Iconic Guitarist MARTY FRIEDMAN Shares New Single “Dead of Winter”

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. Today, he shares “Dead of Winter” the second single from his upcoming new solo album ‘Drama’, due out May 17th via Frontiers Music Srl. The track features vocals by Chris Brooks from Like A Storm and while normally an instrumentalist, this is MARTY’s first solo release featuring a vocalist.

“Dead of Winter” is accompanied by a new music video starring Skylar Erna and is available below.

About the track, MARTY had this to say:

“The lyrics of ‘Dead of Winter‘ as well as the story in the video, both sum up the way I would like people to feel about my music in general– something that will be there to uplift you when the times are hardest and give you a tangible jolt of positivity to last until life inevitably smooths out.”

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.

May 17th will see the release of MARTY‘s 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.

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

Check Out the Video for Second Single “Dead of Winter”

The new music video for “Dead of Winter” stars Skylar Erna, internet personality and daughter of Sully Erna from Godsmack. Skylar and Sully represent The Scars Foundation – a charity devoted to starting conversations about mental health to raise awareness about the issues facing so many people in our communities today.

With the rise of suicides, bullying, addiction, abuse, and so many other challenges, The Scars Foundation is dedicated to providing resources and tools to educate and empower people on a global level who struggle with these burdens.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. If somebody you know is going through a hard time and needs help, please visit HERE for resources

Watch The Scars Foundation’s Call to Action featuring Sully Erna 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

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, most recently in March 2024. Three books on MARTY`s life have been released in Japan and a brand-new full autobiography will be released worldwide later this year.

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’.

Check out the Video for First Single “Illumination” HERE

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