This posting exists because I feel very fortunate to still exist too!
January 2023 as it turns out, was an incredibly tough Month to deal with: mainly due to extreme weather and its inherent collateral damage...and some really aggressive viruses floating around.
I too was seriously affected by these bogeys...maybe not as acutely as some others LESS fortunate—who suffered major property damage AND in the worst of cases, loss of life.
At any rate, I'm pretty much fully recovered—with personal health and the MMountain Studio otherwise intact—and ready for more music production. (I WAS able to keep up with production for my radio show “ESCAPE VELOCITY with Howard Thrust” during all of this! You can hear select shows in their entirety on my “howardthrustradio” soundcloud page)
This is my first release since all of that mayhem ensued!

I finally got to start on exploring the possibilities with my vintage ESP “the Mirage Deluxe” (after a fresh pickup upgrade) and my MOOG Subsequent 25 Synthesizer—not to mention my continued progress in recording straight into the Mixer (without using microphones!).
It was really intended just to further flesh-out and make some progress in these areas...but the result sounded good enough IMO to do a little production work and get it out to your ears.
I hope you dig it! – Thrust

ESP Jam In D Mirage (Sub 25 Version) -  Rock Instrumental by Groove Crater Method

Those of us that were alive and "at it" in the '80s well know that life in modern times is not nearly as straightforward as it was back then...and the irony is that it didn't seem ALL that "straightforward" to us at the time!
This is one of those songs that has been bouncing around in my head since I first heard it back then...along with the accompanying video--as this was right in the middle of the MTV heyday.
I always thought that there was more to it than the "sum of its parts".
Since it uses a rather "multi-purpose" chord progression, it only seemed fitting that I should eventually repurpose it in some kind of a "Rock Guitar" context.
So here it is!
Bouncing from one of the themes in "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure", I wistfully ponder the possibility of Music uniting the World and solving all problems. If only it were that easy, indeed!
The chosen guitar for the task had to be my late-'80s ESP "the Mirage Deluxe", fitted with thoroughly amazing Seymour Duncan pickups--but otherwise is "bone stock" original.
I got my new G&L short-scale Bass into the act, for its first recording session to date. Based on its performance here, it's going to see a lot of action in the MMountain Offensive Studio in the future!
As always, I'm responsible for all performance and production tasks associated with this work.

Thanks for listening. - Thrust

Doot - Doot (if only The Big Solution was THIS easy) - Instrumental by Groove Crater Method (Freur)

This track debuted on my January 9, 2023 "Escape Velocity" episode (which will undoubtedly find its way--in its entirety--on this howardthrustradio page! AND HERE IT IS:  https://soundcloud.com/howard-thrust-radio/escape-velocity-with-howard-thrust-episode-12-theme-space-rock). You can find the link to these broadcasts in my "Profile" section. It served as the opening track, introducing the theme: "Space Rock".
I've always liked "massive sound", no matter where it's sourced from; and I've wanted to do a version of this piece when I got the arrangement and sound right. (I also have another--even MORE "radio friendly" version posted on my "Howard Thrust Side 1" page. You can check it out here:  https://soundcloud.com/howard-thrust/also-sprach-zarathustra-a-space-rock-odyssey-thrust-7-version-mmountain-offensive )
In any event, all versions are played on a Chapman Baritone Guitar(ML-1 V2). It turned out to be the "key" which unlocked the SpaceRock/GrooveMetal possibilities intrinsic in the original work.
As usual, I am responsible for all performance and production tasks associated with this work .

Enjoy the ride! - Thrust

Also Sprach Zarathustra... A Space Rock Odyssey (T-Minus 9 Version)- MMountain Offensive

Since “all things Space” continue to garner quite a lot of attention in The Media and elsewhere these days, I figured it was time to add another work under that theme.
This one is based on an iconic work by symphonic composer Richard Strauss; which was based on a literary work by none other than Friederich Nietzsche entitled “Also Sprach Zarathustra” (translated “Thus Spoke Zarathustra”...although many would recognize it as the main theme for the feature film “2001: A Space Odyssey”).
Seeing as how Mr. Z was a rather “heavy cat”, Strauss composed a suitably “heavy” orchestral work to properly introduce him. It was and is pure Magic!
It has also proven to be a FLEXIBLE work—lending itself to all kinds of adaptations and arrangements...like the solo “live loop jam” version I'm presenting here. 
I also have an extended version with a "Van Halen in Space" intro. Check it out here:  https://soundcloud.com/howard-thrust-radio/also-sprach-zarathustra-a-space-rock-odyssey-t-minus-9-version-mmountain-offensive
As per usual, I'm responsible for all the sounds you're hearing—including the performance, recording, engineering and related production duties necessary to make it all happen! - Thrust

