The Official George Bellas Website

Mind Over Matter is George Bellas' second Shrapnel release, and finds the guitarist perfecting his neo-classical approach, while evoking shades of Jason Becker in places. Bellas’ latest effort leads the way for a new breed of neo-classical guitar players. With a solid resume and exceptional skill as a guitarist, George Bellas will amaze even the most accomplished musician. When listening to Mind Over Matter, be prepared for an aural assault as Bellas shows why this shred monster is considered one of the fastest players around.

- Guitar9 Records

George Bellas is a guitarist from Chicago that is now recording for Shrapnel Records. I appear on his new record which was released in March of 1997. This record was one of the most insane musical experiences of my life!!!! I got a call from Mike Varney when I was living back in Detroit discussing an "amazing guitarist" from Chicago.....He was coming out to San Francisco to record his first record for Shrapnel. Mike wanted someone who was a good music reader, because George had all of the bass parts written out already, and it was difficult material. He had the amazing Deen Castrinova playing drums on the project. George and Deen were going to record the drums (in Portland where Deen lives) and they would send me the ADAT tapes to overdub at my house in Detroit... I agreed, and Mike informed me that he would send me all 150 pages (yes one hundred and fifty!!!!!!!) of music for me to learn, and that the entire thing had to be completed in TWO DAYS!!!!!!! The task ahead of me was daunting!!! Even very simple records can take months....this was insane music and I had two days. His music, while being extremely technical, still has a incredible melodic simplicity to it. The tracks underneath are all over the place....you have not heard "odd time" until you have heard this. I can honestly say that until I did this record, I had never played anything is 15/16 time!!!! I recommend this record for any hard core instrumental rock/progressive/neo classical rock fan that thinks that he has heard it all.....I guarantee that until you have heard this, YOU HAVEN"T!!!! In the final released record, I'm on a total of 4 tracks.

Kevin Chown

www.kevinchown.com

George Bellas is a very talented neo-classical guitarist. He reminds me a bit of Michael Romeo for a number of reasons. First, he's a tasteful player. He writes cohesive songs rather than vehicles for his guitar work. Second, the classical influences on his playing make their way into his songwriting. A lot of nifty classical themes are present in his music. This isn't just another shredder.

- Proggy

I'm personally thrilled to have SHRAPNEL recording artist George Bellas as guest columnist at the site. Thanks a million, George, for participating...can't wait to hear the new "Ring of Fire" project with George on guitar, vocalist Mark Boals, keyboardist Vitalij Kuprij, drummer Virgil Donati, and bassist Barry Dunaway!

- Chops From Hell

www.chopsfromhell.com

George Bellas is an awesome neoclassical shredder from Chicago. His technique is incredible, and his compositions are unvelievable! With a solid resume and exceptional skill as a guitarist (and as a keyboardist too), George Bellas will amaze even the most acomplished musician. Need i say more?
Yes, i need. Mind Over Matter and Turn Of the Millenium are awesome. Here you will find great neoclassical compositions, shredding guitars and keyboards (played by George himself)

- Shredpage

http://www.geocities.com/shredpage/Bellas.html

Integrity, intelligent, inspiring, passionate, progressive, technical and balanced are words to best describe HESS Opus 1. This is perhaps one of the best debut instrumental CDs since Turn of the Millennium by George Bellas!

~International Virtuoso Guitar Review
(Germany/Poland December 2000)

When I first listened to Hess' Opus I, a strictly instrumental effort aimed at neoclassical purists, I had to pull it out of the player and make sure the manufacturers didn't accidentally put a new George Bellas CD in the wrong case. I was not surprised later when I was reading the reviews for his mentor, George Bellas, on the Guitar Nine web site, that Tom Hess gave TurnOf The Millenium a 10. The compositional styles are very similar, as are the techniques they both deploy. But, it is pretty clear (to me anyway!) that Bellas is the master and Hess is the student, though a very talented and promising one that is challenging his master.

Chris@ChrisRuel.com

"Mind Over Matter" is George Bellas' second Shrapnel release and it is a masterpiece. Evolving in the shadows of Jason Becker, Tony Macalpine, and Yngwie Malmsteen, Bellas has something which is unique to his style: the speed. With an exceptional skill as a guitarist, Bellas will surprise even the most accomplished musician.
All the tracks here really fantastic, particularly "Airbone" and "Fast And Furious," which are a perfect example of what "neo–classical metal" means. It is fast, melodic, and makes you want to have more. This is an excellent disc that neo–classical metal fans should have. If you are a fan of Malmsteen, Greg Howe, and Macalpine, you will be in heaven. When listening to "Mind Over Matter," be prepared to be stunned, because this guy is one of the fastest guitar players around.

