There are guitar players and then there is Gary Hoey. Unless you travel in circles with guys named Hendrix, Vai, Satriani, Yngwie and Van Halen, then you may not know much about Gary. Unless you have the skills of these aforementioned guitar heroes then you are not in the same league as Gary. Perhaps he is the best guitarist not to have found international stardom. Not that he is unknown. Just ask any guitar player who Gary Hoey is and the first thing they will do is shake their head in disbelieve. Yeah, Gary is that good.

Hoey has returned with a new solo album that mixes instrumentals with hard, melodic rock songs. Each tune contains incredible six-string calisthenics, whether Gary sings or not. His singing, on a side note, has greatly improved. This album sees Hoey singing so naturally and fluid that soon reviewers will quit even mentioning his vocals, as they will begin to take them for granted.

Missing is a famous remake like Gary has so often done in the past but that is a good thing as he no longer needs gimmicks to prove himself. “Walk Away” is a powerful statement that would be on the radio if released by a band with members who were half his age. “Reminds Me of You” and “If I Knew Then” are both melodic rock masterpieces. For the guitar purists out there, rest assured there is plenty of stuff for you as well. Gary shuts up and plays his guitar on “Utopia,” “Bonzai Island” and “Big Cactus” satisfying even then biggest guitar solo nerd around.