Fiddling about over Jens Johansson's "Don't Mention the War"

Upon tonight's rediscovering of Jens Johansson's solo discography I discovered a part of the track "Don't Mention the War" from his 1997 album "Fission" that left plenty of room for a solo... The album features guitar solos from both Mike Stern and Shawn Lane, I wonder what this particular part would've sounded like had one of them blasted a solo over it! Anyway, I rolled the track a couple of times and improvised away, and then through some slicin', splicin' and spicin' I ended up with this little video right here. Enjoy, and don't mention the war!

[@krky86]

release an fusion album already, we'll buy you plenty of beer

[@exception05]

If I am right, Per already did that even before Scar Symmetry. :)

[@hazardeur]

@@exception05 names please

[@mickeylilly6057]

​@@hazardeuralbums surely called "Kickin Ass"

[@user-bl3si3kq6x]

​@hazardeur kaipa yes

[@jamespeterson4275]

You are truly one of the best solo writers of this generation by a mile. So its no surprise Im loving this too. :) But no seriously the Neohuman solos, Cryonic Harvest, Radial Covenant, Neuromancers, the Holographic title track solos all those and more are BRILLIANT. Well you and Conor McGouran anyway are probably my top faves if you know him (Enigma Division, ex-Xerath). His leads and writing chops are divine just like yours are. Echoes in the Deep by his band is sure fired proof of that. Also Per if you happen to read this you actually met my shredgod musical genius studio project bandmate Eetu Hernesmaa (he's a top fave solo guy for me too but his best stuff isn't released yet) at a gig in Finland but he was probably too humble to tell you he did a BANG UP JOB covering a couple of your best solos but I'll do it for him. He's posted covers of your Radial Covenant solo and your duel with Benjamin on Voyage With Tailed Meteors (I would literally ascend seeing that song live especially if Progpower weren't kidding when they said they'd try to bring yall back at a future year to make up for yall having to cancel and you brought it out for that). But man seriously I'd strongly recommend you giving those covers Eetu did of those solos a watch they're right here on KZbin. Thank you so so much for the Singularity albums I truly believe they're your magnum opuses. SO stoked for Singularity Phase 3 (especially if its chock full of EPIC, dramatic, sudden chromatic modulations like Phase 2 and chunks of Phase 1 were and... obviously don't force it if it doesn't come naturally, but hearing you take the plunge into writing a BIG song... like 16 to 20 something minutes... or hell maybe longer if you wanna go nuts to butts!... with Scar Symmetry would be INSANE cos I KNOW you could do that great justice.) I hope you're having a wonderful day sir and cheers :) -Sincerely, Some big nerd guy who is a fan of you P.S. Jens is a fucking legend... NIGHTMARISHLY great chops (well... you'd have to have that to go toe to toe on a record and hold your own with Yngwie wouldn't you ;) ) and great tone to boot.

[@SHARt_murmur]

That lounge lead just made me happy, man, thanks for sharing something like this on a day like today. It’s nice to be reminded we can create as much as we can destroy.

[@AldoKoskettimet]

can easily be considered a Jens Johansson tribute, awesome technique and rich taste for creating melodies

[@the_legendary_gojira9514]

Absolutely KILLING it all nonchalantly in his PJ's! Per is the best!!

[@simonize251]

Good to see you and the beard in good health. Per

[@Sadowsky46]

Both look better now 👍😉

[@larocket83]

I know it's selfish but I want more than these two-minute bits :)

[@gunshow86de]

With a webcam from at least this millennium.

[@intraterrestrial5035]

C'mon man don't be so selfish, you gotta share that want with the rest of us, I want more than these two-minute bits also! 😆

[@chadvitale1567]

Reminds a lot of the band Frost*. Awesome job man. Always love hearing you noodle around.

[@ScarGuitar]

I love that band!

[@opethian8512]

@@ScarGuitar dude Milliontown is so good! Jem and John switching vocals and Johns solos are so beautiful!

[@checkitoutguys1]

My man's taking W's with every single post! Simply beautiful.

[@taunokekkonen5733]

Massive hands, headless guitar, 4 notes per string, crazy notes... Allan lives on! Jens Johansson, as in Jens from Stratovarius??

[@lyleleclair9037]

Best player in the world. Amazing as always Per!

[@ScarGuitar]

I vehemently disagree! Thanks though :)

[@lyleleclair9037]

@@ScarGuitar Well your my favourite regardless :)

[@ocanaldodani]

Please.. fill us with MORE of this!!

[@gitarmats]

This reminds me to go back to this album. It's been a while. Also, great playing as always!!!

[@MrGul]

I absolutely LOVE that album and your playing definitely matches that of Mike Stern and Shawn Lane in terms of beautiful phrasing and melodic lines.

[@RichardSheehan]

As always, wonderful playing. Thanks for sharing it!

[@ChuloDavidcito]

Gorgeous tone. Incredible improvisation! I can't ask for anything more!

[@JunkieMonkey321]

i love the mixolydian vibes. you really own that sound in my eyes

[@thiagodalpoz]

Ahhhh this is fantastic!

[@theharvardyard2356]

Awesome as always. Keep it up!

[@SHREADMETAL]

Love the ax! Glad to see you posting my friend! Makes my day.

