“The New Review” – Cutting Edge Rocks

Guest columnist for Guitar Nine Records Mike Campese returns with his fourth solo CD entitled The New. Unlike many of the guitar shredders that send their records our way, Campese ahas a keen sense of melody and conservative dynamics. Straight off, the disc has an old world spell to it. Song titles like “Misty Seas,” “The Unknown” and “Sonata” create a feeling of European mystique. Second track, “All Or Nothing,” is graceful yet aggressive putting things in perspective with a dash of Ritchie Blackmore and a swash of George Lynch. The shred-heady “Before A Storm” will also satisfy progressive metalheads keeping it heavy, melodic and lyrical.

Campese takes complete ownership of his 18 compositions featured here. He writes, produces, plays and sings. Seven have him contributing vocals the other eleven are top-notch instrumentals ranging from bluesy “Swing Thing” to the orchestrated “Crying For Freedom.” For guitar enthusiast’s songs like “Mission Mars,” the acoustic layering of “A Cry With No Tears” and the gorgeous “Majestic Rays” not only highlight the guitarist as a performer, but actually transport the listener to a cerebral sphere where the music becomes all consuming. The tracking order balances the record keeping the ebb and flow exciting and exhilarating. The New is a well-crafted piece open to a wide range of musical enthusiasts.