THEODORE ZIRAS

Theodore Ziras is a greek guitarist who beggins his career in late '90s releasing so far I guess 6 albums. His second offer from 2003 is named Virtual Virtuosity. Ok, to me this type of music don't give any shivers down the spine, really, specially when is all instrumental, I'm talking about instrumental neo classical metal. Even the pieces are ok constructed and he really know to handle the instrument, in fact Ziras play at all instruments to be heared here, to my ears all the pieces sound kinda the same. Same attitude, same arrangements and same guitar solos and riffs. If was little more diversity in his arrangements then for sure I would give a higher rate. No tune is better then other, so no highlights for me. Fast guitar playing with some background keyboards , no really melody here. So, in the end, over all I guess I can listen to this album again, but I don't expect to be really soon. Hardly 3 stars.

Greece are perhaps best known for their ancient gods, but in this case we're dealing with an aspiring guitar god.

With Derek Sherinian involved you always know that it will be a quality release, and his keyboard textures do add nuances to the compositions here highlighting the individual songs best qualities. But Ziras is a skilled composer as well, he has technical abilities as well as the skills on how to use these to make instrumental guitar dominated tunes sound interesting. With some keyboard soloing and call and answer routines between these and the guitar additional interest is made.

The musical style here is quite similar to Joe Satriani's early work; but with more leanings towards prog metal; and some neo-classical licks in addition to the high class quality shredding and melodic explorations.

Highly recommended, in particular to fans of instrumental guitar dominated metal.