Patrik Skantze - Music For My Ego's Sake (1997)Mi-Mo Sound Records

Mr. Skantze is a Swedish guitarist influenced by symphonic rock bands, such guitarists like Ace Frehley, Brian May, Ritchie Blackmore and a Finnish composer - Johan Julius Christian Sibelius (1865-1957) whose neoromantic works were based on folklore and literature. Patrik Skantze also cooperates with Free Souls Society and is an author of music to a serial "Poliser" for Swedish National Television.

Mr. Skantze decided on blending all his musical inspirations and experiences on his first instrumental solo release titled "Music For My Ego's Sake". He recorded the album totally himself playing all the guitars, bass, keys and synthesizers. A Swede's proposal are two over 20-minute suites. As a music genres go, I must primarily write about his playing and mention that it is instrumental progressive rock in the style of the late seventies. It means that a stuff is guitar solos-efficient and focuses on creating an amazing mood around. Keyboard parts are delicate and soft being a significant background against guitar melodies. The main idea of Skantze's music concerns in producing the lead motif and its instrumental "annexe" all around. Aforementioned fragment is being developed and enriched by sonic colours and shades. You should be prepared for a calmness, silk sound, new age atmosphere, profound and spiritual tones.

Patrik has prepared for us the instrumental tale in two parts. This music plays like a flowing river. Upon listening to "Music For My Ego's Sake", we can feel as though being somewhere in space or on the sea bed. If you would like to get a recipe for Patrik's music, you should mix Mike Oldfield's "Guitars", Marty Friedman's "Scenes" and "Introduction" plus Kitaro's output. Yeah, it's really meditative music and simply fantastic!