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September 2023

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Dreyer, Jake: In the Shadows of Madness

Instrumental

4.0/5.0

Independent
Website Facebook YouTube MySpace
by Craig Hartranft, 06.27.2011

Up and coming guitar maestro Jake Dreyer shows off his chops on In the Shadows of Madness, a three song EP of instrumental songs. Dreyer has been taught by some of the best including David Shankle (DSG, ex-Manowar), Chris Broderick (Megadeth, ex-Jag Panzer, Nevermore) and Rusty Cooley (Outworld). Between bands and learning his skills, he's also received some solid recognition like Jagermeister's 2009 and 2008 best guitarist of the year. You can read more of his biography on my Dangerdog Blog post. On In the Shadows of Madness, Dreyer is backed up by Adam Sagan (Echoterra, Ex-Into Eternity) on drums and Noah Martin (Arsis) on bass.

Noting Dreyer's teachers and influences (short list: Paul Gilbert, Marty Friedman, Yngwie J. Malmsteen), you can expect some serious neo-classical widdling on In the Shadows of Madness. Dreyer doesn't disappoint; he can play.

Beyond the Tranquil Descent begins the work with a moderate pace and finds Jake offering very strong neo-classical shredding with segues of acoustic guitar. Then he revs it up on Harmony of the Spheres, a faster, heavier, and more modern sounding piece. Listening to his fireworks, you might expect to hear also, at the end, an exclamation akin to 'I've got blisters on my fingers.'

The final track, Drawing of the Three, offers, as the name suggests, three parts. Early, Dreyer gets fast and heavy, crushing your ears while wears out his fret board. Then, in the middle, he offers some more acoustic work with a Spanish flair. The finish is once more fast and heavy, but more a mixture of classic and modern metal.

Between song composition and superb guitar shredding skills, Dreyer delivers the goods on In the Shadows of Madness. If you're a guitar wonk, or simply enjoy fret fireworks, you have another hero in Jake Dreyer. Recommended.

You can listen to all three songs on Jake's site.

Between song composition and superb guitar shredding skill, Dreyer delivers the goods In the Shadows of Madness. If you're guitar wonk, or simply enjoy fret fireworks, you have another hero in Jake Dreyer.

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Formed in 1999 by singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Erik Martensson, Sweden's Eclipse is well into their third decade of making music. In the recent past, their recordings and reputation have ... [ Read More ]