Considered to be a pioneer of the “shred guitar” genre, Michael Angelo Batio is set to release his first-ever career retrospective entitled, Shred Force 1: The Essential Michael Angelo Batio. The new album is slated for release on April 14th through Rat Pak Records. Shred Force 1: The Essential Michael Angelo Batio not only highlights Michael’s best work to date, but also brings together many nationally renowned musicians from the hard rock and heavy metal genres. The album features some of Michael’s most memorable performances including a dynamic version of Rush’s What You’re Doing, which features Queensrÿche vocalist Todd LaTorre, Metal Church guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, Alice Cooper bassist Chuck Garric, Metal Church/TSO drummer Jeff Plate and guitarist Craig Blackwell. An official audio stream of What You’re Doing can be heard below.
There is also a cover of Deep Purple’s Burn with Queensrÿche vocalist Todd LaTorre and Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti. The album also consists of Michael’s tributes to Eric Clapton (Slowhand), Randy Rhoads (RRR) that features Rudy Sarzo on bass, and a new version of MAB’s unique tribute (Diamond) to the late great Darrell “Dimebag” Abbott of Pantera, that features guitarist Michael Wilton of Queensrÿche. The album also includes some of MAB’s most notable instrumental tracks such as, 8 Pillars of Steel with guest appearances by Elliott Dean Rubinson, Dave Reffett, Jeff Loomis, Rusty Cooley, George Lynch, Andrea Martongelli and Craig Goldy, Juggernaut showcases ex-Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland, Dave Reffett, Annie Grunwald, Guthrie Govan, Mike Lepond, and Michael Romeo. Michael Angelo Batio’s Shred Force 1: The Essential Michael Angelo Batio is a must have for all fans of the shred guitar genre.
“I feel that Shred Force 1 is the culmination of my best musical work,” exclaims Batio. “These are some of my personal favorite performances along with an army of featured guest stars pulled together by an amazing record company to bring it all into focus!”
Track Listing For Shred Force 1: The Essential MAB:
1. Hands Without Shadows (featuring Bobby Rock and William Kopecky)
2. Burn (featuring Todd LaTorre and Mark Tremonti)
3. Juggernaut (Featuring Chris Poland, Dave Reffett, Annie Grunwald, Guthrie Govan, Mike Lepond, and Michael Romeo)
4. What You’re Doing (featuring Todd LaTorre, Kurdt Vanderhoof, Chuck Garric, Jeff Plate and Craig Blackwell)
5. 8 Pillars of Steel (featuring Elliott Dean Rubinson, Dave Reffett, Jeff Loomis, Rusty Cooley, George Lynch, Andrea Martongelli, Craig Goldy)
6. Call To Arms (featuring Dan Lenegar, William Kopecky and John Mrozek)
7. 2X Again
8. Slowhand (Featuring Warren Dunlevy Jr.)
9. Diamond (featuring Michael Wilton, Elliott Dean Rubinson)
10. Rainforest
11. Gotta Run (featuring Dan Lenegar, William Kopecky and John Mrozek)
12. No Boundaries
13. RRR (featuring Rudy Sarzo and Bobby Rock)
Bonus Tracks (Digital Version Only):
14. I Pray The Lord
15. Peace
Pre-order bundles are now available at ShredForce1.com or ratpakrecords.com/michaelangelobatio.
10 Responses
Completely ridiculous. My buddies and I used to put Nitro on just to laugh at it. F***in terrible.
Yeah, Nitro was one of the worst bands I’d ever heard, this guys guitar playing was always mediocre at best. Just because you can play fast, doesn’t mea it’s musical or interesting to listen to. I mean, I’m glad the guys seems to have found a niche or career where he’s still around, but he was one of the least interesting shredders from the 80’s. It always seemed a huge gimmick with the multi-necked guitars and posing. (yeah, I know Vai did it too, but I enjoyed that)
Greg Howe
Vinnie Moore
Tony MacAlpine
Jason Becker
Marty Friedman
and of course…
Yngwie.
All such better song writers and more interesting playing for sure.
Michael, every one of the guitarists you listed are great, awe inspiring, brilliant players and writers. And it’s very cool that you mentioned Jason Becker. Too many people never discovered how great he was before he sadly lost his ability to play due to ALS.
You’re right that what Michael Angelo Batio does just seems to be a gimmick. I’ve always thought the same thing.
There incredible guitarists with jawdropping speed and technique, and then there’s this guy. Absolutely one of the most non-musical, non-listenable guitarists ever. That band Nitro was a joke. I don’t care how fast this guy can play, that he can play two part harmonies at the same time, plays backwards, upside down, left handed, right handed, I couldn’t care less. I’d rather listen to real guitarists like Joe Satriani, John Petrucci and all the classic guys like Randy Rhoads and Michael Schenker over this guy any day.
I would rather make out with Patty Smith’s mustache in my backseat than listen to this.
Wow you guys….True story: Nito was playing the Stone in San Francisco, I am standing in front of the club, and someone mentions this guy, and I go, “he’s so overrated, he’s not even as good as Kirk Hammet..” something or other, and I turn around and he’s standing right behind me. But, really, this guy, I don’t think he takes his shtick all that seriously. And you gotta hand it to the guy, he gets an A in salesmanship.
He’s a better lead player than Vinnie Vincent…lol…I mean he’s not that bad, did you listen to the track?