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Hess, makes a deadly Neo-Classical drenched launch onto the instrumental guitar scene with their smoking debut, "Opus 1"...Ripping solos and beat bashing grooves are what this cd is about... Hess proves themselves as a band to keep on eye on, with this excellent debut release.
Guitar 2001 magazine
(United States, June, 2001)
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...filled with progressive elements and piles of emotions...mood changes are perfectly executed and add a lot of drama to the music...Hess debuts here with a killer instrumental release.
Spin City
(Germany, July, 2001)
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..."Opus 1" does not feature one, but two guitar virtuosi and it's the contrast between the guitar styles of the two of them that makes this album so interesting. "Opus 1" can be described as an intelligent, passionate instrumental album, that will appeal to both fans of neo-classical rock/metal as well as fans of progressive rock. A nice surprise!
Rock report (Chris Lambert, editor)
(Germany, April, 2001)
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Integrity, intelligent, inspiring, passionate, progressive, technical and balanced are words to best describe HESS Opus 1. This is perhaps one of the best debut instrumental CDs since Turn of the Millennium by George Bellas!
~International Virtuoso Guitar Review
(Germany/Poland December 2000)
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...this 12-track gem of over an hour's worth of neoclassical, progressive release with some avid romanticism. Well received by George Bellas himself... [Opus 1] a great independent release.
Ballbuster hardmusic magazine
(United States, December, 2000)
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OPUS 1 is a very exciting and diversified instrumental album like we have not heard for a long time. A label should sign Hess quickly !
Rock time magazine
(France, June, 2001)
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Hess's "Opus 1" is simply smashing. Nothing but pure talent, articulation, skill, and soul...He is defiantly a shredder to watch out for! ...Tom executes arpeggios with the greatest of ease. Honestly he could do them in his sleep...Move over Yngwie, Hess is in town. I think we might have a new arpeggios king! I just can't get over the skill Hess has...Opus 1, is a great 1st release for Hess... If your a fan of shred guitar or atmospheric music you'll love this CD...Tom Hess is a shredder to keep your eyes on!
~The shreddzone
(United States, April 2001)
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[Hess Opus 1] is technical perfection...unlike a lot of virtuoso releases, this doesnt sound like it was played by a robot. Ultimately, Tom Hess and Mike Walsh have created a guitar orientated masterpiece... Fans of Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker, Dream Theater and progressive music in general need to hear this.
Metal Storm radio show
(United States, March, 2001)
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...Very rich in harmony, interesting odd meters, compositionally well thought out and a lot of nice improvisation put together in some very logical and creative forms with some cool counterpoint I might add! Think Romantic harmony with some modern progressive rhythms and meters... Bravo!
~George Bellas (Shrapnel recording artist and guitar virtuoso)
(United States, August 2000)
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Opus 1 showcases some of the cleanest soloing I've heard... ...an amalgamation of styles, but boy does it work! ...Hess has released a killer debut, and I cannot wait to hear what he comes up with next! Fans of instrumental guitar and of progressive or neoclassical music should definitely buy this one.
House of Shred (Kevin Ryan, editor)
(United States, January, 2001)
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...Its hard to believe that Shrapnel hasn't signed this band yet! Mike Varney, Wake up!
Ronny Elst (music critic/journalist of various European music publications)
(Belgium, March, 2001)
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Tom Hess is a great and gifted guitarist with an impeckable technique.
Janne Stark Sweden Rock Magazine
(Sweden, August, 2001)
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There are some unconventional moments in the music that don't stray too far from the neo-progressive model, yet far enough to form an identity that Hess can call their own. ...The [CD] cover features satin sheets rumpled ever so slightly. That's an apt physical representation of the music, too. Smooth as satin legato sounds amidst the peaks and valleys of a progressive, romantic landscape....Fans of Vinnie Moore, Tony MacAlpine, Shawn Lane, David T. Chastain, and Jason Becker will love Hess' "Opus 1."...Hess are well-armed to make more creative leaps in the years to come.
RoughEdge.com (R. Scott Bolton editor)
(United States, February, 2001)
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[Hess]...you guys are great players!
Michael Angelo (M.A.C.E. recording artist and internationally respected guitar virtuoso)
(United States, March, 2001)
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Hess is a guitar virtuoso, playing highly stylized and classically influenced leads...
~Progressiveworld.net
(United States, March 2001)
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[Hess] ...you are really amazing!!!!!!
~Francesco Fareri, Guitar9 artist and Italian guitar virtuoso
(Italy, May 2001)
