Year : 2023
Style : Guitar instrumental
Country : Canada
Audio : 320 kbps + front
Size : 75 mb
Bio:
Darren Michael Boyd has toured and recorded with various artists, including Black Ju-Ju, Creeping Beauty, and Famous Underground (featuring Juno award-winning vocalist Nick Walsh). He was invited multiple occasions to privately audition for platinum-selling artist Fefe Dobson, and was asked to write songs for Alice Cooper bassist Chuck Garric’s side band Beasto Blanco. Darren received a scholarship to attend a week in Toronto in the summer of 2007 at Guitar Workshop Plus, with some of the best players in the business as instructors (Paul Gilbert/Billy Sheehan/Sue Foley). In the winter of 2019 he was given an honourable mention by ASCAP for his first instrumental release "This song won't get played on the radio"He has shared the stage with many classic and current acts such as One-Eyed Doll, Wednesday 13, Yngwie Malmsteen, Stryper, Stitched Up Heart, Beasto Blanco, and Lee Aaron, to name a few. Darren released his debut instrumental album entitled "Lifting the Curse" in the fall of 2019 as a form of therapy following a life-altering car accident. It was recorded and produced by Darren Michael Boyd, who performed all of the instruments on the album, except on the track "Was is something I said" which features drums by Emily Dolan Davies (The Darkness, Kim Wilde).He brought his instrumental project to the stage for the first time in May of 2019.In the spring of 2019 he joined the Mississippi Mudds Theatre Group to play guitar for a sold out run of Queens We Will Rock You, which won the Ottawa Faces Award. He hopes to do a lot more musical theatre in the future.In the spring of 2020 he was voted best local musician, and best guitar teacher, in the Ottawa Valley/North Grenville Readers Choice Awards.During the 2020 Covid Pandemic period, Boyd created and released his sophomore solo album entitled Wonders of the Invisible World, along with five music videos.The Present: Darren was nominated for BEST ROCK ARTIST by the Josie Music Awards, the largest independent music awards show in the world - held at Dollywood in Tennessee! He recently completed studio recording for the new Famous Underground release - In my Reflection, including a music video for "Like an Animal".Three of Boyd's self-produced music videos from the Wonders of the Invisible world album were nominated for Independent film festival awards. Arachnochakra won for Best North American Music Video in the Toronto Alternative Film Festival.Darren released a new single called "Spider Jewel" in June/2021, while he continues to work on his third solo album, with a projected release of October 2021.October 2021 marked the release of Boyd's 3rd solo album, "Last seen in Canada..." and a return to the stage! As a result of Last Seen in Canada, Boyd was nominated by the Josie Music Awards in the "Musician of the Year" category for 2022 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.He is currently performing regional live shows, and released his 4th solo album "Thoughts & Scares" on October 21st/2022. Boyd has also released three music videos from the album, "Misty Mundae", "Kickintheballs", and "Slow Dancing with Death".Boyd is launching a four-song digital EP called "The G-String Murders" in March of 2023.
Album:
Hexalogy is Darren Michael Boyd’s 6th official studio release. It is a turning point in Boyd’s compositional style of instrumental music; a culmination of a six-year personal and professional roller coaster, resulting in ten spells of musical witchcraft.All of the elation, pain, and loss, have been combined in a brew and poured into riffs and melodies. The blend of humour and darkness fans have come to expect are still present, and the Spooky Surf vibe and Hard Rock inspirations are more powerful and make no apologies.As always, Boyd clearly places his focus on the importance of crafting great songs. Hexalogy is meant for music lovers, but there is no shortage of fiery guitar work to satisfy true shred fans! For the sake of efficiency, Darren Michael Boyd has always produced his own solo albums. On Hexalogy, his growth as a producer, as well as a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, is apparent.Track by Track: Vulgar Lore – This track is an obvious opener for the album. Vulgar Lore takes you on a long journey in a short period of time. It shows Boyd’s hard rock influences and never loses intensity, even during the slower tempo outro.The Seven Strings Of Grief – Boyd shines on this track by skilfully combining the Spooky Surf Sound with powerful Metal riffs. The walking bass lines and sparse, haunting clean guitar chords create an eerie musical landscape. There is proficient and creative use of a 7-string guitar throughout, in both the clean and distorted sections.Flesh On The Fretboard – Three tracks into the album and Boyd is wearing the Metal genre tag like the badge of honour that it is. He takes the song into some melodic, unexpected places, then returns to the heaviness and finishes strong and loud.Hide And Shriek – Built on a foundation of hooky low-octave riffs, this track is a fist-pumper. It has a creepy horror movie vibe in places, particularly with the “monster” guitar solo!Sedona Legato – Evidently named for one of Boyd’s three Sphynx cats, “Sedona” is such a catchy song that the proverbial earworm will lay eggs that you may never get rid of. The verse melody is evocative and expressive, and the chorus riff is expertly harmonized.Darkling – A plaintive, melodic lead guitar offering paints a melancholic picture over a retro-sounding musical canvas. The instrumentation shows plenty of restraint for the benefit of the composition, and expresses ferocity at just the right moments.Cupid Elimination – A sad sounding song, with a humorous title. Much of the guitar tone on this track leans toward a cleaner side of distortion, without losing any impact whatsoever. There is a middle-eight solo section that boarders on progressive creativity which seems to swirl out of control before masterfully bringing everything back to where it belongs. Absolute madness within an otherwise well-oiled machine.The G-String Murders – This track also features the more “metal” side of Boyd’s writing, demonstrating his ability to create intense, high-energy music, without sacrificing melody. This song starts and ends with an explosive hard rock murdermystery vibe, sandwiched by a unique style of hammer-ons that both guitar players and music lovers will no doubt appreciate.Racing For Pinks – One of Boyd’s most “surf-styled” tracks to date, he explains that the title is a throwback reference to 1950’s movies (and Grease in the 70’s) where the winner of a drag race would take possession of the loser’s vehicle. This song is full of tension, dynamics, and a motorcycle guitar throughout!No Pain, No Stain – Possibly one of the funniest titles yet, with multiple possible meanings. It’s an uplifting track with a beautiful melody and a chorus that elevates. No Pain, No Stain is perfect closer for Hexalogy, wrapping up the entire artistic vision of the album.
Line Up:
Darren Michael Boyd - Guitar
Trevor St. Peter – Guitar
Carina Daugherty – Bass
Mike Berrigan – Drums
Tracklist:
01. Vulgar Lore
02. The Seven Strings Of Grief
03. Flesh On The Fretboard
04. Hide And Shriek
05. Sedona Legato
06. Darkling
07. Cupid Elimination
08. The G-String Murders
09. Racing For Pinks
10. No Pain, No Stain
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