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Mom's A Capricorn 1:350:00/1:35
Bio
When it comes to the music industry, Ben Katzman has seen it all. He serves as the creative force behind the shred-tacular metal outfit, DeGreaser. He’s rocked with influential acts like Guerilla Toss, Mannequin Pussy, and Colleen Green. He’s toured the world, written jingles, and even launched his own label, the cult-classic BUFU Records. While all of these experiences have shaped who Ben Katzman is today, there is one step in his musical journey that has spawned the biggest paradigm shift in his life - teaching kids to express themselves through the power of guitar.
When Ben started spreading the shred in his hometown of Miami, he rediscovered the pure love for music that inspired him to dedicate his life to it in the first place. Through teaching, Ben was able to return to the perspective of playing music as a path to personal growth rather than an effort to build a career for success’ sake. The concept of music as a tool for better mental health is at the heart of his new LP, Transcendental Shreditation. This record is a seven song speed metal odyssey loaded with mantras centered around the power of self-belief. It’s about wearing your heart on your sleeve while still rocking your hardest and a statement that Ben will no longer hide behind the caricature of himself that he has felt the need to live up to in the past. In short, Transcendental Shreditation is about turning negative energy into something positive.
While it sometimes makes Ben feel like a real life Jack Black from School of Rock, those genuine bonds that come through playing with his students serves to help heal his bullied inner child and pay it forward by allowing them to hopefully grow from the experience. These connections are all over Transcendental Shreditation. Most tangibly, one of Ben’s students, 17-year-old shred phenom, Deo Budnevitch, played a significant role in the construction of the riff kingdom that is this record. In his padawan, Deo, Ben has found a true musical partner whom he believes can help on his mission to jumpstart a new age of outlandish guitar heroes inspired by legends like Eddie Van Halen or Ace Frehley who took musicianship seriously while still having a hell of a good time.
Sonically, Transcendental Shreditation combines the massive riffs of metal luminaries like Megadeth with Oasis level hooks. Conceptually, it marries the self-assured attitude of Liam Gallagher with the spiritual insanity of Anthony Kiedis. It’s an open-hearted, straightforward affair that feels gritty and to the point throughout. Every song is loaded with a maze of rollercoaster riffs, structural twists, and subtle flourishes that help to paint a vivid picture of what rock could look like in 2023.
From the rallying call of the album’s instrumental opener “Spiritual Imposition” to the moment the mood-journey of “Manifestation Portal” brings closure to the record, Transcendental Shreditation bombards the listener with full sonic force. While every song on the album is impactful, the manic ferocity of “No Posers Allowed” really sets the tone for the record. “EGODRIVER” takes the shred up to eleven as it cements the message behind the album and hammers home the power of self belief. This record will take you on a journey to your darkest hour and hand you the tools you need to leave that maelstrom in your rearview.