Dragon's Kiss
Marty Friedman · 1988
36 min · 8 tracks · J-pop
A dazzling fusion of intricate guitar work and melodic hooks that defines the essence of neo-classical metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Saturation Point — The opening track showcases Friedman's exceptional technical skills with rapid-fire solos and intricate arrangements, establishing the album's ambitious tone.
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Dragon Mistress — This track features a memorable melody paired with dynamic shifts in tempo, illustrating Friedman's ability to balance aggression and accessibility.
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Forbidden City — As the longest track on the album, it offers an expansive journey through varied musical landscapes, highlighting Friedman's compositional depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Friedman's intricate guitar work and orchestral arrangements define this influential debut in neo-classical metal.
What we noticed
- Each track typically includes multiple sections, with contrasting tempos and dynamics that create a sense of movement throughout the pieces.
- Several tracks incorporate orchestral elements, blending traditional rock instrumentation with strings and keyboards to enhance the neo-classical feel.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic progression with resolution
- intricate guitar work appreciation
- wave-like pacing throughout
- melodic hooks for engagement
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- dislike complex musical structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1988, Dragon's Kiss marked Marty Friedman's solo debut following his tenure with the band Cacophony. At this point, Friedman was transitioning from a collaborative environment to establishing his own identity as a virtuoso guitarist, setting the stage for his influential career in both metal and J-pop.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Jason Becker· Yngwie Malmsteen· Paul Gilbert
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Namida (Tears)
The poignant moment where sorrow is evoked through the music's shift from minor to major keys creates an emotional contrast.
This key change underlines the tension between despair and hope, enhancing the overall emotional impact of the piece.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Saturation Point 4:53
- 2 Dragon Mistress 3:41
- 3 Evil Thrill 5:31
- 4 Namida (Tears) 2:47
- 5 Anvils 2:38
- 6 Jewel 4:05
- 7 Forbidden City 8:18
- 8 Thunder March 4:13
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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