Jeff Loomis

For Nevermore guitarist Jeff Loomis, leaning toward the prog end of the virtuoso spectrum has always been his awe-inspiring tendency, and here on his first solo album -- the salient all-instrumental display of guitar prowess accompanied by drums -- his powerful prog underpinning and thrashy edge are married in comprehensive acquiescence. Complex tracks like the fiery "Opulent Maelstrom," the Ron Jarzombek-accompanied shredder "Jato Unit" and the doomful "Devil Theory" exhibit the many faces and sheer talent of his Malmsteen-inspired aural assault.