"Broken Clouds" 2011

http://www.shredknowledge.com

THE ALBUM " IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE "2010
1. There is something else
2. Fall asleep again
3. The day before yesterday
4. Dome of heaven
5. Sunflower seed
6. The glory of light
7. Lost Garden
8. United souls
9. Wildflowers
10. The coarse of life
11 Remembrance

OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW

The album has a little Sprinkle of Vai and a Spread of Satch and then whats uniquely Dimitars own Sound all rolled up in a beautifully and painstakingly textured, emotion roller coaster ride that will leave wanting to get back on straight away.

Dimitar uses the guitars tones to its limits, lots of variety and mutli layered multi instruments, sonic variety going on in each song, poly rhythms and sub phrasing, that don't over crowd but compliment each other.

I was actually moved in my soul, nearly to tears (I swear) but not sad tears, the hairs on my neck stood up and I was in a state of just pure blissful gratitude that music can be so damn good and Dimitar makes damn good music no dought about it.

OK ENOUGH OF THAT NOW WHATS UNDER THE HOOD?

Things that jumped out to me when I was listening was like this, I know its not live, but I kid you not, you'de think it was done in one take.
The drums fill and bounce off the guitar work and I know the drums are from the sample collection and very high quality.

I loved the synths plus some of the orchestral parts harmonize smoothly and all like it was realtime.

Another was the tasteful use of analogue modelling synthesis, that's the acid and synth sounds to 80's ravers , bass and mid synths arpeggiating out of the chord progression gave
this a very modern yet subtley techno vibe yet kept the analogues integrity with digital technology.

I not only thoroughly enjoyed the album from start to finish but know every time it goes on I will get inspired again to try to myself to touch the depth of emotion the Dimitar has managed to capture like a magician in every song.

I can only imagine how proud he must be of this work and anyone who spend the mere pocket change (far too cheap) for this album, will not be dissapointed and treasure it I know.

Im not going to track by track this album , the emotions and clever work that went into some of the creation in this CD are left to mystery and I wont want to try and figure how one man has managed to make such full and textured variety with one guitar and some software.

I thank Dimitar for turning me onto his music in the first track included in this from his previous album Mother Earth.

KILLER GUITAR CHOPS BUT TASTEFULL WITH IT

To end I want to state that Dimitar is a very skilled guitarist and if so inclined could make fast and furious metal speed tracks all day long, thankfully he has a very tastefull and uses this skill where its needed to be in a track and not for the sake of technique like some guys seem to do all to often.

He has fused his amazingly gifted talents on the fretboard
with his incredible composing skills to make an album that will not only satisfy the shredder in you, with blistering lines, tapping frenzies mixed with fluid legato that's on power with the greats like Satch and Vai,but also touch you deep where only music can go.
 
(I don't say this lightly but with great respect to Dimitar as to the two guitar hero's of my life.)

I say this not only about technique but he uses tones that melt into the mix so well and as I said he has a "magician like" mastery of composition and production quality that's also on power with my hero's in the instrumental rock world.
 
All this and still Dimitar holds the integrity of music and not just showing off as he could.

A GOOD ALBUM INDEED AND IM QUITE HARD TO PLEASE

Yes tasteful well produced and just mind blowing tracks that will beg to be replayed again and again ..and beg the question , is there more? , There is something else .

Thanks Dimitar, keep rockin!!! and making those magic tracks

YOUR BUDDY AND FAN MARK THOMPSON

HMP Magazine

Department of Virtuosity: Dimitar Nalbantov - Mother Eearth (2008)

Dimitar Nalbantov comes from Asenovgrad that is located in Bulgaria. His debut album „Universe“ was a great artistic success and an instrumental guitar gem. We waited two years to get Dimitar’s second work for listening. Fortunately, this is still instrumental rock music with a great load of melody within. The only one difference is the fact that Dimitar decided to be a self-made instrumentalist and handled all guitars, basses, keyboards, percussion and drums programming. It doesn’t affect the quality of music, since it is still world class. Dimi’s guitar produces so clear melodies that they can be hum at some fragments. Moreover, there are plenty of guitar licks and atmospheric down-tempo moments. I do enjoy all these soothing tones, surprising sonic effects and catchy melodies. In my humble opinion, Dimi doesn’t play the guitar, he charms us with this instrument. As it is a kind of tribute to Mother Earth and Nature, Dimi’s music is very spatial and capacious in a sense. I think that guitar world music is a proper word to characterize his second album. Dimitar Nalbantov didn’t rest on his laurels after the debut and proved that he is a classy guitarist. He is one of the most outstanding guitarists of the young generation!

Department of Virtuosity: Dimitar Nalbantov - Universe (2006

Dimitar Nalbantov is a new face in the virtuosic world, so I guess that most of you encounter his name for the first time. Initial tones of the debut were prepared just in 2004, but they got the final shape in 2006. Dimi, as Mr. Nalbantov is diminutively called, won the Internet "Guitar Player 2000" contest in alternative music category. But his "Universe" is far from the mentioned music category. The album was recorded in two-person line-up: Dimi himself (guitars, basses, keys, percussion, drums on two tracks) and John Wooten (lead drummer).

