Ex-MEGADETH Guitarist MARTY FRIEDMAN: More New Solo Album Details Revealed

As BLABBERMOUTH.NET first reported yesterday, former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman's eighth solo album, "Future Addict", is scheduled for release in Japan on March 12 via Avex. Check out the cover artwork at this location. The CD features reworked, reconstructed and completely remade versions of some of the coolest songs from Marty's entire career. According to a posting on Friedman's web site, "everything from his first band, DEUCE, to his current Japanese stuff, it is all in there and all of it is on steroids. There are also three new songs including the first single, 'Simple Mystery'. Vocals on the entire album are handled by none other than Marty's longtime drummer Jeremy Colson, making his worldwide vocal debut! This album is an amazing introduction to Marty's illustrious career, as well as the beginning of an exciting new era of his music. U.S. and Euro releases to follow, more info on that to come."

"Simple Mystery", the brand new video from Marty Friedman, can be viewed below. The clip was filmed in the Los Angeles area in January.

In other news, Japan's top entertainment magazine Nikkei Entertainment will release a book in mid-April, titled "Ii-Jyan J-Pop!" (Awesome J-Pop!). This book offers an in-depth and very unique insider's view of the Japanese music scene as only Marty can see it. The book is culled from over a year of interviews with Marty and plenty of outtakes from his outspoken and often controversial popular monthly column in Nikkei Entertainment.

Also on the Friedman-related front, Marty produced, arranged and laid down all guitar and bass on the upcoming Sony single from Ruby Gloom, "Siren" c/w "My Treasure". Ruby is an animation character broadcast in several countries around the world. Nana Kitade plays the part of Ruby on this brilliant, high-energy single. Release date is March 25.

On the completely opposite side of the musical spectrum, down-tempo electronica pioneers THE SUPREME BEINGS OF LEISURE have a new album, "11i", on which Marty makes a guest appearance on the song "Oneness". Marty is a huge fan of SBL and was honoured to play the track for them.

February 18 marks the industry premiere of the movie "Gugudatte Neko Dearu" in which Marty made his Japanese major motion picture debut. The movie is set for a fall release.

Many more upcoming TV appearances, be sure to check them out if you have access to Japanese TV. Check updated list below.

February 25 - NHK Eigo De Shabera Night (with Jimmy Page)
March 03 - NHK Eigo De Shabera Night
March 07 - TV ASAHI Sora Mimi Awards 24:15-24:45
March 10 - Nippon Television Uta Sta!
March 14 - TV ASAHI Sora Mimi Awards Part 2 24:15-24:45
March 17 - Nippon Television Uta Sta!
Every Friday - WOWOW 5PM Ougon American Pops
Every Monday - NHK 1140PM Jukebox Eikaiwa

Friedman released the "Exhibit B - Live in Japan" DVD and "Exhibit A - Live in Europe" CD simultaneously in Japan on August 22, 2007 by Avex. These feature different setlists, but with the same band members: Jeremy Colson (drums),Ron Jarzombek (WATCHTOWER, SPASTIC INK; guitar) and Chris Catero (bass).

Shockwaves/HardRadio Podcast #17, featuring an interview with Marty Friedman, is now available for download at this location (20 MB). Friedman and host Bob Nalbandian discuss the good old days hanging out in Hollywood, Marty's early years with HAWAII and CACOPHONY, Friedman's years in MEGADETH, and Marty's current mega-success in Japan.