PureVolume

Scott Allen is a Musicians Institute (G.I.T) graduate whose band Scott Allen Project has opened for a number of national acts such as: Lynch Mob (featuring George Lynch of Dokken, Robbie Crane of Ratt, and Brian Tichy of Black Label Society/Foreigner/Whitesnake), Michael Schenker (Scorpions, UFO, MSG), Gary Hoey, Eric Martin of Mr. Big, Dave Meniketti of Y&T, Planet X (which featured Tony MaCalpine and Virgil Donati of The Steve Vai Band, and Derek Sherinian, formerly of Dream Theater), Frank Hannon of Tesla, blues guitarist Eric Gales and legendary rockers Montrose. While attending Musician’s Institute Scott studied with such notable instructors as: Steve Trovato, Nick Nolan, Keith Wyatt, Paul Hanson, Frank Gambale, Jennifer Batten, Brett Garsed, T.J Helmerich, Scott Henderson, David Oakes, Tommy Tedesco, Daniel Gilbert, Danny Gill and Tom Kolb. Scott has been a full time guitar instructor, performer, recording artist and session player since graduating from G.I.T in 1996. He has taught at Guitar Player Music, the Music Store in Rocklin, California, Northridge Music Center and is currently an instructor at Rock Inc... In 2009 Scott began his successful Shred on Arrival clinic series which combines live performances with guitar instruction focusing on advanced lead guitar techniques such as eight finger tapping, multi octave sweep arpeggios, and speed picking.
In 2006 Scott Allen released his critically acclaimed, and Frank Hannon produced debut album What Lies Beyond Words via: Guitar Nine Records, Amazon.com, Metal Rendezvous Records, CD Baby, CD Universe, New Artists Online, Indie Music Store Online, Wayside Music, I-Tunes, and many other digital distributors. Scott released his follow up album entitled From the Blindside in 2010 to strong reviews, and earned a featured spot on Metal Express Radio’s Daily Album Premiere and 12th hour radio shows. In addition to the new Scott Allen Project album Scott is also featured on the new compilation CD from Mad Guitar Records entitled Melodic Soloists, which includes 17 tracks from some of the world’s finest guitarists. Scott has been featured in Mike Varney’s Spotlight Column in Guitar Player Magazine. He has also been featured in interviews and reviews in Sea of Tranquility, Ytsejam.com, The Metal Observer, Progscape.com, Metal Express Radio, Hard Rock Haven, Shredaholic.com, Rock Pages Greece, Cashbox Magazine, The Rock Zone, Rough Edge, MusicTap.net, Music Morsels, Metal Revolution, 21st Century Metal Net, The Guitar Zone, The Rock Zone, Chops From Hell, Northeast In-tune Magazine, Rise Music Magazine, Progressive Newsletter, Strutter Magazine, and Unsigned Music Magazine, Tarkus Magazine Chaotic Riffs Magazine, Guitar 9, The Rock Zone, and Fireworks Magazine UK and many others.
Tracks from What Lies Beyond Words have been featured on Ernie Ball Radio, on the Ernie Ball Music Man website. Scott Allen Project has also received radio play on KRXQ 98 Rock, FTM Pod Cast network, The Refinery Rock Radio, Progrock Radio on Progrock.com, Metal Express Radio, Indie Connection Radio Show on X FM in New York, The Fusion Show on WCSB in Cleveland, and the For the Love of Guitar radio show in Romania. Scott Allen Project provided the music for the KRXQ 98 Rock “Bod Squad” DVD. Scott writes instructional columns on the guitar websites Guitar9.com, Chops from Hell, Guitarz-For-Ever.com, and Shredaholic.com.
In 2008 Scott released his first instructional DVD, The Art of Rock Guitar, for Chops from Hell. Guitar9.com chose Scott as their Undiscovered Artist for November 2005. Scott has endorsements with Vigier Guitars, SIT Strings, Dimarzio Pickups, Morley Pedals, George L Cables, and Peavey Amplifiers.



“With heavy riffs setting the tone for many of his compositions, Allen utilizes some great Jeff Beck-like blues phrases, Van Halen-like aggression, and a full palate of shred chops.” Mike Varney, Guitar Player Magazine


“Scott Allen’s What Lies Beyond Words is striking evidence that his is a guitar voice worthy of mention alongside the current giants in the instrumental guitar arena. If you dig players like Satriani or Petrucci, especially at their most melodic, Scott Allen will be right up your alley.” Bill Knispel, Progscape.com

“What Lies Beyond Words is an album that invokes the spirit of a true guitarist’s record, no neo-classical mannerisms, no overzealous keyboard playing, and no over the top arrangements, ‘cause there is no need for them; Scott Allen plays his guitar like a singer would sing his lines, playing ‘lyrical’ riffs, where the phrasing (& songwriting) is king. He brings back the days of the real guitar hero.” Tommy Hash, Ytsejam.com


“Scott Allen, whose guitar playing prowess is exceptional, and who plays the kind of stuff that you wish you could play….Highlights include “The Cool Breeze,” “A Girl I Once Knew,” and well…just about all of the 11 songs” Matt Rowe, MusicTAP.net


“The band meshes well together, setting a fine rhythmic stage for Allen's razor-edged arsenal of licks, bends, hooks and fills. Instrumental fans will find a lot to like here” Guitar9.com