Author: Nicolo

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Hey Dimi!
I have quite a varied taste and listen to about everything, really except pop. presently on my mp3 player i've got more of the hard stuff like as i lay dying (at the harder end) and tool (at the less hard end). i threw your stuff in there awhile back and i've pretty much got my buds in every day at some point and just let it run thru random tracks. your stuff pops in from time to time and it just fits. i'd not compare your style to jeff beck or the guitar player from bon jovi who put out his own disc or 2 (stranger in this town is one, i'm forgetting his name),but i gotta say, dude, you rock and you are right there in that crowd. you are the kind of artist that makes me wish i played like that. like i'm listening to one of your tunes and i think "mom and dad, why didn't you make me do that!!?" thank you very much and i'm looking forward to more.

uncadave - Gaylord, Michigan, USA

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Dimitar Nalbantov

Review of "Universe"2006

ulgarian guitarist Dimitar Nalbantov found solace in the recorded works of guitar greats such as Jimi Hendrix, Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. Nalbantov's love of art and music has been cultivated into a career as an art teacher but more importantly to music fans he has found inspiration in the guise of the beloved string instrument the electric guitar. Taking his passion for artistic endeavors, Nalbantov picked up the electric guitar in '93 and never looked back.

Nalbantov original inspiration for Universe began back in '04, conceptually wanting to express his "feelings and views of the world around him." By the spring of '05 he had 11-songs written and recorded in his home studio but felt they needed more energy than could provided by programmed drum patterns. Drummer John Wooten soon entered the picture and gave the songs the heartbeat that Nalbantov felt was missing and he was inspired to rework and retool the music.

Universe is a balanced instrumental record that takes its cues from Nalbantov's heroes and allows him to put his stamp on rhythms, riffs and solo interludes that call forth fleeting images of Satriani and Eric Johnson. Nalbantov's nimble fingers weave silky smooth melodic passages over rhythmic arrangements that release the emotional, heartfelt desires of the artist.

Uplifting and light, the music evokes a promise of a kinder and gentler world. Universe stays away from dark brooding musical excursions that tend to bring the listener into a bad temperament. There is no disguising the talent of the artist.

Instrumental guitar fans will have a good idea of what Universe sounds like if by now they have caught on to Nalbantov's influences. Playing the devil's advocate here, there are times when the music is to Satriani like and that may distract you from the enormous wealth of talent that Nalbantov displays.

But at the end of the day just throw the comparisons out the window and enjoy Universe. The album has a fun atmospheric vibe that is contagious. Guitar fans will be pulled into the CD instantly on the energetic opening song "Purely and Simple." The whimsical "End of Summer" opens with a head bobbing acoustic melody as birds chirp away in the background before Nalbantov takes over with melodic electric melodies. Nalbantov likes to experiments with atmospheric textures which is evident on "Orpheus."

The music holds your attention with Nalbantov's distinct rhythm style building the foundation for his solo excursions throughout the CD. The music is arranged and executed flawlessly and is highlighted by also being well produced and mixed. What else can be said? Only that the style of music is so uncanny to the great Satriani that Nalbantov may need to focus on making his sound and style truly unique to himself so we can throw the comparisons out the window.

© John Kindred / Hard Rock Haven

Guitar Idol 2008 (Lion Music) by Edward Box

DIMITAR NALBANTOV

http://www.cuttingedgerocks.com

Bulgarian guitarist Dimitar Nalbantov may work as an art teacher by day but his true passion for the guitar unleashes a storm on his debut instrumental CD Universe. Nipping at the heels of Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, the progressive playing of Nalbantov is remarkably stellar considering he is self-taught. Studying as an art student, the musician was forced to abandon painting after his entire body of work was stolen from his studio. Devastated, he turned to guitar as an outlet and rapidly developed some staggering professional chops. Somewhat trigger-happy, he gets the momentum going in “Purely and Simply.” His warm tone and ear for melodic composition keep the song hooky and pleasant. Hard rock tendencies fill “HyperSonic” and “Not a Game” with chugging rhythms and exceptional fretwork - all aided by drummer John Wooten. The acoustic layering of “End of Summer” and “Elegance by Soul’ is reminiscent of classic Steve Vai complete with fluid time signatures. It seems all guitarists have the need to throw in a Middle Eastern/Indian opus and Nalbantov follows suite with “Orpheus” a mid-tempo soundtrack to Deli. Standout tune “The Wide,” though a bit cosmic, puts power behind scaled frills with a thick bottom end and a tasteful bridge that links to a textured romp.

Universe (Audio CD) By: R.Sriram /Singapore/

I came across Dimi's name when I was checking out sound samples of some AMT effect pedals I was contemplating on buying. The sound clips I heard blew my mind and I just had to know who this guy was, who could play this way. This was a few years ago when he was talking about releasing an album but was not quite there yet. I'd emailed Dimi and he replied with an estimated late-2006 release date.

Most of you must be asking "who's this guy Dimitar somebody?" but if you like Steve Vai, Satriani and the likes, listen to Dimi's debut album and you won't have any questions about his musical abilities. From start to finish, this album is packed with a feeling of vivaciousness and energy. His mastery over the instrument skillfully allows his music to flow through to the listener and blow you away. In Dimi's music you can hear a whole gamut of influences from blistering shred, legatos, tapping, bell-like rhythm pieces, soulful melodies and just pure awesomeness. However each song is focused and conveys a unique mood.

On a more technical note, the sound quality on this album is far better than I anticipated, pretty much in the same league as the well established musicians out there. It must have taken quite a bit of effort to pull that off, but it did help to have someone of the calibre of FC Bester mastering this album - the same guy who did Neil Zaza's "when gravity fails".