SAM KAZEROONI

Artist's Website
Contact Artist
United Arab Emirates

Warranties and Disclaimers

"There will always be a place in my heart for individuals who are so determined to record their music their way, they'll all but do it themselves. If it's a success, they can bask in the limelight they created. If it flops, there's no one to blame but themselves. 

Sam Kazerooni is one of those people. Except for the drums (which are handled by a cat named Pravin 'Thundersticks' Mukhi), everything you hear on "Angry Planet" comes from Sam.

And what a performance it is. "Angry Planet" is an all instrumental CD with no vocals and no other extraneous bullshit to get in the way. It's just plan musical poetry. This is power guitar music to the extreme and this shit is so good that lyrics and vocals aren't necessary. To say that Kazerooni is a talented guitarist is like saying Pamela Anderson has big boobs or George W. is a dickhead. It's just a fact, plain and simple.

According to the liner notes, this is Sam's second release. If the first one ("Vision") is anything like "Angry Planet," it must rock, too. True, some of the slower tunes tend to drag, but never long enough to spoil the overall listening experience. The musical range of emotion is wide and varied and makes this CD a treat to listen to. 

For my money, Sam Kazerooni can take his place as one of the best metal guitarist out there today." - R. Scott Bolton, RoughEdge.com

"Guitarist SAM KAZEROONI from the USA [Note: Sam is actually from the UAE] has a CD out titled ‘Angry planet’ on the US Proglabel FOSSIL RECORDS. The CD contains 16 tracks, and is basically a very impressive instrumental guitar orientated Progressive Metal album. Sam showcases he is very good at playing the guitar and he also plays the bass, with only the drums being taken care by someone else (Pravin Mukhi). The songs have a strong Progressive Metal touch, like an instrumental DREAM THEATER. It’s also obvious that Sam is influenced by JOHN PETRUCCI of DREAM THEATER fame, because he plays his guitar in the same style as John does. The CD was actually recorded in Dubai (!), but during the multimedia part of the CD I learned that Sam really is an American guitarist [see previous note], but check it all out for yourself..." - Gabor Kleinbloesem, Strutter'zine

"Kazerooni is an interesting individual and the first person I have reviewed that is actually from the Persian Gulf. He has some past releases and this one is kind of like a compilation of sorts with material from 2003 to present day. Think of Montrose, Holdsworth, Santana and "Satch" since alot of the music reflects different genres like Jazz, Reggae, Blues, Salsa, Latin, Rock to Prog/Metal. There's a whopping 16 tracks on here and I found at least more than 3/4 of this disc to be pretty damn good. The songs I didn't like is only for the simple reason I'm not a big fan of Salsa or Latin no matter what you do on the guitar..just not my thing. "Cosmic Plunder", "Orbit Of The Backwards Oblong", "XO Black Whole" (my fave and very "Satch-ish"), "No Apologies", "Bullet Proof", "Wonder Dust", "Ahura" are just a few for you to prioritize if you get this disc. The finalé, "Sometimes" is another great piece of work before I forget. With any luck, someone will reissue some of his past works. Very enjoyable and pretty amazing where this guy comes from and the different musical spectrum he portrays." - Wayne Klinger, Quintessence Magazine

"Another progressive, landmark album, which focuses on all out instrumental offerings, comes way of guitarist extraordinaire Sam Kazerooni. Heavily influenced by the likes of Satch and Ronnie Montrose,  Kazerooni delivers an over the top steamroller of a second CD. Angry Planet takes over where Vision left off and introduces the world to a first rate instrumental shredder with solid rock/prog roots and a predilection for hooks and melody within the frame work of emotionally drenched instrumental compositions. A true technical shredder who can let loose with precise alternate note flurries or lay back and chug on a tight rhythm.  Kazarooni spreads his wings and soars with the best of today’s new breed. The music put forth on Angry Planet showcases a musician who is developing a stylistic voice that pays homage to his peers all the while spreading out in his own direction. He is a master technician who interweaves intricate musical passages with melodic backgrounds that are rife with aggression and stabilized by passion.

Angry Planet is a serious mix of diversity that showcases a variety of musical styles that range from progressive, funk, fusion, and shred. Many of the songs put forth on Angry Planet are in the vain of a Satriani type composition but with more of a metal vibe.  Kazerooni delves deep into his amazing bag of guitar styling and comes up with some very convincing performances throughout all 16 tracks. This is an all instrumental affair with Sam performing all instrumentation accept for drums.  All tracks found on this fine release are favorable – Highlights include:

“Cosmic Plunder” – a Satriani like romp that burns from start to finish and contains a smack down of a heavy rhythm. Great flowing melody that incorporates almost every guitar technique available to make this tour-de-force a strong showcase for his over all ability.

“Journey to Purple Earth” - a great epic ballad like melody lays the foundation for some amazing over the top solo forays that utilize single note runs, some great cosmic bending and a nice smattering of in the pocket groove soloing.

“Nastaran” – a heady melodic atmospheric number done on acoustic. The song builds in intensity while revisiting the main theme in a circular structure until it climaxes with a chimy conclusion.

Kazerooni joins the legion of the “New Breed.” A legion that bring a complete package to the table. He incorporates the request palette of instrumental shred riffage combined with an emotional commitment to great song craft and melodic beauty. Anyone who enjoys melodic song craft combined with over the top guitar textures will really like Angry Planet." - Guitar Mania

"With "Delve," Sam Kazerooni proves once again that really great rock music does not need anything as droll as lyrics to be truly outstanding. 

Playing all the guitars (lead, rhythm and bass) and keyboards, Sam paints a musical portrait that is truly unique and identifiable. I found the music to be inspirational and complex in a way that transformed me into a state of grace without my even realizing it was happening. 

As I listened, I followed the way the rhythm guitar started and then the lead picked it up and then they both seemed to change places as the bass came in to complete the picture. And, as I listened, I had to keep reminding myself that this is just one guy playing all those riffs at the same time!

Sam Kazerooni is a true master of instrumental rock art with a simply outstanding repertoire of great music. So, lock the door, turn off the lights, put on your headphones, turn the volume up, sit back and enjoy the musical movie of "Delve" as it develops in front of you. 

Not only is this the best instrumental rock album of 2007, it may be the best rock release of the year, period." - R. Scott Bolton, RoughEdge.com