
Giordano Boncompagni
New Shred Generation
Sliptrick Records
2016
Giordano Boncompagni is an Italian guitarist and a founding member of the power metal band Lunocode. He also has some solo work done and “New Shred Generation”, which features Aquiles Priester on drums, Tony Macalpine on guitar and keys and Franck Hermanny, the bassist of Adagio as instrumentalists, is his latest work.
Recorded locally, “New Shred Generation” is predominantly obsessed with “shredding”, which usually translates in neo-classical histrionics, which as nicely conceived and executed, but don’t always sound “full” recording wise. When things gravitate towards the fusion side of things, there’s a fuller sound as well as a more complete compositional approach with enhanced musicality, rather than a “virtuosic” display primarily on the guitar.
“New Shred Generation”, released in September 2016 via Sliptrick Records, was recorded at New Shred Studios and Anima Studios in Perugia, mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni (Dgm, Empyrios) at Domination Studio in San Remo. The artwork was designed by Colin Marks (Strapping Young Lad, Jeff Loomis, Fleshgod Apocalypse).
“Red Bulll’s Fury” doesn’t take too long to figure out, that must have been inspired by being owl-eyed from too much caffeine and approaches things in a neoclassical manner.
“Millennium Force” feels like a continued fight between many different moods and styles that don’t always succeed each other smoothly within the track... sounding a little forced.
“Desert Shadows” is again neoclassical but has a bit of a more “metal” approach soundwise and includes some promising / interesting leads.
“The Meltdown” sounds a bit like a Malmsteen demo, but probably not an old polished one, but one of the more recent years.
“Vision of the See” is a more temperate easy “nylon” exercise that fares well enough and releases a bit of the tension that has been built…
“Into the Stralis” again treads more “heavy metal” territory, riffier and beefier, but still quite nice with its lead work and very soft in its middle.
“Pioggia di Cervelli” is also pretty high on melody and displays some nice techniques.
“Train of Thought” is another softer acoustic, with a great melody and a very relaxed vibe. Cool.
“Technical Winter” is pure neoclassical delight, probably a little on the extreme side, but still blazing fast and melodious as they come.
Lastly, “Eternit” (bonus track) is a summation of all in a pretty neoclassical style that is not too shabby.
Giordano is a pretty good guitarist and his newest album is not bad at all, probably gravitating towards really good actually. All that I find a little hindering to fully enjoying the album is the somewhat spartan orchestrations and at sometimes the very “clear” and not entirely produced guitar sound. Obviously it aids in hearing it perfectly clear, but at times it does feel a little too “naked” and “thin”. Until the next one then...
Recorded locally, “New Shred Generation” is predominantly obsessed with “shredding”, which usually translates in neo-classical histrionics, which as nicely conceived and executed, but don’t always sound “full” recording wise. When things gravitate towards the fusion side of things, there’s a fuller sound as well as a more complete compositional approach with enhanced musicality, rather than a “virtuosic” display primarily on the guitar.
“New Shred Generation”, released in September 2016 via Sliptrick Records, was recorded at New Shred Studios and Anima Studios in Perugia, mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni (Dgm, Empyrios) at Domination Studio in San Remo. The artwork was designed by Colin Marks (Strapping Young Lad, Jeff Loomis, Fleshgod Apocalypse).
“Red Bulll’s Fury” doesn’t take too long to figure out, that must have been inspired by being owl-eyed from too much caffeine and approaches things in a neoclassical manner.
“Millennium Force” feels like a continued fight between many different moods and styles that don’t always succeed each other smoothly within the track... sounding a little forced.
“Desert Shadows” is again neoclassical but has a bit of a more “metal” approach soundwise and includes some promising / interesting leads.
“The Meltdown” sounds a bit like a Malmsteen demo, but probably not an old polished one, but one of the more recent years.
“Vision of the See” is a more temperate easy “nylon” exercise that fares well enough and releases a bit of the tension that has been built…
“Into the Stralis” again treads more “heavy metal” territory, riffier and beefier, but still quite nice with its lead work and very soft in its middle.
“Pioggia di Cervelli” is also pretty high on melody and displays some nice techniques.
“Train of Thought” is another softer acoustic, with a great melody and a very relaxed vibe. Cool.
“Technical Winter” is pure neoclassical delight, probably a little on the extreme side, but still blazing fast and melodious as they come.
Lastly, “Eternit” (bonus track) is a summation of all in a pretty neoclassical style that is not too shabby.
Giordano is a pretty good guitarist and his newest album is not bad at all, probably gravitating towards really good actually. All that I find a little hindering to fully enjoying the album is the somewhat spartan orchestrations and at sometimes the very “clear” and not entirely produced guitar sound. Obviously it aids in hearing it perfectly clear, but at times it does feel a little too “naked” and “thin”. Until the next one then...