"Patterns is the self released debut album, produced and performed by guitarist Mike Fortin (Fortin Amplification) and drummer David Penna (Spastic Ink, Planet Hate, Ad Astra), collectively under the name of Static.

"The album is an instrumental offering within the areas of progressive metal, guitar fusion and sees Mike Fortin utilising his full armoury of guitar shredding techniques over the imaginative drumming of David Penna. Grinding metallic rhythms are employed extensively throughout the album, however a keen sense of melody and dynamic structuring prevails, giving the tracks the necessary 'hooks' required to hold the listener's attention.

"Mike Fortin proves to be an excellent player, not all 'million mile an hour' shredding and sweeping, but tastefully executed legato sections, interesting rhythmic riffs and chordal patterns go to make up tracks on Patterns.

"In the somewhat saturated market of guitar instrumentals albums, David Penna's drumming is both solid and imaginative - lifting the music and giving the album greater variation, whilst still providing a solid backbone to the songs.

"Among the album's standout tracks: 'Shade' - light and shade from the guitars, gliding fretless bass, nice touches from the keyboards and David nicely punctuating this ebbing and flowing piece; the Frippy 'Crimson', which veers off into a more metallic territory, never to return; and 'Uptown' - driving rhythms, harmonised guitar but with the keyboards adding a nice jazzy feel."

--Bob Mulvey, Dutch Progressive Rock Page (dprp.net)