INVIOLATE

1. "Teeth of the Hydra" (5:13) This one might go to eleven. Definitely a top three song. Just great, powerful guitar notes (& chords!). A purely great song. In fact, this is my favorite song of 2022 (so far). (10/10)

2. "Zeus in Chains" (4:39) Impressive guitar and bass over so-so music. (8.5/10)

3. "Little Pretty" (6:26) a little bluesier. Some nice melody lines and bass drum "fills." Gets better as it goes. Kind of classic J-R fusion á la Al DI, JEAN-LUC, and ALLAN H. (8.75/10)

4. "Candle Power" (3:31) JAN AKKERMAN guitar play taken to another level! Man do I hear the Dutch Master in every note! (8.75/10)

5. "Apollo in Color" (4:19) nice song in which the awesome bass and drums are allowed some shine. You go, Henrik! You awesome, Vinnie! Also love the rhythm guitar (& banjo?) work. (9/10)

6. "Avalancha" (5:10) a heavy one. Jerry Colson and Steve in a race or machine gun fight. And they really send it crashing down! A top three song for me--and I don't even like metal! (9.5/10)

7. "Greenish Blues" (6:07) pure blues. Such amazing guitar sound, smooth touch, and timing. Almost makes Jeff Beck look like he's fumbling and flailing. Cool twang-bar and wah-pedal ministrations. Reminds me a lot of Jeff's "'Cause We've Ended As Lovers." only the 12.0 version. A master showing his mastery. If you ever want to play one guitar song to show the potential of guitar and the possibilities allowed by the blues, please use this one! My final top three song--and I'm not really a fan of the blues! (10/10)

8. "Knappsack" (5:19) just watching the video accompanying this song on YouTube gives you some insight into the magic that the electric guitar offers--as well as the pyrotechnical skill of one of the world's greatest masters of that instrument. I love the feeling in the final minute of blues. Am I watching a tutorial for the future of electric guitar play: "The One-Handed Method"? (8.75/10)

9. "Sandman Cloud Mist" (6:01) Steve's steady music and melody play allow Vinnie Colaiuta and bassist Philip Bynoe to really show their skills. Incredible patch of guitar wizardry from about 4:40 to 5:20! (8.75/10)

Total Time 46:45

This is one awesome collection of songs from a veteran who knows what he wants and has all the skills (and friends) to pull it off. Steve Vai. in all his glory, has enough self-confidence and grace to allow his collaborators to really shine. Mega kudos, Señor Steve! I'd love to see you collaborate with Antoine Fafard!

A-/five stars; a minor masterpiece of guitar wizardry as composed, performed, and produced by one of the all-time masters (if not THE all-time master) of the electric guitar.

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