[@andromedaanarchia]

🤘🤘🤘

[@eduardogongorakeys]

great job!!! Congrats from Chile

[@tedats]

Sheesh. Epic as always!

[@Pallareggadetta]

Im home with covid-19 but this made feel better for a little while

[@VinceTrueMental]

Hold on man ! I've been through this as well

[@fatmeatm8878]

So nice Thanks you kinds sir

[@zippy_uk1046]

Good work. Holdsworth-esq...

[@frodeleirvik]

Who knows, maybe this piece was just waiting for the right guy and then you came along? Anyway, thanks for introducing me to this and thanks for mesmerizing phrasing... IMHO, Lane's solo on Acrostic Shibboleth is also pretty good.

[@adamlanderson4154]

Great tone. Connecting phrases. Smooth

[@salahbaker4089]

just...wholly fuck...

[@brbqsauce]

sweet! sweet! sweet!

[@Martell276]

Juicy. Tasty. Inspiring. Keep it coming Per.

[@smiljanicn]

This would be the thing to do live with Jens and Andres :)!

[@Xenogenocide]

Even in PJ's you're shredding. You monster!

[@AA-uw9om]

Very helpful video...

[@peevee605]

"How big beer did you say you want, Maestro?"

[@Martin-fb3ic]

❤den cdn ska ner från vinden.....tack❤

[@jerkerjansson386]

Snyggt, Per!

[@brandon5pennies]

Would love to see you improv over Get You Back by Shawn Lane. There is a plethora of backing tracks for it!

[@ScarGuitar]

Oh man I love that track!

[@brandon5pennies]

@@ScarGuitar do itttt!

[@MrKyletheawesome]

Clicked like before I even hear it

[@Sadowsky46]

I want my noodling sounding like your fiddling 👍

[@CharlieShaughnessy]

Dayum BURNNIN!!!

[@profecarlosmendoza]

+ 10

[@martinkarlsson7069]

Kan du inte svänga ihop en fusion platta med Anders och Jens? Heavy machinery 2?

[@ScarGuitar]

Jag skulle älska att göra nåt med Anders och Jens! Med mig på gitarr istället för Allan så kan vi döpa skivan till Sämre Machinery :)

[@martinkarlsson7069]

@@ScarGuitar Ah men det vore ju grymt! Ring Jens igår!

[@RockCoversMusic]

Nice improvisation! :)

[@1986MonteCarloSSFan]

Think this is my first video I’ve ever seen without any thumbs down. 👍🏻🤘

[@scrotzki789]

Good shit my man.

[@drbelljazz]

Not a single comment here about FAWLTY TOWERS?!?

[@tomasengstrom6362]

2,217 views... or are we missing 3-4 0's after that number?!??!!??! INSANE!!!!

[@alexanderrebane1637]

Great, cool as always !!! Can i ask you ? Where did Thordendal disappear, is everything okay with him? He didn't leave Messhuggah? Well, at least a little information from you, please!

[@ScarGuitar]

As far as I know Fredrik is alive and well :) He's on an extended hiatus from the band.

[@alexanderrebane1637]

@@ScarGuitar This is very good news, thanks Per !!! You participate in composing new material Meshuggah with the rest of the group, if this is of course not classified information)) ??? p.s. You, with your brutal beard, harmonize well with the music of Meshuggah on stage !!!

[@gingataff]

We didn't start it! Yes you did, you invaded Poland!

[@DannyMck]

1:09 Jesus Christ what a run

[@opethian8512]

Love it! When are you next strandberg* models coming out? Also when are the next Scar Symmetry albums coming out lol? Phase I is so goddamn amazing!

[@jochengnu4214]

Härligt!

[@drsaufproblem]

I like the tamed beard more than the hobo beard, lel

[@BurlyMammoth]

You need to upload all of these videos in that low res early MTV era music videos like Kevin Malone in Scrantonicity II

[@mickeylilly6057]

Waiting on that first hater to push that thumbs down button.

[@MrMollytov]

If only the camera quality was as good as his playing ;)

[@exception05]

It's not a camera. It's a electromagnetic field from his polymetallic nano-molecular beard that emits fractures of metal to KZbin on sublight speed.

[@lauraeeee]

Dear Per. How do you play the guitar?

[@ScarGuitar]

I use my hands, my head and my heart

[@ScarGuitar]

...all vintage gear, that is

[@lauraeeee]

@@ScarGuitar wonderful. I'm going to try and do the same. Thank you for sharing your secret. I really enjoy your playing.

[@martinliljegren7778]

Oefterhärmligt sanslöst.....Allan ler stolt var han nu är.....

[@ThomasVammenJensen]

So is Scar Symmetry official over?

[@ScarGuitar]

Not that I know of

[@ThomasVammenJensen]

@@ScarGuitar Glad to hear it. You are one of my favorit bands. But it has been 7 years since your last release so, of course, it makes one wonder.

[@guilhermefirmz]

World Trade Center... 20 years.

[@scottclaremont4164]

flexing .36 seconds in

[@SirVitamins]

what happened to the beard? and what have you done with Per?!

[@ScarGuitar]

After a freak accident involving my beard trimmer I had to amputate most of my beard

[@SirVitamins]

@@ScarGuitar Hahaha you're the best!

[@tonypowell250]

Sounds like Allan Holdsworth on steroids.