Ex-Evile Guitarist Ole Drake’s New Song “Han Valen” is Very Han Valen-y

Sometimes it is completely OK for artists to wear their influences loudly on their sleeves. Even more so when they cop to it, because they’re clearly not trying to fool anyone.

So if you had any doubt from just the track title that ex-Evile guitarist Ole Drake’s new solo track “Han Valen” is a tip of the cap to the first and best shredder of all time, feel free to consult Drake’s statement about the ditty:

Welcome to the first track on my solo album thing. It is entitled “Han Valen” for absolutely no reason and isn’t implying anything at all.

The intro which goes on for 7 years was written when I was about 16 while showing a friend of mine online (Hammy) how to tap on the guitar. When it came to doing this album I thought it would make a cool addition. With drums from Mike Heller (Malignancy, Fear Factory) and orchestration on the intro by Zino Von Hamersveld, it’s definitely a song for guitarists to dig their teeth into. If you want to learn how to play it, there is a guitar and bass tab and notation book available, notated by that me person.

Hope you all enjoy! If you like what you hear, please support the project and get an order in!

I’d say he does a damn fine job, yeah? We all owe a little something, if not more, to Van Halen.

The track comes from Drake’s first solo album, the aptly titled Old Rake, out June 22nd on Earache. Order here (US) and here (Europe).

[via Metal Hammer]