Album Notes

MADS (pronounced Mats) ERIKSEN made his debut as a solo artist with the all-instrumental album "Journey", released in Norway in 1990. Mike Varney for Guitar Player Magazine had very positive comments, "...reveals a wealth of versatility, highlighted by wide-stretched arpeggios, one-handed hammer-ons and pull-offs, and a great vibrato bar technique."

Eriksen's second album, "Storyteller" was released October 1991 in Europe and Guitar Magazine selected it as the album of the month. The album went on to sell very well all over Europe.

In 1993 Eriksen recorded, "Intermission Troldhaugen", a tribute album to the Norwegian classical composer Edvard Grieg. The album contained electric versions of six of Grieg's works. Eriksen contributed to Grieg's 150th Anniversary the same year with several concerts during the Bergen International Festival, and was soloist on electric guitar with the prestigious Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in 1994.

Eriksen's forth release, "Mads Eriksen", was released in April 1994 and was selected as one of the TOP 5 guitar albums in 1994 by Guitar Shop Magazine. The same year Eriksen was selected as the Norwegian Music Ambassador by the Norwegian Foreign Office which led to successful concerts in New York City and Los Angeles and opening shows for the Hellecasters and Nils Lofgren.

His fifth album, "The Plough Boy" was released in 1996 and marked a new direction for him. Though it has its fair share of rock tunes and his signature distorted solos, it also contains songs that are almost pure country, and others that have a pop-like melodic structure.

"SUBURBAN COWBOY", is a Rock and Blue Grass/Country inspired compilation of songs uniquely bended and masterfully performed. The country element is underlined by the use of traditional instruments (Banjo, Fiddle, Accordion, etc.), while Eriksen consistently provides a rockin' edge via his custom made Eugene guitar. This album showcases Mads' unique guitar wizardry at his best.

"Mads is a remarkably tasteful picker with tremendous chops up his sleeve."
- Guitar Shop

"...unbelievable guitar work..."
- Guitar Magazine

"Some of the best guitar work available"
- Guitar World

"My highest recommendation"
- Expose'

"...a remarkable instrumental album by one of the most versatile guitarists on the planet."
- Musicville.com

Look for Mads Eriksen's North American release of his new album, RED HANDED, due 2003.