Webster’s Dictionary defines Francesco Fareri as a symphony of complex dark harmonies that smack into fast, fluid lines with the sheer intensity of a hurricane. Francescos’ first release Suspension served up artful arpeggios built inside of complex song structures. His new release Forbidden Dimension hits you in the chest like a sledgehammer. Back by an all-star line up Francesco blazes over the fretboard leaving the listener no other choice but to gasp for air. We sat down with Francesco to see if we can pick his brain, and maybe get an extra tank of oxygen.

How did you come about choosing the name Forbidden Dimension for your new C.D.?
The title means something really introspective for me, (like the first album too) because it is something very personal, and forbidden to others, it is only mine.

I noticed you to lean towards darker harmonic approaches to chord progressions. Where do you draw the inspiration for this?
I take lot of inspiration listening to other music and then trying to elaborate my ideas. I wanted to make a new and fresh album in shred/prog style and not a CD ‘already heard’ so I worked on different progressions and some unison solos.

The track “Winter” seems to take the listener through many mood changes. How long does it take to compose such a piece?
‘Winter’ is the more intricated track of the album for tempo changes and other stuff. It tells a story with his fast runs, slow part, piano part and ending. It took sometime but the biggest work on it was made thanks to drummer Jon Doman with his ideas and thanks to Vitalij Kuprij with his unbelievable playing, without mentioning the powerful rhythm section by Kyle Honea! They made an excellent work because they are excellent players and it was an honour or me to play with them!

The song “Illusions” is heavy on the keyboards. Do you write on the keyboards?
Yes I can play keyboards too and a lot of parts were written before on keyboards like the unisons with guitar and then I learned them on my main instrument. Keyboard helps me to have new ideas with its different sounds, I’m not so good for sure but I can work on my ideas and it is good in my opinion

Do you have a favorite song off the new C.D.?
All the songs are great for me for sure but Winter is my favourite, perhaps because I’ve played with Vitalij Kuprij that is my absolute biggest influence and favourite musician of all time... and you know how cool can be to play with your hero! I love also Atlantide and Illusions but Winter is my number 1!

How did you go about putting together the line up that performs on the C.D.?
Kyle Honea and I have been friends since long time and I needed a great bass player so I asked him to play on it and he agreed immediately! His playing is something out of this world and I think he is one of the best bassist out there if not the best! He played in lot of parts the same I did with guitar and he had great ideas! Jon Doman is one of my influence too because he recorded 3 of the CDs that I love (the VK’s ones!) so I wanted to work one time in my life with such a great and pro player as him! Bob Katsionis recorded an amazing solo album and when I listened to it I immediately contacted him to ask if he was interested to play some solos and he recorded something extraordinary! Vitalij Kuprij is a friend of mine, I played on his latest album and he played on mine, he is a pro musician with an immense background of classical music and I was so ‘scared’ to play with him... he is my biggest influence and he played in all one track, all piano, lead keyboards, choir, strings... everything on Winter was recorded by VK!

How do you approach composing on the guitar?
I’ll be honest, now I use to start from drums and keyboards trying to make some good sense rhythm section and then I put chord progressions and solos. Sometimes I start from a lick idea, it depends on the song I want to make.

What are some of your favorite scales to use when soloing?
I haven’t favourite scales but there are some that I never use as harmonic minor because it is too much ‘Yngwie style’ and it isn’t my style! I use most minor, major, some pentatonics and something else, nothing so strange!

How do you feel your playing has progressed since Suspension?
Four years have passed and I think I’m more mature, I use now to write more music and have more licks which have sense! Suspension was a really aggressive album and 90% of it was improvvised instead Forbidden Dimension is 60% written and the rest improvvised!

What is the shred scene like in Italy?
Is there a shred scene in Italy? I’m sorry but there isn’t

What gear are you currently using?
I use Ibanez guitars customized by LGM. I use use also VHT power amp and cabinet, SIT strings and Jim Dunlop picks!

When did you begin playing the 7-string guitar? What led you to pick it up?
I started to play 7 string about late 2000 and I started because I wanted to try it, no particular reason. Then I discovered I was more at ease with my left hand and since that day I use only 7 string!

How many hours a day do you practice?
Now I practice 4 hours a week. I have a full time job and I haven’t so much free time but when I was young (I mean younger than now!) I played even from 5 to 8 hours a day and it helped me a lot!

What advice would you give other players out there?
There is one thing I say to everyone: put love, passion and dedication into your playing and no matter what you play from shred to fusion to folk or country the most important thing is to put love in what you play, always!

Where do you see yourself in the future?
I hope in a biggest house with a garden for my little dog! I hope to release other albums and something with a band, and if possible to live with music... but I think I’m asking too much! J

Thank you for the time Francesco. Good luck with Forbidden Dimension.
Thanks to you for the intereview and thanks for your time! For more infos please check out my site www.francescofareri.com