A great review from Maximum Metal HERE

Here's a review from Blast Magazine

Joe Stump - 'Shredology'

Released through Leviathan Records in 2005

    Influenced from guitar gods such as, Ritchie Blackmoore, Yngwie  Malmsteen, Uli-Jon Roth, Jimi Hendix, and Michael Schenker, to the  classical greats as, Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Carl Phillp Emmanuel Bach, and Ludwig Von Beethoven, this head of the rock and metal guitar department at Berklee School of Music in Boston Massachusetts burst onto the scene in 1993 with his first CD titled, 'Guitar Dominance'.  During a time when major record labels were more concerned with who is downloading what MP3 file instead of artist exposure.  Joe Stump has stayed underneath the heavy metal guitar radar as a guitar god.
    Joe Stump's latest release is a double CD set.  Disc one contains fifteen studio tracks personally chosen by Joe from his solo releases.  Over the years I have found that most instrumentalist write their songs in such away were you either have too be an expert musician or the artist himself to understand the music.  This is not the case with 'Shredology'!!!  The songs Joe chose to put on 'Shredology' are technical enough to keep any young guitarist amazed for years, but have big enough hooks to keep non-musicians also listening!  About three seconds into track one and I was an immediate fan.
    Disc two consists of eight official bootleg live tracks recorded at the Midwest Shredfest.  This live disc just proves that Joe is a Guitar God!!!!
    If you are a young guitarist and A.) Can't afford to go to Berklee or B.) Wasn't or will never be accepted to Berklee, then I subject you buy this release.

There is a cool review of Speed Metal Messiah at Live4Metal.com

And a review of Shredology HERE

And another review HERE

And HERE

Here is a review from the ROCK HARD magazine in Italy

Translated by Chris Heaven (thanks, Chris!!)

From 1993, the year of his first solo album "Guitar Dominance", Joe Stump have (in the years) developed and perfected his technical in great albums like "Rapid Fire Rondò" and "2001: A Shred Odissey", and give more value to his guitar's work with Reign of Terror albums where we can find the mith Michael Vescera on vocals. Joe never denied his musical influences that start to Malmsteen and Blackmore (we can find a tribute to them) and Paganini, Bach and Vivaldi, both amalgamated and proposed in neoclassical style with fast solos and baroque licks, alternated with emotional parts and killer riffs.
 

Joe Stump, called also "Supersonic Shred Machine" (from the title of his third solo album) with this seven album "Speed Metal Messiah" (a bit too boastful  but we like it..) give us shocked for his incredible talent and his shredder technical, supersonic and precise! The cd, Stump is also the producer and the sound of the cd is very good a compound of melodies that cannot bored who listen because are very much on this cd. That's why Joe Stump is on the magazine Guitar One on the top ten of best guitar shredders of all the time!
 

We start with the prelude ("Prelude") and we can see a monster of technical...an interlace of neo-classical scales composed on a cascade of quatrains of an amazing beautiful! In the second song "Speed Metal Messiah" we start with a heavy riff with some fast sweep where we can see the incredible sweep picking of Stump and an amazing part on tapping on baroques melodies.
 

"The Red Priest" is dedicated to the Maestro Antonio Vivaldi and maybe in this song we can find the big analogies with Malmsteen style, sweep, fast scales, terzine and quatrains for the right tribute to the Maestro. "Eastern Beast" is a mix of scales with oriental tastes with some riffs a la Tony Iommi alternated with some baroque guitarisism very hot and melodic. In "Weapon of Choice" we can breath the air of first  Y.J Malmsteen's Rising Force with that epic rhythm for them dive in a sea of scales of great melodic impact even executed with a unexceptionable technical skill and clear sound.

