Pastor Brad is the instru-metal/guitar-shredding music of ordained pastor, Brad Windlan.

OUT OF THE HELLHOLE (2004) INDEPENDENT (CDR)

Pastor Brad is an actual pastor, playing 80's style Christian heavy metal. He does everything on this album himself, but his main instrument is his guitar. And this pastor sure does shred! The music is inspired by acts such as Kiss, Dokken, AC/DC, Whitecross, Daniel Band and Stryper, to name a few. I have both positive and negative reflections about this recording. First of all, the worst thing about it is the programmed drums. They sound very artificial at times, but thankfully not all the time. Secondly, the album would have improved a lot if Brad had not included all 14 songs. 9 or maybe 10 of the best of them would have been sufficient. The main reason for me saying this comes from the fact that 'Out Of The Hellhole' cannot be reviewed as anything else then a demo. So the sound quality is decent, but not great. And it gets a bit tiresome to listen to 14 songs like that. That said, I really like most of what Bradley has to offer. He is, as said a skilled guitarist, churning out melodic solos, licks and riffs. And he also has a talent for writing good songs. Just listen to "The Invitation", and tell me that this does not stick to your brain like glue afterwards. I especially think the slower tracks sound great, but I also like many of the heavier tunes. Last, put certainly not least, Pastor Brad's main reason for doin' this is to give glory to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And that reflects all he does, which is the way it should be!

Killer tracks: The Invitation, I Will Follow, Faithfulness, No Turning Back, Saga

TELECASTER (2005) INDEPENDENT (CDR)

'Telecaster' is Pastor Brad's 4th independent album/demo. Despite the pretty ugly looking cover-art, the CD contains some really cool music. I was always a fan of the sing-along metal from the 80's, and that is what Pastor Brad delivers once again with 'Telecaster'. What more can be said? SHRED ON, Brad!

Killer tracks: Smack Dab, As I Lay

THE KING HAS COME (2005) INDEPENDENT (CDR)

Man, this guy is super productive, delivering his 5th offering so far. This is his second one this year already, and we're only writing May! 'The King Has Come' is simply more of what you'd expect from this heavy metal Pastor. Nothing has really changed, musically or production wise, although for some reason, the programmed drums annoy me even more then before. But it's still the same catchy 80's metal. I do have to say that I think it would have been even better if more time was spent on a better production, rather then delivering new stuff ever so often. And the cover art on this one is so bad, it's not even funny (and I think it is supposed to be). Still, despite my complaints, I urge every lover of 80's Christian heavy metal to check out what this guy is doing. You can visit his website at www.guitarjams.net. Here's to hoping he can get a band together at one point.

Killer tracks: Exalted One, Passages, Worthy Is The Lamb

RESHREDDED (2007) INDEPENDENT (CDR)

For whatever reason, I seem to have missed Pastor Brad's first "shred" album. But, together with a bunch of his friends, here he is back with more "shred worship". And odd term you say? Well, what would you call an entire album dedicated to uplifting both the art of guitar-soloing, and our Lord, Jesus Christ? OK, so the song titles aren't exactly your average Sunday school material. But I am willing to bet that every note played on this CD was done so to thank their Creator for the gift of music, and for their individual abilities and talent. And what notes we get! If you get past the demo quality recordings of this independently released album, you sit back with an astonishing instrumental CD. It's a pleasure listening to the riffs, the licks, the solos, the works! Every now and then we get some slower parts, or an instrumental track, to keep it all interesting, and have some dynamics going on. This is an almost lost art form, and I'm glad Pastor Brad is around to keep it alive. Look out for guest appearances from Jon Hooper, Jim Griffin, Richard Lynch (Saint) and Dee Harrington (Saint) amongst others.

Killer tracks: Tear Down The Walls, Rain, Religious Club

  HEAVENLY SHRED (2008) INDEPENDENT (CDR)

The hardest working shred-pastor in the music business is once again back with another independent release. This time he delivers a mixture of instrumental Christmas carols, worship songs and original material. 6 songs altogether (if I counted them correctly) are his take on some of the more known Christmas carols. And with a little help from some friends, he has come up with some great versions of already famous tunes. The songs basic structures are easily heard. But at the same time I find that the pastor have arranged them to fit with his shredding vision, adding layers and layers of heart-poured guitar-wizardry. "O Come O Come Emmanuel" and "Silent Night" are highlights. A whole album of shredded Christmas carols might just have been a little overkill, thus Brad wisely decided to record at lest half the album worth of other material. Most of the remaining tunes are old psalms and worship songs. "Nothing But The Blood" sounds really great, with some twin guitar leads, and otherwise tasteful soloing. I especially like the addition of the acoustic guitar here. The odd-song-out here is definitely "Christian Metal Realm". This is a tribute to the discussion board with the very same name, and it's the only track here with "vocals". As I whole I find "Heavenly Shred" to be a solid effort. Any fan of InstruMetal shredding are bound to find plenty of songs to enjoy here.

Killer tracks: O Come O Come Emmanuel, Silent Night, Nothing But The Blood, Oh How I Love Jesus

BACK TO THE SHREDDER (2011) ROXX RECORDS

'Back To The Shredder' is the 5th album in Pastor Brad's shred-series, released via Roxx Records in August of 2011. It is his second release this year!

The shred-series is, as the name suggests, a series of guitar-based instru-metal albums Brad Windlan has been working on since 2005. Here he is showcasing his love and talent for the art of shredding. Every song is schlock full of riffs, licks and guitar tricks. Brad's albums are reflections of his musical roots in the '80's. "Back To The Shredder" is no exception. It is easily heard in the playing, but also Brad's knack for writing catchy melodies comes from the same school of pop-metal. A handful of his friends has lent a solo or two to some of the songs, but other than that Brad is playing all of the instruments. The man is a virtual machine, as he effortlessly keep hammering out riffs, licks and solos. Steve Vai and Joe Satriani, eat your hearts out!

Since 'Back To The Shredder' is the creation of the guitarist Brad Windlan, and the fact that this is a shred-album, the guitars are exactly what is highlighted in the production of the record. The drums are programmed, and sounds like it! And the bass is not left much room in the all-around sound. Then again, the guitars are the main actors here anyway.

I have to be honest and say that 14 instrumental song in one sitting is a little too much for this listener. Brad is obviously a workaholic when it comes to writing new material, and he simply can't sit still when a new idea comes to him (that is my guess anyway). I wonder if he should try to not release everything that comes to him, but rather sit down and pick the absolutely best parts to make for even greater listening? There is no doubt that he is a terrific guitar-player, and with a little more focus, his albums would be even better. I'm also hoping for more material with vocals in the future.

If you're already a fan of Pastor Brad's '80's shred metal, than 'Back To the Shredder' is a no-brainer. And if you're looking for some solid guitar-playing en-masse, you will find plenty to salivate over on this CD!

Killer tracks: Rock Your Face off, Tempted, Control

Pastor Brad also appear on:

Tributes - 'Temporary Insanity - A Salute To Deliverance'

V/A - 'The Narrow Path: The CMR Compilation - Volume II'