— by Dave Boulianne, Guest writer
http://www.openupandsay.com/reviews/daveboulianne/georgebellas1.cfm

Maybe it is just that Bellas' presence was so stunning on Extreme Measures that
it was just difficult to follow.With the common interest that
Kuprij and MacAlpine share in Chopin, I thought there would be more chemistry and synergy,
but apparently Kuprij had more synergy with Bellas on guitar, in my mind anyway!

"Extreme Measures", the title track, pulls out all the stops as Bellas asserts his abilities,
demonstrating that he is truly a world class player, along with his Kuprij-predecessor, Greg
Howe, as well as his obvious influence Yngwie Malmsteen. And, Vitalik Kuprij, well, his
virtuoso talents are just assumed at this point after High Definition. But, unlike some
predecessors, Kuprij has been able to maintain a comparable level of composition and
proficiency to his debut release, on this, his second effort. Anyway, the title track, "Extreme
Measures" is a driving, vibrant instrumental that is carefully orchestrated and features some
really scorching guitar work by George Bellas. I had heard George Bellas' solo material (which
is pretty good on its own) prior to this release, but even then, I was not prepared for his playing
on Extreme Measures. Bellas' guitar work on the track "Extreme Measures" is so
conspicuously incredible that this single track will make you need to reevaluate his capabilities
altogether. The sweeps are so smooth, fluid, and fast they are surreal, transcending the
mechanics. The feeling is both inspiring, mesmerizing, and haunting at the same time. The
precision and cleanness are staggering. The arrangement of the sophisticated, guitar-intensive
runs and sweeps is brilliant. And, the emotional content that Bellas imparts to his playing is so
clearly stated that he probably could not get it across better if he were to state it in words. Did I
mention how amazing Bellas' sweep picking is? OK. I just didn't want you to miss this point!

And, though I am primarily pointing out Bellas' contribution on this track because I think it is
probably the biggest feather in his career hat to date (though he is building a headset that rivals
an Indian chief), it should also be understood that Kuprij is right there taking it to him the whole
way and that he is not in the background in a secondary role. But, Bellas presence on "Extreme
Measures" is noteworthy because it was a surprise to me (but maybe not to his many students
around Chicago), even though I was already aware of his capabilities to some extent.

- http://eer-music.com/EER_music_reviews/Vitalij_Kuprij.html

George Bellas - Mind Over Matter – sh
Ok . This is My opinion. THE BEST GUITARIST YET. And if you haven’t heard this CD, I recommend you buy it, listen to three or four times. Tell me this man hasn’t brought the guitar to new levels , unheard of before. Incredible arpeggios, making the axe sound like "harps" …mind blowing. Neo-Classical in nature.

-Walt

http://members.color-country.net/~walt/

Check out Bellas' site. Studying under him totally takes your playing to a new level once thought unreachable. If anyone knows how to shred...it's him. George Bellas has a unique sound, the fury of pure shred mixed with wild, futuristic orchestrations. You can catch him with his band RING OF FIRE.

http://members.aol.com/avantguardenet/apostolis.html

Mind Journey
I was expecting to hear some vocally driven neo-classical metal on this disc. What I wasn't expecting was the extreme talent of West's supporting cast or the focus on creating some very good songs. George Bellas really shows what he can do in a band where he's not the focus. I wasn't sure that he had the ability to blend in seamlessly with the band, but he displayed both the subtlety to mesh and the technicality to make the neo-classical aspects of the music work.

- Proggy

Later, other players like: Jason Becker, Marty Friedman, George Bellas, Dream Theater and Andy LaRoque inspired me further. I took lessons from George Bellas for 5 years (1993-1998) and we became good friends, he was always encouraging me and inspiring me to strive for perfection in my playing, improvising and composing. I owe a lot to him...

- Tom Hess

George Bellas is the guy that I have listened to the most. I have worked on lot of things on this fabulous album called "Turn of the millenium". He has been a kind of guiding light in my work throughout the last year. Unfortunatly, I haven't met him. But I hope to be able to in the near future.

- Julien Carrière

http://perso.club-internet.fr/fabienm/carriere/carr.html

My influences are from every kind of music, Classical Music (Liszt, Mozart

Bach, Paganini) Prog Metal Bands (Symphony X, Dream Theater), Pop Music

(Abba etc) Jazz Fusion (A Holdsworth, S Henderson, C Parker) and of course

Guitarist/Keyboardists as Y Malmsteen, G Bellas , V Moore, V Kuprij G Howe

etc

Mike Angelo                     Very Fast

Yngwie J. Malmsteen     The Begining

Christ Impellitterri          Fast Picker

John Petrucci                  The Prog Master

Jason Becker                   Maybe the greatest talent ever

Zakk Wylde                     Aggressive Player

Michael Romeo             Great Player Great Composer

George Bellas                The Neoclassical master of 2000’s

- Theodore Ziras

http://www.usedcdshop.com/usedcdshop3/interview/Ziras/Ziras.htm

I have had many influences over time but, there are three main influences that have stuck with me and that I still get inspiration from. Yngwie Malmsteen, George Bellas, and Jason Becker. These guys are truely great musicians and incredible guitarists.

