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Marty Friedman: Drama
Marty Friedman - Drama Album Art

Marty Friedman: Drama

Instrumental Ensemble Guitar (Mostly)
5.0/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 14.05.2024 | Released: 17.05.2024

Marty Friedman needs little introduction. His rise to guitar stardom began in Cacophony, a band he formed with Jason Becker. Then, as we all know, his career excelled when he joined Dave Mustaine's Megadeth. (Recently, in 2023, Friedman reunited with Megadeth to perform at Wacken). His solo work began with the acclaimed Dragon's Kiss in 1988, and continued to prolific heights after his move to Japan in 2003. Friedman continues to reside their and has become a prominent contributor to the Japanese culture, music, television, and movies. His Tokyo Jukebox series of albums, where he covers Japanese songs, is a popular and successful venture in the country. Friedman returns with his latest solo studio album, Drama, for the Frontiers Music label.

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Marty Friedman

For his style and skill, Marty Friedman is a guitarist's guitar player. He is known for his creativity, ingenuity, and sometimes novel and unconventional technique. He's also known to be a master of guitar melody and harmony in his song arrangements. Not being a guitar player, but enjoy guitar playing, all I can say is that his skill is mesmerizing, his music a pleasure to listen to.


With that said, some comments on the material within Drama. I'm not going to insult your intelligence or embarrass myself by directing Friedman's guitar work. I'm not a guitarist. Rather, I will tell you about some of my favorite tracks.

These would include songs more "classical" with a full ensemble like Song For An Eternal Child, A Prayer, Icicles, Illumination, and Triumph. To expand upon the latter two, first, Illumination features a terrific piano accompaniment which begins near the five minute mark. Triumph has a beautiful introduction that pairs piano with cello (love cello) from Friedman's wife Hiyori Okuda. Friedman than gently joins in, then proceeds to rise and loom large as the song continues. It's one the most beautiful pieces of guitar-driven, symphonic ensemble music I've heard.

If you want something more heavy metal rock (perhaps memories of Megadeth days), there's the speedy romp, Thrill City. Dialing back, Friedman offers a solo performance on guitar with Acapella, a classical acoustic song. There are two vocal numbers, essentially classic melodic hard rock: Dead Of Winter featuring Like A Storm's Chris Brooks and the 2 Rebeldes (Two Rebels) featuring Columbian vocalist and guitarist Steven Baquero Vargas.

All said, Marty Friedman's Drama is another tour-de-force of terrific guitar work from a gifted musician who uniquely blends technical skill with accessible and enjoyable song craftsmanship. Quite recommended.



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The Take Away

All said, Marty Friedman's Drama is another tour-de-force of terrific guitar work from a gifted musician who uniquely blends technical skill with accessible and enjoyable song craftsmanship. Quite recommended.

Support the artist, click the link below to buy the album in your favorite format.

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