Thom Mathews - Mindcraft (2006)Black Flame Records

No, no, no. Aforementioned Thom Mathews is not that actor! He is an American shredder having nothing to do with acting, and "Mindcraft" is his debut solo release recorded together with Lance Wright (drums) and Stephen Coker (keys, bass, drums on two tracks).

Unquestionably, Thom decided to pommel us with furious shredding solos, and this impression is heightened by a harsh and heavy sound (please don't consider it a disadvantage). You can sense an extreme background hidden behind Thom's playing, and it is one of the stuff's characteristics. I am absolutely satisfied that he doesn't shy away from the melody. He can skillfully jumble melodious licks with hot-tempered guitar gallops. Coker's keys give a bit progressive tone to Mathews' music. When Thom slows down, we can quieten for a moment... just until the next sonic onslaught. Bit shredding improvisations are a kind of diversity for "Mindcraft".

This CD is meant for listeners who enjoy the music where the guitar is the limelight of an album. You can call it shredding metal and instrumental technical metal, however both qualifications are correct. Although his music can remind us of Matthew Mills, Curt Shaw and even German Schauss, Thom is in the running for creating his own easy-to-recognize guitar style. If he perseveres in practicing, he will surely achieve the aim. Maybe on the occasion of his second act titled "Entracing the Populace"?