| Musical Style: Instrumental Hard Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Independent | Country Of Origin: Australia |
| Year Released: 2018 | Artist Website: Kevin Windross |
| Tracks: 11 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: |
The March of 2018 independent third solo release from Australian guitarist Kevin Windross, Broken Brain, is one of the better instrumental rock albums within current hard music circles, as much accessibly melodic as it is creative in terms of diverse musical styles. Many will recall Windross from his days in Early Warning System, a four piece vocal act that put out via Soundmass in 2006 the King’s X influenced melodic to progressive rock of its very fine (75% Angelic Warlord review) debut Overworld. Artist, however, did not begin to explore instrumental territory until 2009 with the release of Standing Outside Circles, a Satriani influenced 7 song EP that struck ‘the near perfect balance between quality musicianship and songwriting’ (as noted in the 80% Angelic Warlord review). Prior to recording Broken Brain, Windross returned to a vocal heading in 2012 with his second EP, Loud & Clear, which touched upon similar ‘melodic hard rock with occasional progressive leanings’ (referencing the 80% Angelic Warlord review) as Early Warning System.
How does Broken Brain add up as an instrumental rock album? It would be suffice to suggest that if you enjoy David Chastain (Within The Heat), Greg Howe (Parallax), James Byrd (Son Of Man), Jeff Scheetz (Dig!) and others within the instrumental rock community that Broken Brain will be right down your alley. That being said, there is also a bit more to the album than meets the eye, as revealed in how Windross steps outside the box - at least in comparison to some and more on this later - and imbues the Broken Brain material with tendencies assorted as jazz fusion, improvisational jam band, funk and groove and even Tex-Mex blues. The point being that Broken Brain without doubt falls within the instrumental shred category, but does not restrict itself to that designation either when factoring its sheer variety.
Hence, how I listened to quite a bit of instrumental rock prior to writing the review and some of it seemed a bit generic or forced as if the artist where trying too hard to stay true to a metal and hard rock formula. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but the few artists to catch my attention were those that imbued an instrumental hard rock basis with other musical forms. In other words, I did not draw the names referenced in the preceding paragraph out of a random instrumental rock hat; but rather I mentioned them for a reason: Chastain for his multifarious playing and Howe his use of grooving bass; Byrd from bringing some of the finest guitar harmonies I have heard and Scheetz a bluesy aspect. The point being that by boiling all the previously noted down - in terms of both artists and musical styles - the upshot is Broken Brain.
I reinforced in my review of Standing Outside Circes how in certain instances instrumental guitar albums serve as vehicles to showcase the playing of the musicians involved to almost the extent songwriting plays a secondary role to the musicianship. Not so Broken Brain in that Windross continues to stay true to the song and lends his material the needed melody to hold up under repeat play. A good example of this is opening cut La Dolce Vita”, which despite its six-minute length draws you in with its catchy guitar harmonies and periodic outbursts of bluesy soloing. A joining of the lighter, noting the piano at the start, and heavier, referencing the occasional hard rocking vestige, might be the best way to describe things.
“A Precarious Drive In The Country”, also six minutes, dances mirthfully its length to fusion filled guitar leads (quite catchy in form) and jazzy underpinning bass (courtesy of Brendon Houlahan) to create a livening if not cordial effect. I particularly enjoy the occasional moment in which heavier rhythm guitar moves to the front of the mix.
“El’ Greco” presents with its share of variances, starting with its relaxed and composed opening minute that gives way to the more formidable and forthright second to ensue. Back to calm and even territory before closing out its final half to several runs of Windross’ elevated soloing.
“Galaxias”, of the cool space metal themed title, represents one of the albums darker and heaviest. Do not let the gently played guitar at the start mislead in that several seconds in rhythm guitar of a copious nature takes over and propels things to their close, only superseded by sporadic moments in which arresting lead guitar holds sway. Another six-minute cut, “Galaxias” proves the artists ability to compose lengthy material that over the long term fails to wear thin or lose your interest.
Those as noted bluesy sentiments rise to the surface on “Two Amigos”, a more tempered cut in which some of the most infectious guitar rhythms you will hear stand alongside guitar leads of a fitting (i.e.: Tex-Mex) bluesy style. A cool shuffling bass presence rounds things out.
“Bite The Bullet” takes a classic eighties metal to hard rock guitar heading. Opening to drum and keyboard solos, the song marches forward mid-paced and rumbling in upholding a delectable fusion feel while still derivative of the same melodic basis defining the Broken Brain material. Of note, this is the albums first cut to fall under four minutes.
The uplifted drum solo opening “Texas Highway (Route 69)” sets the up-tempo tone moving forward, as riveting jazz fusion qualities assert themselves as the artist takes opportune to turn things into an all out bluesy shred fest- a very good thing! Rhythm guitars take a heavy rock form as opposed to hard rock.
Upon seeing the title “Meticulous Mechanic” in the track listing, the first thing that came to mind was the Blues Metal Trance project of guitarist Bill Menchen, whom works full time as a mechanic. I cannot help but think “Meticulous Mechanic” would fit perfectly alongside Blues Metal Trance songs such as “Ignition Module”, “Monkey Wrench”, “Dual Overhead Cam” and “Radiator Grill”! Musically, it starts laid back and easy going to ample doses of organ only to pick up pace at once to a tenacious direction in which several stretches of intense soloing hold sway. “Meticulous Mechanic” returns to a more composed form over its final minute.
Similar to “Texas Highway (Route 69)”, “Thy Deliverer” approaches from a heavy rock standpoint. The song takes a fusion jam approach, as the artist exhibits his licks and chops in abundance- of the albums material this one best reflects an all out shred direction. No, not as heavy as some but still good all the same.
Albums title track is an eight-minute magnum opus. Now, not often do you see instrumental cuts of this length and even fewer that work, but “Broken Brain” shines all the same. I like to think of it as mirroring the qualities to the tracks preceding it, including lighter and airy moments, bluesy vestiges, dark but heavier elements, hard rocking passages and shred fusion soloing. Bring the song to its completion is several seconds of piano.
“This Is The End” fittingly closes as a shorter (2:28) ‘outro’ piece carried by piano, keyboards and lead guitar ranging from gentle to forward.
I define Broken Brain as a quintessential instrumental rock album from how it imbues a hard rock foundation with manifold musical forms to create an outside the box listening experience, at least in comparison to some within the genre. Once more, instrumental hard rock can at times present with too much of a same-like feel in staying true to a shred formula. While I cannot necessarily fault that, I also appreciate it when an artist lends an element of variety to all things instrumental hard rock. Hence, how Windross succeeds on Broken Brain to create a diverse but melodic work that lends to repeat play despite an average track time in excess of five minutes, a particular I appreciate. If a fan of any of the artists mentioned - it would be a good idea to add Visual Cliff and Fourth Estate to the mix - then I highly recommend giving Broken Brain serious consideration.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “La Dolce Vita” (5:44), “A Precarious Drive In The Country” (5:43), “El’ Greco” (4:52), “Galaxias” (5:57), “Two Amigos” (5:18), “Bite The Bullet” (3:54), “Texas Highway (Route 69)” (4:22), “Meticulous Mechanic” (4:22), “Thy Deliverer” (4:28), “Broken Brain” (7:56), “This Is The End” (2:28)
Musicians
Kevin Windross - Guitars, Bass & Synthesizers
Hugh Blemings - Piano, B3 Hammond & Synthesizers
Brendan Houlahan - Bass
Mark Searle - Bass
Paul Sweeney - Bass
Bach Francis Delaney The Third - Drums
