JOE STUMP
Shredology & Midwest Shredfest Reviews
JOE STUMP / Shredology & Midwest Shredfest / Leviathan Records
by: Jann Uhelszski for GUITAR WORLD
One is a brash best-of collection, the other a keepsake from this 2001 swing through the US hinterlands. On both, Joe Stump shows why he's the thinking-fan's shredder. The Berklee School of Music professor combines intimidating speed, daunting technique, classically infused fretwork and an unstudied soulfulness that inflames all his compositions. Whether he's head banging through the frozen tundra of "Night of the Living Shred" or pristinely picking his way through the pomp rock of "Jetaime," Stump elevates shredding to high art!
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JOE STUMP / Shredology & Midwest Shredfest / Leviathan Records
by: DAN SKIBA for MetalExpressRadio.com
What separates Joe Stump from all of the other instrumental guitarists out there is his total commitment to bone-crushing Metal. Stump, the head rock and Metal guitar instructor at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, USA, simply goes balls out from beginning to end in both his studio work and during his concerts, his playing is fast, inspired, and aggressive from the word "go," and his songs, though well-structured and cohesive, show a true love for in-your-face power and a "no-nonsense" approach to Instrumental Metal. Stump doesn't play recording games or toy around with special effects, instead, his guitar playing and songwriting sieges your sound system like a starved Tasmanian Devil at a Hasenpfeffer Smorgasbord. Unlike Satriani or Vai or Malmsteen, who like to slice in occasional change ups and have been known to blend various musical styles into their Metal-based instrumentals, Stump opts instead to stay the course, appealing, most certainly, to true Metal enthusiasts who want a plethora of tasty licks, riffs, and a barrage of innovative and brilliant solos.
With 6 solo instrumental records under his belt since 1993, and an additional small handful with his vocal group The Reign Of Terror, Stump, under David T. Chastain's Leviathan Records label, has extracted his 14 "favorite" tracks from his previous releases, along with a new bonus track called "The Drill," into a "best of" CD appropriately entitled Shredology. Yep, there's more shredding going on in this Stump CD than in a toothpick factory, simply put, if you're a fan at all of Instrumental Metal, this CD is indeed a "must have." For those who are not overly familiar with Stump, well, here's your chance to get acquainted with him. All of the tracks on Shredology are indeed winners, and all follow true-to-form with Stump's philosophy towards guitar playing of putting his axe through extreme torture and suffering, generating continuous blistering solos and jam sessions that never allow the listener to come up for air (except for about 1:46 during the acoustic-based "Never Forgotten"). From top to bottom, however, you're just not going to find a better pure guitar-based Instrumental Metal CD out there anywhere.
Now, for Stump fans out there who may be saying to themselves right now, "Sounds great, but I already have all of Stump's stuff, why should I run out and purchase this 'best of' CD?" Partnering with the shrewd and savvy music business veteran Chastain, the decision was wisely made to issue this release with a 2nd CD -- entitled Midwest Shredfest -- a live "official bootleg" recording of a Stump concert from Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. The production quality of this concert is definitely of "bootleg" quality, but it's at least consistent, and the CD as a whole shows that Stump can certainly shred the piss out of his guitar in a live setting in similar fashion to his studio recordings. If anything, the "natural" sound of the CD highlights even further the energy Stump squeezes out of his guitar, you can almost smell the smoke that is surely emanating from the fret board as his axe screams for mercy. That said, there is certainly plenty here for Stump fans of old to get excited about too!
In sum, if you're a Metal fan who only purchases say 4 or 5 CDs per year, this Stump Shredology compilation should without a doubt be one of them if you enjoy Instrumental Metal in the least bit. This CD can indeed serve many purposes, as a pick-me-up after a frustrating day, as a motivator when trying to muster up the energy to stay faithful to an exercise regiment, or as a stress-relieving sedative when you just want to admire the remarkable Metal craftsmanship and guitar wizardry while laying back on the couch with the lights out. Stump indeed showcases the fact that he's a master Metal virtuoso in this 2-disc set, so do yourself a favor and go get a copy of this release to further round out your music collection.
