Band: John 5
Album title: The Art Of Malice
Label: Mascot Records
Distributor: PIAS
Release date: 11/05/2010
Release: CD

John William Lowery was born on the 31’st of July 1971 in Michigan U.S.A. and is better known by his stage name John 5, a metal guitar player. His stage name was bestowed on him in 1998 when he joined industrial metal group Marilyn Manson as their former guitarist left. At the moment, he is currently the guitarist for Music and movie artist Rob Zombie.

Besides playing in several bands, John is also a solo artist having recorded five guitar albums: Vertigo (2004), Songs for sanity (2005), The devil knows my name (2007), Requiem (2008), Redemption (2009) and The art of malice. When you know this is the guitar player of Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson, you would expect “Industrial Goth Metal “ or some other strange genre to shock people. However The art of Malice brings a variety of tunes. Some have typical shred metal licks, tricks and solos, but you can also find rock songs and even country tunes on this one.

A lot of different styles and variety but due to the fact of being a guitar player solo album, you shouldn’t expect catchy lyrics.

93/100

Jeroen.