Tommy Merry is the name of an extraordinary, awesome US guitar player since a very long time. He keeps on handling his fretboard in a most impressive way. Radio commercials, movie soundtracks and even national TV shows uses Tommy's tunes since several years. A couple of decades ago, all started actually with greats like Jimmi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore, Ronnie Montrose, Alvin Lee, E. Van Halen and so on, followed by numerous other great guitarists (incl.Tommy Merry!) worth to wear the name of truly guitar magicians.

I've started this website a couple of years ago and met a few fantastic guitar players like: Ty Oliver, Ken Snyder, Mike Gallagher, Jeff Urso,...and it's always pleasure to me spreading the news of such fantastic musicians. Next in line is Tommy Merry who shared the stage in the past with (to name but a few): Testament, Lita Ford, Michael Schenker, Satriani, Montrose, Y and T. The Californian association of bands-4-bands choose Tommy as best guitarist of the year for the third time in a row, an award he definitely deserved.

His brother in law Brian Shearn hit the drums at the side of Tommy. Brian is a well know person in past Thrash Metal movements, he played in a bay area Blues project too and to fulfill the list, he's also the co-producer of "Drawing Down The Moon". James Beard is the man taking of all second guitar sections in a both melodic and groovy way with an eighties touch. Tommy Merry's music reminds me of (in the first place): Joe Satriani but brings me also to guys like Vinnie Moore, Tony Mc Alpine or Paul Gilbert. This is a real masterpiece if you admire skilled to the bone instrumental Hard Rock / Metal songs.

There are a couple of songs on the album played with a vocalist. I'm not sure but i guess it's master Tommy himself who's takin' care of this. The songs are entitled "As Abobe, So below", "Garden Of Darkness" and "Plasma Vortex" worth to check them out because who the singer may be anyway, he sounds real good. Talking about the rest (all instrumentals) of the album i declare from the bottom of my heart that it's a real pleasure playing these songs on ten. Wanna hear a demonstration of how to use a guitar in the best possible ways...Tommy helps you out for sure.

All songs with a wide range regarding variations and stuff like that. We have the up power tempo, powerloaded ones but also tracks fulfilled with breathtaking emotions, moments of sadness, passion...while sitting back and listens to this album, a lot of memories (both or bod) lingers on in my mind and that gives a wonderful feeling. My faves are: "Witches Hammer" (great rhythms and awesome melodies!!), "Drawing Down The Moon" (feelings, emotions are at hand with fantastic breaks...brilliant), "Andromeda II" (up tempo, Satriani influenced and loaded with some heavy / groovy guitar riffs), "Beyond" (melodic at its best).

My heart tells me i'm really satisfied with such a valuable product. It's played straight from the heart, so nothing but positive words to the address of Tommy Merry and his band. So precious and pure...fantastic album anyway!! You can visit Tommy's website at: www.tommymerry.com  MY POINTS: 94 / 100

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