Hey Rev, I'm totally with you on Jason Bieler - the guy is so talented it's scary.

In the same breath I have to mention Jeff Kollman - THE new guitarist IMO. The last Edwin Dare, his album with the UFO guys, Cosmosquad, John West's 'Permanent Mark' and his latest solo album are all amazing and showcase his incredible diversity. I'll eat my shorts if this man does not move up the ladder big time in the next couple of years.

I also think Jan Granwick from Glory (and a few other projects...) is seriously underrated. Not only is he a shredding guitar player but also a great songwriter. The last 2 Glory albums, 'Crisis vs. Crisis' and 'Wintergreen', are among the best, most original sounding melodic hard rock/metal discs of the late 90's.

Last but not least - let me bow down to one Billy White. Most people probably only know him from Don Dokken's 'Up From The Ashes' album where he basically blows Norum away, but this guy is so much more multi-faceted than UFTA lets on. His pre-DD band, WatchTower, was (and still is) one of the most influential prog metal bands of all time and the 2 CD's he did with the BW Trio were equally great and showcased a totally different side of him. This guy is a musical chameleon and whatever he does - it turns out awesome.