Review:

on 2011-06-26 Bertman Said:

Erich Andreas

The Return



This 4 song CD is the equivalent of The Ultimate Extreme Work Out video, only for guitar players. It opens with a true to form rendition of Michael Sambello's Maniac, sans pesky vocals to get in the way. Andreas throws himself into the song. There are subtle and overblown passages. Phrases where EA muses and reflects and others where his fingers fly a hundred miles a minute. This kids, is what was called a Guitar Hero before the words were trademarked into something your parents didn't complain about noise-wise.

"The Return" is the title track for a reason. This song screams and squeals; everything about it is absurdly big and foreboding. Robin Trower, George Lynch and shades of Gary Moore can be heard pressed together in the subtext of Erich Andreas playing, coming out as his own unique musical voice. The Return without visual accompaniment, is the sort of song designed to command a moment. If this was used in a film, it would play out during the films climactic scene, as good triumphs over evil and/or Vin Diesel wins a race. My point is, this is epic music, worthy of an equally ginormous visual presentation.

"Sown in Tears" is no slouch. There are some Paco De Lucia/Al Di Meola acoustic moments wedged in between the electric shredding. Multiple guitar parts weave in and around each other, constructing an intense sonic lattice.

This CD closes out with "Amazing Grace" presumably performed with an E-bow for the bag pipe effect. It seems an appropriate way to close out the disc. After the intense and soaring emotions of the previous tracks, this gives the listener a chance to slow down, catch their breath and be amazed, just before the CD starts once more.


Rating: 8/10