Over the course of a more than 40-year career, Steve Vai has routinely transformed what would appear to be outrageously impossible into something very, very possible... and still also pretty outrageous. From his days as Frank Zappa's "stunt guitar" player to his more recent expansive and exploratory solo work, Vai has continually challenged notions of traditional guitar playing and composition - and on more than one occasion even reimagined the very instrument itself. Which, he'll admit, is not necessarily his intention. "I don't sit around and say, 'Okay, what can I do now that pushes the boundaries?," Vai explains about his approach to the guitar. "What I do say to myself is, 'Okay, Vai - what are you going to do now that's going to interest you, that's going to fascinate you, and that's different than anything you've done before?" The answer to that question comes in the form of Vai's newest and 10th solo album, Inviolate, a nine-song opus that does indeed push the boundaries of instrumental guitar music - this time out, Vai quite literally invented not just a new guitar, but also a new guitar-playing technique. "An inviolate inspiration is one that comes to you completely pure," Vai explains. "It appears almost in it's completeness, and there's a recognition of it as being right for you - perfectly right for you. There's no excuses in it. There's no fantasy in it. There's just a recognition of 'yes.' And then you capture that in a way that's authentic to your unique creativity. Hopefully, that's what I've done with this record."
Release date:
March 18, 2022
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
HumminGuru: Ultrasonic Vinyl Record Cleaner
Advanced ultrasonic technology with customizable cleaning cycles and a large tank capacity to thoroughly remove dust, dirt, and contaminants
-
Ortofon 2M Blue Premounted
Mounted on the SH-4 Black Headshell, this setup delivers exceptional clarity, dynamic range, and accurate sound reproduction.
-
Audioengine A2 Plus
Precision-engineered 2.75-inch woofers and a 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter, featuring built-in DAC and Bluetooth connectivity for seamless integration.
-
Cartridges - Top Picks
A selection of turnatble cartridges that provide great performance and sound quality
-
Phono Preamps - Top Picks
A selection of the best phono preamps for your turntable setup
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Scorpions From The First Sting [2xLP]
Bmg
September 26, 2025 -
Ashes of Ares New Messiahs
Roar
August 8, 2025 -
Hunx and His Punx Walk Out On This World
Get Better Records
August 22, 2025 -
Cut Copy Moments
Cut Copy Touring Pty Ltd
September 5, 2025 -
Flyte Between You and Me
Nettwerk Records
August 29, 2025 -
Russell Dickerson Famous Back Home
Triple Tigers/Kimberly Perry LP1
August 22, 2025 -
Joy Crookes Juniper
Epic Records
September 19, 2025 -
Upchuck I'm Nice Now
Domino Record Co
October 3, 2025 -
Ambush Evil In All Dimensions
Napalm Records
September 5, 2025 -
Pi'erre Bourne Made in Paris [2xLP]
Interscope/Geffen/A&M
September 19, 2025 -
Restraining Order Future Fortune
Blue Grape Music
September 26, 2025 -
Gordi Like Plasticine (Translucent Sea Blue)
Mushroom Music
August 8, 2025 -
Signs of the Swarm To Rid Myself Of Truth
Century Media Int'l
August 29, 2025 -
Seedbed Stalemate (Topaz Smoke)
Tiny Engines
August 22, 2025