We need to say that the mix of the album was done in great way from Michael Vescera. Beyond to already cited speed of his shred, Joe Stump give us some moments of magic melody and passion with a brilliant sound of his ESP guitar, like in the slow songs "Reflections" and "Chamber Maid", very emotionally. "Dragon's Den" is an hymn to Stump's talent; Joe play four minutes without his band in Paganini's style solo that show us the love that he have for the big Master of the classical music and show to us with his talent that I can call "Divine". He give us a similar way with "Cadenza Diablo" but this time the tribute is for J.S.Bach! Of course he give also the personal tribute to Malmsteen and Blackmore, guitarist that teach to him part of his style. "Unleashed the fury" give us the apotheosis of the style of this two great of six chords, with the great execution of Stump. "Speed metal messiah" is a great album, amazing shredding, baroques scales, killer riffs, crazy virtuosisms, emotionally atmospheres and pure energy. The guitar maniacs need to have it, this cd is a mile stone of that kind of music. Who loves metal, the classic music and wanna listen something energetic and magic, can find on this album a good alternative to power and prog. I suggest to everyone to check Joe Stump website, where in the sound clips section you can listen some new and old songs.

Vote: 8/10

Joe Stump - Speed Metal Messiah - Lion Music

To my mind guitarist Joe Stump puts out albums that Malmsteen fans wish Yngwie J. would make. Y'know lock the damn singer in the broom closet and record an album of all out shred. Speed Metal Messiah is Stump's strongest work to date, offering a tip of the hat to Malmsteen and Ritchie Blackmore as he sands his fret board down to so much sawdust. It ain't all about flash with out substance, as many of the tracks seem to have been given a traditional structure even thought they're all instrumental. Big on riffs and melody in the appropriate places amongst all the fireworks ( check out Retroactivity) . For those that get off on superior axemanship but prefer gritty shred to quirky ultra-polished Steve Vai productions or overly technical John Petrucci-isms. Carl Begai (BWBK)...........8.5

JOE STUMP - SPEED METAL MESSIAH - LION

www.metallian.com

It takes a powerful centre of gravity to hold an album comprised of sixteen songs of shredding solos together, but Joe Stump has what it takes. Whatever Stump's past output or history - all of which is unfamiliar to this writer - Speed Metal Messiah takes the spirit of the first Yngwie Malmsteen album a step forward with its Classically-influenced fret-fest. While reviews of other 'guitar hero' types might induce certain fans to stop reading, this album is actually quite good given its power, variety, bewildering dexterity and devotion to its core competency. The other instruments take a backseat to the guitar and with no vocalist in sight it is up to the axeman to sink or swim. It is a testament to the man's sheer talent that song after song - occasional known medley included - manages to grab the listener by the ear and demand his full attention. Some might hail Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani (the other JS) or Steve Vai as the masters of this much-maligned genre. It is Joe Stump who currently shows the most flame, devotion and speed on the guitar though. - Ali "The Metallian"

Maximum Metal News Article

www.maximummetal.com

9/23/2004 - JOE STUMP: New Solo CD, Live CD, DVD and More

Is the world coming to an end? A phrase on guitar virtuoso Joe Stump’s website sure makes it sound that way.

“Repent!” the message warns. “On September 24th, The Messiah Comes!”

Sound a little extreme? Well, don’t be alarmed; we’re not talking about the end of the world here. What we are talking about is Speed Metal Messiah, Joe Stump’s latest offering to the gods of shred, and his first for Lion Music. And while the aforementioned line may strike some as a bit pretentious, the Berklee School of Music professor clearly takes genuine pride in his latest recorded work.

“The new record’s definitely a step above everything else I’ve ever done,” says Stump. “[It’s] not all that different stylistically than my past records, but maybe even a bit more neoclassical. Almost all the tracks are very classical. There’s one cool Hendrix-y thing towards the end of the record and a really nice ballad, but even the ballad’s got somewhat of a baroque thing to it.”

One would think attempting to top his previous accomplishments on record would be enough, but Speed Metal Messiah is merely the first of several exciting developments in the Stump camp. Metal fans will be pleased to know that not only is a live album from Stump’s band Reign Of Terror in the pipeline, but the guitarist is also contemplating the band’s next studio release. But will vocalist Mike Vescera be on board for this one?

