Master of Reality is the third studio album by English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, released on 21 July 1971 by Vertigo Records. It is regarded by some critics as the foundation of doom metal, stoner rock, and sludge metal. Produced by Rodger Bain, who also produced the band's prior two albums, Master of Reality was recorded at Island Studios in London from February to April 1971. Guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler downtuned their instruments during the production, achieving what Iommi called a "bigger, heavier sound".
Tony MacAlpine is an American musician and composer. In a career spanning four decades, he has released twelve studio albums. MacAlpine is best known as an instrumental rock and heavy metal solo guitarist, although he has worked with many different bands and musicians in guest appearances and collaborations.
William Sheehan is an American musician. He is best known for playing the bass guitar with acts such as Talas, Steve Vai, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, Niacin, and The Winery Dogs. He is also known for his "lead bass" playing style, including the use of chording, two-handed tapping, "three-finger picking" technique and controlled feedback. Sheehan has been voted "Best Rock Bass Player" five times in Guitar Player readers' polls.
The Slider is the seventh studio album by English rock band T. Rex, and the third since abbreviating their name from Tyrannosaurus Rex. It was released on 21 July 1972 by record labels EMI and Reprise. Two number-one singles, "Telegram Sam" and "Metal Guru", were released to promote the album. Issued at the height of the band's popularity, The Slider received acclaim from critics, and reached number 4 in the UK charts and number 17 in the US.
Edge of Insanity is the first studio album by guitarist Tony MacAlpine, released in 1986 through Shrapnel Records. In 2014, nearly thirty years after its release, MacAlpine performed the album in full during a series of shows in California and Baja California.
Maximum Security is the second studio album by guitarist Tony MacAlpine, released in 1987 through PolyGram. It is his only release to enter the U.S. Billboard 200, reaching No. 146 and remaining on that chart for eleven weeks.
Eyes of the World is a studio album by the band MacAlpine, released in 1990 through PolyGram. MacAlpine was a short-lived project by guitarist Tony MacAlpine, and the album is a departure from his previous work in that it is more commercially oriented, with none of his usual instrumental tracks in the style of neoclassical metal or piano études. According to MacAlpine himself, the project was indeed an attempt to emulate other hard rock acts at the time.
Freedom to Fly is the third studio album by guitarist Tony MacAlpine, released in 1992 through Shrapnel Records and Roadrunner Records (Europe).
Madness is the fourth studio album by guitarist Tony MacAlpine, released in 1993 through Shrapnel Records.
Premonition is the fifth studio album by guitarist Tony MacAlpine, released in 1994 through Shrapnel Records.
Evolution is the sixth studio album by guitarist Tony MacAlpine, released on October 10, 1995 through Shrapnel Records.
Violent Machine is the seventh studio album by guitarist Tony MacAlpine, released in 1996 through Metropolis Records and in 1997 through Victor Entertainment (Japan); it was reissued on May 7, 2002 through Lion Music, with the latter featuring different cover art and having apparently been released without the authorization of MacAlpine or Metropolis.
Chromaticity is the ninth studio album by guitarist Tony MacAlpine, released on August 7, 2001 through Shrapnel Records.
Collection: The Shrapnel Years is a compilation album by guitarist Vinnie Moore, released on March 14, 2006 through Shrapnel Records.
Collection: The Shrapnel Years is a compilation album by guitarist Tony MacAlpine, released on March 14, 2006 through Shrapnel Records. It includes tracks from six of MacAlpine's studio albums.
Live Insanity is a live album by guitarist Tony MacAlpine, released in 1997 through Victor Entertainment and reissued on June 4, 2002 through Lion Music; the latter featuring different cover art and having apparently been released without the authorization of MacAlpine or Victor.
Tony MacAlpine is the self-titled tenth studio album by guitarist Tony MacAlpine, released on June 14, 2011 through Favored Nations Entertainment and King Records. The album is MacAlpine's first solo release in ten years following Chromaticity (2001), and the first to feature his extensive use of seven- and eight-string guitars—a staple of his playing which began in the days he spent with Planet X throughout the 2000s.
Oceana is the seventh studio album by keyboardist Derek Sherinian, released on September 5, 2011 through Music Theories Recordings. After his recording sessions for the album, guitarist Joe Bonamassa posted on his official forum: "This session was one of the most challenging of my career. To be in the studio with Derek Sherinian and Simon Phillips [is] daunting. A huge thanks to both Derek and Simon for getting me through it. I learned a lot. Oceana is a killer record. Highly recommended."
Plains of Oblivion is the second studio album by former Nevermore guitarist Jeff Loomis, released on April 6, 2012 through Century Media Records; a limited Digipak edition was also released, containing two bonus tracks. The album reached the top 200 on five different U.S. Billboard charts. It features a number of guest musicians including Emperor singer Ihsahn, as well as guitarists Marty Friedman, Tony MacAlpine and Chris Poland.
Concrete Gardens is the eleventh studio album by guitarist Tony MacAlpine, released on April 21, 2015, through Sun Dog Records. The album was first announced by MacAlpine on his official website in October 2013, with more details in February and December 2014. An official release date was announced in March 2015, along with the cover art, different editions of the album, and a U.S. tour schedule. To further promote Concrete Gardens, a series of live studio performances of several songs were filmed for EMGtv, featuring guitarist Nili Brosh, drummer Aquiles Priester, and bassist Pete Griffin. Guitarist Jeff Loomis is featured as a guest soloist on "Square Circles".