- VAINGLORY

http://www.leviathanrecords.com/vainiv6.htm

Uh, Steve Vai is a fantastic guitar player, but you can't really say he's the best, and you can't really say that Page and Hendrix are better.

Try listening to say, Greg Howe, Michael Angelo, and maybe George Bellas to name a few. And most importantly, Shawn Lane. Some would argue that Bellas is a little faster than Lane, but Lane has a bit better technique. Don't get me wrong though, Steve Vai is still fucking awesome, but he's not up there in the number one or number two spot like he was say, 15 years ago.

- djsam

George is an absolutely smoking neo-shredder. And an equally impressive rock style player. George takes classically influenced shred into the future. That's something this genre has needed...THE BEST NEO-CLASSICAL SHREDDER I've heard. (look at my list. I've listened to more than a few) He's working on his 3'rd instrumental release. Plus he was involved in several vocal projects that are also available. Check his sounds...

- Hokey

http://members.aol.com/Hokey40/ShredGuitarists.html

My main influences still to this day are Yngwie, Becker, and one of the best least known guitarists in the world, George Bellas.

- Corbin King

http://www.metal-rules.com/interviews/CorbinKingInterview.htm

George has been one of my teachers over the years. He is a phenomenal player who has helped me grow musically in terms my technical knowledge.

- Dr. Daniel Hoch Ph.D.

I like to listen to now include George Bellas, Shawn Lane, Allan Holdsworth -- anyone who's doing something crazy with the instrument.'

- Rustey Cooley

http://homepages.which.net/~matt.williams/mattsmusic-cooley.htm

If on other hand, you are interested in this technique applied in a rock context, then I would suggest listening to Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker and George Bellas who each have interesting and creative approaches to the technique.

-Dennis

http://www.guitar-dominion.com/sweep101/sweep101.html

go to George Bellas's website or Michael Angelo's website and read what two of the greatest guitar virtuosos in the world have to say about "Hess ~ Opus 1."

Vitali 'the tyrant' Kuprij manages classical pieces faultlessly and his battles with George Bellas on guitars is so intense. I love to hear a good twin guitar attack but a keyboard/guitar attack like this doesn't come along that often (Stratovarius). Vitali has such a natural feel about his playing that all great keyboardists have. Marks vocals will hinder some people from enjoying this fully as he sings with wild abandon at times and in many ways he hits the same note song after song.

- Gary Carson [18-11-01]

Bellas' guitar work on the track "Extreme Measures" is so conspicuously incredible that this single track will make you need to reevaluate his capabilities altogether. The sweeps are so smooth, fluid, and fast they are surreal, transcending the mechanics. The feeling is both inspiring, mesmerizing, and haunting at the same time. The precision and cleanness are staggering. The arrangement of the sophisticated, guitar-intensive runs and sweeps is brilliant. And, the emotional content that Bellas imparts to his playing is so clearly stated that he probably could not get it across better if he were to state it in words. Did I mention how amazing Bellas' sweep picking is? OK. I just didn't want you to miss this point!

Another notable track on Extreme Measures is "Track On Fire"... and the name is not misleading because this track is a-blazing fast and definitely ablaze with fire! Kuprij and Bellas trade off blistering fast lead work on "Track On Fire" as they reassert their prowess over their respective instruments. You are not going to believe Bellas' playing on this track as he fortifies his standing in the world class arena. And, again, Kuprij is right there taking it to him.

With the common interest that Kuprij and MacAlpine share in Chopin, I thought there would be more chemistry and synergy, but apparently Kuprij had more synergy with Bellas on guitar, in my mind anyway!

my favourite are Vitalij Kuprij, Jason Becker, Greg Howe, George Bellas, Shawn Lane,
Jon Doman and the great Chopin!!!

-Fransesco Ferrari

Often even more frenetic than his first cd.Unbelievable speeds and very good compositions.A MUST for guitarists everywhere!

- Vtozos

Currently my most important influence is Maestro George Bellas, his album "Turn of the Millennium" is for me one of the most important recordings featuring progressive odd- time meter compositions taking the shred genre to another dimention.
No one can match his greatness, to me he is the best.

Marco Ferrigno, November 1, 2002

"Francesco Fareri is an Italian musician, composer of exceptional skill on guitar. He plays incredibly fast and clean with seemingly non stop arpeggios in this all instrumental guitar onslaught. The music on the whole is very progressive with shades of "Dream Theater" and reminiscent at times of guitarist George Bellas but with a style that is all his own.

