CD Review: June 1974 - Nemesi (Instrumental, 2018)

This record is one of the unusual kind. All the songs, the sound and the long list of guests make it stand out.

The cover of June 1974's "Nemesi" record was done by Natalie Shau (Cradle Of Filth/Sopor Aeternus).

Such packages of music seldomely ever arrive at my inbox. Certainly "Nemesi" comes out of the hand of composer Federico Romano. He had something special in mind with this one. It starts out with the cover - it all comes around like art, like a picture. But one you hardly come around. The sound is clear and direct but you need to unravel the message every track shares for yourselves.

There's no given muster - each one is a unique crafted piece of sound yet all in all the tracks fit together for a album. It feels more like traveling having a listen to "Nemesi". The sounds are often styled with soft tonality but the there's a pushing rawness the drums in the background provide.

It may also work as a soundtrack for a motion picture offering a story with many turns and twists. Just let the sounds form your own journey to this outstanding longplayer.

The guests performing on this first longplayer of June 1974 are mostly known for their work in much heavier acts. Here is a complete list:

“Sognando Klimt” featuring Gionata Mirai (Il Teatro Degli Orrori)
“Inoubliable” featuring Tommy Talamanca (Sadist)
“Narciso” featuring John Cordoni (Necromass)
“Home” featuring Francesco Conte (klimt 1918)
“Panorama” featuring AndyLaRocque (King Diamond) and Tommy Talamanca (Sadist)
“Nothing Man” featuring Jørgen Munkeby (Shining/Ihsahn)
“Death Note”featuring Patrick Mameli (Pestilence)
“Arcadia” featuring Paul Masvidal (Cynic/Death)
“Creed” featuring James Murphy (Obituary/Death/Testament/Cancer/Gorguts/Disincarnate) “Beloved” featuring Francesco Sosto (The Foreshadowing)

In this space they show that their skill can be used a different way. My personal favorite is "Creed" with James Murphy on guitars. Sure there is this special extra that only such a dedicated person can add with his playing technique in the introduction. But it's also showing his solid playing skills in a more common environment. As the atmosphere of the music evolves further he fully gives in to it. Everyone should have heard this one at least once.

The other tracks offer for instance unusual drum pattern like "Home" does. It's such a "playing-with- the-beat" around way to do that you won't get it out of your mind. "Narciso" has the most agressive drumming giving massive double-bass power and filling the track with thick volume. It's a album to sink in deep and to relax to. A highlight that hopefully will not be overseen.

You can download a copy of the album of "Nemesi" from Bandcamp in a format you like.

Full package of shred with first single from Ol Drake

Today I've got something special for all of you guitar freaks out there that love the shred style and find some of the well known guitarists in the thrash sector amongst their all-time favorite list.

Former Evile lead guitarist Ol Drake has released the first single from his upcoming debut solo album, 'Old Rake'. The track features guest appearances from Gary Holt (Exodus/Slayer), James Murphy (Death/Testament/Obituary) and Josh Middleton (Sylosis) and is - somewhat suitably - called "Guitarists Playing Guitars"!

I love that title because when drummers are playing drums what do guitarists do? Playing guitars of course and that's what the guys really do on this track. While the basics of the track are kept straight forward and with a typical riff it's the solo guitar sections that give this track something special. Some of them are really outstanding and leave you behind asking how the heck that might have been done.

You can check out the track below or listen to it on Spotify. Go and check out Ol Drake on this years edition of the Bloodstock Open Air which takes place from August 6th - 9th at Catton Park in Derbyshire, UK. The current timetable lists his performance for Sunday, August 9th on the Sophie stage.


Ol Drake's debut solo album, 'Old Rake' features instrumental guitar encompassing a myriad of styles, including flat-out shredding, classical, progressive, melodic and acoustic.  The album is due to be released on June 22nd in Europe and June 23rd in the USA.

The album is available to pre-order now on CD and limited edition signed CD, and for anyone brave enough to want to try playing the songs for themselves, there's also a deluxe 242-page tab book featuring full tablature for both guitar and bass, transcribed by Ol himself!
Pre-order the 'Old Rake' CD, signed CD and official tab book now in Europe at http://webstore.earache.com/ol-drake or in the USA at http://uswebstore.earache.com/ol-drake

The album is also available to pre-order now on iTunes, including an exclusive bonus track as well as an instant download of "Guitarists Playing Guitars", at http://bit.ly/oldrake-itunes

We'll leave you with a sneak peek of the official tab book (https://youtu.be/EFAm2-6mJkA), and for those of you crazy brave enough, here's the "Guitarists Playing Guitars" tab for you to try! http://bit.ly/1D5ofws

James Murphy fighting cancer again- a call for help

James Murphy, the well known guitarist who played for bands such as Death and Testament is facing the fight against cancer again.

The tumor seems to have returned and he needs a medical treatment for six months which he cannot pay due to his illness which doesn't allow him to work properly.

Please help out in any way you can, e.g. with a donation. You can find more detailed info in the article linked below from the Decibel magazine along with the data needed to do a proper donation via Paypal.

Donate to James Murphy | Decibel Magazine