Jonas Hellborg launches a new platform for integration of east and west, a project called Art Metal. Borrowing the aesthetic of contemporary metal expanded with Indian and jazz improvisational disciplines, it is a proposal... more » for what a new musical canvas could be. With long time collaborator, South Indian percussion master Selvaganesh, he explores this new path with two legends of the metal scene, Jens Johansson (Yngwie Malmsteen, Dio, Stratovarius) and Anders Johansson (Yngwie Malmsteen and Hammerfall). Completing the ensemble is Swedish guitar phenomenon Mattias IA Eklundh. The music has been slowly brewed over 18 months to find the spaces where the elements of the seemingly disparate musical traditions can comfortably coexist, even gel into new forms of sonic art.« less
Jonas Hellborg launches a new platform for integration of east and west, a project called Art Metal. Borrowing the aesthetic of contemporary metal expanded with Indian and jazz improvisational disciplines, it is a proposal for what a new musical canvas could be. With long time collaborator, South Indian percussion master Selvaganesh, he explores this new path with two legends of the metal scene, Jens Johansson (Yngwie Malmsteen, Dio, Stratovarius) and Anders Johansson (Yngwie Malmsteen and Hammerfall). Completing the ensemble is Swedish guitar phenomenon Mattias IA Eklundh. The music has been slowly brewed over 18 months to find the spaces where the elements of the seemingly disparate musical traditions can comfortably coexist, even gel into new forms of sonic art.
CD Reviews
Awesome
GIndjeian | Mexico | 01/23/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After Shawn Lane's death, things became a little bit cumbersome for Jonas. This is a clear departure from the sound that they jointly created, a very nice way to say goodbye to good old Shawn. As the title very well states, this is ART Metal in full extension. The group format includes Selvaganesh, but as humble as his instrument can be, sometimes he leads the group to very intrincated rithms in which Mathias and Hellborg manage to elaborate incredible solos... The easiness of the playing is remarkable, so is the very tight interplay between all. Jonas has definitely matured beyond belief and bring us an outstanding, never ending surprising record that is as artsy as it gets: this is metal, but with EXTREMELY good taste."
Hellborg comes through again!
crown of indica | saint paul,mn,usa | 10/21/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jonas Hellborg somehow manages to surprise me more and more with each new album he releases! This album is a cool blend of different music styles."
Ple-e-e-e-ase listen to
Volodymyr Radchenko | Kyiv, Ukraine | 02/08/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Probably the best Hellborg work. If you used to listen Hellborg - buy it, if you like to listen to bass technique - buy it, if you like to hear how bass should sound - buy it. Man is almost, 50 but as fresh as very few bass players around. I have received CD month ago and only yesterday finally forced myself to remove it from my car CD changer. Trach # 8 just knocked my brains out."
Hellborg carries on without Lane
J. Russell | Vancouver | 03/26/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Since the early eighties, when Hellborg first appeared playing for Mahavishnu, he has continued to impress not with just his technical virtuosity but with his compositional skills as well. Although Lanes passing is continually felt in his more recent releases (Kali's Son and now Art Metal as well) this is still an excellent album that continues Hellborgs recent interest in Indian Music while adding an interesting Rock/Metal touch to the proceedings. Eklundh's playing is fantastic and his more Zappa inspired melodic sensibilities work better with Hellborg's playing then I would have thought. Anyone interested in music that spans the globe with virtuosity to spare should definitely pick this up.
Other Hellborg Albums to Listen for include
1/ Temporal Analogues of Paradies
2/ Icon
3/ Ars Moriende
...to name a few.
To give an example Hellborg's recent music is similar to Shakti (Steve Vai.. What!! not even close, although him and Hellborg did play together briefly on a P.I.L. album in the mid eighties.), but with a much more experimental/metal edge and more attention payed to song structure rather then jams... although there are Jams a-plenty. Pick up Art Metal and more Hellborg albums, you won't be let down."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1