I have known Mr. Shaw from a band called Kryptic, where he played thrash with death metal elements an a decent level. "Premature Burial" wasn't too "sweet", but rather "sweet and sour" in any sense, haha. It consisted of a mixture of Megadeth's and Viogression's works. The solo debut, recorded five years after, was a great aunknown for me. But I believed that a musician with 20-year body of music experience shouldn't disappoint me. What can be expected of American's debut, but, actually, what will we find on the disc? Surely - shredding, neoclassical a little bit, Egyptian music (on the verge of progression), and even - country! There are also a heaviness in guitar's sound left after thrash metal period. Curt offers us various tone-sound plays in such proportion that listener can't be bored. The people, who like that genre, can be intrigued by interesting arrangements and hard-to-predict gambits, prepared according to a "magical recipe" that is known for the composer only. The important role in Shaw's music must be ascribed to keys, but mentioned instrument should b treated as an additive to the whole. I think that Curt's debut sounds similar to a Danish band - Melodic Meltdown, but devoid of vocal parts. The fact is that an American with his music is hard to "embrace" in precisely given framework. Surely, I must admit that it is to Shaw's advantage. Curt proved that you shouldn't be called Satriani or Malmsteen to play respectable and attention-catching music.

"Better Shred Than Dead" would seem to be guitarist Curt Shaw`s catch-phrase! Curt is most definitely a graduate of the Vai/Satch school of fretboard pyromania. He rains pure neo-classical hellfire on all six strings; of course, so can a lot of players. But most are nothing more than shining examples of eye-to-hand coordination, basically musical jugglers. And the world has PLENTY of those! Curt`s sense of composition is what sets him apart. Incorporating unique and at times odd-metered rhythms enables him to paint beautifully alien sonic landscapes for the listener, expanding you mind while at the same time ripping yer head off with his high-tech shredding. But the tunes aren`t so "out there" that your average Joe and Jane would be put off, a testament to Curt`s compositional skills. Check out "Egyptian Moon" and "Ilsa Majeras" for confirmation of this. Hell, buy the album and check `em ALL out! Highly recommended!

The CD is awesome!! The arrangement shows great talent and alot of hard work....Excellent metal guitarist...The artist will definately go far !!!