MCM - Ritual Factory (2004)Lion Music

All started from guitar clinics in Mexico city where three virtuosos joined their instrumental forces and brought MCM to life a bit later. These extremely gifted artists are: Alex Masi (guitar, loops; Dark Lord, Condition Red, Union Radio), Randy Coven (bass guitar; Steve Vai, TNT, Ark, Yngwie Malmsteen, Leslie West, Brian Setzer) and John Macaluso (drums; TNT, Yngwie Malmsteen, Riot, Ark, Holy Mother, Union Radio).

A thing distinguishing "Ritual Factory" over many average albums is that every instrumentalist can be considered the hero of the album, and the choice belongs to listeners. Undoubtedly, it's an ingenious mixture of progression, jazz/fusion rhythmical solutions and tribal tones. The trio showed how to join a high-level genres with African ethnic music. Their stuff is based on dynamic, impetuous and progressive riffs, bass insane improvisation and daredevil guitar solos. I am absolutely sure that all minds of the trio must have been progged and fusioned before producing such a release! Even Weather Report's "Black Market" perfectly fits this musical landscape. "Ritual Factory" can make us think of a continuous improvisation or jam session. Some similar endeavours are sometimes boring, but it doesn't concern this album! There are many instrumental combinations, and they go hand in hand with accessible melodies.

"Ritual Factory" offers us the music settled close the nature. It is a blend of precision and spirituality. They made an effort to bring two distant styles closer, and I must admit they did it with a great success! They are master instrumentalists for whom the music has no boundaries. Even if it had, they would surely break them all, haha!