“We kind of go record to record,” Stump explains. “It s not like if all of the sudden I do a record and there’s a different guy singing in Reign of Terror, it gonna be like, ‘Oh, me and Mike had a blowout and he officially quit the band or I fired him’ or something. When it comes time to put the next record together, I’ll see. And you know, he’s got a family and all that kind of stuff as well. [We’ll] see which record company’s gonna put it out and what’s gonna happen with it, who’s gonna be on board as far as singing. I’m not saying it’s not gonna be Mike, it very well could be.”

In addition to their collaboration in Reign of Terror, Stump and Vescera have also been plotting to resurrect the latter’s first high-profile band, Obsession. This situation finds Stump doing something he rarely does in a band: working with a second lead guitarist. With original Obsession axmen Bruce Vitale and Art Maco having long since departed, Vescera sought to bolster the band’s six-string firepower by enlisting Stump and Swedish guitar wiz Robert Marcello. And while he has traditionally avoided working with other guitar players, Stump says he had no problem playing alongside Marcello.

“Well, we really didn’t like, work, we just rehearsed a bit together. But Robert’s a great player and he’s a super nice guy, so we’d talk to each other and show each other licks and kind of like, joke a around and stuff in the brief time we spent together. He’s a killer player like I said, so there’s no competitive thing, or weirdness or any of that stuff going on. He’s very nice.”

With Stump and Marcello in tow, the new Obsession lineup went about recording a demo, which Vescera shopped around to various record labels. So far, however, none of the offers made have been enough to make the recording of a new album viable, and so Obsession remains on the proverbial back burner.

“Mike hasn’t been satisfied with any of the offers from the labels as far as going full steam and going ahead putting a record together,” Stump explains. “He’s hoping for a bit more of a commitment from somebody instead of just your standard kinda small advance.”

Guitar-heads, meanwhile, can expect a feast for their eyes, ears, and fingers in the near future. Stump plans on releasing not one, but two instructional DVD’s on Neo-Classical shred guitar playing technique. Neo-Classical Guitar I can currently be ordered through his website, and Advanced Neo-Classical Guitar (for the for the truly mad axe pupil) will also be available shortly.

Finally, Classic Rock junkies can look forward to hearing Joe Stump pay tribute to the old school on his next record.

“Sometime this year I’m gonna do a retro record where I’m playing some cover tunes and some original bluesy instrumentals and then maybe a couple of retro hard rock instrumentals with vocals,” Stump reveals. “Maybe some cover tunes with vocals, a couple bluesy instrumental things and then some original compositions with vocals. And then maybe have a mix of different things on there like maybe a cool Hendrix cover, maybe something by Rory Gallagher, maybe a Tommy Bolin or Frank Marino thing on there too.”

Still can’t get enough Stump? Then catch him live and in person on his upcoming tour, where he will be taking his first steps in this new retro direction (see his website for more details). In the mean time, however, fans of challenging guitar music can rejoice once again, for on Friday, September 24th, Speed Metal Messiah is coming. Don’t let the tongue-in-cheek title fool you, though. As the man himself will tell you, Joe Stump is just a regular guy, and so, he says, are most of his fellow shredders.

“One big misconception about a lot of guitar guys is that if you play like, unbelievably fast and very technical and stuff, you must be a pompous ass. And many of the guys I’ve met, whether its Yngwie or Michael Angelo or any of the guys that are like, ripping, vicious players, all of them are very nice and very cool and fairly laid back and don’t really view it as a sport or a competition or any of that bullshit. So if there’s a misconception about people that play like that, a lot of times, that’s what it is. I’m just saying in my case and in a lot of instances, that’s not the case.”

