Distorted Views (1999)
Performers:
Track listing
01. Chambre Noire
02. Transmigration of Souls
03. Identity Crisis
04. Centurion
05. Questions
06. Axcalibur
07. Mozart’s Ghost
08. Stun Gun
09. Blue Tokyo
10. Winterlude
11. The End of Forever…
.. I. Inception
.. II. Revelation
.. III. Resolution
12. Chambre Noire (minor relapse)
Many still consider “Distorted Views” as Michael's finest hour.
This ’99 opus opens with a short acoustic trio “Chamber Noire”, then morphs into 7+ minutes of instrumental prog insanity entitled “Transmigration of Souls”, still an MH fan favorite. For the rest of this album, Michael displays his versatility in both composing & guitarmanship, running the gamut from jazz fusion (“Identity Crisis”) to the acoustic melodies of “Questions”; neo-classical (“Mozart’s Ghost” & “Winterlude”); outright metal (“Axcalibur”), and the sure fire bluesy rock hit, “Blue Tokyo”, among others.
Michael’s sonic offering yielded some very kind words from critics & peers, such as Mike Chlasciak, guitarist of Halford, who insisted that “Distorted Views’ is a must have for instrumental guitar freaks” or Kevin White of The Harder Beat, stating that “Michael Harris has moved beyond expertise, even beyond virtuosity.
With ‘Distorted Views’, he has proven he is a master of his craft”, and music critic Keith Langerman, who stated “Distorted Views’ should be the album that places Harris up among the elite players of the guitar world…10 out of 10”.
