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By Mike Varney | July, 2005
Age: 18
Style: Neo-classical metal
Influences: Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker, Danny Elfman, George Bellas
Main Guitars: Fender Stratocaster
Location: Cumming, GA
Background: Tolan began playing acoustic guitar at the age of eight, started lessons with a local teacher at 12, and focused his study on the shred virtuosos of the neo-classical school after hearing Yngwie Malmsteen for the first time. Soon, he increased his practice regimen to up to eight hours on weekdays, and eight to 14 hours on weekends. Summer programs at the Berklee School of Music enhanced his skills—especially his study with faculty member and notable shredder Joe Stump.
Armed with a mature sense of musicality, and a full spectrum of shred-guitar chops, Tolan’s playing reminds neo-classical fans of his Malmsteen and Becker influences—which is no small feat for any guitarist to accomplish, but nearly unheard of for someone Justin's age.
Contact: justintolan@yahoo.com - Guitar Player Magazine
By Mike Varney | July, 2005
Age: 18
Style: Neo-classical metal
Influences: Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker, Danny Elfman, George Bellas
Main Guitars: Fender Stratocaster
Location: Cumming, GA
Background: Tolan began playing acoustic guitar at the age of eight, started lessons with a local teacher at 12, and focused his study on the shred virtuosos of the neo-classical school after hearing Yngwie Malmsteen for the first time. Soon, he increased his practice regimen to up to eight hours on weekdays, and eight to 14 hours on weekends. Summer programs at the Berklee School of Music enhanced his skills—especially his study with faculty member and notable shredder Joe Stump.
Armed with a mature sense of musicality, and a full spectrum of shred-guitar chops, Tolan’s playing reminds neo-classical fans of his Malmsteen and Becker influences—which is no small feat for any guitarist to accomplish, but nearly unheard of for someone Justin's age.
Contact: justintolan@yahoo.com - Guitar Player Magazine
16-Year-Old-Neo-Classicist Cranks Out Demo
Justin Tolan, from Cumming, Georgia, submitted his 4 song instrumental demo entitled Requiem, a musically demanding tribute to some of his most highly regarded influences. Solidly cast in the neo-classical metal form, Tolan has practiced diligently in order to record pieces that reflect his classical influences and the modern approach to classical metal music of shredders such as George Bellas, Jason Becker and Yngwie Malmsteen. The opening track, "Tyreal's Path" sets the stage, matching precision with speed, and letting the listener know that Tolan is a player to reckoned with. The last piece, "Crucified" is a heavily arpeggiated production, with an incredible display of fretboard fireworks over a fairly lean and basic drum machine and bass rhythm bed - it takes a certain amount of ability to make a track stand out in that environment. As young as he is, Tolan has the time and motivation to keep bettering himself and forging his own unique path in the neo-classical world.Justin has been playing guitar since 1997, focusing his studies on the metal/neo-classical genre. With his music, he hopes to pay homage to his predecessors and influences (including players such as Malmsteen, Corbin King, Bellas, Vinnie Moore, Tony MacAlpine, Richie Blackmore, Becker, Uli Jon Roth and Gary Moore) in an appeasing manner, as well as turn some kids his age onto the metal /neo-classical style of music. For the future, Justin plans to keep playing live and he is currently writing a full-length album that will feature counterpoint, odd meter, harmony and all the other recognizable elements that make up neo-classical music. He also mentioned that he finds classical composers such as Mozart, Bach, Chopin, Vivaldi and Beethoven to be highly influential.
After Tolan finishes high school in a couple of years, he is headed to the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
- Guitar9.com
16-Year-Old-Neo-Classicist Cranks Out Demo
Justin Tolan, from Cumming, Georgia, submitted his 4 song instrumental demo entitled Requiem, a musically demanding tribute to some of his most highly regarded influences. Solidly cast in the neo-classical metal form, Tolan has practiced diligently in order to record pieces that reflect his classical influences and the modern approach to classical metal music of shredders such as George Bellas, Jason Becker and Yngwie Malmsteen. The opening track, "Tyreal's Path" sets the stage, matching precision with speed, and letting the listener know that Tolan is a player to reckoned with. The last piece, "Crucified" is a heavily arpeggiated production, with an incredible display of fretboard fireworks over a fairly lean and basic drum machine and bass rhythm bed - it takes a certain amount of ability to make a track stand out in that environment. As young as he is, Tolan has the time and motivation to keep bettering himself and forging his own unique path in the neo-classical world.Justin has been playing guitar since 1997, focusing his studies on the metal/neo-classical genre. With his music, he hopes to pay homage to his predecessors and influences (including players such as Malmsteen, Corbin King, Bellas, Vinnie Moore, Tony MacAlpine, Richie Blackmore, Becker, Uli Jon Roth and Gary Moore) in an appeasing manner, as well as turn some kids his age onto the metal /neo-classical style of music. For the future, Justin plans to keep playing live and he is currently writing a full-length album that will feature counterpoint, odd meter, harmony and all the other recognizable elements that make up neo-classical music. He also mentioned that he finds classical composers such as Mozart, Bach, Chopin, Vivaldi and Beethoven to be highly influential.
