Watch: Marty Friedman Drops Visualizer for “A Prayer” From Drama

Marty Friedman, the once-and-forever legendary (but now solo and doing his thing) former MEGADETH guitarist, just threw a visualizer our way for his track “A Prayer.” You know, that song from his album Drama? The one that hit shelves back in May via Frontiers Music Srl? Yeah, that one.

So what’s the deal with “A Prayer”? According to Marty himself, “A Prayer was one of the first songs I wrote for Drama. It is an unapologetic tearjerker, and it set the melancholy tone for the entire album. I always wanted to do a full album of wistful songs like this, but only recently have I developed the ability to put together elaborate arrangements like this that sound deceivingly simple and uplifting.” Translation? Sad vibes, but make them fancy.

The Drama Rundown

Recorded in Italy (because why not make it sound artsy), Drama is Marty’s playground for blending vintage and modern guitars. Think orchestral drama meets electric guitar shredding. The album kicks off with “Illumination,” a track that all but screams, “Look at me! I’m deep!” From there, it takes listeners on a ride through 12 tracks, including the moody “Mirage” and, of course, the sentimental punch of “A Prayer.”

Tracklist (a.k.a. the soundtrack to your next existential crisis):

1. Illumination
2. Song For An Eternal Child
3. Triumph (Official Version)
4. Thrill City
5. Deep End
6. Dead Of Winter
7. Mirage
8. A Prayer
9. Acapella
10. Tearful Confession
11. Icicles
12. 2 Rebeldes (Spanish version of “Dead Of Winter”)

Japanese fans? You get a bonus: “Mirage” (Guitar Karaoke Version). Because apparently, everyone in Japan loves karaoke, even guitar nerds.

Who’s Playing What?

This is where Marty called in his A-team:

• Marty Friedman – Guitar (duh)
• Wakazaemon – Bass
• Gregg Bissonette – Drums
• Mika Maruki – Piano, Keyboard, Synth
• Hiyori Okuda – Cello
• Miho Chigyo – Violin

Plus, a revolving door of guest stars: Chris Brooks (LIKE A STORM) handling vocals on “Dead Of Winter,” Steven Baquero Vargas doing his thing on “2 Rebeldes,” and Or Lubianiker dropping basslines on “Mirage.” Bonus points to Naoki Morioka (rhythm guitar on “Thrill City”) and Takuro Iga (keys on “Sanctuary”) for filling in the gaps.

Marty’s Thoughts on Drama

During November 2023’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp (a.k.a. the place where aging rockers hang out with their fans), Marty dished on Drama. His words? “I’ve got 15 solo albums now, and each time I try to do something new and something I’ve never done before. I don’t want ever to be heard as one of those guys, ‘Ah, his early albums were great.’ You know what I mean?”

Yes, Marty. We do know what you mean. No one wants to be the guy stuck rehashing their 1980s glory days (cough, other aging rockers). He added, “If you like that Scenes album at all, I think this one will be right up your alley.”

In another interview, Marty got even more philosophical. He explained, “Each blank page is like staring into the void… The hardest part is that blank sheet when I just start from zero. It’s, like, ‘How am I going to top that last thing that I just did?’” Basically, the man’s fighting his own creative shadow.

The Marty Origin Story

Marty’s résumé reads like a fever dream. CACOPHONY with Jason Becker? Check. A decade melting faces in MEGADETH? Yup. Then, in the ultimate plot twist, he ditched thrash metal to become a cultural icon in Japan—because apparently dominating one continent wasn’t enough.

Over there, he’s done everything. TV comedy (Hebimeta-san), a long-running music show (Rock Fujiyama), and even a Coca-Cola ad campaign. Oh, and he wrote two best-sellers, became Japan’s first foreign heritage ambassador, and performed at the Tokyo Marathon. Did we mention his music? Yeah, he’s still cranking out hits, like that #1 with SMAP or those chart-toppers with MOMOIRO CLOVER and SOUND HORIZON.

And just when you think he’s done it all, his autobiography Dreaming Japanese drops December 3, 2024. Marty Friedman: the man, the myth, the guitar-wielding enigma.

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