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KM-GUITARSLINGER.COM - FEB 2005 - 20th Century Guitar Magazine.
Minnesota-based guitarist Keith Miller is receiving lots of well earned praise for his two recently released self-produced CDs. Comparisons to Joe Satriani, Metallica and the Galactic Cowboys aside, with the release of Groove Train (2003) and Chalk (2004) Miller is staking out some rare musical territory all his own. A virtual steamroller of hard-rock guitar instrumental guitar sounds, Miller wrote, recorded and mixed all the sounds on both CDs, while demonstrating impressive guitar skills as well as his expertise in the studio. Both CDs fall right into the hard rock instrumental realm and Miller comes through with some dazzling guitar tones and techniques to further assure his rising guitar stature.____________________________________________________
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Keith Miller (U.S.)- "Groove Train" and "Chalk" (2003/2004 self).
From the cold plains of Minnesota, the possibility of an immediate thaw is
imminent once any of these discs are played. The molten strings that lay on the
glacial frontier are owned by this axesmith, Keith Miller. One of those
unheard ofs, Keith Miller, like many guitarists, started at an early age and was
self-taught before placing themself in a school for more advanced knowledge of
the craft. Keith did that before entering Musictech College in Minneapolis to
hone his skills even more. He also has the similairity of playing in
childhood/teenage year bands and had some success with a band called Plex'd which he
still is part of today."Groove Train", the 2003 debut has a nice heavy flavor to it with licks from
the blackest depths of hell without relying on the monotonous finger-diarrhea
that many of these guitarists do on their very first album like they have to
prove something. Fans of "Satch", Gary Hoey, SRV and Torben Enevoldsen will
definately understand the wizardry of Keith Miller. He may not be a huge name but
he's not a clone either;just has influences like everyone else. Recommended
songs off this CD (despite I would say all of them!!) woud be: "Groove Train",
"Thump-N-Groove", "King", "Grab It" and "Engine ..9". 9 tracks and a bit over
38 minutes.
"Chalk" is the brand-new release and it's pretty much the same thing here if
you like your instrumenal stuff a bit more progressive and edgier. There's one
vocal song on here called "Crazy" and it's pretty good and is somewhat along
the lines of what Kotzen does nowadays. The heaviest song off either album is
on this one by the name of "Inner Turbulance" which is very uptempo and then
you get tracks like "Chalk", "Saphire Pools" (sapphire dude! and turbulence;
sorry I'm anal about spelling!!), "Grid Lock" and "Clock Talk" with the heavy
progressive delivery; plus it helps with tonality to have a 7-stringer!!! "Flip
The Switch" was interesting as the main riff took me back to the 80's when
riffing was studied and was a thing of one-upmanship by many bands. "Rubber Room"
has some neat effects in it while "Noodlin'" is just what it is and is a
one-take track of just messin' around in rehearsal. Two albums and not a bad song
off either one of them...now that's impressive!! So do yourself a favor and
check this guy out, you won't be disappointed.
By: Wayne Klinger © Quintessence________________________________________________
_______________Chalk is the melodically shredded metal and rock CD from Keith Miller, which
follows on the path laid out by his previous CD, "Groove Train". The nimble
fingered guitarist seldom indulges to excess, but manages to offer plenty of
thrills and chills on the ten instrumental cuts (plus one vocal track). Miller is
a graduate from Musictech College of Music in Minneapolis, and is a member of
PLEXD a band that has received rave reviews in national magazines, as well
as some label interest. If you enjoy chops-happy excursions, turn-n-burn
fretting, fast electric guitar lines and slamming rhythms and smoldering riffs, look
no further than Chalk - a gem of raw power. Instrumental Guitar (Electric
(Heavy)/Heavy Metal/Hard Rock), total running time, 40:31
© Guitar Nine Records_____________________________________________________
__________Keith Miller - Review of "Chalk" by Bob Nalbandian of Shock Waves Magazine.
Underground guitar-great Keith Miller recently released his second instrumental solo record Chalk. Much like it's predecessor Groove Train (2003), and his previous band Plex'd, Keith Miller continues with his trademark style intricate guitar-blazing groove-metal with Chalk. Combining several classic metal guitar influences from Michael Schenker to Marty Friedman (with a sound somewhat similar to Marty's early solo work on Dragon's Kiss) Keith Miller jams very tasteful guitar licks atop intricate King's X meets Metallica-type grooves. Keith has a great sense for timing and rhythm and knows not to over-indulge giving the music a chance to breathe before laying down his next soulful guitar lick. Songs such as the title track, "Grid Lock," "Inner Turbulence," and "Rubber Room" prove that Keith Miller has what it takes to contend with today's guitar greats.