Also Sprach Zarathustra... A Space Rock Odyssey (Thrust 7 Version) - MMountain Offensive

This is an all-original work addressing the problem of "progress without a sustainable goal".
One explanation for the title is the fact that the backing musical track alternates between 6/8, 7/8, 8/8 and 9/8 time signature. There are also other explanations. Let's see if you can figure some of those out...
I call it the "ESP Version 2.0" for at least a couple of reasons. One is that I used my 1987 ESP "the Mirage Deluxe" for all of the guitar sounds involved in its production...and this version is a subtly different Edit and Mix. Let's see if you can come up with some other reasons...
As always, I'm responsible for all of the performance, recording and production tasks involved with this work.
Thanks for listening! - Thrust

If Six And Seven Eight Nine (ESP Version 2.0) - Thrust-O-Logue (inspired by Joe Frank)

This is a track inspired by what has got to be one of the more influential Rock Albums in my World!
It seemed like to right time to put this one out: The World in General continues to be an increasingly less friendly place--featuring animalistic behavior from those in any position of authority right on down to all the rest.
I've been experimenting with tunings lately; and I've found that my somewhat "vintage" Gibson Les Paul Special seems to favor being tuned in "D Standard"...which is the original tuning employed for this iconic and timeless Pink Floyd number.
I've given this version an "outro treatment" employing a "Dog Combat Soundtrack" edit and mix (with light "phase", of course!); which seemed appropriate, since the original had some "Dog Audio Samples" inserted in it, as well!
As per usual, I'm responsible for all of the sounds you are hearing here--including concept, performance and production. - Thrust

Jam In D(ogs)...Combat Outro - Rock Interpretive Instrumental by Groove Crater Method (Pink Floyd)

While Van Halen's  "Diver Down" had to be one of the BEST "Summer Party Albums" EVER, there weren't necessarily any memorable "original" tracks on it, IMO...except for one rather brief MONSTER GROOVE passage which introduced the song "Little Guitars".
I've always felt that there were a lot of possibilities to expand and expound on that groove; and I've posted an edit of a recent effort aimed at doing just that.
As per just about always:  I'm responsible for all performance, production and posting duties you're hearing and seeing.

Thanks for listening!! - Thrust

Bigger Guitars (DK Jam - it - All Version 2.0) - Instrumental by MMountain Offensive (EVH / Hendrix)

Having many great memories of a wide variety of “Musical Experiences” during my “Formative Years”, they often inform (sometimes unwittingly) the “statements” I make with my current work.
Listening to a lot of Pop AM Radio during the '60s, I was impacted (naturally) by the virtual “omnipresence” of the West Coast (U.S.) collective of studio musicians who became known as “The Wrecking Crew”...as well as what the Beatles were putting out at the time. A couple of (the many) standouts were Sonny and Cher's “The Beat Goes On” AND the Beatles “She's So Heavy” (more of an “album cut”, really; but I had access to LPs toward the end of the '60s!).
As far as our Modern World is concerned, many are having a harder and harder time observing all of the “Compounded Chaos” coming at us from all sides...and still rationally viewing it as “business as usual”.
So “The Beat” DOES go on—but at quite an accellerated and uncertain pace—while appearing to be morphing into some kind of “Dystopian Future”, at best.
I couldn't think of two better themes to incorporate in this piece in order to instrumentally expresss my reaction to the aforementioned Chaos.
It took some months of thought, trial and error before I came up with the work posted here.
Some notable highlights: I transposed both songs into the key of B (one Major and the other Minor—an octave down), and cross-faded the end of the first into the beginning of the second. The “white noise” that overwhelms the second part was recorded with a somewhat unorthodox—but very effective--”live looping method”. (As always, I'm responsible for all aspects of concept, performance and production involving this track!)

