Mike Gallagher Reviews

     EXTREME GUITAR II - Want a kick ass CD to cruise to? Have a short attention span like most Americans? Well, Extreme Guitar II from Mike Gallagher is the album for you. What you'll receive is some of the best instrumental expert guitar music since Satriani. Yep that's right.
     This man's music has been heard on television shows, movies and video games. You hear him on everything from Good Morning America, General Hospital to ABC's college football broadcasts and much more. You will be amazed at how familiar this music is to you as you have been around Gallagher's riffs and leads for years. The album's guitar work is in the vein of a slightly faster, more aggressive Satriani, with a feel of both George Lynch and Vinnie Moore as well.
     He shows all the techniques, fast speedy tapping, exquisite rhythm to lead exchanges, and an unbeatable clarity. The best part though is they are all about two minutes long and rather explosive. So, you will not be bored by this man's guitar virtuosity, unlike many of the other "Guitar Gods' endlessly ripping and shredding for 6-10 minutes per song. This CD is 12 songs that all pack a hell of a punch and the rhythms are unique and very catchy.
     Gallagher currently teaches guitar at Napoli Music School in Ardmore, Penn., where he has been an instructor for more then 10 years. He certainly has perfected pure melody mixed with shred. Do yourself a favor and go to www.mikegallagheronline.com and buy this cd today. You won't regret it! Be careful though, cause it is easy to forget how fast you are driving to some of these powerful speedy tracks.

Hard Rock Haven
Matthew Hoffman

EXTREME GUITAR II - I had the great honor of being introduced to a great melodic guitarist, and this is one fine album of pure melody n' shred! The average length for each song clocking in around 2 and a half minutes each with easy-on-the-ear melodies and great backing riffs, this is really recommended for fans of upbeat sounding melodic shred guitar. The album kicks off with the great ''Written in Blood'' which features awesome riffage followed by perfect catchy melodies.   "Lovecrazy" is another great uptempo sounding song with yet more catchy melodies! The rhythm on this album is also top notch, songs like ''Passport To Hell'' and ''Dead Man's Curve'' show this, with fast little interlude licks inserted with the riffs.   Other notable tracks include ''Prey'', ''Spider's Groove'' and ''Everything You Are'' but hell, they're all great! This album is destined for use in TV and Films, and I can see it being used a lot! If I were a producer I'd be using this all the time, it could really help make a great theme tune for a TV program or add a lot to a scene. Also, as the songs are fairly short in length it provides a better experience for those who get tired when hearing long songs.   Overall the technical guitar playing, both rhythm and lead on this album is that of high standard, the production is clear and sounds clean and great, and most importantly, the music kicks ass!!! Definitely worth checking out, recommended!

Shredaholic
Richard Niczyperowicz

EXTREME GUITAR II - This is really cool instrumental melodic hard rock/metal the way I like it best - straight-forward with a sort of twin-guitar melodic guitar line chorus. No wonder the songs of American guitarist Mike Gallagher have been heard in TV shows and movies worldwide, because the songs on his latest CD sound very catchy and perfect to be heard during (let’s say) action TV programs. Mike is an excellent guitar player, which you can hear very clearly on this wonderful instrumental CD. The sound in general reminds me of early Vai, Satriani and Van Halen. Highly recommended to the fans of instrumental Melodic Hard Rock/Metal! (Points: 8.4 out of 10)

