True Obsessions

True Obsessions is a fulfilling, largely instrumental work that foregrounds Marty Friedman’s own singing lead and his distinctive Eastern, Middle Eastern scale sense. On some songs, it also challenges broader expression, such as welcoming guest vocals. Here the guitar creates an extremely strong character not only through the precision of fast picking but through the exquisite space of note placement and the distinctive quirks of melody. A record representing his solo work during his Megadeth years. From the power of the speeding opener “Rio” and the drama of “Espionage” to a cut like “Last September,” every song is engaging, while cuts like “The Yearning” and “Glowing Path” convey the work’s fullness. Marty Friedman’s exotic, songcraft-filled guitar is powerfully in sharp form throughout. A record on which, even within heavy, powerful guitar songs, its distinctive, exotic sentiment and catchy pop sense mix richly. In a place separate from the big band Megadeth, it clearly and powerfully shows his own sure outline as a composer. An engaging record that further deepened the character of Marty Friedman’s solo work — a record where the guitarist’s character shines.