Search - Joe Stump :: Supersonic Shred Machine

Two words for you: Guitar Master

Sam Jones | Kaysville, Utah USA | 10/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I cannot believe how fast this guy goes! Seriously, it pisses you off if you're a guitar player because you can't even begin to understand how anyone can go that fast. It's also not just speed that makes him such an awesome player. While his ferocious velocity on the guitar is undisputable, he does do some nice variation on this album. Like on Fall from Grace. I play classical guitar and man, what a beautiful piece of music! the Dark Gift fits nicely right after that song. Backstabber is a little bit longer than is necessary, I think, but still a good song. This cd took a few listens before I was able to choke it all down. So many notes man, not that that's bad, but it's just so much music it takes you awhile to get used to it. Now I absolutely love it. Oh, I forgot to mention that I went to Berklee College of Music this summer where he teaches and he was my heavy metal teacher. I seriously just about wet my pants watching him play. It made me feel stupid for even touching the guitar. But, at the same time made me want to go sit down and practice nonstop. Seriously, the guitar bows down to players like this guy. He's such a cool guy, too. Really laid back and just sat there and played. It was truly a privilege to have someone of that caliper teaching me. Anyways, this is a great album. I'll admit that it does get a bit longwinded at points, but it's such great music that it's worth listening to. I highly suggest this for metalheads or (obviously) shredders. Pay no attention to the review at the bottom. The guy does not even know what guitar playing is if he's mocking Joe Stump."

Completely, absolutely incredible

The Bus | NC, United States | 02/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, I cannot believe anybody would say that Joe Stump cannot solo! The guy who wrote that review must either be joking, or a complete idiot. This album is friggin incredible! I first heard about Joe Stump from his DVD "Chop Building" (something like that). On that video he plays the song Demon's Eye and says it's from his album Supersonic Shred Machine. Holy Cow Man! He played it just as easily as you or I would drink a glass of water! So smooth, so fast. I've always been a big Yngwie fan, no doubt he's one of the very bestest around, but other than his solo's, I haven't been a big fan of his songwriting skills (or lack thereof), However, this is where Joe Stump takes over. Steve Vai is awesome, but his albums are not really songs, but are really just an "adventure into what wierd sounds little stevie vai could make out of his guitar that day", Satrian is also awesome, but a bit too bluesy to me. Joe Stump is like a heavy metal bach. Burning rubber, tire squeeling fast arpegios, incredible fast tremelo picking, classical and neo-classical riffs, influenced my modern day heavy metal along with classical composers, that is what Joe Stump is. It's hard to find musical melodies, beautiful passages, with power chords chugging for the rhythm part. That's what Joe gives. Not just all super fast playing either, (but 99% fast), for example, "The Lost Soul" on this album is a slower piece, but very emotional, very thoughtful. I know any guitar player will love, admire and appreciate his work. I'm not sure how somebody who wasn't into guitar playing would think about his music though. They'd probably enjoy it, appreciate it, but not sure if they'd want a replay. It's all instrumental. No lyrics, no wierd intros or sound effects or any of that crap. It's all straight forward guitar, bass, drums. (there's a TINY bit of keyboards in there in a couple of places, but only to complement the guitar).On one hand, after hearing him play, you'd think to yourself, why even bother trying, I'll never be as good as him, but on the other, it gives you drive, inspiration, something to shoot for. If you could even be half as good as him...Bottom line, absolutely incredible. I will be buying other Joe Stump cd's."

Killer Guitar!

Sam Jones | 08/22/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a fan of the neo-classical shread for quite some time now, and I can easily place Joe Stump with some of the others kings of neo-classical metal such as Yngwie Malmsteen, Vinnie Moore, and Tony Macalpine's earlier albums.It reminds me of Malmsteen's first solo album "Rising Force," but a bit more heavy and much better drums. It is the perfect blend of neo-classical tunes and heavy riffs!"