The Firebard, by Randy Ellefson (Jacket Sleeve CD)

Metal-Rules.com

by Celtic Bob of Metal-Rules.com, September 2004
Rating: 4.0/5

Hailing from Maryland, USA classically trained guitarist Randy Ellefson delivers a strong instrumental debut album. Randy received his Bachelors of Music degree in classical guitar which in turn partially led to him suffering from a severe case of tendonitis. He did his 4 years of playing requirements in only 2 years. He was unable to play guitar for over a year and even then he could barely play once a week. Four years passed before he could play Rock music again and even now is restricted to 3 hours a day every second day. It was because of this that it took over 2 years to get this record recorded.

Clocking in just under an hour this all instrumental album ranks up there with the greats like Satriani and Vai. The crunchy yet melodic guitar sound is very reminiscent of the great guitar albums of the late 80’s and early 90’s (Think SURFING WITH THE ALIEN). Randy has brought back guitar solo’s which seem to be missing in allot of today’s newer releases. Add in great riffs and a solid rhythm section and you got THE FIREBARD. There is nothing really slow on this disc just allot of great guitars overlapped with some amazing solos that can put Malmsteen to shame. You can easily see the classical influence and training in places. There was no holds barred when recording this, Randy just gave it everything he got. You can tell he was playing with everything he had. Even without knowing the hardship he went through you will still appreciate this recording and easily rank it up there with the greats of the past.

Hard Rock has a new name in guitar players and it is Randy Ellefson. Hopefully this is just the beginning.

What People Are Saying

“Buoyant, melodic, and fresh with vitality, Randy Ellefson’s playing is an inspiration all over this intimate, personable yet rocking instrumental album. Playing since age 13, Ellefson is classically trained and well equipped to soar with this debut album.”
Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles, KnuckleTracks #84 CD Notes

“Randy Ellefson is a remarkable guitar virtuoso.”
Aaron Small – Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles

“Randy Ellefson is a dazzling and nimble-fingered axe wielder.” Dan McAvinchey – Guitar Nine Records

“Randy can f-ing play. His playing is very fluid and melodic…His writing is very melodic. His solos are very precise.” Jeb Wright – classicrockrevisited.com

“…it is obvious that Ellefson is an amazing rock and metal guitar player…” Greg Yost – Music Monthly Magazine

“The CD is awesome Randy. A job well done. Looking forward to it playing on my show.” Simon – Austrailian Radio – www.musicallyincorrect.com

“There is a lot more riffing going on here than one would expect. So, instead of endless directionless solos, these ten tracks actually have the structures and cohesion of actual songs. This is what’s always missing from these [instrumental guitar] discs…Randy’s playing ability is unquestionably top notch.” Jeff Richardson – Urotsukidoji’s Underground

Regarding Legends: “Some very nice playing. Your attention to detail, both in terms of technique and production, is outstanding. The rhythm guitars are extremely tight and aggressive, with some very tasty little fills here and there reminiscent of Jake E. Lee (I’m thinking of those cool alternate-picked 16th-note arpeggios where each note is played twice). A superb example of well-synchronized double-tracked rock guitar. Soloing is good, also extremely well synchronized double-tracking. The tone and delivery are reminiscent of Adrian Smith. It’s refreshing that, unlike other hard-rock guitar instrumentalists, you don’t try to play as fast as you can all the time. The ascending chromatic riff is very cool, reminding me of something Randy Rhoads would have done. Awesome guitar tones – it’s clear, detailed, but not too buzzy. “ Jonathan D.

Regarding Legends: “Love it! Really strong, uplifting chords, and melodic-but-still-ass-kicking leads. (Cool bass lines, too!) Love those galloping rhythm parts. And I love a fuzzy sustain–like that long descending phrase at 2:31 (followed by that awesome climb-up!). “ Dave Kiefer

“Man, the album is awesome. I have much respect for you and hope that a label picks you up because you deserve it.” Chris Gray

“Thanks so much for the superb album! WOW! That’s all I can say after a first audition. Superbly played and brilliantly composed. I’ll be honored to play it in my show, and I’m sure my listeners will be so enchanted and delighted as I was.” Ovidiu Dumitrescu – Romanian Radio Show “For Love of Guitar”

“I had a listen to The Firebard online – great work! Very impressive, particularly given the additional hardships you’ve had to face to record the project.” Adam Friedman – www.cinematicmusic.com

“Randy really brings the guitar to life as his focus on shreds and riffs is the standout among all else. [The Firebard is] a compact disc to take in one track at a time.” Mike Lazaris – Hard Beyond Driven

The Firebard is “one great instrumental release from a person who deserves to be recognized.” Orpheus – www.Metal-Temple.com

“Thank you for sending us your music. We are very impressed.” Rich Rock – www.metalshoprocks.com

All songs written and arranged by Randy Ellefson, Copyright 2014 Randy Ellefson (ASCAP).

Note: this album was originally released in 2004 but has since been re-performed, re-recorded, and re-released.

Performers

Randy Ellefson – All guitars, bass, drums, and guitar synth

Production

Released June 29, 2014 by Guitarosity Records (indie)

Produced by Randy Ellefson

Engineered by Randy Ellefson at The Firebard Studio, Maryland

Mixed by Drew Mazurek and Randy Ellefson at High View Studios, Maryland

Mastered by Drew Mazurek at High View Studios, Maryland

Artwork and logo by Mattias Noren