--by Vinaya

Maximum Rock Magazine Review
Joe Stump's Reign Of Terror - Conquer & Divide - 2002
Leviathan Records

Joe Stump being a great musician so I expected no less than a fabulous recording. As I guessed this is a great CD, reminds me of a progressive form of Dio and Queensryche. There are great guitar licks throughout the whole CD.
This is a master piece from begging to end, starting with the title cut to No Limits it only proves that there are no limits for Joe Stump and Reign Of Terror Rocks the house pick it up and turn it up!!!
Rating 10

Originally recorded as a part of Leviathan’s “Diginet Music Guitar Masters” series “Armed and Ready,” Joe Stump’s new instrumental, is destined for much wide audience. Pulling from his influences that span Uli Jon Roth, Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore, Michael Schenker, Gary Moore and Yngwie Malmsteen, Stump creates an environment where he enters the arena on his own terms. Using his accomplished skill and six strings he blazes through a complicated mixture of hard rock melodies, twisted song arrangements and guitar calisthenics to expose a pureness in his playing unmatched before.

Voted one of the Top 10 shredders of all time in Guitar One magazine, Stump attacks each of the records eight tracks with visible confidence. Surprising the to novice listener is the fact that each song was done in one tack – a landmark accomplishment and one that should not be tried at home or without supervision. Playing with this much inventive, forceful and dynamic emotion is reserved for the pros only. “Mind Games” is a most fitting lead - electrifying whirlwind guitar gymnastics over a pounding backbeat. Alluring and intoxicating is the frantic nature of the seven-minute opus “Prisoner Of Time” while “Hurricane X” establishes a lyrical defiance in the face of nu-metal. “Chasing Rainbows” is more of a straight metal track. Says Stump, “with this speedy fast tempo it's a fun track to blaze it up on. My goal was to make the playing totally over the top but still build it up and let it flow.”

The slower, grinding moments on “Armed and Ready” really rise to the surface. They include the title track, “Prisoner Of Time,” the Sabbath sounding “Day Of Doom” and “Destination” however the rapid-fire of “Hot Nights” is exhilarating. As with several recordings in this genre, “Armed And Ready” does get a bit screechy in places and could stand a thicker bass end. Yet, over all it is Stumps mind-numbing brilliance as a guitarist that is quintessential here.

----- The Cutting Edge

The Shred Lord returns with official solo album #6. This album was originally available on the the internet only via Diginet music but the buzz that has surrounded it has ensured that a wider section of Joe's fans will get it hear it with an official release on Leviathan Records.

So enter Armed & Ready. 8 tracks totaling 54 minutes of music that showcase Stumps talents across a wide spectrum of rock styles. I am going to go out on a limb here and state that this is Joe's best solo album since 1996's 'Supersonic Shred Machine' (one of the neo-classical/shred genres best instrumental albums EVER!). The album sees Joe fired up and playing better than on any other solo release and the production is also spot on.

This album was done a little differently, Joe was given 8 backing tracks and told to play what he liked over them. As stated earlier Joe has given us a variety of styles from the all out neo-classical workout Mind Games which is 6 minutes of some of the most high octane playing you will ever hear! Think Malmsteen and Uli Roth and you will not be far out - very technically demanding playing with heavy classical overtones. This is the style best associated with Joe and it will do his reputation no harm at all - excellent!

Prisoner Of Time sees the tempo slow for a classy European Metal vibe in the vein of classic Michael Schenker and Ritchie Blackmore. For those that say Joe is only about speed and chops then have an ear full of this! Chock full of tasty melodic lines and packed with emotion. The Schenker vibe is further enhanced with a half-cocked wah pedal to really accent the mids and plenty of minor scale runs.

Day Of Doom is a dark gothic piece with a very haunting melody that goes through a series of progressions. Joe's phrasing and vibrato are superb here with some very tastefully thought out solos. Joe's tone is very good here with, you can really hear him switching between smooth neck pickup legato licks to glassy bridge pickup tones to make sustained notes ring out with punch.

Hurricane X is pure Blackmore done in the Stump style. Mixing the bluesy element of Lazy with the aggression of Under The Gun intertwined with the more classical pomp of Kill The King. Make no mistake you know this Stump, but he has nailed the Blackmore vibe - check out the licks from 1:36 through to the very Blackmore vibrato at 1:46 - blinding stuff! Joe does step outside the Blackmore sound to go into more articulated neo-classical runs though the middle section and its this blend of styles that generally gives a masterclass of the progressions made in the neo-classical genre from the primitive style started by Blackmore to the modern interpretation of Stumps own original elements. This is one fun track that its quite obvious Joe had a blast playing, this element will transcend to you the listener.

