1900 - HARD TIMES

This live offering from the power trio of Masi, Coven and Macaluso doesn't really add anything new to the style they have chosen to explore, but it's still an enjoyable release if you like the genre.

Fusion, or jazz metal perhaps, is the style in question here; all instrumental and with the guitar as the dominating instrument. Jazzy drumming and funky bass lines underscores the guitar riffing, soloing and shredding, with some nice mellow and atmospheric guitar licks in many tunes, high class atmospheric soloing, some nice guitar pickings on melodic licks as well as soloing and shredding. And yeah, some power riffs here and there as well, in addition to the shredding.

If you like shredding mixed into fusion based metal explorations this one should be high on your list, as the shredding basically is everywhere here. On some tunes as a nice spice to the tune, while on others it's a dominating trait. People who dislike shredding should stay away from this one though.

This is one of the sickest live albums in the history of fusion music,jazz rock fusion ,or jazz metal fusion,or whatever it may be called!Anyway-this impressive album proves that improvisional music can be done at a superior level by some amazing musicians,when alchemy and telepathic musical feelings exists between them!We have here the sensational Italian axeman ALEX MASI and the rhythm section of ARK-criminal drummer John Macaluso and monster bass player Randy Coven!For me,this album has a true feeling of pure magical wizzardry and reminds me a lot about the great synergy between Shawn Lane ,Jonas Hellborg and Jeff Sipe!It's amazing from the technical point of view-jaw dropping I must say-a pure lesson in virtuosity and musicianship!Not even a single second of boredom-just perpetual discovery of unknown musical territories,in terms of virtuosity and amazing technical chops ,technical frenzy!Fans of Masi,will adore this album-the guy is totally unleashed here-but the other 2 monsters are phenomenal too!I repeat-a major album for jazz metal fusion-and the LIVE feeling is astonishing!5 STARS for a musical bomb!

Alex Masi is one of those deeply versatile guitarists that can do many genres well. If you are a heavy fusion fan and into bands like Planet X or enjoyed the pyrotechnics of the late Shawn Lane with Jonas Hellborg -- then this releases is a must-have. No other guitarist I have heard can play even close to the amazing Shawn Lane -- but -- Masi can definitely pull off the Lane fret dance quite well. I am an avid supporter of all things jazz rock fusion for decades and this is one release that passes the fusion test 110%. Recommended live release. Be sure you pick up the 2004 MCM Ritual Factory as well.