As soon as I saw the fabulous cover art I knew this was going to jump to the top of the teetering pile of ceedees awaiting review. Bleak and desolate, just the way I like it. Even better, a quick glance at the press bio shows Scott Henderson listed as an influence, so it was chocks away!

This is the fourth solo instrumental recording from Greg and finds him 'rooting around and exploring different attributes of the human psyche'. Primarily through the medium of prog metal and fusion. But his is a hard driving guitar based approach built around some sterling riffs.

Being an old fashioned kind of knucklehead I found myself drawn to "The Brawler (Affliction)" but if I had to pick one tune to display his mastery of progressive dark fusion it would be the blistering "The Assassin (Guilt)" which manages to combine power, passion and precision.

A true solo album with Greg producing, engineering, performing and doing the artwork, this is an absolute gem.

****

Review by Stuart A Hamilton

Artist website