Extreme (Facebook)

'90s funk metal band Extreme returns with their first album in 15 years with the solid rockin’ new record titled “Rise.” Those who listened to pop music in the ’90s would know Extreme – lead singer Gary Cherone, bassist Pat Badger, drummer Kevin ‘K-figg’ Figueiredo and guitarist Nuno Bettencourt for their smash hit “More Than Words.” But those deep into rock and metal would know Extreme as a band that stood out from the pack with their own distinct sound that melded funk, rock, and that its guitarist, Nuno Bettencourt, as a heavy-hitting guitar hero. That’s why “Rise” by Extreme is so interesting for hard rock music listeners. And diving ear-first into the album, Extreme doesn’t disappoint. The heavy open-string pull-off riffs that kick off “#REBEL” would certainly catch any practicing guitarist’s ear. And it’s not a bad tune either. Check out the opening of the solo part where Gary Cherone’s vocals duke it out with Nuno’s lines before the latter’s guitar eventually takes over. It’s good to know that Cherone’s vocals haven’t faded one bit. This track is his highlight as it is for the six-string histrionics. But who are we kidding, we listen to Extreme because of Nuno Bettencourt. And grooving rocker “Banshee” hits all the right spots with its Van Halen-esque blues and boogie and its guitar solo with all its in-your-face goodness. And there’s definitely lots of moments like these on the new album.

Extreme's 'Rise' album cover

A welcome break a third into the new record is the bright-sounding very-Extreme acoustic pop rocker “Other Side Of The Rainbow.” Cherone aces it with his high register vocal, and again Nuno laying down an equally soulful solo that just sings. Ditto for “Small Town Beautiful” with its themes of big city dreams, inner and natural beauty, not to mention vocal harmonies, and suddenly it feels like a power ballad from 1989. A catchy, pop-sounding song with an actual guitar solo? The 2023 music is badly missing this. Despite this listener’s nostalgia, Extreme has evolved of course. And it can be heard through hot spots such as “Thicker Than Blood” with its Nine Inch Nails vibe. “Beautiful Girls” totally goes the other way with its light pop and reggae vibe. Then there’s the moody-sounding Alice In Chain-like “Save Me.” Classic acoustic rock is the order of the day on pretty sounding “Hurricane” while it's heavy on synths industrial rock on “X Out.” Then it’s a rousing album closer to Queen-inspired “Here’s To The Losers.” Again Gary Cherone’s vocals take center stage on that last song. Then there’s the matter of the title track. Which is the reason why “Rise” is a big deal for the genre now. Nuno’s guitar playing was the talk of rock enthusiasts of all kinds from listeners, to musicians and instrumentalists especially guitarists all because of that solo he did for the title track “Rise.” Guitar World described Nuno’s playing on the guitar solo on said song as “a thing of wonder, infused with intensity and emotion and capped with one of the most mind-boggling fretboard-spanning triplets in this or any era.” You don’t have to be a guitar player, or know what a triplet is, to know that is some heavy praise for a guitar solo part of a song. As for the rest of the song? A rock number worthy of album opener status as “Rise” and Extreme proves itself an important record and band for hard rock and rock guitar for 2023.