Marty Friedman has established quite a reputation during his years of guitar playing. Starting in his early days with Cacophony, Marty has shown great talent and a fabulous personal style. While some might think his years in Megadeth were a waste of his skill, I beg to differ. Although Megadeth of course was foremost a thrash metal band, there was still room enough for Marty’s brilliant musical brain and his solos were of almost unparalleled beauty. Now a few years after his departure from Megadeth, Marty is back with his fifth solo album named Music For Speeding and like the title insinuates Marty seems to have returned to his roots.

The album opens in a raging style with “Gimme A Dose”; a typical old fashioned Marty riff that hooks into his solo debut album Dragon’s Kiss, although a bit more reserved.

While other guitar players concentrate on portraying their extreme technical skills, Marty delivers us songs; not just a bunch of fragmented riffs and solos. Each composition is an ingenuous piece of work that doesn’t bore for a second and although Marty is at his best when he opens the throttle like he does in “Gimme A Dose” or ”Fuel Injection Stingray”, he is also capable of playing slower, more reserved songs.

Music For Speeding is an album with many different influences, from thrash and speed metal to techno and drum ‘n’ bass; all fitted into Marty’s personal style. If you are into guitar music then this album is simply a must; excellent songs and fabulous solos!