As a result of his invaluable contributions to Nevermore's trademark sound, Jeff Loomis has become one of modern metal's most recognizable guitarists and the source of many of the last decade's best riffs. Taking the classic techniques he learned from listening to legends like Jason Becker and Yngwie Malmsteen as a teen and applying his own ingenuity, he has managed to carve his own niche and create an instantly recognizable style. With the increased visibility, there has been a call by fans to record and release a solo album; an opportunity that has not presented itself with the busy schedule Nevermore has kept. Fortunately for those fans, the band has taken a well deserved break, leaving Loomis time to hit the studio himself to record ten blazing, instrumental metal tracks. The much anticipated offering, Zero Order Phase, will see a Sept. 30th release.
Robert Lang Studios played host to
Loomis' first solo venture earlier this year with producer
Neil Kernon and drummer
Mark Arrington joining the fray. Arrington had been with
Nevermore in 1993-94 to play on half of the songs that ended up on the band's self-titled debut, and
Kernon recorded the first three
Nevermore albums. So while there was a sense of familiarity, the reunion was refreshing and this spirit carried over into the songs themselves. Also contributing to the album are Ron Jarzombek (Watchtower), who splits solos with
Loomis on "
Jato Unit," Pat O'Brien from Cannibal Corpse on "
Rage Against Disaster," celebrated Jazz bassist and solo musician Michael Manring on "
Cashmere Shiv," and
Kernon himself playing a fretless guitar solo on the same track.
Check out the Zero Order Phase tracklist below:
01. Shouting Fire At A Funeral
02. Opulent Maelstrom
03. Jato Unit
04. Azure Haze
05. Cashmere Shiv
06. Race Against Disaster
07. Sacristy
08. Devil Theory
09. Miles of Machines
10. Departures
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