Michael “Whip” Wilton, the guitar legend and founding member of Queensrÿche, is back with a vengeance. Volume 1, the debut album from his new solo project Whip, is a fiery return to form for Wilton, pairing his classic riff-driven sound with and updated approach. Joined by powerhouse Seattle vocalist Mark Winterman, drummer Sonny Sudra, and bassist Hodgy, Wilton delivers the goods with nine tracks that pack a punch with precision.

Mixed and mastered by producer Chris “Zeuss” Harris (Queensrÿche, Rob Zombie, Shadows Fall), Volume 1 features some impeccable sonics that brings out the best of the album’s songs. From the opening blast of “People Suffer” to the brooding closer “Drowning At Daybreak,” Wilton takes listeners to a place that feels at once familiar and refreshingly new.

Fans of Wilton’s Queensrÿche days will instantly recognize his trademark guitar style. The intricate riffs, melodic solos, and his ability to draw emotion from seemingly every note. But Volume 1 doesn’t rest on past glories. Songs like “Burning Bright” and “Echoes Of The Fire” showcase a willingness to live in the moment, both hard-hitting rhythms with dynamic vocal performances from Winterman, whose commanding range adds an edge to every verse and chorus.

“Volume 1 was about exploring new possibilities while staying true to what I love about making music,” Wilton explains. That philosophy is evident in the album’s best moments, like the anthemic “Through The Veil,” which layers Wilton’s shredding with Sudra’s driving drums and Hodgy’s basslines. Wilton’s ability to think outside the box shines in his arrangements. Tracks transition seamlessly from soaring melodies to crushing breakdowns, all while maintaining a singular vision. It’s all proof of what an important part he plays in Queensrÿche’s sound.