“Culture Shock”, the new video from ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO, the jazz ensemble led by TESTAMENT guitarist Alex Skolnick, can be seen below. The song is taken from ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO‘s latest album, “Conundrum”, which was released on September 7 via Palmetto/MRI.
If you’ve attempted to keep up with the news cycle in recent years, then the “Conundrum” title should be a no-brainer. “It represents the sense of confusion many of us are feeling in the midst of the strangest sociopolitical upheavals of our lifetimes,” says Skolnick, the guitarist and composer who helped define thrash metal as a founding member of TESTAMENT, before establishing himself on the international jazz scene. “This album captures many styles in an effort to channel that angst into art and inspire others to do likewise.”
Ironically, given its globally pertinent message, “Conundrum” is in many ways Skolnick‘s most intimate record yet. It is the trio’s first new studio album since 2011’s “Veritas”, and it features original music almost exclusively, with six compositions by Skolnick, one apiece by bassist Nathan Peck and drummer Matt Zebroski, and a gorgeous interpretation of Erik Satie‘s “Gymnopédie No. 1”.
Far removed from the musical tunnel vision of “guitar” or “shred” albums, “Conundrum”reflects Skolnick‘s wide-ranging knowledge as a player and, even more important, as a listener. “What would I want to hear, regardless of the instrument and regardless of technique?” he asks. “That’s the type of music I try to create as an improviser and composer.”
The multi-layer, multi-section songs that resulted are, in a word, sweeping — and include plenty for guitar heads to dig into after all. Skolnick‘s “Unbound”, part of which originated on piano, kicks off “Conundrum” with springy slapped harmonics. Beautiful chordal work follows, as well as soloing that lays out the guitarist’s m.o. as a lead player: to tell a story by varying his attack, tone, intensity and harmonic approach with masterful control.
Born in 1968 and raised in the Bay Area, Skolnick was still a teenager when he made heavy-metal history on TESTAMENT‘s essential debut, “The Legacy”. The band remained a major touring act in heavy music. Most recently TESTAMENT has been hitting arenas and amphitheaters as part of SLAYER‘s blockbuster final world tour.
Skolnick immersed himself in jazz at Manhattan’s venerable New School. It was there that he dug even deeper into recordings by Miles, Trane, Wes, Jim Hall, Scofield, Metheny and more; studied with jazz greats like saxophonist George Garzone and bassist Reggie Workman; and formed his trio, which debuted on record in 2002 with “Goodbye To Romance: Standards For A New Generation”.
And while TESTAMENT continues to thrive, it’s the trio and its repertoire that Skolnick can see growing old with. “These days I still love playing screaming, loud guitar and heavy metal, though I don’t think I’m going to be one of these guys who’s past social-security age and in a rock band and touring,” he says. “But I can see myself doing these songs with the trio for many years to come.”
“Conundrum” track listing:
01. Unbound
02. Django Tango
03. Conundrum
04. Gymnopédie, No. 1
05. Culture Shock
06. Dodge The Bambula
07. Key Of Sea
08. A Question Of Moral Ambiguity
09. Protect The Dream
“Conundrum” is available on vinyl, CD and all streaming services.
