The biting cold of February couldn’t keep away fans who poured into the Diesel Concert Lounge for an evening of musical sorcery with Marty Friedman and special guests Immortal Guardian. Marty is on tour in support of his new live album called ‘One Bad M.F. Live’. While this new release gives you the full frontal assault of being at a show, it can’t hurt to actually see Marty and his band in action.
A contingent of those lined up before the doors opened were here for a special meet and greet package. The VIP package includes a ticket to the show, an exclusive ‘Super Bootleg’ cd, guitar pick, laminate, and some time with the master himself; Marty Friedman. Yours truly was signed up for the VIP experience because you should never miss an opportunity to meet one of your favorite artists. After learning from Marty’s interview with Metalwani that he loves sugary cereal, I brought a box of Captain Crunch for Marty in thanks for all the great music.
The evening’s music got underway with the emotive hard rock of Treble Bleed. Their music had me thinking of a band from the early 2000s called Mad At Gravity. Catchy riffs boiling with underlying complexity are matched with punchy bass and drums. The vocals give Treble Bleed’s music emotional heft. They provided a fine opening for the night’s entertainment.
Next up was the amazing power-prog metal of Immortal Guardian. This band was both visually and sonically captivating. Vocalist Carlos Zema stalked the stage while drawing in the crowd with his vocal prowess as he seamlessly shifted from death metal growls to Halford-esque screams. Pushing the pedal to the floor with hypersonic precision were the drums of Cody Gilliand and bassist of Thad Stevens. These guys were technically masterful, yet imbued their performance with passion and fun. Displaying a phenomenal level of ambidextrous skill and musical talent was guitarist/keyboardist Gabriel Guardian. He simultaneously plays the keyboards and guitar with equal clarity and intricacy. Immortal Guardian’s spellbinding performance garnered them a legion of new fans in Detroit.
The lights dropped as “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye cranked out at the Diesel. The pulse inside the room started to roar with anticipation. As the lights came up, Marty Friedman hit the stage like a hurricane and never let up. Kiyoshi’s bass was popping and punching through the opening barrage of “L.A. High Ball”, “Hyper Doom”, and “Amagi Goe”. Like everyone else in this band, Kiyoshi’s talent is off the charts. Her bass tone had the physical thump combined with resonance and a sharp attack.
A break in the music would quickly result in the fans chanting “Marty! Marty!” Marty would respond with a fist to the chest and a look that beamed with honor and appreciation. While introducing “For A Friend” which he wrote for his buddy Jason Becker, Marty asked us all to think of our close friends while the band played. This song always makes me think of friends sharing time together either with a beer on the porch or on the trail in the woods. You could feel the power and grace of Marty’s playing shining through.
As if it wasn’t enough to have one outstanding axe slinger who can burn up the fretboard, we were gifted with the brilliant playing of Jordan Ziff. Jordan traded licks with Marty throughout the night and nearly stole the show during his guitar solo which segued into an amazing cover of “Bohemian Rhapsody”. Beyond his virtuoso skills on the guitar, he can sing. He had everyone in the crowd singing along. Jordan and Marty’s guitar tone was magic as they played Brian May’s signature solo in unison.
Throughout the evening we were treated to the wild antics of Chargeeeeee. He is the Muppets “Animal” come alive. He thrashed his head, pointed and smiled to the crowd, yelled and cheered, all while propelling the band with cascading tom rolls, pouncing bass, and cracking snare. Chargeeeeee is a true showman and his performance had everyone at the Diesel screaming their heads off in approval.
Marty Friedman closed out the set with the “Ballad of the Barbie Bandits”. With more screams of “Marty!, Marty!”, the band came back with a vengeance and a wailing rendition of “Kaeritakunatta Yo”. The band came out to the front of the stage to end the show with a bow of appreciation. This spectacular performance will live on as one of the best shows I’ve seen in years. Many thanks to Marty and his band for providing such a great musical memory.
It is no exaggeration when saying that Marty Friedman is one bad motherfucker live. Marty and his friends Kiyoshi, Jordan Ziff, and Chargeeeeee blew the Diesel Concert Lounge to pieces with a concert that will live in our mind for years to come. Their engaging tour de force performances kept us riveted to the stage. Marty’s ardent music came to life in Detroit. Impassioned and heartfelt, this show overflowed with joy that continues to echo in our souls.