Today’s completely free Track Of The Day is for lovers of guitar heroes and melodic hard rock. Click here for previous Tracks Of The Day.

Words: Dave Ling

Alongside the likes of Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani, Vinnie Moore, Jason Becker, Marty Friedman and Tony MacAlpine, Chris Impellitteri was part of a wave of fleet-fingered yet chorus-conscious musicians to have emerged two decades ago.

Among the finest shred guitar players around, Impellitteri also has a fine ear for a song. His well-received second album, 1988’s Stand In Line, served as confirmation of this fact, pulling together such well-respected collaborators as vocalist Graham Bonnet (Rainbow/MSG/Alcatrazz), bassist Chuck Wright (Quiet Riot/Giuffria) and drummer Pat Torpey (Mr Big/Ted Nugent).

Over the course of 20 years and nine albums, Impellitteri has sold a million records – a heck of an achievement considering the jealous distain with which some regard such a stellar player (according to Guitar One Magazine, Chris is the second fastest shredder on the planet right now).

Last Of A Dying Breed is one of many standout tracks on Wicked Maiden, Impellitteri’s latest album. Its classy, defiant strains see the guitar virtuoso uniting forces once again with vocalist Rob Rock for the first time in six years. Dubbed by those in the know as ‘The Voice Of Melodic Metal’, Rob (not to be confused with Metallica/Crue producer Bob) has lent his slick, warm and athletic tonsils to releases from Driver, Joshua, Axel Rudi Pell, Avantasia and many more, also his own solo catalogue. Last Of A Dying Breed sees Rock’s contribution gelling marvellously with the song’s anthemic chorus, its galloping rhythmic structure and a staccato barrage of riffs from the estimable Impellitteri.

“People think of me as a solo artist, but I have always sold Impellitteri like Van Halen, Pantera or Children of Bodom – as a band,” points out Chris, reminding us of the roles played by the aforementioned Rock, long-time bassist James Pulli and aptly-named drummer Brandon Wild. “It’s not just the Chris Impellitteri egotistical show; it is truly a group effort.”

Given the names of those that have passed through the doors of Impellitteri (the band), a roll-call that includes Claude Schnell (Dio), Michael Shotton (Von Groove), Ken Mary (House Of Lords), Stet Howland (WASP) and Dave ‘The Beast’ Spitz (Black Sabbath), we believe him.

The Wicked Maiden album is released via Metal Heaven Records on April 27. For more info go to the band’s official Myspace.

Click here for your free download of Impellitteri’s Last Of A Dying Breed.

Click here for previous Tracks Of The Day.