H R H - R E V I E W S

Franck Ribiere
Bloody Karma DHP Productions

Comments: Is there room in the world for another guitar virtuoso's instrumental solo release? Sure. Why not? If it's well done, then the more the merrier, right? This time it is very deep and solid album from the talented Franck Ribiere. Being the second solo release from Ribiere after inviting the brilliant Chris Poland and French wizard Cyril Achard on his first record, this time it's all about Franck and his band. There are pieces that include metal, rock and fusion and many of the melodies are wonderful. Ribiere lists his guitar influences as Steve Vai, Dream Theatre, Marty Freidman and Jason Becker. These are pretty good musicians to emulate in the world of instrumental guitar. Ribiere also played a track for the Shawn Lane tribute album.

The actual album starts off with a track that sounds like there should be vocals, (a huge compliment to any instrumentalist) as beautiful metal melody runs throughout. The guitars are smoothly layered and the bass line is tight and recognizable. The tones deep and soulful the actual playing tight and the completeness of the production is surprisingly good for an Indie record. The solo within the solo on "A New World" is emotionally done and when Franck slows it down the tones get even deeper as if the lead character is getting angrier over a love gone wrong but somehow never seems to explode with rage. His playing is similar to Poland in a way and Vai at other times though Franck Rib definitely has his own flair for the dramatic here on Bloody Karma.

The third song, Franck slows it down slow and easy for the romantic reflective "This little thing in everyone's Heart." The song also has fun rock n' roll guitar chops and leads throughout spicing up the journey in a real personification of how "new" love actually feels. The fun thing about instrumentals if they are done right is that the songs mean whatever you want them to mean. The next man could listen to track three and think it means hatred, deception and terror. Each track is like this as the songs on this album are certainly done right. The melody on the fourth cut is awesome and is supported by the killer drums of Vincent Fabre and a distinct leading bass line from Sebastian Vila. The melody in the next cut "Lost in the Jungle" has percussion of the Jungle and guitars that charging pause and then charge again.

Track seven is "Funky Satelite" a jazz fusion trip through the time and space continuum, and damn is it good. It's all about the melody with Franck Rib. If you want soulful guitar playing mixed with a lil shred tune in to track eight "Boogytoshok." The best track is "Euphoria" an arabesque metal guitar journey through beautiful notes and a less stressful time during our lives.

Ribiere surrounded himself with top shelf musicians and created this complete record, smart move Franck. This album is not flashy and is probably not going to make anyone strip naked and run around their house three times in the dead of winter. It is however a solid and clean record. And isn't that what it's all about? We have enough nudity on HBO and Showtime anyway. Pick one up at today if you dig cool and soulful guitar music.

Band Members:
Vincent Fabre- Drums, Guitar
Franck Ribiere- Guitar
Sébastien Vila- Bass
Jean-Michel Vila- Guitar

Track Listing:
1. A New World
2. ADN Discovery
3. This little thing in Everyone's Heart
4. Bloody Karma
5. Lost in the Jungle
6. A Better Life
7. Funky Satelite
8. Boogytoshok
9. Sphinx Attack
10. Euphoria
11. Deep Dream

HRH Rating: 7.8/10