“This is your Heavy rockin' album with kickin' riffs great melodies and not forgetting some great flashy guitar work……….I cant really decide on my favourite tracks on this album, because I honestly think they are all really good.” Richard Niczyperowicz, Shredaholic.com


“Scott Allen is possibly one of the best guitarists around today.” Northeast In-Tune Magazine


“Can't stop listening to Scott Allen's new CD……..As it keeps repeating in my player I get Steve Vai and Joe Satriani vibes…….We haven't picked a favorite song and may not be able to. All the songs jump out and grab you with their riffs and subtle effects.” Vinny H, The Guitar Zone


“Great great great!”Matt Cafissi, Guitar Chef


“This is one of those releases that have you eagerly awaiting the next song to see what it’s like, because you love the track you are on so much. This CD is as solid as they come all the way through. Every song is good with no duds. It would be a shame if What Lies Beyond Words is not added to your music collection.” Metal Express Radio


“Sacramento based instrumental guitarist Scott Allen creates blistering magic, weaving virtuoso stylings ala Satch with a flat out rock shredder soul that is uniquely Scott’s.” Sandy Serge, Music Morsels


“It's as if you take the influence Eddie Van Halen, John Petrucci, Joe Satriani and Reb Beach, and blend them together.” Masa, 21st Century Metal Net


“Scott Allen’s sense of composition and wide-ranging guitar slinging skills separate him from most of the unknown and underground guitarists in the guitar-based instrumental genre.” Christopher Kelter, Rough Edge


“He has done a great work. I can say that I´m waiting a lot for his next record.” Rafael, Progressive Rock BR


“Here’s a great guitar player from California…instrumental guitar based rock music, much comparable to GARY HOEY, TONY MACALPINE, STEVE VAI.” Strutter Magazine


“If you're a fan of instrumental guitar music then do yourself a favor and pick up What Lies Beyond Words by The Scott Allen Project which just might be the best instrumental guitar album to come along since Joe Satriani's Surfing With The Alien album.” Jason Houston, The Rock Zone


“..the riffs are absolutely crushing and the leads dazzling… From the Blindside is a great example of how to do an instrumental guitar oriented rock album… Mix in some ballads, some jazzy interludes, as well as a healthy assortment of driving anthems and blistering, metallic chops driven jaw-drop-o-ramas, and you have an exciting release from a very talented player.” Pete Pardo, Sea of tranquility


“the title track sets the agenda with some cool harmonised guitar licks and riffing that really changes pace and feel as it progresses, with some fantastic unorthodox, darker sounding licks transitioning back to a positive feel. Excellent displays of fluid, legato technique and some exceptionally fast shredding licks will be sure to keep your ears engaged, and that’s something that is consistent throughout the whole album.” Richard Baines, Shredaholic.com


“this man is a guitar scholar as well as a fine studier of the top guitar players. Every song is so pleasant to listen to, there’s no need to be a musician or a “know-it-all” to appreciate it. It’s the magical recipe of albums such as “Mind’s eye” and “Flying in a blue dream”... Costas Koulis, The Rock Pages


“If Satch-mo Satriani, Eric Johnson, Neil Schon, Tony Mc Alpine, Steve Lukather, Metallica are in your music collection when you know what to do... The young-gun has good writing sensibilities for this kind of Avante’ Guitar Playing. I'm telling you... If you are from the North where it’s cold and rainy this time of year, this music will definitely brighten your wanting and waiting for spring days to come. Get in the Car for a ride in the country. Roll the windows down and Crank It…!!! There are few songs on here that come right from the late 70’s hit making rock machines… However, Scott takes these types of song structures and turns them into modern masterpieces with his singing guitar solos”. Scott Thomas, Guitarz-Forever


“THE SCOTT ALLEN PROJECT is actually based around one musician, namely SCOTT ALLEN, who is basically playing all the instruments (except most of the bass, which was done by BRIAN KINNEY) on the new album ‘From the blindside’. We reviewed their previous record 3 years ago and now it is followed up by this new CD, which is filled with high quality instrumental Progressive Melodic Rock. The guitarwork of Scott is excellent, just listen to the wonderful opening titletrack, which has some amazing guitar skills, with also a beautiful melody line, like a mix between SCHON, MACALPINE, JOSHUA and VAN HALEN… this CD is still a must-have for any fan of instrumental guitar based melodic rock!” Strutter Magazine


It never ceases to amaze me what a plethora of outstandingly talented musicians there are out there that are waiting to be discovered by the music world, and California-based guitarist Scott Allen is one such example. A graduate of the world-famous G.I.T. (Musicians Institute in California), Allen has already opened for the likes of Eric Martin of Mr Big and Planet X; performs regularly at numerous guitar clinics, as well as being a guitar instructor and releasing two albums of work (of which this is the second) and an instructional DVD. One busy guy then! Packaged in a slick, rather pro-looking digipak, the album’s title track ‘From the Blindside’ guides the listener into the general leanings of the album, loaded with melodic singing guitar-lines, blinding fretwork and skilled finger-tapping à la Satriani and Vai. Infused with infectiously groovy hooks, well-placed wah-wah, ‘Work In Progress’ follows, displaying more musical prowess. With a clear classic rock and early-Satch influence throughout (with titles like ‘I’m Your Boogie Man’ additionally bringing to mind Satch’s own ‘Satch Boogie’), this makes for an enjoyable listen for any self-respecting fan of the solo rock guitarist.
Metal Discovery