Search - Vitalij Kuprij :: VK3

My least Favorite of the 3

Michael Smith | Calgary, AB, Canada | 12/03/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Vitalij has to be one of the most technically accomplished pianists of our time. The man can damn shred! i own all 3 of his solo releases and this one, like others have said, is very different than his other ones. This one has much less neoclassical content and a bit more of a progressive feel. Now normally i prefer progressive OVER neoclassical (EG Dream Theater over Yngwie Malmsteen) but the neoclassical work on his two previous albums was just too good! IMHO "Exteme Measures" and "High Definition" are the pinnacle of neoclassical shred. I may be alone on this though, i've talked to a lot of people who prefer this one to the others. Oh and one last thing, whoever decided they would post a "correction" about Vitalij's albums should be sure they actually know what they're talking about before they post so they don't look like a fool. George Bellas DID play on Vitalij's second album, "Extreme Measures", Greg Howe played on Vitalij's FIRST album, "High Definition"."

My favorite of the three neo-classical prog-rock outings

khryoleoz | 04/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Opinions vary of course and here is just another stream of thoughts being expressed. But to my ears VK3 is the most mature, romantic, and musically the best conceived of Vitalij Kuprij's first three releases under Shrapnel.



VK continues to be a very busy improviser, rarely giving space to his own phrases. But I find it quite interesting how the three guitar players he's played with profoundly impact the quality of each VK album. My least favorite had been Extreme Measures with George Bellas. With VK playing so busy, George Bellas playing no differently fills up each bar and beat with flurries of notes, which is what I call overplaying. Like the second release, the first one, High Definition, had very neo-classical metal flavors but was the first time Greg Howe had done such a style and was quite a pleasantly surprising revelation. The tunes were also full of great catchy motifs unlike the 2nd release. VK3 with MacAlpine is much more prog-rock oriented, retaining only a trifle much of the neo-classical flavor but demonstrates on a higher and more serious level VK's arranging abilities.



Howe / Bellas / MacAlpine contrast

I find all three musicians to be in possession of outstanding technique that lend towards the differences in their expressiveness. To say Howe as being more technically accurate is a bit misleading. He clearly uses a lot more hammer-ons and pull-offs to create his clear, smooth legato melodic playing. MacAlpine however mixes them with a whole lot more alternate and sweep picking. Therefore his sound has quite a bit more pick-attack to them. But more importantly, both gentlemen phrase very well, giving space where due and improvising with thematic development as opposed to Bellas who quite obviously is just playing away.



I was very pleased with High Definition, being surprised at the writing, playing, and Greg Howe in the most different style I've heard him in yet. Extreme Measures was a slight disappointment. But I will reiterate that VK3 proved for me to be VK's finest and most satisfying album to date, offering more in terms of overall musical value rather than becoming another mere shred-fest...though it undeniably shreds."