Devil's Slingshot are truly a supergroup, featuring renowned instrumentalists
Tony MacAlpine (guitar),
Billy Sheehan (bass), and
Virgil Donati (drums).
MacAlpine made his name in the '80s as a neo-classical shredder. In recent years, he's explored jazz fusion, particularly in
Planet X alongside
Donati.
Sheehan's cameo on
Planet X's MoonBabies probably helped spawn this trio. For all its firepower, it's surprisingly restrained. Most songs feature a perfunctory rock intro that leads to more limber fusion workouts. The rock riffs are heavy and bland, but the fusion parts are tasty.
MacAlpine soars up and down the fretboard with ease, evoking a less flashy
Steve Vai.
Sheehan provides a supple, supportive low end, though he uncorks a blinding two-handed tapping break in "Def Bitch Blues."
Donati contributes his trademark tasty, precise grooves. The lack of ego here is admirable, but the players could stand to let loose more. When they try to rock, they sound leaden. Funk and fusion, however, fit them quite naturally.
MacAlpine, in particular, excels at laying lyrical lines over glistening, abstract chords. This debut feels like stretching before a workout. Hopefully the next outing will run with the devil, so to speak. ~ Cosmo Lee