It's really about time a straight ahead metal compilation has been released to pay homage to one of the most fretboard frenzied guitarists who particularly invented the guitar crunch. Hendrix who has influenced guitarists of all types, profoundly heard in Malmsteen, Vai, and numerous others within the metal realm, has really never had a compilation devoted entirely to the late visionary that was completely filled with straight ahead metal guitarists or bands. Sure, we have heard the covers, from time to time, and now finally there is a comprehensive release (two volumes) that covers some of his most inspiring material, ranging from hit songs to album tracks.
With Volume One beginning with
Sun Caged covering
"Freedom," it becomes clear that many bands are going to put down their power or progressive metal mantra behind them (with the occasional synthesizer solo or guitar shredding) for the performances involved. This track in particular is played with the energy and endurance of the original, in blues-rock fashion with the guitar basing itself on Hendrix's sound, rather than technicalities of
Sun Caged's original well known material and it sets the tone for many of the performances here.
The other tracks that tend to lean more toward the typical Classic Rock sound in general are Arabesque's cover of
"Crosstown Traffic," Lars Eric Mattsson's duet with the blues influenced Ritchie Kotzen on their version of
"Little Miss Lover," and Cyril Achard's covering
"Highway Chile." Even tracks like the covers of
"Bold as Love" and
"Fire" have vocal imitations of Hendrix himself, not to mention the fretless guitar used in
"Fire" is fairly amazing. There is deviation into more modernized metal touches that include Carl Roa playing
"3rd Stone from the Sun" and Michael Harris's dark take on
"Little Wing" bringing more of a melodic metal atmosphere vibe.
Volume Two is typically an extension of the first with
"Roomful of Mirrors" from Poland and Mattsson standing with a more straightforward guitar metal prowess. Typical Hendrix tracks like
"Purple Haze" and
"Red House" are played out in the blues fashion, with
Winterlong and Tony Hernando diversifying their sound a little from the power metal stance. Denanders cover
"Them Changes" has a bright edge to it, heavy on the groove feeling involved while Condition Red's dark version of
"Villanova Junction" adds the mood driven atmospheric vibe to the compilation.
Overall the material is played out in good fashion, sounding a bit "Rainbow-ish" at times, which is a good thing. It's a rare glimpse into metal's take on the man, who only lived to complete three official albums (and leave behind numerous material to create several other records after his death), but his influence is everywhere and
The Spirit Lives On is no Exception.
Written by
Hashman Thursday, August 19, 2004
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