To listen to the full-length "Album Version" click this link:   https://soundcloud.com/howard-thrust-2/the-beat-goes-onbut-its-gettin-heavytothe9s-version-rock-instrumental-by-mmountain-offensive
Thanks for listening - Thrust

The Beat Goes On...but Its gettin HEAVY (LongPlaySingle Version) Instrumental by MMountain Offensive

Once upon a time (as I was learning Guitar on my first Steel-String Acoustic) I was kinda into the "Modern Folk, Easy Listening, Soft Rock" Thing (America, Bread, The Carpenters, Cat Stevens, etc.).
As things progressed, I became more interested in "Spirited, High-Energy" Music (Jeff Beck, Bowie, Hendrix, Van Halen ...and of course Zeppelin, among others).
What DID stay with me from those "Mellow Years" were some of the enduringly well-written tunes!
Here for your consideration is a Rock Interpretive Instrumental take on a classic David Gates/ Bread number. As always, I am responsible for all elements of Arrangement, Performance, Recording and other Production Tasks!
While the Bread version WAS "edgy" in comparison with the rest of their output, it didn't really come close to where Electric Guitar-Oriented Music could - AND DID - go!...so I just HAD to go there, too! 

This one is dedicated to the memory of "Beatle" Bob Wagstaff - Thrust  

(Click on the link to hear my longer version posted on Howard Thrust SIDE 2)  https://soundcloud.com/howard-thrust-2/guitar-man-shredbread-version-rock-guitar-instrumental-by-ab-dicchus-gary-moore-evh

The Guitar Man (shredBread singleVersion) - Rock Guitar Instrumental by a.b. dicchus

This is a work I've been contemplating for a number of years...and finally got it figured out enough for presentation!
I've combined a number of influences in order to get the desired result, here.
It is another "Man Alone" work: i.e. all concept, curation, arrangement, performance, recording and production duties have been tasked by yours truly!
In the true "Artistic Spirit", rather than stating what I think this work should mean, I'd much rather have the listener make that determination.

Thanks for listening! - Thrust

Camb-delasahmb-delahmbra by Egregious Phil's Bin (modern religion / Led Zeppelin inspired)

Considering the multi-faceted problems facing humanity, I really didn't have any trouble coming up with yet another dystopian take on all of it - highlighting the RAPIDLY accelerating AI Technologies...especially as they relate to Music Composition and Performance.
I'm using one of my previously released Instrumental tracks as a foundation for this release - in which I've now incorporated a reading of a passage from George Orwell's "1984" at the appropriate time!
Additionally, I'm playing a riff based on the marching chant of the Winkie Guard (from "The Wizard of OZ") over a reversed chord progression for the verse section of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", with a marching rhythm I coaxed (ok, more like "beaten") out of my Danelectro Hodad electric guitar (an "oddball" instrument, which has proven itself quite adept at performing in such roles) by raking a serrated metallic implement across the strings! I'm improvising in real-time over that "loop"--including the crazy special effects heard toward the end of the piece. 
As always, I'm responsible for ALL sounds and production tasks that went into this effort. THAT'S RIGHT:  NO "Versificators" were used in THIS production!  - Thrust

Meanwhile, Under The Rainbow... (Orwell Versificator Version) - Thrust-O-Logue

Howard is a guitarist, writer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, live performer, producer, studio engineer and online/onairwaves radio host; emphasizing musical communication through instrumental interpretation in various forms--at times employing spoken word, storytelling, reading or other audio sources in complement or contrast.
His solo live performances feature real-time multi-instrumentalism employing live recording and synching of loops and subsequent improvising over them.

Check out "Escape Velocity with Howard Thrust" on KRHV every other Monday from 9P - 10P @ www.mammothfm.com or @ KRHV 93.3 FM in the Owens Valley, CA.
Check out "Howard Thrust - SIDE 1" soundcloud.com/howard-thrust/tracks for past, recent and future audio/musical postings here on soundcloud.
Check out "Howard Thrust - SIDE 2" soundcloud.com/howard-thrust-2/tracks for more recent and future audio/musical postings here on soundcloud.
Check out "Howard Thrust - Musical Monologues" soundcloud.com/howard-thrust-monologues/tracks for "storytelling" with Music, also here on soundcloud!
Check out "Howard Thrust" on YouTube    www.youtube.com/@howardthrust/videos !

AND NOW (massive drum-roll, please): You can visit my WEBSITE by going to www.hthrust.com

Thanks for looking and listening!

Also Sprach Zarathustra... A Space Rock Odyssey (T-Minus 9 Version)- MMountain Offensive

Howard Thrust

Related tracks