Marty Friedman (ex-MEGADETH) has posted the video for “Undertow,” a song from his 2014 album, Inferno.
The video features an unsullied look at Japanese culture, says Friedman (who currently resides in Tokyo): “”Undertow” gives you a look at the Japan not usually seen by the typical Japanese exports like crazy TV shows, ultra-cute singers and anime. It shows a day in the life of Japan as the Japanese see it, not the stereotypical Western ‘Japanophile’ view of it.”
Regarding the video’s concept, Friedman explains that, “the “Undertow” video attempts to show that when you see a thing of beauty, there is often an undercurrent of true sadness and hardship behind the scenes which creates the motivation to do something extraordinary.”
Inferno was recorded primarily in Los Angeles with engineer Chris Rakestraw (DANZIG, CHILDREN OF BODOM) and mixed by Jens Bogren (OPETH, AMON AMARTH) — features what Friedman recently told Guitar World is “the most intense writing and playing I can do.” The album also includes notable guest appearances by several artists influenced by Friedman, including CHILDREN OF BODOM frontman Alexi Laiho, SKYHARBOR mastermind Keshav Dhar and David Davidson, as well as Friedman’s first songwriting collaboration with Jason Becker since the pair played together in CACOPHONY, the pioneering duo of guitar mayhem.
In addition, Inferno breaks all genre rules and creates new ones with an exhilarating and musically daring mash-up with Jørgen Munkeby of the acclaimed “blackjazz” act SHINING, as well as two tracks featuring vocals by rock guru Danko Jones. Overall, Inferno is by far Friedman’s most thrilling and adventurous effort to date.