Brodie Cumming
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Exploring Neo-Classical Influences
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Dangerous Visions is the title of California guitarist Brodie Cumming's demo CD-R, which features five instrumental tracks in the neo-classical and metal/shred styles favored by his influences and favorite guitarists: Michael Angelo, Vinnie Moore and Tony MacAlpine. Three of the tracks are full length ("Crystal Ball", "Bird Song" and "Solar Flare"), while the final two serve as brief interludes. The opening number, "Crystal Ball", starts out introspective and emotional before morphing into a new-classical barnburner, complete with furious keyboard lines, as Cumming raids the MacAlpine riff archive with taste and discretion. "Bird Song" follows (so named because the high harmonies sounded like birds singing), and it's as beautifully melodic as it is rocking, featuring a blistering guitar solo and graceful accompaniment. Cumming just has to spend more time in his studio developing his compositional chops and his own individual style, but he's off to a good start.
Brodie first started playing guitar around the age of 12, listening to players such as Eddie Van Halen and Yngwie Malmsteen. After a few years of playing he started taking lessons from a local guitar teacher named Bill Decker, who inspired him and had a big impact on his style. Brodie composes and records in his own home studio, and has a tendency to conceive his compositions on keyboard, rather than guitar. The songs "Victory" and "Solar Flare" were both inspired by his favorite movie score composer Vince Dicola, while his final interlude track, "Dangerous Visions" is a non-guitar idea that came to him just after the 9/11 attacks.
Currently, Cumming is studying to major in music at a local college, and his immediate future plans are to continue composing, recording and practicing.
Contact Information
Brodie Cumming
4728 Shade Tree Lane
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
United States
E-mail:
Brodie Cumming
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Meyvn
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Progressive Metal, Texas-Style
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Austin, Texas progressive metal group Meyvn's first demo CD-R, Introduction, was recently recorded on a mobile Pro Tools setup in Meyvn's practice room - over 20 minutes of instrumental music stretched out over three songs ("Revolution", "Last Rites", "Cadence"). The trio consists of guitarist Drew Creel, keyboardist Charles Shultz and drummer Brad Colson, each a formidable player in his own right, and each with years of service in progressive bands in their resumes. You'll hear echoes of Dream Theater, Stratovarius and Fates Warning in their demo, with Creel's guitar work shifting focus in dizzying fashion, as he and Shultz play off each otheršs riffs and lines. Even some neo-classical influences sneak their way into the arrangements - this is some good stuff here. Expect to hear more from this band in the near future, especially when their full-length CD is released.
Drew began playing guitar at age 14, shortly after enrolling in high school. Throughout most of high school and early college, Drew focused on jazz and played with many local jazz orchestras and combos. It wasn't until his senior year in high school that he started listening to progressive metal bands, and after a year or two of that he decided to give up on jazz and focus on progressive music. After playing in several progressive rock and metal bands in the Austin and Houston area, Drew answered an ad in the local newspaper placed by a keyboard player looking for a band. The keyboard player was Charles Shultz, and after a brief stint with San Antonio band Divine Ruins, Drew and Chuck decided to form a new, more powerful, more progressive band - Meyvn
Meyvn is currently writing songs for their first full-length album. In addition, the band is shopping their demo to record companies and playing small shows in Texas.
Contact Information
Drew Creel
600 Barwood Park #1816
Austin, TX 78753
United States
E-mail:
Meyvn
Web site:
www.meyvn.net
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