I take this forum seriously and don't come here to talk about a particular guitarist or anything like that, but I will make an exception this time, and I will explain why:
If anyone here goes to the UM ProgpowerUSA forum, they will notice the most talked about band of the festival (which was last weekend) is Pagan's Mind. You may also notice Firewind and Freak Kitchen played as well. Mattias Eklundh (of Freak Kitchen) and Gus G. (of Firewind) respectively are super hot guitarists with incredible skills, yet it is Jorn Viggo Lofstad that gets most of the buzz.
I think what seperates Jorn Viggo from most is his ability to use great technique AND emotics. His technical skills are quite impressive, but he chooses to use more phrasing/note selection as opposed to speed/technical techniques. The acrobatics are there mind you, but are brought in tastefully. As opposed to stringing together his best "licks" and creating a solo, he writes a solo and uses his best licks where they are apropriate.
As I said, I am not here to try and promote a guitarist or a band, nor to try and make myself sound like some sort of guru. It is merely an observation. If you are interested in hearing them cool, but I just wanted everyone to be aware that in my ears the most important thing about writing a great guitar solo is making one that sounds good, not necessarily one that sounds "difficult" and that even holds ground when you are playing for other guitarists because I honestly don't know if I have heard a better guitarist than he and I told you why.
Bryant
If anyone here goes to the UM ProgpowerUSA forum, they will notice the most talked about band of the festival (which was last weekend) is Pagan's Mind. You may also notice Firewind and Freak Kitchen played as well. Mattias Eklundh (of Freak Kitchen) and Gus G. (of Firewind) respectively are super hot guitarists with incredible skills, yet it is Jorn Viggo Lofstad that gets most of the buzz.
I think what seperates Jorn Viggo from most is his ability to use great technique AND emotics. His technical skills are quite impressive, but he chooses to use more phrasing/note selection as opposed to speed/technical techniques. The acrobatics are there mind you, but are brought in tastefully. As opposed to stringing together his best "licks" and creating a solo, he writes a solo and uses his best licks where they are apropriate.
As I said, I am not here to try and promote a guitarist or a band, nor to try and make myself sound like some sort of guru. It is merely an observation. If you are interested in hearing them cool, but I just wanted everyone to be aware that in my ears the most important thing about writing a great guitar solo is making one that sounds good, not necessarily one that sounds "difficult" and that even holds ground when you are playing for other guitarists because I honestly don't know if I have heard a better guitarist than he and I told you why.
Bryant
