ANDY BASIOLA – Behind the Illusion (EP Review)

Sometimes it’s the little guys that provide the most enjoyment. I couldn’t help but think such thoughts while taking a listen to this five-song EP. I speak of Andy Basiola – Behind the Illusion (EP) that’s due for issue on January 19, 2018. As one must be to rise above the literal wave of submissions for review, Basiola displayed initiative and persistence, contacting via email in more than one instance.

ANDY BASIOLA – Behind the Illusion (EP Review)

The five-song collection that the guitar player has prepared leads out with “The End of the Road”. Loaded with tasty infectious guitar intertwined with the rocking melodic vocals of Gaz Twist. The lyric video appears below for you to check out.

From there we get into “Let’s Rock n Roll”. Opening out with a great bluesy, twangy, light, jovial, little guitar riff, it soon changes tune. The track features snarly, yet harmonious vocals (supplied by Gadd McFly) and has a foot-tapping groove. After hearing these first two cuts I can only describe Andy‘s music as, in a word, fun.

Not overly keen on the slower pace beginnings of “Selfish Love”. But, that’s me, high energy face melters all the time! The chorus rocks though, and the keyboards (Isaac de Los Reyes) add a nice flavor to the verse sections. The bio reports the same Gadd McFly on vocals which I wouldn’t have guessed. Sounds like a totally different person, gender even.

“Our First Revolution” rips along at a good clip featuring feat, guitar solos from Martin Goulding and Jan Citak. Finally, we are given the tender “Go” with Helen Hurd handling vocal duties.

ANDY BASIOLA – Behind the Artist

Andy Basiola is an Italian guitarist currently based in London, UK. Growing up listening to artists such as Randy Rhoads, Jimi Hendrix, Gary Moore, Eric Johnson and Joe Satriani, Basiola picked up the six string by 12 years old. Re-locating to London in 2009 thanks to a scholarship to study at BIMM, one of Europe’s leading music colleges. He graduated in 2010. It seems Mr. Basiola has been making a name for himself in the music business. Not only playing live and also touring Europe with a number of bands but Basiola is also writing and recording with rock bands Kill for Eden and Future Shock. 2012 saw Basiola voted Best Individual Performer, by Playmusic Magazine.

Alongside these projects, Basiola also plays in Toxik Twins (Aerosmith tribute) all over Europe. But wait, there’s more…Basiola also has involvement in the Vivaldi Metal Project. The project includes musicians such as Rick Wakeman (YES), Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Iron Mask), Mike LePond (Symphony X, Silent Assasins) and Atma Anur to name a few. As if that’s not enough to keep him busy, he is also an experienced guitar teacher, teaching regularly in some of London’s best music schools and his own studio.