FELIX MARTIN

For a guitar virtuoso MARTIN plays it cool and on the 10 tracks featured on THE GATHERING he definitely showcases his two-handed double-neck guitar tapping approaches with his collection of multi-stringed guitars and accompanying 10-strong basses but he integrates inspiration derived from progressive rock and metal along with medieval music, video game soundtracks, Japanese anime themes and an abundance of jittery math rock time signatures. Unlike other modern guitar gods such as Tosin Abasi who favor djent-fueled guitar heft, MARTIN offers a gentler approach making his music a bit more light and breezy despite the incessant flow of finger-tapping techniques permeating the album's run.

Add to that MARTIN infuses his Latin musical roots into the mix and the entire album has a bit of the jazz fusion vibe that has been more prevalent on his previous albums. First and foremost MARTIN is dedicated to intriguing melodies and dynamic rhythmic drive with the virtuosity supporting the overarching theme, a trait lost on many virtuosos although that has been changing in the 21st century as gifted guitarists have found new musical avenues to incorporate their shredding skills into. Perhaps the most dynamic feature of MARTIN's music is the fact that his 16 and 12-string guitars along with the 10-string basses offer a huge palette of sounds and technical possibilities. Add to that MARTIN uses two hands on two necks to craft contrapuntal guitar techniques, some of the most advanced technical wizardry possible.

Each track on the album includes its own artwork of an anime character that represents it as seen on the album cover art. While usually tucked into the world of progressive metal, THE GATHERING is less metallic than previous albums and offers a cleaner less distorted array of tones and timbres. The trio is flawless in its nerdy execution of the string attacks however i find the drummer to be the least interesting of the bunch as he basically only exists to maintain a steady beat with no outbursts of virtuosity in his own right although he doers offer some moments of interest. Even more exhilarating than hearing MARTIN play is to experience the visuals on his videos where you can marvel at the beefy excessively stringed guitars that he and bandmate Joan Torres double tap with amazing grace and ease.

Overall this like any MARTIN release is impressive on a technical level and even competent as far as painting interesting melodic developments and balancing the elements involved however even with all the attention focused on the songwriting with the finger tapping a secondary process, the album still comes off as a bit one-dimensional as the tracks don't vary significantly enough from one another and by the time the album nears its final tracks the wow factor has diminished. While MARTIN has learned the discipline of toning things down and honing his skills into a greater sum of the parts, unfortunately the music isn't diverse enough to maintain the interest of the listener for an album's run but the craftsmanship is rather brilliant and the clean tones and timbres that MARTIN has eked out of his guitar army is quite pleasing indeed. Personally i prefer the faster tracks as the slower ones are a little too pandering to the non-techies but really there's nothing horrible about this album other than a little monotony at times.

3.5 rounded down

In April of 2019, he released his 4th full length studio album called "Caracas" which consists of songs based on styles or traditions from Venezuela. It is dedicated to Venezuelans and the people's current struggle with the dictatorship. Felix hopes that the music in this album reflects the energy needed to make a change in the country. The core band on this album is made up of Felix Martin on guitar, Victor Carracedo on drums and Javier Sepulveda on bass.

I must admit that I didn't know much about this artist previously, and when I read about him, I thought this would be another one of those guitar-god albums where the artist it talented, yet all of the music sounds the same where each track is just as technically complicated as the last one and there is not variety. So, I was very surprised to find that was not the case with this album. Martin is amazing! His playing is so varied and yes he is a technical wizard on the guitar. And yes, he does show off, but after hearing this album, he has every right to do so.

Of course, since this is based on Venezuelan traditions, you can expect that all of the tracks are very Latin-American sounding, and that is the first refreshing difference. But, that amazing guitar that he uses can produce so many different textures and sounds that it never gets tiring to listen to. Martin allows the music to shine and the melody to show through in his music, the theme and variation style is quite apparent here, but when he goes into one of his rapid fire tirades, which he does several times, you just sit there listening with your mouth hanging open. His playing, technique and interpretation is amazing. On the track "La Vaca Mariposa" he uses a traditional song and turns it into a wild display of notes and technical grace adding in bits of heaviness and beauty and does it all in the songs original meter of 5/8 (a traditional rhythm known in Venezuela as "Merengue Venezolano"). He even breaks out his acoustic version of the 14 string from time to time, like on the fast paced "Grey Zuliana". Then there is the rapid tappity tap playing on "El Alcavaran" that gives that unique sound of the Chapman Stick incorporated into his guitar that works so well in this somewhat gypsy-infused style of that track. Continuing with the incorporation of all Venezuelan styles, there is the Joropo style (with a little Cuban sound mixed in) of "Zumba Que Zumba". The Joropo style also continues into the next track with "Apure en un Viaje", and Martin sounds like a small rock orchestra all incorporated into one instrument. And then there is the beauty of the tornada style in "Tornada de Luna Llena". There is so much packed into this album.

I can't say enough how amazing the playing is on this album. It's fun and exciting, and the music never wears itself out, because of the versatility in the playing while remaining faithful to the main themes, yet adding in so many textures, styles and moods even within individual tracks. I have to say that this is one of the best guitar solo albums I have heard and it's so great to hear a guitar virtuoso in progressive rock that isn't afraid to have variance in his music. Simply amazing!