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November 2024

• Voodoo Circle: Hail To The King
• Lionville: Supernatural
• Starchaser: Into The Great Unkown
• Empires Of Eden: Guardians Of Time
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• Neal Morse & The Resonance: No Hill For A Climber
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October 2024

• Casandra's Crossing: Garden Of Earthly Delights
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• Aries Descendant: From The Ashes Of Deceit
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September 2024

• Sinner's Blood: Dark Horizons
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August 2024

• Siege Perilous: Creation's Call EP
• Paralydium: Universe Calls
• Mike Tramp: Songs Of White Lion Vol. II
• Bite The Bullet: Looking For Paradise
• All For Metal: Gods Of Metal (Year Of The Dragon)
• Hammerfall: Avenge The Fallen
• Jim Peterik & World Stage: Roots & Shoots Vol. 2

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Randen, Johan: Summary

Instrumental Guitar

4.5/5.0

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Reingold Records
by Craig Hartranft,  06.04.2012

Child prodigy develops into as serious guitar wizard could be the headline for Johan Randen's very young career. At age 12, he played guitar with Sweden's eclectic prog trio Freak Kitchen. At age 14 he cut his first album, at 17 a second. Along the journey Randen performed with the likes of Bronk (Staffan Astner, Per Lindvall, Sven Lindvall), Janne Schaffer, Simon Andersson (Pain Of Salvation), Andreas Brobjer (Lady Gaga), Jonas Reingold (Flower Kings, Karmakanic) and many more. Cripes! Did this kid ever take time to watch Power Rangers?

Johan Randen: taking on his Fender.

Even the most cursory listen to his third album Summary reveals Randen's skill and genius. He's not only an exceptional guitar player, echoing everybody from Steve Vai to Jeff Beck to Steve Morse, but also an excellent composer. Every song displays his skills in an attractive arrangement, offering a complete experience.

Most tunes are a fusions of styles. Yet they also have themes like the funk groove of the aptly named Funk It! With horns, some of that funk and roll, you may think Randen could re-interpret Lowell George and Little Feat. Other times he just rips it up as on Tres Hombres, or echoes a peer like Morse on Country Maniac.

At the end of the day, Johan Randen's Summary is a delight to listen to, nearly easy listening ear candy. But mostly it shows the depth of Randen's impressive guitar skills and music composition. Quite recommended, for both guitar enthusiasts and learners.

Johan Randen's Summary is a delight to listen to, nearly easy listening ear candy. But mostly it shows the depth of Randen's impressive guitar skills and music composition.

Alphabetical Index

eviewing my archives, I was pleased to find that I have had the privilege to review every Lionville since their self-titled debut in 2011. Formed by Stefano Lionetti, a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in ... [ Read More ]