Strutter 'Zine
Gabor Kleinbloesem

EXTREME GUITAR I - "Extreme Guitar I" is one enjoyable ride down rock & roll avenue! Big crunchy chord progressions, strong melodic blues based riffing with shred sensibilities all grace this fantastic release. Not since the mid eighties have we heard such up-tempo ass kickin' rockers. Mike approaches each composition with the K.I.S.S (keep it simple stupid) principle and achieves a great hard rocking album full of guitar wizardry and great solo excursions that fit each song like a well worn glove.
Inspired by the likes of Van Halen, Vito Bratta (White Lion) and George Lynch (Dokken), "Extreme Guitar" is a high energy CD that keeps the head banging and toes tapping. Gallagher exhibits a very melodic approach to all of his song structures and has one of the better senses of rhythm I have heard in many years. Much like his influences, he showcases melody over flash and comes up the winner throughout all his compositions.
Highlights include “Over The Top”, “Driven”, “Untamed Spirit” and the slamming “Timebomb”. An all around great album full of good old rock and roll played with conviction and finesse. This is a release for all generations and is great uplifting party music. A strong release from a true guitar maestro!!

Guitar Mania
Mike Sandomirsky

EXTREME GUITAR I - Out of the city of Philadelphia comes Mike Gallagher, an amazing guitarist who also played in the hard rock band Midnight Angel (see Reviews Index Page for a review). Now, he has released a solo CD and I must say it sounds FANTASTIC! Although many would say it's a 'safe' record, I am glad to finally hear a good instrumental album. Most of the instrumental albums these days are filled with endless bass freaking and complicated guitar solos. Forget all of the recent instrumental albums and have a listen to the CD of Mike Gallagher. The CD contains 10 tracks and from start to finish, it's high quality, upbeat instrumental melodic rock/metal that sounds best while driving in a car. Best songs are "Pure Instinct", "Last Chance", "Never Surrender" and "Untamed Spirit", but actually all songs are in the same fun 80's melodic rock style. This album is recommended to fans of no-nonsense instrumental melodic rock like early Vai/Satriani. (Points: 8 out of 10)

Strutter 'Zine
Gabor Kleinbloesem

Mike Gallagher is a guitarist from Philadelphia whose demo contains three tracks of highly technical rock guitar similar to Paul Gilbert's and Joey Tafolla's work with the Shrapnel Records label in the late '80s. All three tracks are up-tempo, high-powered originals and feature swift, precisely-picked passages and a smorgasbord of modern techniques. Clearly, Gallagher has mastered the technical aspects of his instrument and is poised to take his songwriting to the next level with a drummer and bassist who can match his guitar playing note for note. The soundfiles, selected from Gallagher's demo, showcase his incredible fretboard wizardry.

Guitar Nine Records
Dan McAvinchey

Somehow Mike got caught in a time warp while visiting Shrapnel Records in the mid 80's. Guitar God will immediately come to mind when you hear this tape. This boy is incredible! (Although he is almost pretty enough to be a girl.) It seems his looks (make-up, hair style, etc.) were jettisoned from the past as well. If you like Eddie Van Halen (old), Steve Vai (the straight jammin' without the spaciness), and any other guitarist from the Shrapnel label, then you will love this. This tape is one long jam session that leaves you hungry for more. Mike plays in the band Midnight Angel and is sending me the CD when it is completed. I can't wait! If this doesn't get you air-guitaring, nothing will! Mike attended Berklee College of Music and it shows. It makes me want to start playing guitar again. All straight up rockers, order Mike's CD.

Metal Rules Magazine
Jeff Rappaport

Mike is a natural for Shrapnel Records. Lotsa shredding going on here, mainly from the Steve Vai school of a million notes per second. Easy as it would be to trash this 'cause the style is played out, Mike has a lotta heart and talent. But he needs a band. If this stuff is coming back, Mike Gallagher has a head start on the pack.

Rockpile Magazine
Alan Pinkerton

Mike Gallagher attended the Berklee College of Music and it shows in his phenomenal playing. This demo is of 3 scorching hot, melodic hard rock/metal instrumentals (Blindsided, The Storm, Wild Night). Mike is currently searching for a hard rock/metal band with other professional musicians. I highly recommend this demo to any bands looking for a good guitarist, and also to any record labels, as Mike intends to continue to play and write instrumental hard rock music.

Leather Knights Magazine
Nate Dressel