KING DIAMOND Drummer Guests On New MICHAEL HARRIS CD

November 20, 2006

World-acclaimed guitarist Michael Harris is back with the most ambitious album of his career, entitled "Orchestrate". With a style best described as "Neo-orchestral metal," the CD is described in a press release as "a modern-day masterpiece." One listen reveals the unique combination of electric guitar playing a very "classical-meets-metal" style with an orchestra and metal drumming complete with stunning guitar virtuosity.

Commented Michael: "My original vision was to go back to my 'Defense Mechanizms' roots, yet to focus on one style, neo-classical metal. As the record developed, I realized 'Orchestral' was a better term, so I consider the record to be my one and only neo-orchestral record. My previous instrumental records have had some 'classical-meets-metal' compositions, but this record is focused exclusively on that style. I recorded all the backing strings, etc on my keyboard, and rather than playing chords, most of the time I treated it like scoring an orchestra, recording one 'voice' at a time. There is still plenty of guitar, of course, and drummer Matt Thompson [KING DIAMOND] did an outstanding job. My focus compositionally was to create strong themes first and foremost, before the musicianship and full arrangements came into play. I didn't intend on writing around any particular 'culture' of music stylistically, but when I listen back, I hear many different styles, even some Russian/Slavic themes. I also wanted to create a record that breathes with a lot of dynamics, also with at least one tempo descelerondo, and some free time tempos."

Michael's classical inspirations include the classical composers include Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Dukas, and Vivaldi. Michael's more recent favourites include Krzysztof Penderecki and Allan Pettersson. "I've found them to have some captivating ideas texturally, but the classical composers I appreciate the most are the ones who composed with the greatest melodic sense," Harris explained.

Due on November 24 via Lion Music, "Orchestrate" features the following track listing:

01. Opus Conceptus
02. String Theory
03. The Mad Composer’s Rage
04. Notes from the Kursk
05. Battle at Storm’s Edge
06. Guiprice
07. Mysterioso
08. Octavian II
09. The Anti Shred
10. Schizo Forte

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