REPORT CARD:
Guitars: A
Bass: B
Percussion: B
Recording Quality: A- for Shredology, D+ for Midwest Shredfest
Originality: A-
Overall Rating: A
Release Date: March 2005
Web site: www.Shredology.com
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Maximum Metal Review
Joe Stump - Shredology - 2005 - Leviathan Records
It's been quite a decade for Joe Stump. I can still remember flipping through issues of Guitar World magazine and seeing ads for Joe Stump's debut album, "Guitar Dominance", declaring the arrival of "The Ultimate Guitar Monster." That was 1994, a time when America was going gaga for grunge (noisy, simplistic junk, with a few exceptions) and shred had been deemed terminally uncool.
What a difference a decade can make! Just over ten years later, things may not have come full circle, but ultra-technical rock guitar is definitely on an upswing commercially. And while Zakk Wylde seems to get the lion's share of the credit (to read Guitar World these days, you'd think he invented the friggin' wheel!), guys like Joe Stump also deserve recognition for carrying the torch during the dark ages. What's that you say? You've never heard of Joe Stump?!?!? Damn! What are they even teaching you kids in school these days? Sheesh! March right down to your local record store and ask for "Shredology".
Okay, enough silliness! But seriously folks, if you are not hip to the works of Professor Stump (you have heard of the Berklee School of Music, I hope!), then this is a great way to get hip. Although it also serves as a sort of fare-well between Stump and Leviathan Records (European label Lion released his latest, the typically excellent "Speed Metal Messiah"), "Shredology" manages to be more than just a "contractual obligation"-type affair, as it offers tracks from all of his solo releases, plus one from Reign Of Terror's Conquer and Divide, and a short new piece called "The Drill." Stump was nice enough to solicit fan requests when deciding the track listing, and the earliest tracks have been remastered, making them sound better alongside the impressively hi-fidelity recordings from his more recent albums. To top it all off, we also get treated to a bonus disc of live tracks recorded at the Midwest Shredfest, originally released in limited quantities via mp3.com.
As for the music itself, most of it is predictably, but lovably over-the-top, instrumental guitar rock, with occasional ballad-like respites to keep it from getting tiresome. Long-time fans can argue about great tracks that didn't make the cut, and I can name at least a couple that I would have liked to see included. However, I am quite pleased to see that my favorite Stump album, 1994's "Night of the Living Shred", is well-represented. Furthermore, the two "Guitar Dominance" selections on here sound killer in their spruced-up form, also emphasizing the fact that Stump had much of his technical wizardry comfortably in place early in his career, although as this disc (with it's chronologically arranged tracks) shows, he has constantly produced riveting stuff, always finding new destinations to explore in the shred landscape. In any case, Shredology serves its purpose as a primer for new converts, while also offering buying incentive for those who already own the Stump catalog. The Midwest Shredfest disc, in particular, is a smoking showcase that is practically worth the price of the whole package. Check out the live "Paganini's Revenge," Joe's killer re-casting of Nicolo Paganini's 24th Caprice. YEOWZAH!!!
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Joe Stump - Shredology (Leviathan) Review by Scott Alisoglu www.Live4Metal.com
Following a long line of cleverly titled instrumental shred discs (e.g., 2001: A Shred Odyssey, Night of the Living Shred, Supersonic Shred Machine), Joe Stump brings us Shredology. This time it's a compilation of shred songs culled from his shredtastic career. As I've said many times before, I'm not a musician, but I know what I like. As far as guitar-based instrumental albums go, Joe Stump's material is often very entertaining and full of passion. When someone plays as well as he does, it matters not if you're a fellow axe grinder, you know the stuff is good. For example, it's obvious from the guy's style on several tracks that he's as much a student of Bach and Mozart as he is Blackmore and
Malmsteen.
