What Happens Next

Satriani can shred like nobody\'s business, but here he latches onto simplicity as a powerful tool. In an all-star power trio with erstwhile Deep Purple bassist Glenn Hughes and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, the guitar hero largely eschews overt complexity in favor of a visceral, sometimes downright primal hard-rocking roar. He seems to channel Jeff Beck on muscular blues-rocker \"Looper,\" unfurls monumental, metal-infused power chords on \"Thunder High on the Mountain,\" and shows his reflective side on \"Smooth Soul,\" unleashing electrifyingly expressive solos all the while.

Shredding legend Joe Satriani has embraced science fiction and fantastical visions of the future for most of his career.