M.A.C.E. - Michael Angelo Batio February 06, 2002

NOTE: First of all I hear a lot of shit about Bellas being an Yngwie rip-off well in my opinion its not true. His songs are neo-classical, but they aren't Yngwie-ish.

The album features a lot of ripping Guitar and keyboads provided by Mr. Bellas, which also features Kevin Chown (Solo Artist, Artension, Magnitude 9) keeping the rythym tight. The album also features Deen Castonovo on drums so with an awesome rythym section George is in good company. The epic neo-classcical guitar opus' range from 3 minutes to 9 plus minutes! He can definetly play fast, "Ripped To Shreds" features some wicked sweeps, that are played lightning fast. George also has his rythym work down though its not heavy its perfect for the music hes playing. So George just goes off on some of these songs going for as many notes a second as he can. Though I hear complaints about that he just goes to fast for too long, thats neo-classical for you. In conclusion Bellas rips it up on Guitar, and tickles the ivorys with his keyboard skills.

Originario de Chicago, George Bellas, es un soberbio guitarrista rapido y creativo que ha marcado un regreso al sonido Neo-Clasico de los 80's, pero mejorado. Bellas ha sido influenciado por gente como MacAlpine o Vinnie Moore pioneros de este estilo de musica y ha dado a este genero un aire fresco e innovador que no deja de atraer a la gente que gusta de este genero. Bellas empezo a tocar guitarra clasica a la edad de 7, gracias a que su Padre le regalo su primer guitarra, mas tarde empezaria a interesarse en ampliar sus horizontes influenciado por Franz Liszt, J.S.Bach, L.V.Beethoven, Paganini, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker, Tony MacAlpine entre otros y a los 12, mientras estudiaba teorias, Ritmos, y armonias musicales solia tocar en vivo con varias bandas con las que iba madurando poco a poco y cosa que en su momento lo llegaria a consagrar. Tiempo despues llegaria a enseniar en su "Prodigys School Of Music", donde sus melodias y composiciones llenas de gran tecnica y finesa al tocar lo resaltaban sobre todos los demas guitarristas que se encontraban en la escena con lo cual empezo a crecer aun mas rapidamente.

http://www.geocities.com/guitarlords/bellas.html

Vitalij Kuprij returns with his second solo offering, entitled Extreme Measures, this time teaming with neo-classical guitarist George Bellas. This CD showcases Kuprij’s soloing skills and confirms why Japan’s prestigious Burrn Magazine’s readers named him number two in their readers poll for his outstanding keyboard work. Guitar fans will love the choice of Bellas, a serious chopsmith who is up to the challange of dueling with Kuprij, as well as contributing fast paced counterpoint and adding the metal edge.

- Guitar9Records

One listening to the opening theme (that is reminiscent of George Bellas
immediately) will tell you what you are in for with Trained To Play. Ziras has absorbed and assimilated the styles of Malmsteen, Becker, Bellas, and several other
notable neoclassical giants. The second generation (wave)
of the neoclassical musicians that started with Kuprij and Bellas who are building upon the
foundations laid by the first generation comprised of the legendary pioneers, such as Malmsteen,
Becker, MacAlpine, and Vinnie Moore.

- ChrisRuel.com

I cant find a single faliure in this song, Its the best song i have EVER heard...I just cant stop listning to it! Never in my life have i heard some one play so accurate, clean and ultra fast. He KICKS Yngwies ass...(Hmm, Im not to sure about that)...He's my F'n idol! He has everything i ever wanted in a guitarist! He even has GREAT hair!!!

-Chris A. Erikson

his guy has the right idea. Not only can he play ultra-fast he understands that the songs need to have a melodic composition as well. He was obviously influenced by Malmsteen... I just LOVE the slower solo segment of this song! I could live without the cheesey Joe Stumpish song title, but that fact aside this guy SHREDS!

- FREEK

George Bellas is going to do the guitars, and for those
of you that haven't heard him yet, you're in for a real treat! ...

-Mark Boals

www.houseofshred.com/interviews/ inter_markboals0401.htm

"My newest favorite guitarist is a Shrapnel artist named George Bellas, though I tend not to listen to a lot of guitar instrumental music anymore, a lot of it sounds the same to me now."

"As far as pure neo-classical is concerned the milestones have increased in power from Yngwie to Jason Becker to George Bellas. George is as fast as humanly possible while at the same time being able to slow down and phrase melodically with control and conviction, the latter a quality most players in the genre lack. His compositions transcend the boundaries of neo-classical and progressive music into a realm of their own."

-Howie Bentley ,Cauldron Born

I took lessons from Shrapnel recording artist George Bellas from April-00 to
March-01. The support and knowledge I got from George and his lessons is invaluable.

- Jon Bjork

There are heaps of guys technequly heaps better than Yngwie LOOK AT GEORGE BELLAS!

-JayDub