st0rk – st0rk

A long-anticipated release (see the back story here) stOrk features Shane Gibson (Korn, Johnathan Davies) Thomas Lang (The Greatest Drummer in the World) and Berklee Alumnus Eloy Palacios (Schwarzenator, Vension, session work) in what has to be one of the tightest, most rhythmically schizophrenic and groove-laden records to have been released.  Leaving aside (for a moment) any other concerns the whole group can sit in a standard groove and make it sound interesting…..they can slide their way through the most poly rhythmic and obtuse time signatures without effort and cover all the ground in between.

That however, isn’t all by a long margin.

Featuring older tracks like Doooosh, Loki and Asian Manipulation (familar to fans of Shane through YouTube and Young Guitar Magazine) there are also new compositions galore ; Alien featuring JP Von Hitchburg (Schwartzenator, Venison) Metal Fatigue and the sweep-picking madness of Prelude in the Key of Shut the Hell Up all neatly packaged with  some fantastic artwork by Sam Shearon.

Now, with such a musically savy and educated group of musicians there’s the inherent danger of extended displays of virtuosity and while there are jaw-dropping moments sprinkled liberally into the chaotic, swirling mix they aren’t gratuitous or tiresome. Shane’s insane chops are for the most part directed towards razor-sharp rhythm guitar and Mr Lang’s incredible drum skills underpin all the sonic carnage but when it’s time to display a little of the ability that both are known for they aren’t shy about underlining just why they’re two of the best players on the scene. Now, I don’t want to neglect Eloy as his fantastic bass playing keeps track of all the rhythmic twists, all the riffs and contains that hallmark of all great players -- you’re immediately aware of his role as a musician and he’s prepared to contribute towards the bigger picture by holding it all together….a brilliant power trio.

Enough praise for the musicians -- what about stOrk the album?

Staggering. I don’t exactly know what term I would use to describe it so I’ll borrow a paragraph from Shane’s Myspace..

Intense, dark, aggressive, futuristic and somehow familiar, stOrk sounds like nothing you’ve ever heard — but always hoped you would.

There are several qualities that make an instrumental album for me and having discussed the groove and the technicality I have to turn to the melodic content which is twisted and not what you would expect but it’s definitely present. Regardless of the speed of the tune Shane injects harmonic interest in every cut and whilst the dissonant passages aren’t to every one’s taste they are flawlessly executed and sit brilliantly by the side of more conventional moments -- does stOrk really have all the bases covered?

Yes. I’ve listened to a lot of instrumental records in my time and stOrk’s incredible sonic intensity, precision and outlook are at the same time musically engaging, intelligent and accessible.

Rating:

http://www.shaneguitar.com/

http://www.myspace.com/officialstOrk

http://www.sticktrix.com/

http://www.myspace.com/erp2music

http://www.mister-sam.com/

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