1. Cacophony is a United States neoclassical speed metal/shred band formed in 1986 by guitarists Marty Friedman and Jason Becker. The band also featured Atma Anur on drums and Peter Marrino on vocals, although the main focus of their music was the guitars. Cacophony is often recognized for its technically challenging, neo-classical metal elements. Their first album, the predominantly instrumental Speed Metal Symphony, fused classical and hard rock styles with Friedman’s preference towards exotic scales (especially obvious in the song “The Ninja”). It featured exceptionally fast, melodic and technical music that could only be equaled by other virtuosos such as Yngwie Malmsteen. It has been heralded as one of the most awe-inspiring instrumental guitar albums of all time. The title track, “Speed Metal Symphony”, was an incredible combination of amazing lead solos and fast rhythm guitar. Their second album Go Off! was a commercial failure. Besides Becker, Friedman and Marrino, it featured a new bassist and a new drummer. The drums were played by Deen Castronovo, however the picture of new drummer Kenny Stavropoulos was included on the back cover. Go Off! featured a more song oriented approach, valuing songwriting as much as display of skill. The guitar playing is more technical and the harmonization of the lead lines and solos resulted in interesting double harmonies that wildly differed from the common “Iron Maiden harmony style”. Though the second album was a commercial failure, it spawned cult followings around the band. Cacophony broke up with Jason Becker joining David Lee Roth and Marty Friedman joining Megadeth in 1989. Friedman and Becker have since left Megadeth and David Lee Roth’s band respectively (in Becker’s case due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Both released several solo albums that include a wide variety of music. Jason Becker’s album Perpetual Burn is considered one of the greatest neo-classical shred albums of all time by many people. Last Line-Up| * Dan Bryant - Vocals| * Marty Friedman - Guitar| * Jason Becker - Guitar| * Jimmy O’Shea - Bass| * Kenny Stavropoulos - Drums Old Members| *Peter Marrino| *Atma Anur| *Deen Castronovo Discography * Speed Metal Symphony (1987)| * Go Off! (1988) 2. Second Cacophony is behind the tracks “Transmissions R02T04 Over”. It is the side project of solo artist Vaclav, who has maintained a more or less consistent presence in Southern California’s industrial and electronic scenes for the past decade, first appearing with the industrial black metal outfit Lathander in 1997. Since Lathander’s break up in 1999, Vaclav has performed as a solo artist, performing IDM shows with his laptop and promoting Los Angeles/west coast-area IDM events with such performers as Venetian Snares and Hrvatski as well as running Nentech, his own independent record label. His remix of Cyrusrex appeared alongside electronic greats such as Venetian Snares and cEvin Key of Skinny Puppy for the Negative3 label. Recently Cacophony toured the US alongside Los Angeles noise act W.A.S.T.E. and played the Kinetic Chicago Noise festival for the Sistinas label. Cacophony has remixed industrial acts Phantom West and C/A/T/. As well as remixed Carl Douglas: Kung Fu Fighting for the Mechanismz label. |
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