Edge Of Insanity is the incredible neo-classical fusion album recorded with renowned bassist Billy Sheehan and drummer Steve Smith who combined with MacAlpine for one of the hottest power trios of all time. Let's not forget the unforgettable unaccompanied live guitar solo, "Quarter To Midnight." Edge Of Insanity is a candidate for the most intense guitar oriented album ever recorded. MacAlpine's debut is a must-have recording for any serious collector of instrumental heavy rock.

Personnel: Tony MacAlpine (guitar, keyboards, bass on "The Taker"), Billy Sheehan (bass), and Steve Smith (drums).

1. Wheel Of Fortune
2. The Stranger
3. Quarter To Midnight (Live Solo)
4. Agrionia
5. Empire In The Sky
6. The Witch And The Priest
7. The Taker
8. Chopin Prelude 16, Opus 28
9. Edge Of Insanity
10. The Raven
11. No Place In Time

This is guitar playing compositional excellence. It is fast and furious. The songs are very well written, complex, multilayered compositions.

The classical influence is obvious, and his skill is considerable. As someone that enjoys music from speed metal to pop to going to an orchestra now and then, I see this music for what it is, highly skilled songwriting played by an excellent performer. I was absorbed by this CD the moment I first heard it almost 20 years ago, it is like Beethoven on crack. The title of the CD is rather appropriate.

Especially if you've never heard Tony MacAlpine before at all, it is hard to really gauge him by short little sound samples. You won't "get" many of these songs until you listen to them a few times and let them sink in. I'll try to give you my sense of this CD: frantic, intense, cold, calculated, complex, and precise. Ian J. Einman, amazon.