Moods change from melancholy to angry and upbeat to brooding across these tracks. Sometimes the tracks consist largely of Joe flailing away, on most others the songs are fully developed instrumentals with of course his guitar as the focus. The 15 songs represent Joe's favorites, some of which come from an album I reviewed previously on Live4Metal, Armed and Ready. I'd be lying if I said I listen to instrumental CDs often, but I can enjoy the occasional spin. The guitar virtuosos among you will want to dive right into Shredology, especially if you've previously not been exposed to the man's work. He's taught some of the best out there today and continues to find new ways to squeeze thunder and lightning out of his guitar. You also get a bonus disc, Midwest Shredfest, a live performance recorded in Cincinnati, Ohio. An official bootleg recording, you can hear Joe's work loud and clear, as well as the rest of his band (bassist Jay Rigney and drummer Matt Scurfield). Hey, if it ain't your thing, don't buy it. I can at least appreciate it.
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From Todd Smith at thecutting-edge.net
JOE STUMP
Shredology
Leviathan Records
Readers of our site will be well schooled in the legend that is Joe Stump. Having appeared on a number of records over the past 15-years, the man has certainly left his signature on the world of thundering shredders. Note: this is not for the lighthearted - this IS a two-fisted, double-barreled shred-a-thon with more notes coming at you than a Spanish inquisition firing squad. Disc 1 collects some of Joe's most intense guitar work from his past studio recordings including the all out assault of "In For The Kill" on the Guitar Dominance LP (1993) and "The Sorcerers Apprentice" from Night of the Living Shred (1994). There are plenty of lighter, intimate moments as well including the tender "Jetaime" and the melodic "Hurricane X".
Several tracks sandwiched together, work intensely well - there's personal favorite "Demon's Eye" moving into the Golden Earring-like "R.B.N.C.S.F. No II", also the surrealistic "Rapid Fire Rondo" and "Pharaoh's Delight", the former awash with texture-building keyboards. Interesting to hear Stump's many different guitar sounds which become quite alluring over the course the discs 15-tracks. Bonus track "The Drill" has a spontaneous basement feel almost liked a demo capturing the guitarist's true speed.
Disc 2 is a live outing from what is billed as the Midwest Shred-fest. It is here Joe struts his live chops flawlessly. The excellent choice of "Demon's Eye" to begin the disc stretches out to seven and a half minutes, which is actually par-for-the-course through the redcord's eight tracks. The power-metal "Wrecking Machine" follows with the more melodic and chunky "Paganini's Revenge" - classic speed at it's most ferocious. The magnificent ten-minute "Thrill of the Chase" is straight from the racetrack, while the blacker "The Dark Gift" wonders close to old Candlemass. Of course there is a jam as the CD fades - sonic guitar wizardry at full tilt - short, sweet and to the point.
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Darryl Baysinger for Hellridemusic.com
March 17, 2005
Leviathan is home to some very talented guitarists. The guitar master and Leviathan label-head, David T. Chastain. Shredder-god-in-waiting, Vainglory's own Corbin King, also a shredder god named Joe Stump.
Shredology is culled from 7 different releases spanning 10-12 years plus one new recording. It also shows his classical training and like of Ritchie Blackmore. All the songs included on this disk are Joe's personal favorites, 15 tracks are included on the studio "best of". Included in this package is the CD called the "official" bootleg of a blistering live set recorded in Cincinnati, Ohio called Midwest Shredfest.
On both disks Joe plays with great technique and feeling. By listening to Joe's playing it's easy to know he has great passion for playing the guitar.
This is an instrumental CD, but every fan of shredder-metal should check this out. I am sorry I only own one Joe Stump release prior to this one. I think Joe could smoke Yngwie, or at least give him a very good run for his money.
Joe also plays 1 hauntingly beautiful acoustic track called Never Forgotten, showing great technique and feeling on the acoustic guitar.
Visit the Joe Stump website at www.joestump.com
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W W W . H A R D R O C K H A V E N . N E T
April 18, 2005
Artist: Joe Stump
CD Title: Shredology/Midwest Shredfest
Label: Leviathan Records
Release Date: Out Now
Comments: For those who have never heard the name, Joe Stump, or have never listened to his solo work or his band Reign of Terror, then you have missed a decade of neo-classical shredding done by Mr. Stump. Joe Stump's credentials include teaching as the Metal specialist at Berklee College of Music in Boston, releasing seven solo CDs and four CDs with his band Reign of Terror, all on Leviathan Records, spanning an era from 1993 to 2005.