After Tolan finishes high school in a couple of years, he is headed to the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
- Guitar9.com
Leviathan/Lion Recording Artist, and Guitar Faculty at Berklee College of Music: "During my 11 years at Berklee College of Music, I've only encountered a handful of very gifted players that are so developed at such a young age. Justin is without a doubt one of those select few. His technique is frighteningly advanced, just scary for such a young guy; but he also has a real nice melodic sense and phrases wonderfully, very musical. He's truly mature far beyond his years guitar-wise and I see only great things for him in the future." - Joe Stump
Leviathan/Lion Recording Artist, and Guitar Faculty at Berklee College of Music: "During my 11 years at Berklee College of Music, I've only encountered a handful of very gifted players that are so developed at such a young age. Justin is without a doubt one of those select few. His technique is frighteningly advanced, just scary for such a young guy; but he also has a real nice melodic sense and phrases wonderfully, very musical. He's truly mature far beyond his years guitar-wise and I see only great things for him in the future." - Joe Stump
Sixteen year old, aspiring virtuoso guitarist Justin Tolan from Georgia has compiled a set of remarkable instrumental tracks on his demo CD, Requiem. Considering his young age, Tolan demonstrates a surprisingly advanced grasp on neoclassical guitar technique, composition, and musical vision. Tolan seems undeterrably headed for greatness in the neoclassical venue. Having attained a superb control over the mechanics of the primary neoclassical techniques such as sweep picking /arpeggiation, alternating picking, patterns, pedal tones, etc., Tolan arranged four eye-widening tracks on this strictly instrumental, purist neoclassical demo. The composition, like the guitar technique, demonstrated surprising maturity sparking the word "prodigy" into consideration. Unlike many aspiring guitar! ists that get bogged down in the technical issues and mechanics of electric guitar, Tolan clearly demonstrates on this effort that he is capable of executing complex arrangements with his mind squarely focused on the musical vision, having mastery over the mechanics that he deploys. Tolan not only works out some driving, compelling arrangements, but also instills an unmistakeable direction and vision in his playing that was the most striking aspect of his demo. Though the demo is comprised of only four tracks, all four are superb both in high octane guitar work and satisfying composition laden with aggression and drive.
Neoclassical fans take note. Justin Tolan is a name to watch out for in the future. Tolan is following in the footsteps of his legendary heros, Malmsteem and Bellas, and is well on his way in climbing the neoclassical ladder of greatness. Considering his young age and quality of this demo CD that is more impressive than what I remember of the early Yngwie demos when he was at that age, Justin Tolan shows great promise... and has set great expectations among his reviewers! - EER-Music/Chris Ruel
Sixteen year old, aspiring virtuoso guitarist Justin Tolan from Georgia has compiled a set of remarkable instrumental tracks on his demo CD, Requiem. Considering his young age, Tolan demonstrates a surprisingly advanced grasp on neoclassical guitar technique, composition, and musical vision. Tolan seems undeterrably headed for greatness in the neoclassical venue. Having attained a superb control over the mechanics of the primary neoclassical techniques such as sweep picking /arpeggiation, alternating picking, patterns, pedal tones, etc., Tolan arranged four eye-widening tracks on this strictly instrumental, purist neoclassical demo. The composition, like the guitar technique, demonstrated surprising maturity sparking the word "prodigy" into consideration. Unlike many aspiring guitar! ists that get bogged down in the technical issues and mechanics of electric guitar, Tolan clearly demonstrates on this effort that he is capable of executing complex arrangements with his mind squarely focused on the musical vision, having mastery over the mechanics that he deploys. Tolan not only works out some driving, compelling arrangements, but also instills an unmistakeable direction and vision in his playing that was the most striking aspect of his demo. Though the demo is comprised of only four tracks, all four are superb both in high octane guitar work and satisfying composition laden with aggression and drive.
Neoclassical fans take note. Justin Tolan is a name to watch out for in the future. Tolan is following in the footsteps of his legendary heros, Malmsteem and Bellas, and is well on his way in climbing the neoclassical ladder of greatness. Considering his young age and quality of this demo CD that is more impressive than what I remember of the early Yngwie demos when he was at that age, Justin Tolan shows great promise... and has set great expectations among his reviewers! - EER-Music/Chris Ruel
Discography
I have appeared on "Guitars at an Exhibition Vol. 2"(age 16)
"Requiem Ep" 2004 (age 16)
"Rapacity Ep" 2005 (age 17)
"Swingin and Stompin Ep" (age 20)
Photos
Bio
I am a 20 year old guitarist residing in Boston Massachusetts. I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. I began playing guitar at the age of 8, and started to get obsessive with it around the age of 12. Throughout middle and high school my time was spent playing 6-8 hours a day on weekdays and 8-14 hours a day on weekends. At the age of 16 I attended the Berklee 5 Week Summer Program, where i began studying with Joe Stump. After returning from the program I saved up some money and recorded a demo my Senior year of high school and sent it to Shrapnel Records owner Mike Varney. The demo received a positive response which led to me appearing in the August 2005 issue of Guitar Player Magazine in the Spotlight Column; as well as my appearance on Guitar9.com's "Guitars At An Exhibition Vol. 2". After Graduating high school I moved to Boston, Ma to attend the Berklee College of Music. I have studied privately with Joe Stump and Greg Howe. I am currently in my third year and about to begin production of my first full - length instrumental record.
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