Video Premiere: MARTY FRIEDMAN's 'Whiteworm'

"Whiteworm", the new video from former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman, can be seen below. The track is taken from his upcoming album, "Wall Of Sound", which will be released on August 4 via Prosthetic Records.

Marty says: "The 'Whiteworm' video has a definite 'real-world' Japanese look, but not the over-the-top 'exported Japanese' look that many people are familiar with when they see Japan-related content. It was directed by top-class Japanese music video director Junya Masuyama, who has done hit videos with superstars of every genre of Japanese music. I chose him to challenge him to put a foreigner (myself) into a very Japanese atmosphere in such a way that was not 'Japan overload.' It was quite easy for him to do so, as his videos tend to be minimalistic, with the focus on one or two subtle themes. In this case, the themes being the very delicate and simple idea of a little boy playing a video game waiting for the rain to stop, and me playing aggressively and calmly."

He adds: "Japan can be known for its wildness, but it also corners the market on subtle things. I went the subtle route on this video to contrast with the wildness of the guitar work in 'Whiteworm'."

Produced by Friedman, engineered by Paul Fig (GHOST, RUSH, ALICE IN CHAINS) and mixed by Jens Bogren (KREATOR, OPETH, SEPULTURA),"Wall Of Sound" "expands and destroys any conventional notions of instrumental music," according to a press release. Legendary QUEEN producer Mack came on board to handle the mixing on two tracks, "Streetlight" and "For A Friend", which Friedman proclaimed was "an honor for me, for sure."

Friedman said last year about the musical direction of the follow-up to his 2014 album "Inferno": "This time it's even more ambitious than that album was, a bit more dense, and, with any luck, more exciting for those of you who will hear it."

He added: "There will be elevent or twelve songs in total. Sometimes a song you really love doesn't make it to the album because it doesn't fit nicely in the sequencing. Either way, we're pushing sixty minutes, so it won't be a short album."

Marty's new CD was recorded in part at Dave Grohl's Studio 606 in California with engineer Paul Fig (ALICE IN CHAINS, RUSH, DEFTONES) and was previously described by Friedman as "a way more intense version" of its predecessor: "deeper, sadder, happier and more aggressive."

Like "Inferno", Friedman's upcoming album will feature several guests, including prog-thrashers MUTOID MAN, Jørgen Munkeby of the Norwegian avant-garde jazz-metal outfit SHINING and Jinxx of Los Angeles theatrical rockers BLACK VEIL BRIDES.

Regarding how the collaboration with Jinxx came about, Friedman told Guitar World: "I'm a big fan of Jinxx and BLACK VEIL BRIDES. He came to my show in L.A. in 2015. Right after that, I was told that he plays violin. I didn't even know that! Then light bulbs went off. I thought now's the chance to really turn some heads by doing something that's a little bit, well, a lot, unexpected to my fans and his fans."

"Wall Of Sound" track listing:

01. Self Pollution
02. Sorrow And Madness (featuring Jinxx of BLACK VEIL BRIDES)
03. Streetlight
04. Whiteworm
05. For A Friend
06. Pussy Ghost (featuring Shiv Mehra of DEAFHEAVEN)
07. The Blackest Rose
08. Something To Fight (featuring Jørgen Munkeby of SHINING)
09. The Soldier
10. Miracle
11. Last Lament