Excellent Harris' "Orchestrate" has stimulated me to write about earlier American's releases. His first solo album was published in 1991 by David T. Chastain's Leviathan Records, and re-released by Michael's IMF Records, all the more it's worth mentioning. Michael invited two colleagues from Arch Rival to Midtown Studio: Greg Martin (drums) and Gary Rigmaiden (bass). With such a company Mr. Harris provided us instrumental hard'n'heavy music with a dose of progression and improvised parts. The influences of Rush aren't accidental on "Defense Mechanizms", because Michael mentioned them as his heroes among others. Although melodious guitar sequences are unusually arranged, they are also accessible for a listener. I consider it a kind of feat. Michael can play a ballad in the style of Gary Moore ("Mind or Heart?"), but acoustic pieces aren't strange for him as well ("Classical Conditioning"). Here are also the tracks from Arch Rival's demo titled "There Is No Space": "Tarantula" and "Wolfgang Lives!". The latter is a reference to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "25th Symphony". It was also rearranged by Chris Steberl, but Harris' version is played more roughly. Is it a disadvantage? Not in the least! It's absolutely wonderful performance in which Michael put his spirit. Yeah, Wolfi still lives in heavy music! I can't forget about Gary. His bass lines are very distinct and equally important as in jazz music. That means that Michael isn't a dictator, haha. The cover can't also escape notice. It reflects a wisdom of the Mind and a stupidity of the blind (small letter intended), the light against the dark, the peace against the war. That's a great and inspiring concept by Michael Harris. I am able to compare Mr. Harris to an(other) musician(s), but... what for? He showed how to combine feelings with virtuosity, and moreover ha has his unique and recognizable style. "Defense Mechanizms" is one of the best album with instrumental guitar music in the beginning of the nineties.