Dimi Kaye - The Neon Shredder

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Dimi Kaye’s The Neon Shredder combines intense guitar performances, enjoyable melodies and interlocking synth layers in an ear-grabbing sonic journey. Dimi Kaye is a masterful guitar player but his skills don’t stop there. His melodic writing and ability to paint with synths also shine through in this album. It is an auditory trip worth taking.

The Neon Shredder is a showcase of Dimi Kaye’s guitar fireworks. He can shred with the best of them, all flair and fire, but I also appreciate his ability to throttle back the intensity. There are tracks on the album in which he slows down and allows a gentler, smoother side of his ability to shine through and create lush soundscapes that carry me away.

Melodies that are expressive and engaging abound on The Neon Shredder. Dimi Kaye crafts melodic moments that are clear and ear-pleasing. I am drawn in by the way in which he can convey emotion through melody on the album. Along with dynamism and power, he can also create tenderness and tranquility in his melodic writing.

Layered, intertwining synth sounds move through the music on this album. I enjoy how the synth textures and timbres work together to generate strong imagery that complements and contrasts Dimi’s guitar work. I also have to acknowledge his drum and bass writing on the album because it adds a great deal to the way in which it flows.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Shredwave Avenger” comes to life as muscled bass flows with intent below crushingly powerful drums to create surging energy. Dimi Kaye’s guitar rises with dark majesty as broadly slicing synth leaps in, generating a dramatic sensation. Dimi Kaye’s guitar unwinds masterfully, flying out in a rising line of triumphant strength.

Trumpeting synth carries the hard-edged melody and gleaming notes rise with nobility. The guitar joins in to add more strength to the track while the glimmering, shadowed melody calls out. The guitar jumps in, feeling vaguely threatening as the track moves into a minor key segment in which grit and victory combine.

Wide-sounding, brassy synth imbues the track with a sense of soaring upward. The guitar flies again, full of exhilaration, crying out above the throbbing low end. Flaring synth accents the twirling guitar before the track descends into silence.

Thunderously pulsing guitar drives hard above rich bass and pounding drums to add raging propulsion as “Neon Fury” starts. Sharp-edged, shadowed synth climbs in a mysterious melody as the low end and guitar surge.

There’s taut strength in Dimi Kaye’s guitar as urgent synth doubles it to add an enigmatic quality. The guitar snarls onwards and glowing synth carries a haunting melody that effectively creates a feeling of pained motion. Gigantic drums batter while the tense synth melody flows.

Now popping, metallic percussion moves in empty space before ominously gliding notes drift in and the ferocious guitar slashes. Drums tap while wheeling guitar projects a dangerous feeling before intensely flashing synth cries out into quiet.

“Riffs Of Justice” opens as slicing guitar unwinds in a melody that is shadowed and verges on aching emotion, climbing high and dropping deeply down. Now kick drum throbs and the guitar launches into a propulsive and soaring melody full of success.

Dimi Kaye’s playing is intricate and skilled, fingers flickering over the strings to draw out the melody. A more pained quality enters the melody as the low end drives on, the guitar singing with emotion, before returning to the more encouraging melody.

Gleaming synth sings with triumph and the guitar dances in to add power while the low end pushes onward. Another solo spins out in wildly whirling motion and the melody takes on a flying feeling, calling out with righteous power as the pounding drums keep throbbing to an end.

Hollow percussion and muscled bass move as cutting, gruff guitar growls and delicate synth twirls distantly to start “The Neon Shredder.” The guitar and hard-hitting drums create active motion while synth flashes out a hopeful melody, tinged with melancholy as it cries out.

Taut synth climbs in energetic arcs above the slamming low end’s strength. Dimi Kaye’s guitar scuds past in the distance before leaping out in a solo that shines and accelerates skywards in intensely interwoven lines.

The track glides into a segment in which gentle guitar twangs and soft percussion touches while hard-edged bass forms an insistent pulse. Dimi Kaye’s guitar weaves a mad string tapestry with finger bending skill as the low end keeps pressing forward.

“A Warm Breeze In Summer” commences as ticking hi hat and smoothly entangling synth flow together in a calming exhalation. Twangy electric bass creates a hypnotic groove with the easily moving drums as the guitar carries a tranquil melody that exudes all the feelings of a lazy August afternoon.

The drums and bass guide the track while guitar sails along with peaceful relaxation as twinkling notes brush the music. Dimi Kaye plays with ease, carrying me away into a world of golden sunlight, azure water and swaying palms. The beat and twangy bass subdivide as rounded notes intertwine.

Now grittier guitar takes up the supremely easy-going melody, adding a little edge, while the track moves forward. Another signature Dimi Kaye solo contributes uplifting energy as it intricately flickers. The track returns to the settling lead guitar melody, breathing out above the shaping low end. The music ends as the guitar slips above flowing synth chords.

Brilliant synth chords burst as a steadily throbbing, gruff bass oscillation moves underneath to commence “Sunset Drive.” Gigantic drums throb as the bass oscillates and chords illuminate the track with warm light. The flashing synth is joined by delicate chimes, like sunlight on water, as a softer-edged synth sings a melodic pattern that takes away my tension.

Drums and bass pulse on as Dimi Kaye’s guitar adds tenderness while positive emotion pours from broadly glowing synth and chimes shimmer. There’s a melancholy gentleness in Dimi Kaye’s guitar playing, carrying a touching and dreamy melody as bursting chords add motion and chimes glitter above the throbbing low end.

“Funkstalgia” opens as groovy electric bass knots under radiant chimes and a snare drum joins in the funky motion. The chimes flash out as Dimi Kaye’s guitar cruises in a jazzy melodic pattern that easily glides through the music.

The guitar slides along with a relaxed flow while the bass guitar interlocks with the guiding drums. This track is right in the pocket as the illuminating chimes flare and Dimi Kaye draws out an achingly cool solo.

A guitar sound with a little more of an edge tumbles in cascading motion while steady drums and bass shape the track. The main guitar melody slips in again, full of effortless expression and a chilled out vibe as the chimes jump in before the track fades.

Drifting, ethereal synth forms a hypnotic pulsing pattern above colossal bass to begin “End Of the Neon Age.” Solidly hitting snare and kick drums add motion as widely trembling, elevated synth carries an energizing melody as full-sounding notes add more form. The glowing, slightly gruff lead synth melody has a pleasingly wistful tinge to its hopeful sound.

Hard-edged bass oscillates as drums leap out in bursting motion and the diffused lead synth takes on a pained edge. Brassier notes accent the main melody and the drum and bass pulsation drives on. There’s a softness in the lead synth melody, despite its motion and the track ends in quiet.

Conclusion

The Neon Shredder travels through a plethora of sonic landscapes as it unfolds. Dimi Kaye’s guitar playing is central to this journey, but he uses the full complement of musical abilities at his disposal here. The end result is deeply enjoyable and listenable.