Marty Friedman seems to be everywhere lately, and I say "hear, hear!" The acclaimed guitarist has been slowly chipping away at a splendid narrative for himself that has born creatively successful projects in multiple mediums, all while based in his adopted home of Japan. He recently linked up with his friend and former bandmate Dave Mustaine and Megadeth when Mustaine and Co. came through the famed Budokon Arena in Japan earlier this year, plus Friedman is currently States-side on tour supporting Queensryche (of which photographer Alison Webber got some dope snaps that you can check out right here.) So, should we be surprised that Marty Friedman also as a new solo LP in the works?
Friedman told Justin Hunt of The Entertainment Outlet that he's currently been recording a new LP that he stresses is not finished yet, but that he's been working in the studio in Europe over the last 18 months or so. Friedman did say that fans of his 1992 solo LP Scenes are likely gong to be delighted about the irons that Friedman already has in the fire for this forthcoming album.
"I've been working on it for the last year and a half. And I actually recorded about half of it last summer. I went over to Italy and I recorded about half of an album. And I'm really, really excited about it. And I've been working on demos for the remaining half of the album."
Friedman continued, saying "I think it's gonna please a lot of people who liked my album Scenes, one of my earlier albums. It's kind of in that vein, but much more modern. And it's got all the things that I've added to my musical — I don't know how to say it — palette, or what I'm trying to do musically. It's basically a grown-up version of Scenes, really, so far. But I haven't finished it. And I will probably say next summer [it will be ready for release]. It's taking a long time, but, you know, tender love and care. And it's coming along great."
Scenes was originally released in late 1992 on Roadrunner Records in Europe and and on the independent Shrapnel Records here in the United States. The album is noted for its stylistic departure from any of Friedman's work before or after as a member of Megadeth. But, this current tour with Queensrÿche has played a hand in shaping the direction artistically for this new LP.
"This tour I'm playing really my most aggressive music with my most aggressive band," said Friedman. "And that is perfect for my mentality for writing stuff like Scenes. That's how Scenes happened in the first place, because I was touring with Megadeth like a maniac, and I was playing all this really, really heavy stuff every single night, and now I'm doing the exact same thing with my band. And so what I write is the complete opposite. So it's kind of like a really good creative time. And things are moving along really nice."
The full interview of Marty Friedman with Justin Hunt can be seen below.
You can catch Friedman, and additional guests Trauma, this month on the last stretch of dates in support of Queensryche . The remaining dates can be found just below.
4/7 – Boston, MA @ The Palladium [Tickets]
4/8 – Huntington, NY @ The Paramount [Tickets]
4/10 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza [Tickets]
4/11 – Baltimore, MD @ Soundstage [Tickets]
4/12 – Charlotte, NC @ The Underground [Tickets]
4/14 – Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl [Tickets]
4/15 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Heaven) [Tickets]
4/16 – St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Live [Tickets]
