Gus G talks Brand New Revolution: "I wanted to push myself with the solos on this record"

Ozzy’s virtuoso axeman is back with his latest solo effort, Brand New Revolution. Gus G talks to us about writing and recording the album, and, in particular, the realisation that he had to re-record all of his solos…

How would you describe your solo material compared to your work with Firewind?

“Comparing it to Firewind, it’s very different. It sounds more American than Firewind. Firewind sounds more European, with more of a power-metal background; a more melodic-metal European background.

“On this album, I wrote with a lot more people from America, so you have a bit more of that kind of sound. I would say this is more my hard-rock side, even though this album is a bit heavier than the first one. On the first album, I wrote a lot of stuff on acoustic guitar. On this one, I just wrote a lot of riffs!”

Did you write everything in advance, or did those riffs evolve in studio sessions?

It seems like every solo has a blazing lick, even when the solo isn’t a face-melter!

“I really tried to go for that, yeah! I wanted every song to have the right solo that will make an impression and [an] impact. That’s why the solo is there. I want every solo, when it comes up… [pauses]… everything else stops and you’re like, ‘Woah, what is this now?’ I wanted to go for that vibe, so that’s why I push myself.

Instrumental track The Quest displays your incredible technical skills. How did this track come together?

We love the riffs on We Are One and Come Hell Or High Water. What inspired them?

What gear did you use during the album’s recording sessions?

“I used my new [ESP] Random Star guitar in matt black with 24 frets. This is the first record that I’ve been using such high notes! Usually, my guitars are 22 frets. I really made use of those two extra frets!