Borislav Mitic is one of the latest axe-slingers to join the Shrapnel Records stable. His self-titled Shrapnel debut was actually released in 1998, but it is obvious from the amount of e-mail we've been receiving from people looking for this review that Mitic has already built a solid fan-base. Deservedly so, because, in my opinion, he is one of the cleanest players I've heard since The Maestro himself, Yngwie Malmsteen. He is also one of the best instrumental songwriters I've ever heard.

In the liner notes, Mitic thanks Jimi Hendrix for inspiration. This is curious to me, because much of the playing on this disc is more reminiscent of such neo-classical guitar gods as the aforementioned Malmsteen, Axel Rudi Pell, and Tony McAlpine (from the Evolution days). The rest seems very Satriani and/or Vai influenced. There are a few places where the Hendrix influence shows itself, but make no mistake, these tunes will appeal to both neo-classical and rock fans in a big way.

Let's take a track-by-track look at this hot little instrumental number...
1. Sky Rider - This track firmly establishes the neo-classical side of the CD. Much of the song is just Mitic running scales, but there are a couple of nice breaks featuring some good, clean soloing. Jacques Roy, the bassist, really lays a solid foundation for this track, as any good bassist should.
2. Chasing a Dream - This is a fun romp through some Paganini-esque runs, but Mitic brings out the wah-pedal for the breaks, creating something that sounds like, strangely enough, a neo-classical Joe Satriani. At times, it also reminds me of Eric Johnson's "Cliffs of Dover." Very cool!
3./4. Mystic (Part I & II) - Despite Mitic being from Serbia, this has a definite Middle-Eastern feel to it. Not entirely surprising, as Mitic mentions in the liner notes the "various religions and cultures whose influences left a mark on the music I make." Part I is light and airy, while Part II kicks in the bass and Marc Bonneau's drums, and turns the guitar way up. The thing you start to notice about Mitic's playing here is that he is very patient. He could burn through all the notes at light-speed, but he doesn't. He saves his speed and fire for just the right places in the songs. This makes for some very interesting, introspective songs. And when Mitic does send his fingers into overdrive for one of the solos, you swear it must be Yngwie playing it (actually, one of the solos is a page right out of Malmsteen's book, but at least Mitic does it justice, unlike many who imitate The Maestro!) The last solo of this two track masterpiece demonstrates some of the Hendrix influence. By now, you should be firmly hooked by this disc.
5. Waltz of Time - As the name might suggest, another patient, but not slow, song. It starts out very simply, with more runs that sound like Mitic playing scales. There's a certain riff tossed in that reminds me of a Malmsteen song, but I can't place which one. It's simple but catchy. More phenomenal, shredding solos in here, too.
6./7. Celtic Legends (Part I & II) - Part I is a short, airy intro. Part II starts out with a definite Celtic-sounding riff. This is very, very cool, and is one of the reasons that this disc rules - you hear so many different sounds and musical influences. Just when you think the track is over, Mitic starts kicking out a fast Irish jig! It's what Nicolo Paganini might have written if he was an Irishman! And by the way, there's a really sick, fast, and clean solo at the end of this track (starts at about the 4:43 mark). Wow!
8. Ballade Pour Elle - A beautiful, heart-wrenching ballad. Not only can the guy play clean and fast, but he can play with emotion. In the hands of a skilled player, a guitar can elicit a ton of emotion, and this piece gives me chills.
9. Bird Dance - This is a nimble little number that (don't laugh) made me picture someone chasing a chicken around! You know, kind of a helter-skelter, not knowing which way it's going to go, almost got my hands on it and then it's off and running again sort of tune. Fun stuff!
10./11. Light of 7 (Part I & II) - (Shredfest's Hot Pick) Part I is a light, acoustic intro that for me evoked thoughts of nature and man's connection to it. It leads into Part II, the most rock-style track on the disc. If I didn't have the track listing in front of me, I would never have thought that these two tracks were actually two parts of the same song! Part II sounds very Satriani-like, considering the heavy use of the wah and even the style of the excellent solos. Personally, I love Satch, so I dig this track big-time.
12. Southern Wind - I'm not sure if I'm right, but the opening of this song reminds me of traditional Greek folk music. Then Mitic starts dancing all over the frets, weaving a seductive web of licks on the listener. Some emotive solos flow like liquid over the top of it all, building in speed and intensity until you are in sonic bliss. Whew, I need a cigarette...
13. Fairytale's End - Another Satriani (or maybe Steve Vai, at least his good stuff) kind of feel-good song, this one is warm and gentle on the outside, but there is a terrific, fast solo that pushes itself out of the dreaminess that washes over you.

This disc is an absolute marvel. I haven't heard instrumental songwriting this fresh and interesting since Eric Johnson's Ah Via Musicom, which came out in 1990. And the many cultural influences keep the disc fresh and varied. Thank you, Shrapnel Records, for making this young man's red-hot musicianship available to us all. With any luck, guitar fans everywhere will be able to enjoy many more shred-laced releases from Borislav Mitic.

-Shredfest

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