Band:	Brian Maillard
Album:	Melody In Captivity
Style:	Progressive metal
Release date:	2009
A review by:	Jeff

01. Relax In Your Mind
02. Liberation
03. A Perfect Lie
04. Water Song
05. Melody In Captivity
06. Implore
07. The Renaissance
08. Wickedness
09. Orev

Do you like Steve Vai and Joe Satriani? Do you like Progressive Metal too? Then let me introduce you a really cool and talented guy from Switzerland. His name is Brian Maillard and some of you probably already know him for his work with Dominici (Dream Theater first singer). Today we will talk about his new solo project, a really good instrumental album which will give you shivers, if you like the guitars of course? Really there is one single word to describe this release and this is the word: class.

Sure we don't have any vocals on the album so of course don't expect any sing-along choruses on "Melody In Captivity" but I don't know why but the songs will stay in your head and you'll sing the melodies all the day (well I have an answer actually this is just good?). "Melody In Captivity" is not like a lot of instrumental albums, this is not boring with time and the music of Brian is really intelligent and captivating. Of course the really strong point of the album is the big Progressive influence on each track. Just to understand how it is, just imagine a musical mix of Satriani and Petrucci influences played by a really good talented young dude. If you're into "guitar hero" business I'm sure that you already understand what I mean but if you don't like such albums in general I can tell you that you'll be surprised by its originality. This is pure Progressive Metal, some songs like "are heavy "Relax Your Mind" has heavy as hell when some other ones like "Wickdeness" are lot more technical. The only little problem for me probably comes from the calm songs which can be a bit boring maybe but it's ok to have a break too so all in all I'm just trying to whine a bit?

The performance of Brian is simply amazing. The guitars soli are exceptional with a great groove, he doesn't have to be ashamed of any comparison with the ones who have influenced him. Plus the two other members (including Brian brother Yann Maillard), are perfect. With a nice recording , it's simply hard to find any real problem in this release. As I said, this is classy, catchy and not boring so what are you waiting for?

When I listen to this kind of album, I simply regret that I never tried to learn the guitar and it's a shame that Brian doesn't live in my hometown because I know that I would gladly ask him to teach me how to play Metal with this amazing instrument? If you like technical but catchy music and like instrumental albums, "Melody In Captivity" is a must! Brian Maillard? keep this name in your head guys, you're just in front of a new declared guitar hero!