Cacophony - Speed Metal Symphony


Year of Release: 1987
Label: Shrapnel Records
Catalog Number: SH1031
Format: CD
Total Time: 00:00:00

Two young guitar prodigies named Jason Becker and Marty Freidman released Speed Metal Symphony in 1987. They called themselves Cacophony. The term cacophony in the dictionary is referred to as harsh noise. The only aspect of this album that is actually harsh is the vocals of Peter Martino. He does his best Rob Halford (Judas Priest) impression to try to match the great speed of light guitar licks of Becker and Freidman. I could appreciate the vocals at times; for the most part the sheer enjoyment I experienced was all of the incredible six-string madness that was going on. The title for this album was no doubt suitable, as it really is a speed metal symphony. I read once that rock and roll is nothing more than Beethoven and Bach played faster. Well here is proof of that statement within this shiny metal disc. Becker and Freidman make no bones about their influence right from the start with the word symphony strategically placed in the title of this release.

"Savage" jump-starts the proceedings giving credence to their supporters Shrapnel Records and their balls to the wall name. All of the words fit... savage, shrapnel, speed; they are all a very explicit and descriptive terms about the music that is being played. "Concerto" will give you a good look at how classical and rock are so expertly combined. I imagine when most kids heard this when it was first released they felt that it really rocked, and I would be willing to bet that there weren't to many listeners that had enough insight into what was really going on in the music. Well now we all know better and can see the value and worth of the artistry present on this recording. This was only the beginning...


Tracklisting:
Savage / Where My Fortune Lies / The Ninja / Concerto / Burn the Ground / Desert Island / Speed Metal Symphony

Musicians:
Jason Becker - guitars
Marty Friedman - guitars
Peter Martino - vocals

Discography:
Speed Metal Symphony (1987)
Go Off! (1988)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin US

Added: August 16th 2001
Reviewer: Keith Hannaleck

Artist website: www.jasonbecker.com
Hits: 2903
Language: english

  

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