Year: 2020
Total Time: 31:07
Label: Candyrat Records

The last two years have been at least complicated for everyone. Musicians had all the time in the world to finish older projects or to create new ones as the touring and the gigs were put to a stop by the pandemic. Well, most of them were quite preoccupied with the enigma of “how to make a living?” but supposedly this vital question was answered, time was more than enough to dive into artistic endeavours…

There was also another category of musicians and bands that had already worked their a&£es off to have an album ready in 2020 and all of a sudden, there goes the corona and if you had already released the material “tant pis” as my fellows the French say…

So, tons of excellent music throughout 2020 and 2021 and for us the fans it’s quite probable that we didn’t have the chance to check out all of the hidden masterpieces that were released during that period. And that’s the case with “Socialholic”.

And believe me, if it wasn’t for a masterpiece, I wouldn’t spend the time and the effort to go a year back in time while so many quality releases already await in my drawer. And it’s one of the extremely rare occasions where we’re talking about an instrumental guitar album!

So, what about “Socialholic”? To put it simply and honestly this is the album John Petrucci was dreaming to release when he was young, but then he was caught up with the band, the gym, the family and you know… there wasn’t enough time so he finally chose to make something rather mediocre instead.

Bad Petrucci jokes aside, we’re talking about a serious progressive metal album where musicality, melody and innovation are happily married to virtuosity, taste and energy. I’d say that most importantly “Socialholic” isn’t an album for guitarists only. In fact, I’d say that’s an album for everyone who’s bored to death with the never-ending solos, the ridiculous speeds and the progressions that we’ve heard a million times.

And who is Chris Mike you might ask… He’s a Greek guitarist (Christos Michalis) who has been praised by Guitar World, Premier Guitar, Metal Injection etc. His first album “Not Just Lipstick On A Pig” (2013) made a big “boom” in the scene and since then he has released several singles before and after 2020’s “Socialholic”. In my opinion Chris as a guitarist falls into the category “a teacher’s teacher” but most importantly as a musician he’s one of the tastiest and more “all around” educated people I know. And that’s not a compliment, it’s the obvious truth that becomes evident to everyone who might put in the time to listen to Chris’ albums.

“Socialholic” takes off with “Headbang”. Listen to this track and come and tell me my reader that it’s not a prog metal gem. I hear in it an inspiration coming from some early Vinnie More and some Dream Theater classics. Great! But will it be all the album like that, not that I’m complaining but you know…and “Limerence” kicks in. What the hell is that?  It sounds like a Broadway act, the opening tune of a play or something. The click on 2 and 4, but wait a minute: the riffing starts and now a complex metric pattern begins with the guitar and the horns coming in to play before a very melodic refrain conquers the arrangement. “Limerence” is also a video and a well-made one.

Next is “Wildfire”. Here I hear a Rick Graham tone but always in our prog metal context. Beauty and energy combined.

“Velour” is the fourth track. Right in your face. The notes flow like a river of sound and after a while a major joyful progression opens up and… life is good. Some soprano sax takes. Very positive vibes in this one.

“Rue Flower” that follows is a beautiful melody that wonders in a transposing labyrinth evoking a bitter sweet nostalgia through Chris’ (always) top-notch interpretation.

Next one is the title track “Socialholic” and we’re back to prog metal with some beautiful synth sounds. Reminds me a little bit of PLINI but heavier, melodies come and go over a very tasty harmonic background.

« Detox » is a lost part of Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells that didn’t fit into the recording back in 1973… well it isn’t, but with its perfect sounding chill out, old school vibes, it could have been in a parallel universe.

So that’s it: 7 songs and 31 minutes of music. And you know what? The density of the musical information that’s hidden inside, the change of styles, the innovative ideas, the beautiful melodies… are more than enough to keep you interested for many many hours and repeated listens. As for me, as a professional guitarist and teacher I find Chris’ level frightening at least (and I play for 33 years). The control he has over the instrument and the way he uses it to fully express himself is to be found only amongst the international « premier league ». But most importantly as a prog metal fan, I place “Socialholic” next to “Surfing With The Alien”, “Mind’s Eye”, “Rising Force”, “Dragon’s Kiss”, “Perpetual Burn” and other classics. No more no less than a masterpiece itself.

Rating: 8,5/10
Editor: Yiannis Tziallas
Related Link: CHRIS MIKE – Official Page