Chasing Rainbows is pure up-tempo metal. Joe builds up the layers and intensity on this track. Some of the speed of the playing on this track is just plain scary yet its fits the up-tempo vibe of the backing track to a tee. Its probably my least favorite track on the album but its a lot of fun.

Armed & Ready is Stump paying tribute to another of his influences Gary Moore (were talking his 1980's metal period not his current straight blues approach). Joe playing is more straightforward here, utilizing pinch harmonics and whammy bar tricks however the odd arpeggio section does creep in. A good track that is another quality 6 minutes.

Hot Nights sees the neo-classical vibe return with a dark harmonic minor sound with plenty of classical overtones. My only real gripe with this track is the backing section is a little one-dimensional but Joe manages to still make the track go through several areas with different inflections that breathe life into the track. Joe's speed picking here is exemplary - super clean!

Destination is pure Hendrix from the rotovibe drenched pentatonic blues licks. Stump successfully shows that he is no slouch when it comes to playing more basic rock guitar, there are some superb licks scattered liberally throughout this track. Towards the end we get some tremolo bar madness before wah drenched lead lines take control. However, Stump still finds time to peel off the occasionally descending linear lick that brings the Hendrix sound right up to date (in a technical sense).

Overall Armed & Ready is a technically, very proficient album that takes us across several styles whilst maintaining the metal vibe. Its a good indicator of the mastery of the instrument Stump has, yet it retains a very listenable vibe that even non-musicians can grasp and get a kick out of. Long time Stump fans should pick up this album a.s.a.p., whilst new listeners would find this a very good starting point to get a taster of what Joe is all about.

Hot Spots: Mind Games, Prisoner Of Time, Hurricane X.

Rating: 91%

http://www.virtuosityone.com

Released: 2003 (Leviathan Records www.leviathanrecords.com)
Rating: 4/5
Reviewer: Rick

The man with the blazing fret board is back with another solo disc full of rip snorting shredding mayhem. This CD was actually recorded as part of the Diginet Music Guitar Masters Series but because of how well it turned out it was decided to give it a proper full release. The series takes basic backing tracks of bass and drums and lets the guitar players interpret the piece as they see it in their minds eye. This leads to some interesting interpretations and truly shows how differently many composers approach their work. Joe Stump is truly one of the great guitar players in metal today and it is interesting to see his take on the Diginet backing tracks.

The disc opens with the ripper “Mind Games”. Stump wastes no time in getting right to the shredding. This is what the guy is known for after all. Guitar One magazine has even voted him one of the 10 best shredders of all time. “Day of Doom” slows Stump down but he shows on this track that he can do more than just shred his guitar to pieces. His playing is tasteful and well constructed and even the slow backing track cannot conceal his aggressive tendencies. Other players in this series have used this track to create a more blues based laid-back feel but Stump still goes for the throat. A perfect example of the difference that 2 players can see in a song when they play is the track “Hurricane X”. The Michael Harris version of this song is a jazzy tune that is relatively subdued while Stump again goes for the jugular while throwing in, what he calls, The Blackmore Shuffle. It is hard to believe that it’s the same rhythm section on both songs. That is the strength of the Diginet Music Guitar Master Series; two players can take the same rhythm tracks and come up with 2 radically different sounding visions of that song. One of the highlights of CD is the title track. Stump goes for a bluesy groovy feel ala Gary Moore which fits perfectly with the backing track and is a fitting dedication to one of Stump’s major influences…

Joe Stump is one of the few instrumental players that I can listen to and feel that he doesn’t need a vocalist. His guitar playing provides the focal point that the vocalist would take and conveys the same message without singing a word. What is more extraordinary is the fact that many of these songs are first takes. If you are a fan of excellent guitar playing then check out this CD.

