SEDUCTION

"Seduction" is the debut full-length studio album by US, California based guitarist Jasun Tipton. The album was released through Sensory Records in 2005. Tipton did release "Night's Pulse" in 2000, but it's only 20 minutes long, and I consider it an EP. Tipton is known for his work with Zero Hour, Abnormal Thought Patterns, Death Machine, and Cynthesis and is generally a prolific name in progressive metal circles.

Although there are a couple of nods toward his progressive metal output during the playing time of "Seduction", the music on the album is generally very different in nature to what we're used to from his side. It's predominantly non-metal guitar dominated instrumental music. There's an occasionaly fusion edge to the proceedings, but mostly it's rather laid back, ambient, and pleasant sounding music.

Jasun Tipton plays guitars (acoustic and electric) and keyboards on the album but is helped out by his brother Troy Tipton (Zero Hour, Abnormal Thought Patterns, Death Machine, Cynthesis) on bass and Sean Flanegan (Enchant, Cynthesis) and John Perrine on drums. So it's safe to say that the lineup consists of both skilled and seasoned musical powers.

"Seduction" is well produced too, but for all the great qualities that the album feature, I'm still left a bit underwhelmed by the project, and it's the material that generally isn't catchy or interesting enough. Too often the tracks are reduced to pleasant background listening music, and while there's nothing really bad or offensive about it, it generally lacks edge and a more adventurous attitude. It's simply too nice and polished. A 3 star (60%) rating is warranted.