I purchased this based on listening to just a few of the samples, and the fact in was on sale, to round out my 3 CD purchase. I wasn't expecting much....I was wrong. This guy knows how to shred, how to play the chords, how to play the melodies, and how to play the guitar, period. The pieces are creative, insightful, and go well with his signature sound. Knowing how to play, knowing how to write great music, and putting it together in a cohesive and structured manner is not an easy task these days, but Ken Synder made it look easy...and with room for more, the skies the limit for this artist. This CD is not just "filler" for a price point, but the real deal, number one, and buy it for the music CD. You will enjoy...

Why this guy is not better known is totally beyond me, maybe he is, over there in the States. As on his two previous cds, we have heavy riffs, sometimes in a more `progressive` setting, possibly hence the title of the cd, with fantastic leads over them.The interest and attention is maintained throughout and the feel good factor is there as before.This cd is a total blast! Also, checkout his album `NEVERMORE` which is also brilliant and of course the already reviewed `ONE`.

Some instrumental CDs become boring after a while, not 'Progressive By Nature', the newest release from guitarist Ken Snyder. It's got an amazing blend of heavy stuff, melodic movers and experimental sounds that will send chills up your spine. Snyder's guitar playing is simply unbelievable! What an extraordinary, technically wicked, musically proficient and consummate master of the guitar! 'Progressive By Nature" kicks off with two adrenaline pumping tracks, "Pitch Black" and "From The Shadows". The latter starts with a tasty riff and both utterly showcase Snyder's great guitar abilities. Then you have tracks like, "Of Man And Machine" that has a beautiful majestic intro that leads you into the powerful meat of the song. Though this album definitely is packed with smoking guitar work galore, Snyder also shows that speed is not needed to enforce his point. Case in point, "Solitude" a mid-tempo melodic piece that shines. The energizing "Post Mortem" and the Pink Floyd-ish vibe of "Equinox" close the album, two stimulating compositions that will leave you numb and in awe. It's a myth that guitar instrumental albums are just for other guitar players. This is just great music and belongs in anybody's collection who appreciates an incredibly talented musician. What Ken Snyder has done with, 'Progressive By Nature' is prove that great guitar players still do walk this earth. - The Atomic Chaser