Satch Wraps Up New Record

Super-shredder Joe Satriani is wrapping up the recording of his 12th studio album and preparing to hit these shores for a full UK tour with Paul Gilbert!

"Yesterday was a great day -- we officially finished recording," Satriani tells Billboard.com. "This is definitely a rocking record."

The new album will of course show off Satch's shred skills, but signals a different approach for the guitarist.

"I decided once again to push the envelope with how expressive we can get the guitar to be. And how unusual we can get the guitar playing from song to song. For the first time ever, we've got a 15-minute, four-part, really intense song that involves some ensemble playing and some out-and-out jams."

Satch will also team up with fellow widdler Paul Gilbert for a 35-date Euro tour, including nine UK dates.

Also in the works is a line of Satriani pedals through Korg and Vox, the prototypes for which were used on the new album. The devices should be available by "the middle of next year," Satch says.

Tour dates are as follows:

05/12: Birmingham, England (Symphony Hall)
05/13: Newcastle, England (City Hall)
05/14: Glasgow (Royal Concert Hall)
05/15: Manchester, England (Apollo)
05/17: Bristol, England (Colston Hall)
05/18: Bournemouth, England (Pavilion Theatre)
05/19: Cardiff, Wales (St. David's Hall)
05/20: London (Hammersmith Apollo)
05/21: Nottingham, England (Royal Centre)