X Opus debut on Magna Carta

The Epiphany, the debut CD from the symphonic metal band X Opus, is a celestial blend of enigmatic lyrical threads and layered neoclassical metal. Tracks such as “Terrified”, “Forsaken” “On Top of the World”, “Pharaohs of Lies” and “In the Heavens” are haunting yet radiant musical vignettes, imbued with the power of spiritual transformation.

Visit The X Opus page for sound samples: http://magnacarta.net/XOpus/

Former MEGADETH/KING DIAMOND guitarist Glen Drover was interview

Former MEGADETH/KING DIAMOND guitarist Glen Drover was interviewed for a recent edition of “Rockin’ Metal Revival”. You can now stream the entire three-hour program in three parts below.

http://magnacartarecordsnews.wordpress.com/2011/04/20/former-megadeth-guitarist-glen-drover-newz-reviewz/

Glen Drover review in CashBox

Glen Drover

Metalusion

Magna Carta

"Hi folks out there in musica-land once again... I just received this awesome instrumental CD from Magna Carta Records called "Metalusion" from progressive shred-guitarist Glen Drover, best known for his precision and power playing with the award-winning metal band Megadeth and Eidolon. Mister Drover's incredible guitar playing is very diverse and overlaps both genres of extreme instrumental music with progressive fusionistic music. He uses ambient sounds to aurally transport you to and from each harmonic galaxy at the flick of a fast arppegiated lick."

The rest of the review: http://cashboxmagazine.com/reviews.htm#Review5

X Opus signs to Magna Carta

X Opus will be releasing their new album, "The Epiphany" on Magna Carta Records.
Check out sound samples on the X Opus website: xopusband.com




"The Epiphany" is the creation of James Williams (Guitarist, Composer, Producer and Soul of X Opus).

James has appeared in Guitar Player Magazine with Mike Varney, who said "James' impressive guitar pyrotechnics are highlighted by arpeggios, speed picking, vibrato and guitar harmonies that work together to create inspiring high level passages that sometimes remind me of Yngwie Malmsteen".

X Opus has found their own sound with classical interludes which remind one of Mozart, Beethoven and Stravinsky woven between catchy hooks reminiscent of Symphony X, Adagio/Nocturnal Rites.

Cover artwork was created by Bob Hobbs: www.moordragonarts.com

Dave Martone pics on tour with Joe Satriani

Some cool pics from Dave.

Hey Dan
Set list was:
Goodie Squigge Song
Bossa Dorado
Angel Fish
Devil Went Down to Georgia
Got Da Blues
Dinky Pinky


We were playing for 30 min.
All dates we received standing ovations as the support act! Unheard of!

Dave Martone Talks Technique, Clean and Guitar Education

By: Jesse James Mazzoccoli
http://guitarinternational.com/wpmu/2010/12/28/dave-martone-talks-technique-clean-and-guitar-education/

Dave Martone’s website says that he’s “One of Canada’s Finest Guitarists,” but that’s probably a bit dated and should be upgraded to “One of the World’s Finest Guitarists.” If you haven’t heard Dave shred before, there’s no time like the present.

The latest album from Martone Clean, which includes Dave Spidel and the amazing Daniel Adair of Nickelback fame, is an incredibly intense shredfest of molten musicality that would rival any album in the genre. Special guests on this album include Joe Satriani, Greg Howe, Jennifer Batten, Billy Sheehan and Rick Fierbracci.

Dave is a first-rate guitarist, composer, performer, teacher, recording engineer, and clinician. He does clinics and masterclasses all over the world, while working for the National Guitar Workshop, Berklee School of Music, he is also an alum, Class of ‘95, and the School of Rock Guitar Sessions for Tom Lee Music in Vancouver Canada, just to name a few.

I’ve had the opportunity to work with many great teachers of many styles over the years, and I have to say that Dave is among the very best. His approach makes the most difficult of techniques easy and understandable to all skill levels, and as I watched him teach, right there in the moment, his students become better guitarists. It was a beautiful sight, indeed.

When Dave and I were talking, we focused a great deal on his teaching approach. This is a great lesson for anyone that wants to take their skills, playing or teaching, to the next level.

READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE: http://guitarinternational.com/wpmu/2010/12/28/dave-martone-talks-technique-clean-and-guitar-education/

K2 - Black Garden - Metal Perspective Review

K2 - Black Garden
Reviewer: Steven Reid

K2 specialise in combining sublimely beautiful and melodic passages to some more traditional progressive elements that remind quite strongly of Genesis, not least because of Gleason’s similarity to latter day Peter Gabriel, with his rich yet gravelly tones being one of the many highlights on this fantastic album. While, as mentioned, Genesis are a good starting point to describe the sound K2 create with such sublime ease, it would be selling them short considerably by suggesting that it is the only string that they have to their bow. Having Okumoto onboard lends an altogether more contemporary slant to the style of prog that Jacques has been able to create with ‘Black Garden’, while the guitar contribution from Johnson brings the reasonably traditional prog leanings into an altogether more prog metal area. That’s not to say that you will hear thundering riffs, or fret meting solos on this disc however his work is fluid, rich and fresh in a way that updates the sound of K2 quite remarkably, with the end results sitting neatly somewhere between Genesis, King Crimson, Yes, Spock’s Beard and Transatlantic.

Read the rest of the review, and check out the website:
http://metalperspective.com/index.php?option=com_sobi2&sobi2Task=sobi2Details&sobi2Id=164&Itemid=0