----- Rick (Metal-Rules.com)

Conquer & Divide is the fourth album of the band formed by guitar master Joe Stump and supersedes their previous release, Sacred Ground. Joe Stump is joined on this album by vocalist Mike Vescera and Matt Scurfield (ex-Event, drums) and Jay Rigney (ex-Event, bass), who form a powerful rhythm section. The keyboard parts on the album are done by guest musician Mats Olausson who also played with Yngwie Malmsteen. Joe Stump has released a few instrumental guitar albums and has an insanely intense guitar playing style, which is evident on this album.

The album balances in the middle of being a progressive metal album and a thrash metal album, especially in the opening title-track, ‘Conquer & Divide’. Aggressive drumming, fast guitar riffs and haunting vocals is what this first track is about. The first half of the disc is extremely heavy, but ‘Forsaken’ starts to sound a bit more progressive, with an excellent guitar riff and less aggressive and thrashy drumming. ‘Sign of the Cross’ shows the Deep Purple / Rainbow / Dio influences on Stump’s guitar play. An excellent song. The instrumental ‘Seance’ and ‘The Meaning’ show a more progressive side of this band and they have some good keyboard arrangements to support the excellent guitar sound (of Stump). The European version has one bonus track: ‘Lament’, another instrumental with again superb guitar riffs and good keyboard play.

Conquer & Divide is an album with two faces: one mixing thrash and power metal and one much more progressive and it would be interesting to see what this band can do if they would explore their progressive side more, as in my opinion, they seem very good at it, even better than the power metal side. Joe Stump is truly a master on the guitar and he writes excellent songs. Vocals are not great, but not bad either. I miss the balance a bit in the songs, but I think The Reign Of Terror has delivered a very powerful metal album and are worthy of. Keep an eye on them as they could come up with more interesting albums.

----- Marcel Haster (Progpower Online)

Joe Stump’s Reign of Terror is back for the attack on the hard and heavy 2nd power metal masterpiece CONQUER & DIVIDE on Leviathan Records. On this round, Reign of Terror delivers a mighty power metal release which features vocalist Mike Vescera (Ex-LOUDNESS / OBSESSION) once again and they hit the bulls eye right on dead center.

Joe Stump is without a doubt one of the best guitar players / shredders ever. He executes his craft and 6 string skills with fire, fury, precision and authenticity. Michael Vescera provides one of the best vocal performances of his career, laying down line after line of heavy metal venom and rage throughout all 10 songs on the CD. The rest of the backing band is to be commended for being a musically tight rhythm unit and for keeping up with light speed guitar player Joe Stump.

This CD is highly recommended for all fans of top quality US power metal.

Recommended Songs: All
Rating: (8.0/10)

----- Benjamin Niebla II (www.desertrockpromotions.com)

I really didn't know guitarist Joe Stump was still in business, but it's great to have him here since he's really one of the last awesome guitarists around. Well, some might call him an Yngwie clone, but hey, try to reach his quality first before you judge him! The two instrumental tracks "Séance" and "Lament" should drop your jaws. With vocalist Mike Vescara and guest keyboarder Mats Olausson, The Reign Of Terror really presents a line-up that proves its class and guarantees exceptional musicianship. Showing that much class on one side it's really hard to follow on that level with the appropriate songwriting. It seems to me like the harmonic minor mode has been over-exploited through the years and doesn't allow that many cool original (!) melodies anymore. Yngwie has done that before and even he can no longer reach the stakes he has set with his early releases. "Conquer & Divide" features all "Yngwie-Elements" that make neo-classical metal that great: Fast beats, high vocals, loads of harmonic minor scales and progressions and Joe Stump's virtuous guitar playing. While Mike Vescara is indeed a great singer, it bores me a bit that he's using almost identical lines in the main part of the songs. I'm not sure if this was his idea, but he's credited for the songwriting as well, so that's my thought. The album's highlights are Joe's instrumental tracks plus "Forsaken," "Sacrifice," and "Sign Of The Cross," which feature the most melodic quality on the 11-Track CD. Excellent musicianship, great production but rather average songs. 7.5 points.

----- Julian Angel from Meddazarock (German Website)