Katrina Johansson

CDs now available on guitar legend MAB's website:http://www.angelo.com/html/katrina_johansson.htmlThe following is a review by Rock Report: www.rockreportbe.com:Having released a heavy instrumental EP in 2005 Guitarsongs Volume I, Katrina has recently finished her second studio release with producer Mike Hoffman, due out in 2007. Her melodic shredding style has gained her a lot of respect as a female icon in a typically male-dominated genre. Additional recording and mixing at Studio One with Chris Djuricic. Tuesday, December 4, 2007 Album review - Katrina Johansson "Love Surrender Forgiveness"Influenced by Gary Moore, Yngwie Malmsteen, Ritchie Blackmore, Joe Satriani, Michael Angelo Batio, Jimi Hendrix, Ty Tabor and Peter Lindgren, Katrina Johansson is back with a follow-up to her first EP, Guitarsongs Volume I (2005).Produced by Mike Hoffmann, with additional recording and mixing at Studio One with Chris Djuricic, Katrina’s new EP, Love Surrender Forgiveness, shows an undeniable leap in composition and technique.The first impression I had after listening to the first three of the four tracks, was how much self expression was conveyed and how personal each song sounded.Katrina has garnered a lot of respect and become a female icon in the male dominated genres of shred and instrumental rock, and this new EP puts her in contention for the “new queen of shred” title.The first track, “Scar Tissue”, starts with a big, foot-stomping riff and a very singable melody line. This track really shows off Katrina’s legato phrases and the outro solo has some amazing alternate picking.The “eastern” feel of track two, “Bellydance”, has a very interesting melody (something to do with Katrina’s love of sweat inducing Indian food, maybe?). Look out for the nice build-up of tension before a very seductive break at around 2:24. This song got me thinking about Mesopotamia and pretty ladies behind coloured veils.The title track, “Love Surrender Forgiveness”, is (to my ears at least) the most personal and reflective track. Katrina plays beautiful phrases throughout the song which keeps a very tender feel compared to the rest of the tracks on this hard rocking EP.The remix of K-9 Lullaby showcases (for those who missed her first EP) Karina’s wonderful call and answer phrasing, with none other than the powerful Michael Angelo Batio on bass.This new EP is definitely a step in the right direction for this vegetarian and Dean Guitars endorsee. Just one question: When will we see a full album?Track listing:1. Scar Tissue 2. Bellydance 3. Love Surrender Forgiveness 4. K-9 LullabyLine-up:Katrina Johansson - Guitars Wolfe - Drums Mike Hoffmann - Bass, Slide Guitar, 12 String Guitar Michael Angelo Batio - Bass (K-9 Lullaby) Brad Rohrssen - Drums (K-9 Lullaby)For more about Katrina visist www.katrinaguitar.com/The awesome Shred Academy also reviewed the new CD: Love, Surrender, Forgiveness © 2007 indie instrumental guitar music EP 4 tracks - TT 20:08 http://www.katrinaguitar.comTwo years ago Katrina Johansson first graced these pages with her debut EP “Guitarsongs volume 1”. As the title of the disc already indicated their was more to come from this talented female guitarist and in the shape of “Love, Surrender, Forgiveness” it has now arrived.The elements that made the instrumental music of Katrina appealing to both lovers of the instrumental genre and regular hard rock fans were the fact that she delivered her message (and ample proof of the many aspects of her talent on the six string) in 4 to 5 minute tunes and that those tunes were all worthy of the name song.And I’m happy to say that all of these elements have remained intact on her latest offering.The disc opens with “Scar Tissue” a slow burning affair that sees Katrina altering acoustic and electric guitar parts and is reminiscent in overall feeling to Steve Vai’s “For The Love Of God”. And just like on the first cut “Driven” of her debut EP she picks up the tempo at the end of the song to display her ability to shred.Up next is the “appropriately titled “Bellydance” through which the leading thread is an Eastern tinged melody followed by what I consider the EP’s master piece namely the beautiful title track. Very well constructed and equipped with excellent melodies this Satriani/Vai inspired cut is an absolute joy to listen to. A genuine piece of emotional music.Closing the disc is a remixed version of “K-9 Lullaby” a track from her previous EP. I wasn’t able to spot a real difference in the song’s structure although I must say that guitar sound comes acrossas a little less polished with more of an edge to it. All in all this is another fine offering from one of the few very talented female fretboard spankers. (PS) In Guitarsongs Volume I, Katrina wrote and produced the songs, playing all lead and rhythm guitars. Brad Rohrssen, former Atlantic Recording Artist played drums on the first three tracks, with Michael Angelo Batio on bass guitar. The EP was recorded and engineered at Monster Mix Studio and at Studio One with Chris Djuricic and Michael Angelo Batio. The fourth song was recorded and mixed by Jim Harvey and Ron Reid from Breakthrough Audio. The EP is currently available from CD BabyKatrina is also endorsed by Dean Guitars.