Project Steiger - Defiance (2003)Steiger Productions

An American guitar hotshot - Ken Steiger graduated with honors from G.I.T. (Musicians Institute) in Hollywood. Then he himself became a music teacher there and has been instructing his students how to play rock, metal and even blues music. Ken was a guitar coach for stars while working by "Rock Star" movie, and recorded some instructional stuffs as well as wrote the articles for "Guitar Player". You can remind his name of power metal Steiger's Killzone and Steiger IV and V albums from the past, however his gift was wider spread on the occassion of "Defiance" release date. Mr. Steiger invited many famous musicians to record Project Steiger: Derek Sherinian (keys; Dream Theater, Yngwie Malmsteen, Kiss, Alice Cooper, Billy Idol), Virgil Donati (drums; Steve Vai, Planet X, Freakhouse), Tony Franklin (bass guitar; Jimmy Page, The Firm, Blue Murder, Whitesnake, Marty Friedman), Gary Hoey (guest lead exchange on "Persuasion" - a tribute to Santana), Yolen Farias (bass guitar), Gene McEwen (drums) and Michael T. Ross (keys; Hardline, Accomplice, Angel). There are a few guests on "Defiance", however most special ones are first three enlisted above.

Some of you can think that Ken is the most obscure instrumentalist from among the three special guests, but you should realize that no every gifted artist must be simultaneously famous among the fans. Anyway, Mr. Steiger is a very smart virtuoso who can play both most intricate parts and most romantic tones at some moments. It doesn't mean that here are many fragments to fade out. The American shows off his progressive shredding virtuosity with thrash-like and rhythmical lead guitars plus a cutting solos. The stuff is heavy, dynamic and enough complex with many technical details you will have to delve into in order to understand them thoroughly. "Defiance" is filled with brilliant riffs and instrumental conjurations. I'd like to praise all aces for their exemplary collaboration. All technical difficulties were uncompromisingly overcome by Ken and the Company that is a proof of their perfect harmony.

To be honest, any comparisons are hard to find, however "Defiance" is musically on the brink of Vinnie Moore's latest solo works and Michael Harris' early solo albums. Anyway, it doesn't put a different complexion on things and my personal opinion that Ken managed to create his own instrumental model called "instra-metal" by him. It's evident to me that writing the solo stuff is a kind of a competition for the artist. Ken matched it and finally won the competition with his astounding guitar playing. Please get Judas Priest's "Painkiller" progged and shreddded and take the singer overboard to get an approximate form of "Defiance". In defience of the comparisons above, Project Steiger did deserve to be voted best instrumental band in "All Access Magazine" in the years 2003 and 2004. Looking forward to other won polls and equally excellent releases, Ken!