Out via Frontiers Music Srl — OrderHEREUS Tour Dates Kick Off January 24th in Santa Ana!
Today, innovative guitar visionary MARTY FRIEDMAN shares a new single, “A Prayer,” from his latest solo album ‘Drama.’ The new track is being released as a digital single that includes a “Guitar Karaoke” version of the track as a B-Side. “A Prayer” is accompanied by a visualizer, available below.
MARTY comments on the new single:
“‘A Prayer’ was one of the first songs I wrote for ‘DRAMA,’ It is an unapologetic tearjerker, and it set the melancholy tone for the entire album. I always wanted to do a full album of wistful songs like this, but only recently have I developed the ability to put together elaborate arrangements like this that sound deceivingly simple and uplifting.”
MARTY is excited to commence his “LIVE DRAMA 2025” US Tour supporting his most recent studio album ‘Drama’ out now on Frontiers Music. The tour begins this week on January 24th in Santa Ana and wraps up on February 22nd in Los Angeles. Tickets are available now. A full list of tour dates is below.
In addition, MARTY has a brand-new full autobiography, Dreaming Japanese, out now worldwide by Simon and Schuster. It is available at the following vendors: amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and dreamingjapanesebook.com.
Watch the Visualizer for “A Prayer” HERE
MARTY FRIEDMAN`s presence in the world of music, the world of guitar, and Japanese pop culture is mystifying, bizarre, and nothing short of inspiring. His latest solo album ‘Drama’ where he only slightly revisits the atmospheric elements of his acclaimed 1992 release ‘Scenes,’ elevating them to a modern and exotic collection of epic, extravagant, and unapologetically emotional mini-symphonies.
From his groundbreaking beginnings with Cacophony, alongside the legendary Jason Becker, to his pivotal role in propelling Megadeth to its peak of popularity with his breath-taking range and unorthodox melodic sense, MARTY FRIEDMAN has solidified his status as a unique guitar icon.
Tracks like “Illumination” and “Mirage” transport listeners to captivating realms, evoking sudden tears and chills. The entire album spotlights MARTY’s mesmerizing melodies, game-changing arrangements, and heart-tugging motifs even more than any of his previous work.
Recorded in Italy, where MARTY had access to a treasure trove of vintage guitars along with his modern signature models, ‘Drama’ is a pure, uplifting musical experience.
Order ‘Drama’ HERE
‘Drama’ Track List:
1) Illumination
2) Song for an Eternal Child
3) Triumph (Official Version)
4) Thrill City
5) Deep End
6) Dead of Winter
7) Mirage
8) A Prayer
9) Acapella
10) Tearful Confession
11) Icicles
12) 2 Rebeldes (Dead of Winter) (Spanish Version)
12) Mirage (Guitar Karaoke Version) Bonus track Japan
Produced By: Marty Friedman
Studios: Newsin Audio Design, Italy
Woodcliff Studios, USA
NK Sound & Sunshine Studios, Japan
Recorded By: Luigi Stefanini, Frank Rosato, Takao Nakazato,
Atsuo Akabae, Kenjiro Naka
Mixed By: Alexander Backlund and Jay Ruston
Mastered By: Koji Tanaka at Victor Creative Media, Tokyo
Guitar Technician & Sonic Guru: Franco Piona
Commenting on the upcoming tour, MARTY shared this:
“My three band members from Japan, Chargeeeeee, Wakazaemon, and Naoki have created the ultimate setting to perform music from all stages of my career. If you`ve seen us live before, you know what to expect. If not, you are in for a unique treat. You will remember my band`s performances on this ‘Drama’ tour for a long time. Our last two USA tours have left an unforgettable impact on them. We are all beyond excited to cross the pond and play for my home country again!”
The dynamic acoustic duo of Nikki Stringfield & Patrick Kennison will perform as special guests for these dates.
