METAL FATIGUE

Believe it or not it took me two years to finally get my hands on this record. And as they say, it was worth the wait. True story though about waiting that long for it as I had ordered it from HMV and as the months went by I just assumed because it was out of print they couldn't get it and forgot all about it. Then two years later I get a call from them saying a cd I had ordered was in called "Metal Fatigue". I was shocked and oh so happy !

The title track is an excellent way to start the record, with a unique sounding riff that comes and goes throughout the song, actually the guitar playing is a pleasure to these ears all through this tune, and the drummer can really play too ! "Home" is a change of pace, with delicate acoustic gutar. "Devil Take The Hindmost" is where Allan Holdsworth shows us all that he can shred with the best in the world, an amazing display of virtuosity that makes this one of his signiture songs.

"Panic Station" and the final song "In The Mysterious" are both ok songs that don't do a lot for me. But "The Un- Merry-Go-Round" makes up for them both. This tune features lots of tempo changes and an interesting and different sounding guitar melody. The drums almost outshine the guitar on this track, an incredible performance ! There is actually a spacey passage as well.

Overall I would say four of the six tracks are excellent compositions with two being so-so. A solid four stars, and I hope those trying to purchase this great album won't have as hard a time as I did in finding it.