard in a long time. Theodore Ziras is no Yngwie clone that's for sure. He writes with melody and harmony in mind. If your into high energy, ferocious guitar playing then Ziras is right up your alley. If you have been in a dry spell with your writing this CD will give you some new licks and ideas to try out. After listening to this CD I couldn't help picking up my axe and shredding away. Theodore always keeps your interest by using repeating licks in every tune to keep you hooked into his masterpieces. I was simply blown away at the guitar work on the release. I have heard many Neoclassical players and most just bore me to death, because they all play rehashed licks over and over. Ziras does something a little different, he implies melody into his songs. He reminds me of Vinnie Moore or Tony MacAlpine, meaning that hooks, line and sinks in every song. Each song can be easily hummed along with, and for me that's a big deal being able to remember a lick and recite it later. I can't tell you how great it is not having another boring shredder that goes off into ten minute jams, with no point. Theodore writes in regular rock style so you get your intro, verse, chorus, verse chorus, main lead and etc. There is no wonder this CD is getting great press all over the Net, after hearing it I can see exactly why. Another highlight is his ear pleasing guitar tone. Its clean, bright, and full of tone. It seems like he really spent a lot of time dialing in his lead tone because it just smokes! The title of the album "Trained To Play" seriously fits Theodore, he is a very well practiced and studied Neoclassical guitar shredder. Do yourself the favor and go purchase this CD, and experience his action packed fret board antics.
Track one "Future Memories" begins with a smoking pedal idea and then breaks right into the main repeating lick of the song at 00:15. This melody kicks immortal butt! He really picks up where guitar god Vinnie Moore left off with at "Minds Eye." BONE CRUSHING MELODIES! Check out the next sweet sounding melody line at 1:33. Take a listen to Ziras's killer keyboard chops under that lick I was impressed. Great smooth sounding arpeggios. I really give this guy credit, his keyboard chops are as fast as they are on guitar! The keyboard lead after that guitar part is very impressive. It really helps add another dimension to his songs. The whole song really captures you and sucks you into some kind of parallel world and doesn't let you escape until the song ends.
"Dash" is a great name for track two, because his guitar work takes of and soars to the atmosphere and keeps you wanting more every second. Right off the bat you get hammered with a great montage of classical playing. The main lick in this song is very fast paced hence the title "Dash." Check out the cool break at 1:15 he slows down the pace a bit and delivers some really cool melody lines then ending with a killer long run from hell. 1:54 breaks in with a little soulful Harmonic Minor lead line that speeds up with a great shred run. Ziras predominantly solos in Harmonic Minor and Minor and uses every once of it's uses to the fullest capacity. He covers so much ground with these scales its not even funny.
"Common Transition" track three floors you from the first moment you hear it. With some mean guitar shredding. You your going to love the massive amount of smoking licks in this song. Check out 00:50 for a killer pedal movement ending with a very tactfully placed arpeggio. At 1:35 he really gets the engines running with some great fret board movements. He even tosses in some slower licks in the melting pot. This song has such flare and style to it. The title does fit the song well because this track has many transitions, lead transitions that is. 3:07 marks the heavy slow jam. Evil sounding backing riff let me tell you. Then Ziras uses the Harmonic Minor scale to the fullest.
Track four "The First Attempt" is defiantly a major highlight on this CD, and what an attempt it is. It brings back the old days when shredders really knew how to shred. Reminds me of a little of the industries elite, Vinnie Moore and Tony MacApline. The main repeating verse is catchy and very melodic. The melody starts pouring out at 00:19 into the song and even before then. The lick at 00:19 will just floor you, it so well devised. Then check out the massive keyboard and guitar parts at 1:10. I highly recommend putting this CD into a large stereo system and cranking it for this part. I think it will really do the part justice. 1:39 marks one of the most powerful lead breaks on the CD. How does this guy do it? So many notes, melodies so little time. Theodore is one of the few guys who can shred his butt of and keep a melody going with the speedy fret work. This song is a real gem, its surely stands out as a classic track.
"The Vital Lead," track five is stunning. Any old school Nintendo fans out there? This track should have been included into Metriod's and Super Metriod's sound tracks! Totally cool video game music. Theodore, if your reading this send a copy of this track to Sony's Playstation, and MS Game Cube and get it in a video game! This song rocks. It's a slower paced track that packs a lot of heat. It keeps you sucked in from the first moment you hearit. His leads really jam on this one, Check out the Harmonies from 2:36-02:58. They start of slow and melodic, then speed up taking you to a yet another level of guitar playing. When ever I load up my PS2 I put this song on repeat and kill some monster butt while jamming to this song!
Track six "Confusing Check" keeps you in its deadly claws the whole way through. Great opening Harmony leads. How fast and clean they are. Check 00:34 for a a great open string pedal like riff. Also, give a listen the overly melodic part at 01:22, its so soulful. This song would make a great rock anthem for guitar players. One thing that would be cool to do with this song is have a large orchestra join in on the background. Great tapping section starting at 02:03. Check out the smoking arpeggios at 2:17. They are so clean its not even funny. After, that we go into a Jazzy like lead jam. This part shows another side of Ziras, he's not only a Neoclassical shredder, but he can incorporate other guitar styles into his for a good mix to the listeners ears. One thing to mention here about Ziras's playing is that he is super clean! Theodore is very well practiced and seems like he has spent many hours, days and years perfecting his playing. He is a very well trained player and has chops.