MARTY FRIEDMAN ‘Live Drama 2025’
Jan 24 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory
Jan 25 – Las Vegas, NV @ Count’s Vamp’d
Jan 27 – Denver, CO @ HQ Live
Jan 29 – St. Louis, MO @ Off Broadway
Jan 30 – St. Charles, IL @ Arcada Theater
Jan 31 – Westland, MI @ Token Lounge
Feb 1 – Columbus, OH @ The King of Clubs
Feb 2 – Cleveland, OH @ The Winchester
Feb 4 – New York, NY @ The Loft at City Winery
Feb 5 – Boston, MA @ City Winery
Feb 6 – Derry, NH @ Tupelo Music Hall
Feb 7 – Annapolis, MD @ Ram’s Head on Stage
Feb 8 – Pawling, NY @ Daryl’s House
Feb 10 – Philadelphia, PA @ City Winery
Feb 11 – Leesburg, VA @ Tally Ho Theater
Feb 13 – Greenville, SC @ Radio Room
Feb 14 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement
Feb 16 – Houston, TX @ Bronze Peacock at House of Blues
Feb 17 – Austin, TX @ Antone’s
Feb 18 – Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater
Feb 20 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launch Pad
Feb 21 – Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room
Feb 22 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Whisky
Tickets, Exclusive Meet and Greet VIP Packages,
Stage Played Guitars, and more are available HERE
Since moving to Japan in 2003, MARTY FRIEDMAN has become a household name even beyond the world of music. Fluent in Japanese, he has appeared on over 900 Japanese TV shows of every variety, as well as motion pictures and commercials including an ad campaign for Coca-Cola / FANTA that ran for over two years. He was recently appointed an Ambassador of Japan Heritage by the Japanese government who also commissioned him to compose the “Japan Heritage Theme Song”, recorded by MARTY and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and is played at official government-related events. He has played the Opening Ceremony at the Tokyo Marathon 5 times, including in March of this year. Three books on MARTY`s life have been released in Japan and a brand-new full autobiography will be released worldwide December 3rd.
In addition to his legendary work with Cacophony and Megadeth, MARTY has released fifteen solo albums starting in 1988 with ‘Dragon’s Kiss’, and has had multi-platinum, platinum, and gold album sales awards in twenty-seven countries, achieving seven Grammy nominations to date. In recent years, FRIEDMAN has put out the distinguished, ongoing Tokyo Jukebox line, which, as the title suggests, is a series of albums featuring covers of Japanese songs starting with ‘Tokyo Jukebox’ in 2009, ‘Tokyo Jukebox 2’ in 2011, and most recently, ‘Tokyo Jukebox 3’ in 2020. This series has become a go-to set for people all around the world who are fast becoming fascinated with Japan and its music.
MARTY has played the Tokyo Dome, Budokan, and every major Japanese venue multiple times. He has toured Japan countless times with his solo music as well as alongside many legendary Japanese stars. Since the release of ‘Tokyo Jukebox 3’ in 2020, MARTY has toured Japan twice, performed as a soloist with three major symphony orchestras, and made several TV appearances, most recently performing with Yoshiki of X Japan.
Since the pandemic, MARTY and his band have toured the U.S. twice and are planning to tour extensively for ‘Drama’.
Band Members:
Marty Friedman – Guitar
Wakazaemon – Bass
Gregg Bissonette – Drums
Mika Maruki – Piano, Keyboard & Synth
Hiyori Okuda – Cello
Miho Chigyo – Violin
Vocals on “Dead of Winter”: Chris Brooks (Like A Storm)
Vocals on “2 Rebeldes”: Steven Baquero Vargas
Bass on “Mirage”: Or Lubianiker
Rhythm Guitar on “Thrill City”: Naoki Morioka
Keys and Synth on “Song for an Eternal Child”: Takuro Iga
Drums on “Thrill City”: Chargeeeeee
Additional recording: Yukiko Takada, Jordan Rudess, Naoki Morioka, Maki Furugaki, Chris Brooks, Matt Brooks, Kent Brooks, Brian Becvar