After ending a sold-out tour with Joe Satriani and Eric Johnson for the G3 Reunion concert events, Steve Vai joined Adrian Belew and Tony Levin to carry out interpretations of the ’80s King Crimson albums Self-discipline, Beat, and Three Of A Good Pair. The band is named Beat, and the result’s mind-altering. All this, and there’s a fire-breathing new single from the brand new G3 Reunion Stay album.

How does enjoying the music of King Crimson have an effect on your enjoying?

I used to be a fan of ’80s King Crimson. That music was incredible, and as quickly as Adrian requested me, I noticed myself enjoying it. I’m enjoying Robert Fripp’s guitar components. It’s a problem as a result of his type could be very totally different than mine. However I knew it could be enjoyable and felt I might navigate it appropriately and successfully. Taking part in that music, you get to see me working, versus simply enjoying melodies and solos.

You combine your character however stay trustworthy to the tunes.
There’s a magnificence and cleverness inside the interlocking guitar components. Approaching it as a guitar participant, I needed to examine Fripp. I obtained into his disciplinary type. There have been two spots the place I needed to reconnoiter issues. On “Body By Body,” there’s that relentless cross-picking riff that’s merely exterior of my wheelhouse, particularly at my age. I didn’t really feel like I might play it persistently each night time, so I wanted to determine one thing out. So, I took it into my wheelhouse, which is tapping. That labored. It’s reflective of the unique, however eliminated.

On a few the riffs on “Elephant Speak,” I made a decision to hammer as an alternative of decide. Every part else falls inside my capability. When it comes time to take a solo, it doesn’t make sense to sound like Fripp. Fripp mentioned, “If I had been sitting within the viewers, I wouldn’t need to see you making an attempt to do my sort of solo. I wanna see Steve Vai go loopy!” So, that’s what I do. Adrian and I add a dynamic that’s completely balanced for the music. We’re so totally different, but we come collectively on many issues inside the present.

“Zeus in Chains” is the primary single from the brand new G3 Reunion Stay album.
It’s obtained these huge chords, and I like enjoying that track. Each time I carry out it, I really feel like I’m in a trance. If a musician is connecting with their instrument, they’re merged with the notes, and it’s an exquisite factor. I’ve a guitar by my mattress. When my spouse’s preparing at night time, I sit there and tinker about. Typically, one thing comes up that has some power in it. I knew it was good as a result of I heard my spouse from the lavatory say, “That’s an excellent one (laughs)!”

You’re utilizing harmonizers greater than ever.
Numerous that’s with the DigiTech Whammy. That has probably the most genuine, heavy, clear, harmonized sound with integrity. After I use outboard gear just like the Fractal, it’s for different sorts of concord issues – it’s good for upper-end harmonies like a fifth above or making a chord. DigiTech doesn’t do this. With Beat, I take advantage of the DigiTech, however there are songs, like “Trade” or “Thela Hun Ginjeet,” the place the outboard gear works higher. On “Trade,” I’ve a five-note chord coming from one be aware.

What’s the story behind your Hydra guitar?
I wished to create one thing that was musical and significant. The thought was to create an instrument that I might carry a whole piece of music with. I wished a bass neck, a 12-string neck, a seven-string neck, harp strings, a guitar synthesizer with Pattern and Maintain options, and Sustainers.

Within the film Mad Max: Fury Highway, there’s a scene the place a man is enjoying this wild-looking guitar with flames popping out – steampunk! That’s what the guitar was going to seem like. It’s a mode I actually like. The Ibanez guys in Japan went to the wall and constructed it from scratch. The method took years. After I obtained the ultimate model, I practically had a coronary heart assault. The title of the guitar comes from the film Jason and the Argonauts. The Hydra is a legendary three-headed dragon creature. Should you minimize off one of many heads, one other will develop.

As I used to be ending the Inviolate album, I wanted yet another monitor, and the Hydra was standing there. It mentioned to me, “Okay, now it’s my flip (laughs).” It took me six weeks of 15-hour undisturbed days to jot down and document. Every part you hear is the Hydra in a single take. You may watch “Tooth of the Hydra” on Youtube.

What’s subsequent?
I’ve been working with Joe Satriani on a brand new document. In the summertime, we’ll do a European tour referred to as Browsing with the Hydra. We’ll play among the new songs, and the document will comply with the tour. – Oscar Jordan

This text initially appeared in VG’s March 2025 subject. All copyrights are by the writer and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.