Beekstraat 1 - B-2640 Mortsel - Belgium

WIM ROELANTS: Burn

Release

Style

It took a year to the release Wim Roelants solo album but it was worth waiting for.

This Belgian guitar player can be compared with talented players like Joe Satriani & Steve Vaï. Due to the fact that Roelants has got his own sound that certainly can be recognised. For many reasons this release was delayed, but it gave Wim the opportunity to succeed in the making of a great album. If you had the change to see Wim live at a concert or showcase you know that you’ve been astonished by his manner of playing. It’s not only fast picking and speeding solo work that you hear on this album but also wonderful melodies that touches you deep inside from beginning to the end. Surrounded by talented players like Bruno Meeus and Roman Korolik you can expect a rhythm section that really cuts your heart out. For example in songs like “Excalibur” & “Midsummer Madness”. The opening track “Ecalibur” is balladic and emotional and for those who expect speedy solo work a true surprise. This speedy soloing you can hear in the title track “Burn” where Roelants really shows us what a talented player he is and the techniques which he uses… from rhythm guitar, soloing to finger tapping too. Also “Shades” is a more calming song with layered guitars with a beautiful melody to dream away. In this one I noticed some elements from “Slow Blues” – The video clip that can be downloaded from his website. “The Quickening II” is the following part of “The Quickening” (that also can be heard and seen on his web space) and in the same style as part one. For real guitar freaks this one really blows your mind away, not only because his guitar technique but also because  the brilliant rhythm section of Korolik and Meeus. “The Quickening II “ easy flows into “Whispers” that takes you to a dreamy atmosphere to lay back your head and enjoy. There’s a variety between melody and more up tempo song through this whole album so you never get bored by listening to it. “Midsummer Madness” is filled with solo’s and finger tapping that surrounds you like a whirlwind. For the next song there’s a little story about Wim’s dead cat, his two dogs and two murdered chickens who lost their lives, so he dedicate “Bronze”, a melancholic instrumental ballad, to those loving animals who lost their lives. “Kickstart II” reminds of a ride on a long windy road with lots of speed… an adventure on it’s own. In one way or another I could compare this song with “The Extremist” or “Motorcycle Driver” from Joe Satriani. That’s not the only name I’d like to mention. Also Steve Vaï can be mentioned when it comes to comparing songs. “In Your Eyes” for example gives me the same shivering that Vaï’s “For The Love Of God” gave me; not only once but several times. After 50 minutes it’s “Karnak Karma” that closes this album. Hereby Roelants must be influenced by Steve Morse but with a more Satriani sound. Not only, Wim knows how to play his six string but he also knows how to produce a great warm guitar sound whereby it’s possibly the combination of his Laney tube amp, Line 6 amp & Lag guitar with the right pick-ups. Lag Guitars gave Wim the opportunity to design his own signature guitar, just like many guitar greatest have by other brands. So…why should we listen to foreign guitar players While we got our own talents in our own country?
 

Wim Roelants has been playing since he was eight, he played with In-Quest and Askari and he worked with Tommy Newton (The scorpions), Eric Mellaerts and Michael Schack. 

This is his first solo CD and it surpasses all expectations.  It’s a perfect mix of blues, rock, funk and jazz, very modern and very Wim Roelants (if you want to compare him with someone, compare him with Steve Vai). It’s hard to pick a favourite; the whole album is a masterpiece! The rather calm opening song “Excalibur” is excellent to get in the mood, followed by “Burn” which fills your body and soul. “Shades” with a beautiful intro and a groovy sound, “The Quickening”, a magnificent number with incredibly fast playing. Next is “Whispers”, a very dreamy song that makes you forget your sorrows…

Then comes “Midsummer Madness”, a powerful and intense song, very touching! “Bronze” is fragile, melodic and very pretty! “Kickstart II” follows; man, that guitar is of incredible high standards! Finally, we get to “Karnak Karma“, a worthy ending of this album. This is a CD filled with the best Belgium (or even Europe) has to offer, the most satisfying, touching, filling and just plain awesome music.

Musicians

In Quest: Extrusion Battlehymns
In Quest: Operation Citadel
Askari: Askari
Askari: Another (Single)
Askari: Promo Copy (previously unrelased)
Bruno Meeus: Dia Meters
Mr G and the Blue Power: The Blues Experiment
Mr G and the Blue Power: Live
Burn (2006)

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Last updated: 01 november 2006 .
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