Joe Stump's latest CD release, Shredology, which also features the bonus CD Midwest Shredfest, takes the best recordings from Joe's catalog of music and packages them into a single anthology of 14 tracks with an additional bonus track, bringing the CD to 15 tracks that highlight the musical growth of the artists from the beginning of his recording career up to today.
During the 80s this type of guitar playing was ground breaking, sending many back to the woodshed to relearn the way they approached and played the guitar. The Malmsteen's, MacAlpine's and Moore's of the world unleashed their metal fury and blistering technique on an unsuspecting audience and dazed, confused and dazzled the world.
Upon the first listening of Shredology you really don't hear a new take on the neo-classical guitar style that once turned the guitar world upside down. Arpeggiated sweep picking and alternate speed-picking leap from the speakers, to drill into your head. Swirling around you like angry bees, the notes clash into one another and as quickly sing out to you in sweet harmony.
What sets Joe Stump apart from the Yngwie clones? Most certainly the ability for Joe to include melodic touches to offset the fury of his guitar playing. The lead work is precise and the playing is clean. The instrumentation; including the drum and bass performances, are solid and the songs feature energized compositions that buildup to whirling, climatic finishes. Shredology focal point is 100% on instrumental tracks and this may turn some off those who prefer vocals to compliment the music. Guitar instrumental fans will love Shr
edology and will be taken back to the day when this music was fresh and new to us all.
The bonus CD, Midwest Shredfest, demonstrates Joe's ability to perform his technical compositions live. Joe Stump proves that he doesn't hide behind studio tricks and gimmicks, while playing material from his catalog of music. The dual CD release is a great introduction to Joe Stump for new fans, while also being a great package for die hard fans to hear Joe's best work on one CD compilation.
Track Listing: Shredology In For the Kill - Jataime - The Sorcerer's Apprentice - Never Forgotten - Night of the Living Shred - Demon's Eye - R.B.N.E.S.Z. No. II - Rapid Fire Rondo - Pharaoh's Delight - 2001: A Shred Odyssey - Bullet Train - Séance - Mind Games - Hurricane X - Bonus Track The Drill
Midwest Shredfest Prelude Demon's Eye - Wrecking Machine - Paganini's Revenge - The Sorcerer's Apprentice - Thrill of the Chase - The Dark Gift - Guitar Candenza/Rapid Fire Rondo - Encore Shred Jam
Rating: 7.5/10
Reviewer: John Kindred
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Blastmagazine.net
Joe Stump - 'Shredology'
Released through Leviathan Records in 2005
THE BAND:
various artists
Influenced from guitar gods such as, Ritchie Blackmoore, Yngwie Malmsteen, Uli-Jon Roth, Jimi Hendix, and Michael Schenker, to the classical greats as, Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Carl Phillp Emmanuel Bach, and Ludwig Von Beethoven, this head of the rock and metal guitar department at Berklee School of Music in Boston Massachusetts burst onto the scene in 1993 with his first CD titled, 'Guitar Dominance'. During a time when major record labels were more concerned with who is downloading what MP3 file instead of artist exposure. Joe Stump has stayed underneath the heavy metal guitar radar as a guitar god.
Joe Stump's latest release is a double CD set. Disc one contains fifteen studio tracks personally chosen by Joe from his solo releases. Over the years I have found that most instrumentalist write their songs in such away were you either have too be an expert musician or the artist himself to understand the music. This is not the case with 'Shredology'!!! The songs Joe chose to put on 'Shredology' are technical enough to keep any young guitarist amazed for years, but have big enough hooks to keep non-musicians also listening! About three seconds into track one and I was an immediate fan.
Disc two consists of eight official bootleg live tracks recorded at the Midwest Shredfest. This live disc just proves that Joe is a Guitar God!!!!
If you are a young guitarist and A.) Can't afford to go to Berklee. or B.) Wasn't or will never be accepted to Berklee, than I subject you buy this release.
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