Adrian Weiss, an American living in Germany and the guitarist of the progressive metal bands THOUGHT SPHERE (1996 – 2002) and FORCES AT WORK (2002 – today), released his first full length instrumental guitar solo album entitled BIG TIME containing 11 songs. The gripping melodies, catchy themes, heavy riffs and playful musical excursions featured in his solo work never lose the compositional connection to the song. The style connects the wonderful 80s guitar-hero-times with the modern influences of rock, metal and world music. The following musical guests Adrian got to know over the years in the German music scene are featured on BIG TIME amoung others: Victor Smolski (RAGE) Joachim Kremer and Björn "Burn" Sondermann (ASSASSIN) Daniel Dring (PAUL DIANNO – BAND, RE-VISION, PERZONAL WAR) Thorsten Praest (COLDSEED, GUT, HUEHNERFRIEDHOF) The guest appearance by Victor Smolski comes as no surprise since Adrian´s band FORCES AT WORK was featured on Victor’s last solo cd, “Majesty and Passion”. So far Adrian Weiss has released 7 cds with his bands THOUGHT SPHERE and FORCES AT WORK. In addition to his extensive live activity with his bands, he has performed clinics and solo gigs at various events including MY MUSIC EXPO in Dresden (2009) and the Guitar Fight Convention in 2009 and 2010 as well as the NEW DÜSSELDORF POP event in 2011. 2009 through 2012 he qualified for the Guitar Fight Club Live Show and won second place there in 2010 and 2011. He has also performed solo in the USA. In 2012 he formed a steady band to present his music live with the following line up: Adrian Weiss - Lead Guitar Demian Heuke – Rhythm and Lead Guitar Jan Ristau – Bass Lars Zehner - Drums Press for BIG TIME: “The melodies executed on the album are mesmerizing, elaborate and often ornamented, something that lends grace and beauty to the proceedings with Egyptian Inscription being a prime example of that. You can feel every note being wrung out of the neck of his chosen weapon.” John O´boyle (Sea Of Tranquility) “It´s a very fine album indeed and one that will appeal to both musicians and non-musicians alike, thanks to the quality of both the material and the performances. Bliss.” Powerplay Rock and Metal Magazine (UK) “Adrian Weiss quite simply lets his solos do his talking for him. He engages you in an emotional and musical roller coaster ride that includes everything from long linear guitar lines to edgy metal and the fractured stop-start, fast changing time signatures of 'The Progressive Society'. There's real Crimsonesque Frippery at play and an explosion of thrilling shredding that brings a tightly wrapped mangled guitar finish to an excellent solo album. 'Big Time' overcomes the usual instrumental clichés to hold widespread appeal to rock fans as a whole and is well worth checking out.” Get Ready To Rock.com “Overall the producing is excellent, the sound is perfect and this is a very solid album from the beginning til the end. […] The album "Big Time" is a good way to discover a great musician that has a great feeling in his solos and in his music.” Melodic.net “Without a doubt, the result is a very professional record that contains perfectly played instrumental guitar orientated music that fits somewhere between melodic rock and somewhat groovy Hardrock, NEAL SCHON meets STEVE VAI would be a good description, so no freaking out here, just bringing you mostly beautiful guitar melodies.” Strutter´Zine “Member of a new generation of excellent guitar players that focus on both composition and technique, Adrian Weiss is ultra-highly recommended for fans of “Jason Becker”, “Marty Friedman”, “Steve Vai”, “Scott Henderson”, “Alex Skolnick”, “Steve Stevens”, “Tonny MacAlpine”, “Greg Howe”, “Vinnie Moore”, “Joey Tafolla“, “Marc Bonilla“, “Todd Grubbs”, “Al Di Meola”, “Yngwie Malmsteen”, “Glen Drover”, and “Jarle Olsen”.” ProgressiveRock.Br “Indeed Adrian’s skill in conveying emotions through his solos, such as in the compositions ‘Bright Awakening’ or ‘Desert Sanctuary’, is absolutely amazing. If you’ve never before acquired an instrumental guitar album, then Adrian Weiss’ “Big Time” would be a good place to start. 88/100” PowerOfMetal.dk “Bottom line is that "Big Time" is the perfect way to discover a talented musician. The perfect mix of the 80's 'big names' of instrumental albums such as Joe Satriani, Marty Friedman, Vinnie Moore and Paul Gilbert along with some heavier-fusion elements and there you have a very good release that is recommended for every guitarmaniac out there! This guy can surely play some impressive solos and riffs but he can, also, compose interesting muisc! Well done Adrian! HeavyParadise's Rating: 8/10“ HeavyParadise.Gr