With a resume that includes Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson, it's no wonder that the Devil knows John 5's name. If you don't, by the way, it's John Lowery. Lowery was nicknamed John 5 when he became the lead guitarist for shock rocker Marilyn Manson and it stuck. Although he is currently Rob Zombie's guitarist, John 5 has had time to release three studio albums, Vertigo, Songs for Sanity and this one The Devil Knows My Name.

John 5 is a talented shredder, but his skills go beyond straight metal shredding, he does country finger pickin' and inventive instrumentals that should please any fans of instrumental guitar music.

Ordering the Album

This album was released in the summer of 2007, and you can order it for yourself from John 5's website, www.John-5.com. I ordered the CD from John Lowery, Inc. because it wasn't available in any store in the greater Boston area. Although I was initially shipped the wrong CD, an e-mail was responded to within an hour with instructions to send it back and an apology. I shipped it back, my paypal account was refunded the cost of shipping, and I got a genuine John 5 guitar pick with the correct album about a week later.

Packaging

The CD is in a trifold digipack made of heavy stock glossy cardboard, and the CD itself sits in the plastic insert. Inside is a Ouji Board replica.

Band

John 5 plays all guitars and banjo
Bass is played by John 5, Piggy D and Matt Bissonette (no song by song breakdown is given). Finally Drums were played by Sid Riggs and Tommy Clufetos.

The Songs

The Devil Knows my Name is a collection of 11 songs

First Victim is true to John 5's rock roots, I was instantly reminded of a Rob Zombie song. Heavy churning distorted chords open the song's brief instrumental, which is really just an introduction for

The Werewolf of Wisteria John 5 has talented friends too. This song features guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani. The song itself is a spooky song about a werewolf! John 5 and Joe trade solos and riffs at a frenetic pace. It's music that makes you want to turn it up loud and howl. Aaaaaoooh!

27 Needles This also begins with an electronic introduction like Rob Zombies songs, but turns into a country jamboree with maximum distortion. Metal guitars and country rhythms make this song fun. John 5 proves that he isn't just a shredder, his customized Telecaster churns out some very listenable tunes. Near the end of the song, he turns the distortion off, and we just hear the twangy guitar that could come from any country star. It is soon followed by another onslaught of distorted shredding.

Bella Kiss is about the closest to a ballad that is on this album. Lowery's Telecaster again sounds off with twangy sounds.

Black Widow of La Porte has a great reverberating intro, but after brief static, John 5 jams into overdrive. Jim Root is featured on this song.

Welcome to the Jungle You know this song, yes, its an instrumental cover of Guns'n' Roses most famous song from Appetite for Destruction. What does John 5 do different with the song, that Slash and Ax'l didn't? Well for one, John 5 plays the vocal melody on the guitar! Every note that Ax'l hit in singing or shouting the lyrics, John 5 mimics with the guitar on this really cool instrumental cover. Both my son and I really thought this song was great.

Harold Rollings Hymn Creepy drums and a synthesized voice starts this strange song. The voice is that of an executioner describing the death sentence of Harold Rollings "the Gainsville Ripper". I googled the name to discover that he was a serial killer. In any event, the rest of the song is pure cool guitar playing.

Dead Art in Plainfield John 5 shows off his country git pikin' again on this laid back tune.

Young Thing Another Rob Zombieish sounding tune that rocks. However, John 5 manages to sneak some country licks in between the pure metal power chords and shredding solos.

The Washing Away of Wrong Another of John Lowery's talented friends, Eric Johnson, is featured on this song. Johnson's very melodic style is evident in this song.

July 31st (The Last Stand) The albums fade out song is moody and somber sounding.

Summary This is a great album of instrumental guitar music. John 5 is one talented guy. He manages to incorporate his love of country guitar pickers from his youth with the creepy metal of Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie into one total fascinating guitar instrumental package. The devil knows his name, and so should you.

Recommend this product?