Search - Marc Rizzo :: Ultimate Devotion

7.5/10

Rifugium | Newtown Square, PA | 09/07/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Marc Rizzo is a name I never would have known or paid attention to had I not had the unlikely opportunity of seeing the man perform live. I'm not a fan of his other bands (Ill Nino, Soulfly), and you don't have to be either in order to enjoy his solo material. I'm sure there are some metalhead purists out there that would shrug Rizzo off just knowing that he is in those bands, but that's not really fair, as his solo material is on a whole different level. What he gives us on this album, as with his previous album, is a masterful mix of well-crafted, instrumental, metallic shredding, with an infusion of acoustic flamenco that gives his music a unique sound and sets him apart from your typical shredder. You may hear some overtones of Vai or Malmsteen here and there, but Marc Rizzo is really in a class of his own. He switches effortlessly between metal and flamenco, often within the same song, and it always seems to work. If you've already heard Rizzo's first solo album, this new one is pretty much in the same vein, and perhaps contains a few recycled rhythms, but that doesn't really take away from the intensity of the music. But in the same regard, I think I do prefer the first album (_Colossal Myopia_) to this one. Also, one obvious difference from the first album is that there are two tracks on _The Ultimate Devotion_ that contain vocals: "All for Nothing" and "Lived and Learned." I'm not familiar enough with Ill Nino or Soulfly to say if these two tracks sound anything like those bands; they remind me a little bit of Death Angel or even Anthrax. But that's just my opinion. Still, there is no doubt that _The Ultimate Devotion_ is an unmitigated and mindful shred-fest with music that actually goes somewhere, despite the songs being a big longer, with six out of ten songs being over 7 minutes long. So if you're looking for some good virtuostic shreddage, check this guy out. You might be surprised."

MARC RIZZO IS A MONSTAH PLAYAH !!!

Gypsy Guitars | Kula, UpCountry Maui, Hawaii | 08/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Marc Rizzo continues his amazing solo virtuoso electric guitar playing w/ his newest "Ultimate Devotion" CD... if you enjoyed his first solo CD, you'll LOVE this latest effort as he has gotten even better as has the production of his sound & the compositions... the entire recording is completely soul-full shredding on both electric & acoustic guitars as he sounds like Strunz & Farah as an acoustic shredder & then simply blisters the electric w/ jaw-dropping arpeggiated lines & chordal work... Marc's playing is soul-saturated w/ flamenco feeling & gypsy-esque virtuosity on every cut of this CD that i have to believe that he is the most talented young 'metal guitarist that i have heard & is pioneering a style of fusion of gypsy music & speed 'metal that commands the respect of every electric guitar player who has ears to hear such incredible talent !!! If you loved his 1st CD- ya gotta get this one pronto hasta !!!!!"

Insane

C. Marksbury | 12/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Marc is an absolute insane guitarist. He is a much better musician than I am a reviewer.....all I can say is that if you are a fan of guitar playing, a player, do yourself a favor and pick this CD up - go see him perform, it is a real treat. Into metal or not... this is just incredible as is his last CD "Colossal Myopia." Get them both, buy some for friends, see him live and you will be a much happier and more well rounded human being for doing so. DO IT!!!!"