Review by Marcelo Vieira on July 25, 2024.

It's been three years since Marty Friedman released an album. His last, “Inferno,” led to a low-profile tour in Brazil, where he performed in small venues for equally small audiences. On one hand, this reinforces the idea that instrumental heavy metal is like masturbation — only enjoyable for the one performing. On the other, it places Friedman in a unique category, surrounded by a loyal following whose appreciation goes beyond a thousand notes per second, allowing them to enjoy the various textures and atmospheres of a bold album like “Wall Of Sound.” The mix even includes a saxophone, courtesy of the eerie Jørgen Munkeby.

The album's title references the famous recording technique developed by Phil Spector in the 1960s, which involves layering multiple instruments to achieve a massive and powerful sound. If there’s one word to define the guitar attack on “Wall Of Sound,” it’s power. The number of guitars in each track is countless: in “Sorrow And Madness,” for instance, Friedman teams up with Jinxx from Black Veil Brides, a virtuoso of the new generation, for a duel that seems to feature a dozen instruments on each side, complemented by timely orchestral incursions, a recent staple in Marty’s work. Speaking of guest appearances, Shiv Mehra (Deafheaven) also makes a notable contribution with his guitar skills.

A striking theme marks the central section of “Whiteworm,” chosen as the lead single, complete with a music video featuring a wall of amplifiers. After an introduction with a hint of Steve Howe, “Streetlight” steps on the gas and sounds like a high-speed cinematic triumph. Alternating between the cadence of an emotional ballad and a heavy feel suggesting that even the tough guys have a soft side, “The Blackest Rose” is as memorable as it is brief. Towards the end, “Miracle” is sure to please those who consider Steve Vai’s “Passion And Warfare” (1990) the eighth wonder of the world, and “Last Lament” explores, almost to exhaustion, the bizarre scales that make Friedman’s sound so unique and “Wall Of Sound” a must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their auditory cosmos to the seventh sense.

Rating: 9 out of 10