Nita Strauss - Controlled Chaos - Side Stage Magazine

Nita Strauss, the guitar goddess who’s rocked with Alice Cooper, Femme Fatale, The Iron Maidens and more, released her debut solo album earlier this month, Controlled Chaos. The instrumental rock album has an intensity throughout every track with riffs that rock hard like Metallica. Every song flows together so well, that the first four tracks almost feel like an epic rock rhapsody.

“Here With You” slows down and transitions the album with a swaying guitar melody and softer drums and piano keys tinkling in the background. “The Quest” is a great song that mixes up different styles. It opens up with a concierto-style piano, then instantly goes into an epic guitar shred that’s the perfect soundtrack to any quest. “Hope Grows” shows Nita’s versatility with a more classic, bluesy guitar and accompanying piano. This track is very relaxing and peaceful, the drums don’t start until 2 minutes in, but they’re soft and don’t take away any of the tranquility of the song.

The final track, “The Show Must Go On,” is the perfect song to end the album on a high note, so to speak. It opens with a violin accompanying the guitar, and as the song builds, a small orchestra can be heard, leaving you wanting more. The theatricality of the varying instruments gives a great visual lending to the title.

Nita’s new album has just blown me away with the face-melting guitar every single song brings. It’s great to have an album that’s a half hour-long guitar solo. It’s especially great to hear the variety in playing, and the balance between instruments, especially the classical instruments that create a hybrid sound. This album is a great breakout album. Within the first week, it’s reached Billboard’s Top 200, Top Rock, Top Hard Music, Top New Artists, Top Internet, and Top Albums lists. Add this album to your library, and keep updated with Nita Strauss’ touring schedule and news updates at www.facebook.com/NitaStrauss

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