audio CDHESS -
Opus I
The music was written between 1995-1998. Recording occured April - November, 1999 and mixing and mastering November, 1999 - February 2000. The CD was originally released on April 20, 2000. Although Opus 1 contains 12 pieces of music, there were many other pieces composed at the same time which did not fit into the character of Opus 1. Many of those pieces were acoustic guitar instrumentals, classical compositions for solo piano, a string trio and a piece for string orchestra. There was one more HESS track that was originally going to be on Opus 1, but became the final track of Opus 2, called: Waves of Far Reaching. Below is a list of each Opus 1 piece and the dates in which they were composed.
Shred Zone (USA) Guitar Magazine (USA) Guitar Heroes (France) Guitar Virtuoso George Bellas (USA) House of Shred (USA) Rock Report (Belgium) Ballbuster Magazine (USA) Rough Edge (USA) Fireworks magazine! (England) Music Korner (USA) Metal Storm (USA) Brazil Connection Promotions! (Brazil) New Horizons (USA)Golden Colloseum - May, 1995 (revised in 1998)
Through Space and Time - January / February, 1996
Lydian Speaks - August, 1995 / February, 1996
Phoenix Rising - May, 1996
Modes of Expression - August / September, 1996 (revised 1998)
Exploration - January, 1997 (revised in 1998)
Homage - February / March 1997
On The Brink - May / June, 1997
Empire - May, 1997 / January, 1998
Imperial - January / February, 1998
Palette of Shades - January, 1998
Queen of Me - April 7, 1998 (Harmony and rhythm composed in 20 minutes, all of the guitar parts were improvised and recorded the same day, usually in 1 or 2 takes.)
This music was not intended for your entertainment. Many people who will hear this recording will not be able to appreciate it. Our primary intent was that of artistic self expression. For those of you who do know and love Opus 1, through this music we have met.
Tom Hess
track listing (click link for sample clip):
1. Exploration
2. Homage
3. Phoenix Rising
4. Empire
5. Modes Of Expression
6. Lydian Speaks
7. Imperial
8. Through Space And Time
9. Golden Colloseum
10. On The Brink
11. Queen Of Me
12. Palette Of Shades
Order either "Opus 1" or "Opus 2" and receive "Guitars At An Exhibition volume 2" FREE!
Guitar Mania (Canada)
HESS - OPUS I: $13.00 (U.S.). Shipping not included - click here to see shipping rate information. All Chops From Hell online sales are handled thru PayPal. You can securely use most major credit cards (You do not need to have a PayPal account to place an order with a credit card). Alternatively, if you do have a PayPal account, you can place an order using it, or even place an order using an eCheck.
Feedback for Hess:
Listed below are various Reviews
MetalCoven (Belgium)
--------------Hess, makes a deadly Neo-Classical drenched launch onto the instrumental guitar scene with their smoking debut, "Opus 1"...Ripping solos and beat bashing grooves are what this cd is about... Hess proves themselves as a band to keep on eye on, with this excellent debut release.
Guitar 2001 magazine
(United States, June, 2001)
--------------...filled with progressive elements and piles of emotions...mood changes are perfectly executed and add a lot of drama to the music...Hess debuts here with a killer instrumental release.
Spin City
(Germany, July, 2001)
--------------..."Opus 1" does not feature one, but two guitar virtuosi and it's the contrast between the guitar styles of the two of them that makes this album so interesting. "Opus 1" can be described as an intelligent, passionate instrumental album, that will appeal to both fans of neo-classical rock/metal as well as fans of progressive rock. A nice surprise!
Rock report (Chris Lambert, editor)
(Germany, April, 2001)
--------------Integrity, intelligent, inspiring, passionate, progressive, technical and balanced are words to best describe HESS Opus 1. This is perhaps one of the best debut instrumental CDs since Turn of the Millennium by George Bellas!
~International Virtuoso Guitar Review
(Germany/Poland December 2000)
--------------...this 12-track gem of over an hour's worth of neoclassical, progressive release with some avid romanticism. Well received by George Bellas himself... [Opus 1] a great independent release.
Ballbuster hardmusic magazine
(United States, December, 2000)
--------------OPUS 1 is a very exciting and diversified instrumental album like we have not heard for a long time. A label should sign Hess quickly !
Rock time magazine
(France, June, 2001)
--------------Hess's "Opus 1" is simply smashing. Nothing but pure talent, articulation, skill, and soul...He is defiantly a shredder to watch out for! ...Tom executes arpeggios with the greatest of ease. Honestly he could do them in his sleep...Move over Yngwie, Hess is in town. I think we might have a new arpeggios king! I just can't get over the skill Hess has...Opus 1, is a great 1st release for Hess... If your a fan of shred guitar or atmospheric music you'll love this CD...Tom Hess is a shredder to keep your eyes on!
~The shreddzone
(United States, April 2001)
--------------[Hess Opus 1] is technical perfection...unlike a lot of virtuoso releases, this doesnt sound like it was played by a robot. Ultimately, Tom Hess and Mike Walsh have created a guitar orientated masterpiece... Fans of Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker, Dream Theater and progressive music in general need to hear this.
Metal Storm radio show
(United States, March, 2001)
--------------...Very rich in harmony, interesting odd meters, compositionally well thought out and a lot of nice improvisation put together in some very logical and creative forms with some cool counterpoint I might add! Think Romantic harmony with some modern progressive rhythms and meters... Bravo!
~George Bellas (Shrapnel recording artist and guitar virtuoso)
(United States, August 2000)
--------------Opus 1 showcases some of the cleanest soloing I've heard... ...an amalgamation of styles, but boy does it work! ...Hess has released a killer debut, and I cannot wait to hear what he comes up with next! Fans of instrumental guitar and of progressive or neoclassical music should definitely buy this one.
House of Shred (Kevin Ryan, editor)
(United States, January, 2001)
--------------Tom Hess is a great and gifted guitarist with an impeckable technique.
Janne Stark Sweden Rock Magazine
(Sweden, August, 2001)
--------------There are some unconventional moments in the music that don't stray too far from the neo-progressive model, yet far enough to form an identity that Hess can call their own. ...The [CD] cover features satin sheets rumpled ever so slightly. That's an apt physical representation of the music, too. Smooth as satin legato sounds amidst the peaks and valleys of a progressive, romantic landscape....Fans of Vinnie Moore, Tony MacAlpine, Shawn Lane, David T. Chastain, and Jason Becker will love Hess' "Opus 1."...Hess are well-armed to make more creative leaps in the years to come.
RoughEdge.com (R. Scott Bolton editor)
(United States, February, 2001)
--------------[Hess]...you guys are great players!
Michael Angelo (M.A.C.E. recording artist and internationally respected guitar virtuoso)
(United States, March, 2001)
--------------Hess is a guitar virtuoso, playing highly stylized and classically influenced leads...
~Progressiveworld.net
(United States, March 2001)
--------------[Hess] ...you are really amazing!!!!!!
~Francesco Fareri, Guitar9 artist and Italian guitar virtuoso
(Italy, May 2001)
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