STREAMING: Jeff Loomis “Surrender” (feat. Ihsahn)

We’ve had Jeff Loomis’ Midwestern back ever since he first debuted with Nevermore on the group’s self-titled debut LP. Over the years, he has transformed into a wonder axeman (or Guitar Hero, if you want to use contemporary video game parlance), lining up with such greats as Marty Friedman, George Lynch, and Alexi Laiho.
Now that Loomis has exited Nevermore, a band he was with for almost two fucking decades, he’s free to roam the shred landscape that inspired him in the first place. Inspired by Marty Friedman, Jason Becker, and Yngwie Malmsteen, Loomis’ first stab at self-logoing an album–while still with Nevermore, natch–came in the form of Zero Order Phase. Applauded for its fiery guitar work and nods to the string gods that came before him, Loomis’ debut was, for all intents and purposes, a dream come true.

Of course, the follow-up to Zero Order Phase isn’t entirely a shred LP, something Loomis alluded to during interviews for Zero Order Phase. Plains of Oblivion features, uh, black metal anti-hero Ihsahn on vocals, ex-Soilwork/Scarve drummer Dirk Verbeuren, ex-Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland, Tony MacAlpine, new Nevermore guitarist Attila Vörös, and Nevermore session vocalist Christine Rhoades. Oh, and Plains of Oblivion also features ex-Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman.

“‘Surrender’ is finally making its way out there,” comments Loomis. “It’s impossible for me to say what my favorite track on this record is, it seems to change daily, but this one has definitely had its fair share of days. It was just a bit different for me, which ultimately lead to getting Ihsahn on board for it, which again, I can’t thank him enough for. I hope you guys enjoy it.”

** Jeff Loomis’ new album, Plains of Oblivion, is out April 10th, 2012 on Century Media Records. Nab a copy HERE or posit yourself between the frets of Loomis’ hammer-ons/pull-offs of doom. Sounds nasty, don’t it?