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MIKE CAMPESE ANNOUNCES 12TH SOLO ALBUM, 12, RELEASED NOVEMBER 12, 2026

Guitarist, composer and guitar virtuoso Mike Campese released 12, his 12th solo album, on November 12, 2026. The album is the follow-up to Reset, marking Campese’s first new solo album in four years.

12 features 12 tracks spanning instrumental and vocal material, with a total running time of 57:56. Campese performs guitar, bass, vocals and keyboards throughout the album, along with additional programming. Patrick Johansson performs drums on all 12 tracks.

Recorded at Abbey Road Institute Paris and at Campese’s studios in New York and Nevada, the album brings together rock, progressive, blues, jazz, classical, world, funk and other influences. Rather than following one specific genre, each song has its own character and direction.

The album opens with “Fire in the Castle,” a fiery instrumental recorded at Abbey Road. Driven by a powerful rock groove, dramatic melodies and blistering guitar work, the track sets the tone for the album’s mix of melody, intensity and technical playing.

Other highlights include the heavy, driving “Numb to it All,” combining catchy melodies and cool grooves with melodic shredding, fast guitar lines, interesting jazzy harmonies with diminished and altered chord colors, and a powerful breakdown; the funky, groove-driven “Space is the Place”; “Trust,” a melodic, driving instrumental with a strong rock groove, epic moments and cool twists through its solo sections; the lush, expansive “Future Creatures,” featuring vocals, a big cinematic sound and an epic atmosphere that builds into a powerful, blistering section; and the blistering, virtuosic “Attack of the Killer Vacuum Cleaner,” featuring unconventional chord progressions, rapid-fire guitar work, intricate arpeggios, explosive drums and some insanely intense playing.

“Alone in the Forest” is one of Campese’s personal favorites, built around a driving groove and an infectious main melody that evolves throughout the song. Layered guitar harmonies, atmospheric volume swells and a lush bridge lead into a melodic Spanish-flavored guitar section, followed by a fast yet melodic solo featuring fiery diminished scale runs. After returning to its memorable chorus, the intensity builds toward the end before beautifully resolving into variations of the original verse melody, giving the piece an almost cinematic feel.

“The Wait” features interesting melodic and harmonic changes. “Paris” features a beautiful, memorable melody and flowing, repeating arpeggio patterns with rich extended harmonies. “Magical and Mystical” combines haunting melodies and harmonies with contrasting minor and major sections, unexpected key changes, flourishing arpeggios and heavy, driving rhythms behind the guitar solo. The track features plenty of melodic, blistering shred while maintaining its haunting atmosphere. “Goodbye” features expressive slide guitar, a catchy melody and beautiful harmonies. Its slower, moderate tempo and hauntingly sad melody set in a major key bring the album to an emotional close.

12 is dedicated to Campese’s mother, Anne L. Campese, who passed away. “Follow the Sun” was written while she was in the hospital and was inspired in part by her love of the sun. “Goodbye” also serves as a dedication to her.

Campese describes his albums as being similar to a movie. While 12 is not a concept album, the music changes from track to track, and one song does not necessarily represent the album as a whole.

“I feel this is my best album to date,” Campese says. “Every song is different, every album is different. Like every album, there’s something for everyone, and I think the MC fans are gonna love it.”

The album contains plenty of melodic shred, which Campese is known for, alongside blistering guitar work, soulful melodies, technical playing and a wide range of musical influences while maintaining the distinctive writing, phrasing and personality that define Mike Campese’s music.

 

All compositions by Mike Campese, (BMI)
Produced by Mike Campese
© 2026 Mike Campese Music