Quick Licks: Alexi Laiho DVD

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• #1 Vinay Mulukutla (Friday May 28, 2010 @ 17:50)

  It goes without saying that this Quick Licks DVD is for me a dream come true because Alexi Laiho is one of my favourite cutting edge players thanks to his mindblowing work with both Sinergy (A Finnish/American power metal supergroup) and of course his own band, none other than the hugely successful melodic power death metal titans Children Of Bodom. This Finnish powerhouse has forged one of the most blistering yet intricate fusions in contemporary metal consisting of melodic death metal, power metal and neoclassical shred. This has set them apart from most extreme metal bands in today's era and have made them highly innovative as well by their jawdropping implementation of virtuosity, melody and phrasing, while maintaining an extreme metal attitude throughout. It is thus no wonder that Alexi Laiho has inspired many to take to their guitars just like the metal guitar greats Eddie Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen, Randy Rhoads, Zakk Wylde, Dave Mustaine, Dimebag Darrell and Kirk Hammett did a few generations back (Possibly Laiho Included). In this DVD you will be taught twenty one licks in the style of Laiho by critically acclaimed guitar virtuoso Andy James and as with all of this series, there is a killer backing track included for you to shred the licks to when you have them down. What really amazed me was how accurate the licks sound to Laiho's style so much so that those who are familiar with it would probably even feel that it is Laiho himself playing. Even to hear those licks by themselves was by all accounts exciting. The techniques covered are mainly alternate picking and a fair amount of legato phrases involving two handed techniques. To my surprise however there is not so much sweep picking phrases as Laiho is known to sweep quite considerably during his onstage shredfests. However this DVD doesn't let up when it comes to the style of Laiho as previously mentioned. When Andy James shreds along to the ultra heavy power metal backing track in the performance section, Laiho's influences become more clearer, revealing a strong classic heavy metal influence (somewhat reminiscent of Iron Maiden) fused together with the rapid fire of neoclassical shred. Finally a few words on the skill level of this DVD..As Alexi Laiho is a virtuoso with diverse influence, you can be sure that his style is anything but basic so both intermediate and advanced players will no doubt find plenty on this DVD to keep them both busy and entertained. It is not easy stuff but as I mentioned in reviews for other DVDs, if you are inspired by Laiho, are a fan of his bands or metal in general, then this DVD is an essential purchase, regardless of your level. I would like to Thank Licklibrary and Andy James Sincerely for putting together and releasing this exemplary DVD in the style of one of the most exciting metal players that has inspired me to no end and will continue to do so.

  Note- This DVD requires that all guitars need to be tuned down to D as the key centre is D minor.

• #2 Oktay Kizillik (Thursday March 03, 2011 @ 06:47)

  Yeaaaa!

• #3 Guest (Saturday March 05, 2011 @ 09:11)

  I've spent over 20 years playing guitar, and Andy James is by far one of the best teachers in the world. He breaks things down logically and with perfect clarity. On this DVD, he does an absolutely fantastic job emulating the Laiho culmination of licks. (like the above poster mentioned, you can really get a feel for Alexi's influences).

  Andy and his crew are doing such good in the world... making thousands of guitarist get better every day. Soon we might actually have some good music back on the radio!