First off, this guy Emir Hot is a friggin’ freak of nature. The guy totally kicks ass. In two prior releases with different bands, NEON KNIGHTS with the release of “Deserted Land” in 1998 and SOUTHERN STORM and their release “1999” in 2002; Emir shredded his way to his first solo release “Sevdah Metal” on Lion records. The former Bosnian shredder recruited ex-ROYAL HUNT / ARTENSION vocalist John West and drummer Mike Terrana from MASTERPLAN, ex-Malmsteen, Axel Rudi Pell from ARTENSION to form Emir Hot.

Emir produced, arranged and wrote all the lyrics. He added an array of other talent to play a special part on different tracks http://www.emirhot.com/sevdahmetal.html . The first track that sets fire to the disc is “Devils in Disguise” simply put fantastic, guitar work topping Yngwie and the vocals by John West are outstanding. The lyrics are mesmerizing and the collaboration of harmonies is of a higher power. Emir's shredding is not your typical shredder style; he adds depth to the tracks and just doesn’t show off like many others. He arranged the tracks not just to gain progressive fans but also to attract rock and metal fans alike.

Who would think that an accordion could ever make a stand in a progressive metal song, well check out “World Set on Fire.” The flamboyant guitar picking by Emir hooks up with a progressive accordion accompaniment and is sensational. It’s just another way to entice other musicians to go outside of their genres to be masterful as Emir with “World Set on Fire.”

I am not a big progressive music fan, but this music brings me back to the day of STEELER & ALCATRAZZ Yngwie with a modern day sound. “Sevdah Metal Rhapsody” gets a little heavier with guitar solo by Misha Nikolic that has a flare of Italy and Polish polka but you will be amazed that the song still rocks.

“Stand and Fight” is a LED ZEPPELIN styled ballad that mixes a tasty QUEEN / STYX / SAVATAGE styled chorus. This has to be my favorite track on Sevdah Metal. The direction of the music changes from acoustic to an electric mixture is by far the most magical. Only an Einstein of music theory could arrange a piece like “Stand and Fight.”

Emir now resides in the UK but you can still get the feel of his home country of Bosnia through his music especially with, the last track “You.” This track is a caressing song with additional female vocals by Charlie Squire. It has its highs and low but the uplifting feeling that is pervasive in this track grows in intensity that even the mighty Progressive King himself Lance King would be amazed. “Sevdah Metal” will take you on an amazing journey through time with the devastation of World War to World Peace and the flight of an imprisoned dove being set free.