{"id":39822,"date":"2014-04-21T10:44:44","date_gmt":"2014-04-21T15:44:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=39822"},"modified":"2014-04-22T16:24:18","modified_gmt":"2014-04-22T21:24:18","slug":"mak-not-for-everybody-cd-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2014\/mak-not-for-everybody-cd-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Mak | Not For Everybody<\/em>"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Alexandra Mrozowska<\/span>
\n– Columnist —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"MakIf a regular member of a currently existing band goes solo, there are two possible explanations to such a move. As it often happens, there are some personal tensions within a band and most likely it\u2019s going to split up faster than one can say its name. However, sometimes it\u2019s just about a particular musician\u2019s need to try out something new and re-define themselves as an artist, as in the case of Mak, the axeman of the Italian hard rock act Beverly Killz. A talented guitarist decided to try his hand in independent music recording and \u2013 armed with his Gibson Les Paul Standard and a computer \u2013 recorded Not For Everybody<\/em>. And although the release is as \u201cindie\u201d as it could only be and, as the man behind the project claims himself, not equal to the professional works in terms of recording quality \u2013 the results of Mak\u2019s work are pretty interesting. <\/p>\n

The opener is \u201cScream For The Future,\u201d a piece of dynamic hard rock shredding (initially composed as a theme song for a radio broadcast years ago). The next one is \u201cInside Of Me\u201d, which can be easily dubbed as one of the album\u2019s highlights \u2013 what the first sounds of the track bring to mind is some forgotten, yet soothing melody from the music box one used to have in their childhood. Then, some more disturbing and sinister sounds start to creep in with a little bit of Cooper-esque vibe to it, intensifying as the song develops. Thick and tense, with its eerie, gloomy atmosphere, \u201cInside Of Me\u201d is certainly not the track one wants to listen to through the headphones while walking through the empty street at night \u2013 as a sudden break out of goose bumps is more than possible. Mak himself admits the song was partly inspired by him having a soft spot for the horror movies, and this certainly could become a suitable theme song to one of them. \u201cRock\u2019n\u2019Roll Song\u201d is exactly what its title could possibly suggest; it\u2019s the dynamic, powerful gallop which might as well have ended on any regular album of Mak\u2019s band Beverly Killz.<\/p>\n

Very melodic, \u201cHarley Style,\u201d featuring a brilliant usage of talk-box (a guitar effect seemingly forgotten as for now) gravitates towards blues rock; no doubt it would (and probably will) be appreciated the most by the motorbike brethren. There is also six minutes-long \u201cEscape\u201d with the interesting changes of pace and Spanish music-influenced \u201cVieja Guitarra\u201d; the latter, based on mellow, sensual sounds of classical guitar, is a real masterpiece and proves Mak\u2019s artistic sensitivity, let alone his technical prowess. And yet, this is not the end of the album \u2013 a bonus track is the sound base of \u201cRock ‘n’ Roll Song\u201d with the intention to encourage some of the listeners to improvise a little bit and develop the song their way. A guitar karaoke? Sounds good!<\/p>\n

One of the best things about Not For Everybody<\/em>, apart from the great musicianship, is that Mak avoids monotony by the surprising diversity to this record. He skillfully sets a balance between hard rock shredding and more sublime playing, adding a little bit of different guitar flavor here and there. And while the overall number of only six songs and the album being home-based, low-budget recording doesn\u2019t really allow him a real showcase of skill and talent, what Mak manages to present on Not For Everybody is his fresh approach to instrumental hard rock and variety of inspirations, which \u2013 combined \u2013 can bring an interesting final effect. And it doesn\u2019t matter if the next release under the moniker of Mak\u2019s solo project is a set of dire-sounding horror themes or a classical Spanish guitar-influenced ballads. What really matters is that not only the avid guitar-oriented album lovers should look forward to it. Recommended. <\/p>\n

Genre: Instrumental Hard Rock<\/p>\n

Band:
\nMak (all instruments)<\/p>\n

Track List:
\n1.\tScream For The Future
\n2.\tInside Of Me
\n3.\tRock\u2019n\u2019Roll Song
\n4.\tHarley Style
\n5.\tEscape
\n6.\tVieja Guitarra
\n7.\tRock\u2019n\u2019Roll Song (base)<\/p>\n

Label: Independent<\/p>\n

Website: www.mak-music.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven rating: 8.5\/10<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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