Unknown Land

L.A. Sux is the German project featuring Joachim Schutte on guitar and keyboards and Karsten Fernau on bass and keyboards, both of whom are graduates of Hollywood's Musicians Institute. On their second release, Unknown Land, the duo blends hard rockin' yet smooth and melodious guitar fusion with interesting arrangements. The west coast fusion influence is hard to deny, but Schutte and Fernau also inject occasional modernisms such as drum loops and techno bass/drums. Drummer Dirk Erchinger also plays a solid supporting role (as he did on their debut, "Time Never Stops"), and a number of other guest musicians add their talents to the project as well. Notably, the title track is a composition for orchestra and four guitars, which guarantees a special listening experience.