Power of Metal.dk Review

Hans Platz
Timestamps
Rating
Style: Instrumental Rock Guitar
Release date: 11 October, 2013
Playing time: 35:33
 

Interesting proposition, this instrumental “Timestamps”. The music contains a variety of moods, tempos and ideas: from the quietly introspective to the unrestrained Shred, replete with catchy licks and groovy rhythms.

 

Berklee protégée Hans Platz has previously played guitar with Cyrus Dance, parody medieval-rock band Feuerschwanz and has also collaborated with bands such as J.B.O. and Fiddler’s Green. Most of these names are unfamiliar to me, to be quite honest, but I digress...

 

“Timestamps” has a cathartic vibe to it, a factor partly stemming from some decent song-writing skills. To be clear, the album doesn’t rewrite the Metal rulebook but it boasts a strong listenability. In other words the compositions are not (just) a smorgasbord of guitar wankery but top notch musicianship without any uncomfortable pretentiousness attached.

 

Assisting Mr Platz are names that will be familiar to many readers: drummers Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats, Necrophagist, Ephel Duath, Paul Gilbert, Tony Macalpine, George Bellas, etc, etc, etc) and Jazzist Wolfgang Haffner; guitarist Mattias IA Eklundh (Freak Kitchen, Jonas Hellborg Trio, Evergrey, Soilwork); bass players T.M. Stevens (James Brown, John McLaughlin, Steve Vai, Tina Turner, Little Steven), Pete Griffin (Dweezil Zappa, Terrio Bozzio, Frank Gambale, Steve Vai, Jean-Luc Ponty) and Fabio Trentini (Le Orme, New Trolls, Guano Apes); and Platz’s ex-bandmate drummers Wolfram Kellner and Simon Michael. Each serves the compositions and not vice versa.

 

All in all, this is a well produced effort that’s definitely worth checking out.
Tracklist
01. Birdrange
02. Spanish Race On A Devil’s Highway
03. Pull It Out
04. Father
05. Red Room Nine
06. Axestasy
07. Freak Sauna
08. Deadman
09. Timestamps
10. This Is War

11. Alive
Label: Piazza Recordings
Distribution: Cargo Records
Artwork rating: 80/100
Reviewed by: Chris Galea
Date: 3 December, 2013
Website: www.hplatz.de