Vio7 - The 7th String (2007)Self-released

Vio7 is directed by a Latvian 7-string electric violin player, Armand Melnbardis who graduated from Stetson University. He performed in the Wagner Hall in Riga (Latvia) and studied under a classical violinist Dr. Alvaro Gomez. Moreover, Armand played live with such artists like Luciano Pavarotti, Barry Manilow, Ray Price, Debbie Gibson, Richard Marx, N'Sync, Keivan Kamaly and Rob Rock. Another musician with a great musical background is keyboardist Jason Boekelheide who has got three Bachelor degrees at the Berklee Conservatory (Boston), Concordia College (Minnesota) and University of Central Florida. He performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Louie Bellsen, Gunthar Schuller, Gary Karr and Robert Goulet. Two other graduates of Stetson University are Billy Dean (drums) and Scott Queen (bass; he studied with David LaRue).

The main character on "The 7th String" is Armand's electric violin called "Vio" and built by Dave Spencer. One of the most distinguishing elements of the stuff is its amazing production, daunting virtuosity, adroit dexterity and lofty mood. Here are both spectacular faster fragments as well as balladish parts. Armand's music is unorthodox, original, emotional, melodic, romantic and even improvised at some moments.

Armand gave his best and it is clearly audible on the stuff. "The 7th String" provides with highbrow musical art and wonderful tones played with grace. His music should appeal to all fans of the likes of Omar Lopez and Mark Wood, but it is not enough recommendation. However 20 years apart, Gidon Kremer and Armand studied in the same music school! I have no doubt that Armand, with his musical art, is fulfilling the gap left by Gidon. Kremer is a classical violin virtuoso, and Melnbardis is a neoclassical metal violin wizard. Armand proved how to make heavy music violinized, that's why he can be called Gidon Kremer of the 21st century!