JOHN IVAN 2024 GuitarSlinger: A Real Guitar Record For The 2020's

Saturday, 24 August 2024 19:50

JOHN IVAN 2024 GuitarSlinger: A Real Guitar Record For The 2020's

Written by Rick Patterfield

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JOHN IVAN 2024 GuitarSlinger: A Real Guitar Record For The 2020's

JOHN IVAN, GuitarSlinger

Hope you remember the days of triumph of the mighty US label Shrapnel Records — not only the first American metal label but, far more importantly, a kind of springboard for quite a number of guitar talents all over the US and the world. With a string of albums of such great players as Tony MacAlpine and Paul Gilbert (as a member of Racer X), that label and its boss Mike Varney, a good guitar player himself, wrote the modern rock formula of what an instrumental album of the 80s and 90s should be.

Sadly, such kinds of albums of little-known or even unknown guitar virtuosos are nowadays extremely rare, but a debut solo CD by Ukrainian musician and producer John Ivan Belousov has all the generic traits of those Shrapnel Records of old. Raised on a heavy diet of Yngwie Malmsteen and, eh, aforementioned US shredders, John was once a candidate for one of the last “true” line-ups of the legendary Russian thrash metal institution Master, although his own band Bestia, based in the city of Nikolaev in Ukraine, played a pure US power/speed metal and drew many comparisons with Racer X (again!) even back in the 90s.

John Ivan feat. Nick Z Marino - Never Give up (Official Video, GuitarSlinger album)

Relocated in due time to the US, John Ivan wasted no time; good work and business contacts followed, and here is his debut (and mostly vocal) solo CD GuitarSlinger at last. And believe me, GuitarSlinger is a record tailor-made for that Shrapnel Records of old! More in common with Shrapnel heaviest and most “modern” releases from the 90s — Tony Fredianelli, Toby Knapp, and Scott Stine's solo works — GuitarSlinger is a real guitar record for the 2020s without any doubt. Even those who have little or no interest in such kinds of recordings described it as an “impressive work,” at least.

The backbone of GuitarSlinger formed by tracks recorded with vocalist/keyboard player Nick Z Marino — opener Low Riders, Gypsy Woman, and Never Give Up — which can be only described as a clever compromise between early 90s techno metal of Dream Theater and vicious, even brutal groove of classic Pantera, not at least due to the nature of Nick’s vocals, but John Ivan’s signature playing matters too, of course. It’s those rare examples of how vocal tracks may be far better showcases for real aggressive guitar players than instrumental tracks from the same album’s program.

And please notice Racer X’s harmonic arrangement in the final section of Low Riders and moody, atmospheric guitar parts in the middle of Gypsy Woman. The only comparison to all these three tracks may be the well-obscured album Changing Times (1995) from Austrian band New World, once fronted by that country guitar virtuoso Milan Polak.

It’s not to say that other tracks are weak — well, they are quite varied, and it’s always a pleasure to hear a really varied debut album from such a high-class guitarist. The best tracks here are pure retro metal stomp The Prison Sell, sung by first Anthrax frontman Neil Turbin himself, light/shade opus Flyin’ Plane — think of today’s guitar jam of great Uli Jon Roth and once Fifth Angel player James Byrd — graced by truly versatile voice of Mark Boals (ex-Royal Hunt and Yngwie Malmsteen), and a powerful hit The Last Loaded Brain Storming featured Elvin Rodriguez. which was also released as an official music video.

John Ivan feat. Elvin Rodriguez - The Last Loaded Brain-Storming (Official Video. GuitarSlinger album)

Well, again, GuitarSlinger, the album, is simply destined to be one of the jewels in the crown of every modern label interested in such forward-thinking guitar stars — Mascot Label Group, anyway?

"Guitar Slinger” Track List:

01. Low Riders - feat Nick Z Marino

02. Division

03. Flyin’ Plane of a Dream - feat Mark Boals

04. Gypsy Woman - feat Nick Z Marino

05. Snakes Of Diablo

06. The Last Loaded Brain Storming - feat Elvin Rodriguez

07. The Prison Sell - feat Neil Turbin

08. Never Give Up - feat Nick Z Marino

09. GuitarSlinger

01. Low Riders - feat Nick Z Marino

02. Division

03. Flyin’ Plane of a Dream - feat Mark Boals

04. Gypsy Woman - feat Nick Z Marino

05. Snakes Of Diablo

06. The Last Loaded Brain Storming - feat Elvin Rodriguez

07. The Prison Cell - feat Neil Turbin

08. Never Give Up - feat Nick Z Marino

09. GuitarSlinger

Listen samples of Guitar Slinger tracks on Bandcamp:

https://johnivan.bandcamp.com/album/guitar-slinger

Purchase Guitar Slinger CD on John Ivan Guitar Slinger Store:

https://johnivanguitarslinger.com/store/

ABOUT John Ivan - GuitarSlinger

John Ivan - GuitarSlinger

Follow John Ivan

John Ivan is an internationally acclaimed progressive and thrash metal guitarist and songwriter, renowned for his virtuosic high-energy shredding style, lightning-fast heavy riffs, intricate solos, and dynamically electrifying performances. He is a creative and innovative composer, a founder of the thrash metal band BESTIA, a member of the Michael Vescera Project, and co-founder of The Voices of Metal Project.

With his successful career, John Ivan has established himself as a formidable force in the world of rock and metal music. He has collaborated with legendary rock vocalists Tim Ripper Owens, Michael Vescera, Nick Z Marino, Mark Boals, Elvin Rodriguez, Neil Turbin, and Edu Falaschi. John worked with the bassist Gorka Alegre, among other high-profile artists.

John’s latest studio album, entitled "The GuitarSlinger," showcases his immense talent and relentless dedication to his craft, solidifying his status as one of the world’s premier and most distinguished guitarists. With each note, John Ivan continues to push the boundaries of guitar-driven music, inspire and influence aspiring musicians, and leave an indelible mark on the world of rock and metal music.

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Published in Rock, Prog-Rock, Metal

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Rick Patterfield

Rick Patterfield is a dedicated and experienced music journalist and columnist who specializes in Heavy Metal, Progressive, and NWOBHM genres. His name suggests a deep historical interest in British culture and his Anglo-Saxon medieval heritage.

With a career spanning over thirty years, Rick has contributed to numerous renowned music magazines, websites, and radio programs. He has earned a reputation for his insightful reviews and in-depth interviews with some of the biggest names in the metal scene. His passion for the genre is evident in his work, as he consistently delivers engaging content that resonates with die-hard fans and newcomers alike.

Beyond his written work, Rick is also a sought-after speaker at music festivals and conferences, where he shares his extensive knowledge and unique perspectives on the evolution of heavy metal and its subgenres. He is an experienced host a popular podcasts that delve into the intricacies of metal music, featuring exclusive interviews with artists and industry experts.

Rick's commitment to preserving metal's rich history while championing new talent has solidified his standing as a key figure in the metal journalism community.

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