Canadian guitar virtuoso Nick Johnston will release his new album Remarkably Human on 2 December and has unveiled the video to new song Hypergiant which you can watch below now.
It is no exaggeration to state that Canada’s Nick Johnston is one of the most talented and unique solo guitarists in the world today. In a world boiling over with the resurgence of prog rock and an emphasis on technical ability, Nick stands out as something truly different. An outstanding fusion and an ever evolving style, Remarkably Human has elements within of blues, classic prog, jazz, gypsy, and beyond. Eclectic inspiration at its finest, driven first and foremost by ever-catchy melody.
Reminiscent at times of Steve Vai, David Gilmour, or even the more expansive and mellow moments found within Opeth’s discography, Remarkably Human continues Nick Johnston’s extraordinary story. A modern virtuoso, Nick holds the respect of his peers, such that he’s attracted guest solo spots from guitar icons Paul Gilbert and Guthrie Govan, as well as the rhythm section of The Aristocrats (Marco Minnemann and Bryan Beller). Nick has also featured on records by Periphery and Polyphia, amongst others.
Nick said: ‘Remarkably Human is the first release where every track fits musically in the same universe.
‘Of course, this was not something I set out to do, it just sort of happened.
‘This is very exciting to me, as it signified a shift in how I process and compose music. With this release, I feel like I’m closing in on ‘my sound’.’
On new song ‘Hypergiant’, Nick said: ‘This track tells the story of a dying star.
‘A Hypergiant is basically among the largest stars in the universe, but because of their mass, they have the a short lifespan.
‘The harmony and mood of this song was very much inspired by such a grand and epic concept.
‘By the end of the song, it almost feels like you’ve journeyed through space with this massive star.’
Ably supported by prog legends Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree, King Crimson, etc),Bryan Beller (The Aristocrats, Joe Satriani, Dethklok), Luke Martin (Plini), Remarkably Human is an instrumental neo-prog tour de force, deserving to be heard by a wide audience.
Remarkably Human track listing:
1) Ignore Alien Orders
2) Remarkably Human
3) Impossible Things
4) Poison Touch
5) Hypergiant
6) Weakened By Winter
7) Fear Had Him By the Throat
8) A Sick and Injured Brain
Make sure to catch Nick on tour with Star Wars band Galactic Empire this December throughout the UK:
01-Dec Patterns (ex Audio), Brighton
02-Dec Talking Heads, Southampton
03-Dec The Hub, Plymouth
04-Dec The Fleece, Bristol
05-Dec The Globe, Cardiff
06-Dec Plug, Sheffield
07-Dec O2 Academy 3 Birmingham, Birmingham
08-Dec The Venue – Derby, Derby
09-Dec Arts Club, Loft, Liverpool
10-Dec O2 ABC2 Glasgow, Glasgow
11-Dec Buskers, Dundee
12-Dec The Mash House, Edinburgh
13-Dec O2 Academy2 Newcastle, Newcastle
14-Dec The Zephyr Lounge, Leamington Spa
15-Dec The Scholar, Leicester
16-Dec Bedford Esquires, Bedford
17-Dec The Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes
19-Dec Sub 89, Reading
20-Dec O2 Academy Islington, London