" Darren Housholder "
The last of three recordings guitar-instrumentalist Darren Housholder released on Shrapnel Records, Symphonic Aggression is the musician's most accomplished record. Improved production and a more developed rhythmic concept elevate this 1995 release above Housholder's earlier efforts. The clean guitar funk and jazz explorations falter, but the Berklee Music graduate's fluid rock soloing -- the heart of all three Housholder releases -- are his best ever. Guitar enthusiasts will enjoy the much improved Strat guitar tones and bassist Ricky Wolking's killer performances. As the title suggests, Symphonic Aggression is Housholder and his band's (Wolking and drummer Ray Lozier) most classically influenced disc. Sounding occasionally like classical metal's most heroic guitarist, Yngwie Malmsteen, Housholder performs blistering solos over Bach- and Chopin-inspired key modulations. The classical dramatics hold up through the first half of the record before the disc shifts into the more conventional rock feel used in Housholder's first two releases. Even when Symphonic Aggression loses its neo-classical momentum, Lozier and Wolking give the arrangements energy and depth. The rhythm section's full tones and interesting polyrhythms provide a welcome dynamic to the standard shredder material. Housholder's solo work typifies a genre of music made by (and for) the most technically inclined rock musicians. Fans of this complicated, sometimes difficult music will enjoy
Symphonic Aggression; clearly the guitarist's most impressive record to date.
Darren Housholder is an excellent guitarist and a graduate of Berklee School of Music. He also was a faculty member of Berklee teaching Modern Rock Guitar. He clearly knows his jazz licks but these albums definitely rock. Housholder covers the gamut of techniques and styles. Guitar magazine called Darren a "thoroughly modern player with sass, sparks and control."
Symphonic Aggression, his most recent, is a blend of neoclassical stylings with a no holds barred heavy rock feel. Many of the songs contain wild shifts in speed and rhythm and it is definitely his heaviest.
Generator Man has several good songs, but sometimes suffers from the home studio sound and the use of drum machines. A good mix of heavier songs and feel-good boogies.
Darren Housholder, his self-titled debut, is his best release. It is the best produced, has a good band sound and lots of good rock boogies with other influences creatively integrated. Some jazzy influences are worked in and the songs are well arranged. The use of a clean guitar sound in many songs adds to the texture. His soloing is excellent with great use of legato phrases and vibrato.
Darren Housholder, his self-titled debut, is his best release. It is the best produced, has a good band sound and lots of good rock boogies with other influences creatively integrated. Some jazzy influences are worked in and the songs are well arranged. The use of a clean guitar sound in many songs adds to the texture. His soloing is excellent with great use of legato phrases and vibrato.
