THE AXIS OF ALL THINGS

Chris Brooks second album after long 9 years break, in between Masterplan his first release and this one he colaboratred with other musicians and bands, that's why he needed so much to come with a follow up. Released this year in september 2011 and named Axis of all things Chris Brooks manage to come with another very worthy album, little diffrent then predecesor but great neverthe less. I sais is quite diffrent then Masterplan who was a truly great prog metal album, tis time Brooks optained for a more fusion side of rock with some progressive tendencies, the metal elements are gone being replaced by jazzier rock moments eswell the resoult is for sure a great one. Competent talented composer and guitarist who effectively combines melodic hooks with top notch virtuosic guitar playing in a progressive/ jazz fusion compositional style. He is helped on this album by anothert great jazz fusion guitarist Brett Garsed responsable for some great chops and inventiv guitar passages, Gordon Rytmeister awell known drumer in Australia, to less known in my part of the world, all the musicians involved here delivering a dynamic album that is rich in arrangements, bringing some tastefull playing and great atmosphere. One of the most intrsting guitarists I've heared in last years, really great, is enough just to listen to Not the Day, Nor the Hour is absolutly killer piece, superb, Brooks is top notch here and witht he rest of the helpers, ttitle trck is another great tune, all are great btw. So another 4 stars, if his first album was a nice surprise this is again a very nice one a good follow up. recommended, one hell of a good guitarist who is not concentrating only on noodlings and all kinds of chops only to show how good he is, above all is a good song writter. 4 stars easy. CD available on cdbaby and aswell as download, so go and get it worth every second.