Drama

Drama is a 2024 instrumental work on which Marty Friedman again powerfully shows using the guitar not as a mere tool of technique but as a voice that tells a story. Phrases as striking as vocal melody, distinctive inflection connected to deep, enka-like sorrow and harmony that vividly defies expectation give each song a sure, vivid outline. A record on which, even as a veteran, its creative drive has not dimmed in the least. From the opener “Illumination” and the drama of “Song for an Eternal Child” to a cut like “Triumph,” every song is engaging, while cuts like “Thrill City” and “Deep End” convey the work’s fullness. Marty Friedman’s songcraft-filled, outstanding guitar is powerfully in sharp form throughout. A record on which fast, technical passages certainly exist, yet its true highlight is by no means finger speed but the rich carrying of emotion. From quiet passages to developments where the view suddenly opens wide, the songs, true to the title, create a sure, cinematic drama. An engaging record that even those not very familiar with guitar instrumentals can enter from the sure strength of its melody — a record where the guitarist’s maturity shines.