Jason Becker, although still alive today, was tragically diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a disease which has sadly left him in a crippled state that prevented him from even speaking at this stage after being diagnosed with it in 1989. However, his father has devised a system for him to communicate with his eyesight, given his condition of paralysis and he continues to create new music via this method to this day using his eyesight. Before he was diagnosed with this tragic condition back in 1989, he was one of the greatest and most prodigious guitarists on the block. He worked with Marty Friedman, David Lee Roth and many others during his lifetime as a guitarist. This is his first solo album and it was released at the right time and showed the world Jason Becker’s skills as a shred guitarist. Let’s take a listen to this album and we shall hear if it lives up to its reputation as amazing and groundbreaking.

Altitudes begins with synth strings and sounds eerily magical. In the background are some interesting sounds. Soon enough, some amazingly played guitar that is reminiscent of 1980s Metal enters, and this sounds incredibly jaw-dropping. Drums enter and this tune gets going nicely. This is shred country (not the music style, but a metaphorical place for a guitarist to be in) and the tune quickly emerges into a pleasant listening with Fender Stratocaster-styled sounds throughout. Nonetheless, this is something that isn’t a million miles away from Yngwie Malmsteen. Some heavily distorted shred guitar enters, and we are on our way to Metal heaven here. This is amazingly played and performed by Jason Becker, he clearly could play very, very well. It is perfect for those of you who enjoy 1980s Metal instrumentals, or virtuoso guitar playing. Multitracked guitar parts are present in the second half of this piece, and this music is a real joy to listen to. This is intellectually moving and interesting music to listen to. Various amazing guitar playing and solos are throughout this piece, sounding like Slash if he recorded fast-paced guitar instrumentals. Very, very cool and amazing playing throughout this tune is present. Towards the end are some insane-sounding drums, followed by some equally insane guitar work. Definitely worth hearing if you dig instrumental Metal. It gradually reaches the end with some killer shred. Awesome stuff. It ends with a ton of guitar feedback.

Perpetual Burn begins with some fantastic guitar leads that are different, along with drums. This launches into a unique and interesting listening experience, provided that you dig guitar instrumentals. Jason Becker’s ability to use certain guitar scales and phrasing makes him sound very different to other guitarists. Again, this was released in the era of awesome shred guitar, so this is a welcome listen if you dig 1980s Metal Music. He shreds in a unique and excellent way, and with some two handed tapping to go with it as well. This does sound really dramatic, awesome and face-melting. A short and decent listening experience, Jason Becker should be acknowledged as a guitar virtuoso extraordinaire who had some pseudo-Classical Music influenced chops. A very good listen, and very dramatic too. This three-and-a-half-minute-long piece sounds different for what it is and has a dramatic call-and-response finish between guitars and drums. Really great to hear. It fades out quickly at the end.

Mabel’s Fatal Fable begins with some of the weirdest-sounding guitar/whammy bar work out there and quickly launches into a really awesome and powerful piece with some hair-burning shredding to match it. Many tempo changes and different structures are present here. This does sound really amazing. It quickly launches into a Thrash Metal-styled piece with excellent muted shred and playing throughout. Jason Becker may not be as popular as Kirk Hammett, but when he could play, he made a huge impact musically. A great listening experience is present on this album and song, and although this is very Yngwie Malmsteen sort of territory, he is not necessarily a copycat as he sounds quite unique in his own way. There are touches of Classical Music-styled melodies, insane Floyd Rose whammy bar work and other unique approaches to playing the guitar on this tune. Indeed, playing with super fast skill and laser precision is what this dude was about. He sounds incredibly skilled, and no doubt the Rock and Metal world at the time took some notes. The guitars stop towards the end, with some weird electronic sounds, before Jason Becker plays like a madman again. Chaotic drum rolls and guitar fills follow before this finishes up with an unusual outro. Great, and different, this ends just five minutes in length.

Air begins with some neo-Classical keyboard melodies, which are quite different. This builds up to an ethereal-sounding piece with some slow guitar work that sounds quite pretty and melodic. Jason Becker could have shredded here, but he restrains himself on his guitar chops to add sound and texture. Soon enough, the keyboards stop and Jason Becker launches into some interesting and mellow melodic guitar work that sounds very different and sweet. This goes into some guitar harmonics, before resuming with some excellent dual-tracked guitars on different pickups, likely Fender Stratocasters here. A really different and enjoyable listening experience, this alone is a real winner of a tune and proves that even Jason Becker had time for restraint, beauty and melody in his guitar playing. More multitracked guitar melodies are present in the second half of this piece, and these just sound really great to listen to. A refreshing take on technicality in guitar playing and skill, Jason Becker should be renowned, even today, as a great guitar player and unique shredder. This has some deep Classical Music influences throughout, and it sounds very precisely played. A great tune to listen to, this does sound really top-notch. To wrap up, Jason Becker continues to play some awesome melodies on the electric guitar. Very sweet and different, this ends gradually with a slowed-down section and a fine conclusion. Excellent.

