Kiko Loureiro-  "Theory of mind"

Freed from his MEGADETH obligations, Loureiro releases his new sixth solo album , just to remind us how versatile and volatile a guitar player is. From speed metal anthems, to more fusion  compositions he nails the licks and brings some new tricks,when he infuses latin and flamenco fingering to the compositions. 

 

The album has a main concept of the exploration of human cognition and also the use of AI as an inspiration and driving force in modern society, as Lureiro says " As I wrote and composed, I kept coming back to the question: What happens when machines learn to understand us on an emotional level? When do we teach them to interpret our mental states? Does it make them more human, or does it reveal more about what it means to be human ourselves? Should I let AI start making all the music, what about me, how can I express myself?"  At the musical level his influences are all over the place along with his tenure at MEGADETH that inspired the solid, heavy and bombastic rhythm section thanks to some well known friends from the ANGRA past, bassist Felipe Andreoli and drummer Bruno Valverde,. at most of the songs.

 

 

The sound and 'voice" of early Tony Macalpine at his classical influences check "The barefoot queen" where also his ANGRA past shines and 90s melodic shredding in the way Vinnie Moore used to do at "Mind rise' are everywhere. The musicality of Michael Schenker meets the aggression of Kirk Hammet and Dave Mustaine and the result is a modern instrumental album that combines metal, latin and fusion with no compromises. Loureiro is not afraid to experiment as in "The other side of fear" where bands like MESHUGGAH come to mind with their complex intensity or just release heavy metal thunder as in  "Lost in seconds". His versatility between fusion, metal and classical shows off at "Talking  dreams" and "Blindfolded' where hte rhythm section sometimes overshadows the frenzy guitar master. 

 

An album for guitar instrumental friends who loved the Varney school of shredders along the MEGADETH years and a nice addition along with Marty Friedman's of melodic latest releases.

7.5