Track seven "Mysterious Simplify," is a monster of its own. It crushes you with melodies from start to end. Starts off with a killer backing riff that reminds me old school Iron Maiden. Then Ziras goes to town. Hey if Iron Maiden need a fourth guitarist, I think Theodore would easily fit in. Its hard to pick out just one harmony to listen to, because they were all so well constructed and this song just flows so well. 02:22 marks something very different, a Nylon guitar section! The song breaks then the next thing you know you get the super clean arpeggeated chord section with a cool nylon lead over it. Then we get back into the monstrous rhythm guitar. What a great track. Its defiantly one of my favorite songs from the disc. Its packed with tons of harmonies, tapping, pedals, and taste. Need I mention more?
"The Gush," track eight is a slower paced neoclassical menace. Gushing with shred it is. Then comes in a massive attack of arpeggios 00:41- 01:11. that just has to be the longest arpeggio sections I have ever heard. It's over the top insane! The effects blend added in really gives it a furious sound. Please listen to 2:10- 2:39 it's another amazing arpeggio section. Beethoven and Bach would be proud. Theodore's arpeggio breaks are so well put together, they are not re-hash of others on the CD. Each lead section really takes on a sound of its own. This song is a very exciting track to listen to, you will be mystified.
"Missing God" track nine is the slowest paced track on the CD. It really sets a mood for the listener. This would be a great sound track for a romantic dinner with a loved one or date. Ziras really shows off his other side with this song. We all know he can shred, but know we can see his full potential as a guitarist. This song just pours out emotion the whole way through. His lead lines complement each other so well. The main lick in the song keeps you in line the whole way through the track. It's very melodic and soulful. This would have to be my favorite hook on the whole CD. Its not a 5 million note solo either, it's only a few. Like the saying goes "A few notes are worth a thousand words." One of his strong ability is the way he makes transitions. One of these is a Nylon guitar lead section at 01:50. This part is a nice melodic jump in the song. It keeps the original feeling going, but allows Theodore to explore other tonal aspects of the track. Not to mention this is one of the shortest songs on the whole CD at only 02:48. It left me wanting more after hearing it. More in the sense that I want a sequel to it. I will have to add this to my "Mood CD," it's great music to relax to, dine, or sit and listen the rain hit your window on a rainy day. Defiantly mood music.
Track ten "Never Breaking The Rules," was a well together master piece. As always, you get everything from Theodore Ziras, speed, melody, soul, and flare. The main lick in this track is very up front, it doesn't hide that's for sure. Great climbing section beginning at 00:35, it'll surely make your mouth drop wide open. Check out 1:33, its a huge wall of sound, great keyboard backing to some well performed arpeggios. Another great lead break starts at 2:14, again marking a milestone section of licks. Ziras music is very inspirational. If you ever get caught into a playing rut, pop in this CD and I think you'll gain a new avenue of guitar playing. You don't even have to be a huge classical fan to appreciate some great guitar playing and song writing.
"Symphonious Departure" track is a super ending song for this Neoclassical masterpiece of an instrumental CD. One thing to mention is Ziras proficient keyboard playing. Its not cheesy, boring or bleak. Again, you get to really get a feel for the music that this man cranks out. This song is a great work of art, and sounds like a lot of time was spent writing and arranging this work. Its so well put together. It's even hard to point out a specific part because how this song flows, but if I had to pick one that I really like, it would have to be the part starting at 1:05. Its very different from every thing else on the CD. No where else do you hear this type of lick on the disc. This is the shortest song on the CD, and to me it doesn't feel like it at all. If your a huge classical fan this would be one album to defiantly check out. It's worth buying the whole CD fort this track alone.
So looking back, "Trained to Play" is a modern day Classical giant. Like I said earlier, if you a fan of Classical or Neoclassical (guitar playing) this disc is for you. Ziras helps take classical playing to new un-explored avenues. If your thinking about broadening your horizons, this would be great place to start. The other thing that makes Ziras a great guitar player is his ear for writing good melodies and harmonies. He uses lots of hooks in each song to keep you interested the whole way through the album, which is very hard to do these days. I think its safe to say that Theodore Ziras's "Trained To Play" is a must have for guitar players. Even if your not a Neoclassical fan, this CD would turn you into one. He's just that good at what he does.
uy your tickets early and aboard "The Ziras Express." Hail to the Greek shred monster Theodore Ziras! Starting a new brand of Neoclassical guitar. A Neo-Classical shred fest for sure! He's the most innovative Neoclassical guitarist I've heard in a long time. Theodore Ziras is no Yngwie clone that's for sure. He writes with melody and harmony in mind. If your into high energy, ferocious guitar playing then Ziras is right up your alley. If you have been in a dry spell with your writing this CD will give you some new licks and ideas to try out. After listening to this CD I couldn't help picking up my axe and shredding away. Theodore always keeps your interest by using repeating licks in every tune to keep you hooked into his masterpieces. I was simply blown away at the guitar work on the release. I have heard many Neoclassical players and most just bore me to death, because they all play rehashed licks over and over. Ziras does something a little different, he implies melody into his songs. He reminds me of Vinnie Moore or Tony MacAlpine, meaning that hooks, line and sinks in every song. Each song can be easily hummed along with, and for me that's a big deal being able to remember a lick and recite it later. I can't tell you how great it is not having another boring shredder that goes off into ten minute jams, with no point. Theodore writes in regular rock style so you get your intro, verse, chorus, verse chorus, main lead and etc. There is no wonder this CD is getting great press all over the Net, after hearing it I can see exactly why. Another highlight is his ear pleasing guitar tone. Its clean, bright, and full of tone. It seems like he really spent a lot of time dialing in his lead tone because it just smokes! The title of the album "Trained To Play" seriously fits Theodore, he is a very well practiced and studied Neoclassical guitar shredder. Do yourself the favor and go purchase this CD, and experience his action packed fret board antics.