Unmagic (2022)

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In 2022, Veronese released his debut album, Unmagic, which upon first listen reminds us of the music of names like Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, John Petrucci, among other notable instrumental rock guitarists.

 

The album was recorded with Cavi Montenegro at Aeon Audio (Vitalism, Recokning Hour), and was mixed and mastered by João Milliet (Angra, Gloria, Shaman); it features seven tracks, five of which are originals and two covers: Unmagic, Transitive, Magical Thinking, Shades of Violet, SF Surfer, Still Valley, and The Embrace.

 

The production also included Demétrius Locks on drums and Renan Weignater on bass, who brought back Tony Levin's famous Chapman Stick on the tracks Unmagic and The Embrace, evoking the music of King Crimson and the progressive quartet Liquid Tension Experiment.

 

Veronese's musical style at times echoes Tony MacAlpine's phrases, and the homage to him on track 6, a "violent" version of Still Valley (from his album Chromaticity, 2001), makes sense. In addition to the striking technique, there is also a strong influence of typical jazz-fusion harmonic constructions, culminating in The Embrace, a reinterpretation of Al di Meola in modern progressive rock (from his album Kiss My Axe, 1991) - an epic finale to the album, complete with a technically high-level guitar solo.

 

“I've always admired the depth and beauty of harmonic colors found in jazz, Brazilian music, in artists like Egberto Gismonti, Pat Metheny, Al di Meola, etc. So, I tried to 'color' my music in this way, but without neglecting the weight of the riffs and solos that shaped me on the guitar”, describes Veronese.

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The concept of 'Unmagic' is based on the breaking of "magics," as a metaphor for thoughts that imprison and prevent us from pursuing what we desire. "For those who are not in the musical world, everything is unknown and seems 'impossible,' 'magical,' for a few blessed men. For example, producing the album virtually alone seemed unattainable to me. In the end, you realize that there is no 'magic' of talent, but there is indeed a lot of hard work!" illustrates Veronese.

 

The album has already reached the ears of prestigious figures in international music, such as Kiko Loureiro (ex-Megadeth): “In his first work, Veronese brings a new language to instrumental music, with emphasis on harmonic and melodic depth, mixed with visceral riffs and solos.”

 

Links to audio and video streaming of Veronese's work are available on his website www.veronese.ooo.