Temple Of The Absurd launches back into loud, energetic and psychotic Metal with some interesting shredding by Jason Becker. Soon enough, this launches into an excellent and powerful instrumental that sounds influenced by Thrash Metal and Neo-Classical Music. Jason Becker plays some insane guitar leads, really sounding godlike here. Some really good use of techniques, skills and a ton of different scales makes for an interesting listening experience throughout this tune. The scalloped guitars, bent notes and crazy leads make for a very dramatic and different listening experience that only a few could come close to musically. Warped and wonderful music is present, and every single note is played with skill and precision to full effect. In the second half of the tune are some nice riffs, with some stereo panned and wailing guitar solos, before this launches into a heroic finale to finish this track up. This music doesn’t need lyrics or singing, as it impresses the listener just on its own. A fine listening experience, this wraps up with some awesome and decent guitar playing. It ends with some pinched harmonic guitar leads. Different.

Eleven Blue Egyptians begins with a shredded guitar intro and launches into a very good piece of Heavy Metal riffing. A really awesome and enjoyable listening experience is present on this track, and this is an underrated musical standout for Jason Becker. It continues on with precision and fury. There are some really fine and fantastic guitar riffs on this particular track, and it does sound superb. With some unusual Middle Eastern-sounding scales (although Egypt in the title is actually part of Africa), this is a sensational listening experience that should turn heads. Although this music may sound dated to some today, this is quality listening for fans of faster and heavier types of music out there. Towards the middle is some very good guitar work that should break apart notions that shred is formulaic. This is followed by some dramatic drumming and leads into more fast-paced playing and awesome music to listen to. This is something special for those of you who thought that Eddie Van Halen’s playing was groundbreaking in 1978. This eventually launches into a slower and riff-based piece of musicianship that is really outstanding to listen to. A sensationally epic and cool tune, the music throughout this track is phenomenal. The sort of music that many fans of speedy guitar playing should enjoy, Jason Becker plays some outstanding leads throughout this particular tune. At the end are some excellent dual-tracked guitars and this slows down and fades out with psychotic guitar playing. Brilliant.

Dweller In The Cellar begins with some different shuffle drumming and some super sweet guitar leads that are slower than in the previous tunes. This is more emotional and soulful than before and has a hint of melancholy musically. Still, it is another good listen that proves that shred guitar work can be slower, more rhythmic and melodic. A high-pitched guitar melodic note leads into the next section with some super heavy guitar riffs. This is sensationally good and is very memorable and catchy. Soon enough, this launches into some descriptive guitar soloing that is very cool. Jason Becker sure was talented at guitar at this point. Some of the guitar playing is rather discordant here, but the psychotic drum rolls change things at the drop of a hat. This six-minute-plus-long instrumental is definitely full of twists and turns throughout, and just sounds top-notch for being so unique. In the second half is some super shredding that only a few could ever come close to. Great in terms of emphasis, although some fans of The Beatles and particularly Pink Floyd would not get this. More dramatic riffs and structural changes are about in the second half of this instrumental, and they do sound absolutely awesome. It sounds quite heavy, doomy and gloomy for a bit before some more glorious guitars enter. This music is intellectually based guitar music but also appeals to Heavy Metalheads and mosh pit lovers alike. All in all, this does sound great. With a nod to the spirit of the first four Metallica albums, Jason Becker innovated and created music that would leave a lasting impact. The ending has some mind-blowingly fast guitar work, through to the fade out. Top.

Opus Pocus is the final tune here. It begins with some keyboard-styled strings, and loud and heavy guitar work that is euphoric and has some interesting suspense to this music. A great synthesis of sounds, this does sound like something brilliant and effortless by Jason Becker. A top-notch tune to listen to and enjoy, this does steal some Classical Music melodies, but that’s perfectly okay here, as this relates to the music at hand. Drumrolls enter, along with some heavier guitar work and this sounds tremendously awesome. Some sweet guitar work follows, and this gets nicely underway. Some multitracked guitars enter, with some excellent and different drumming. Jason Becker continues to play and shred away as though he practised guitar in excess of eight hours each day. He utilises many skilful techniques and chops to energise and move these tracks along in the right direction. Another amazing listen, this music is very fresh and exciting, to this day. Jason Becker blew the world of music away at this point, and although he is still alive today, his skills and presence in the world of Metal guitar are sorely missed. The second half of this track has some sweet melodic lead guitar work and maintains its interest. A really great tune to listen to, this does sound very energetic and wonderful. It slows right down at the end, with some good combinations of guitars, and drumming and has a nice keyboard to finish. Excellent.

Shred guitar is a lone genre of music that few can master. Jason Becker, however, accomplished an amazing musical feat on this album by blowing down doors in the name of guitar work. His precision, playing and understanding of how sound itself works were matched by very few. The only real flaw of this release is that it ventures a bit too much towards Yngwie Malmsteen’s efforts which he had created himself a few years earlier. Still, Jason Becker shows that, to this very day he was a masterful talent on guitar. Sadly, he cannot play guitar ever again due to his illness, but his skills are fantastic on this album. Should you listen to this album? Give it a try if you love skilful guitar-based music.

A prodigy of shred.

8/10