Ratt Lead guitarist Warren DeMartini replaced Jake E. Lee in the band in December 1981, who would eventually be hired by Ozzy Osbourne. DeMartini was at one point the roommate of Lee, and each greatly influenced the other's styles.
DeMartini's lead guitar became one of Ratt's most recognizable aspects, and he would co-write several of the band's best known songs, including "Round and Round", "Lay It Down", "Dance", and "Way Cool Jr.". Ratt would ultimately become one of the top-selling and most popular glam metal acts of the decade, issuing four consecutive platinum albums and one EP in the 1980s before disbanding in February 1992.
DeMartini has often been praised for his technique and ability. Website Xtreme Musician labeled him as one of the most under-rated guitarists of his era. His playing often incorporates 4 note per string passages, which is still fairly unorthodox and some chromatic runs give DeMartini an almost jazz fusion sound for some solos. Along with that, his playing includes fast minor scales and wide vibrato.
Warren uses finger vibrato, similar in style to George Lynch and Greg Howe.[citation needed] This technique features moving the finger/wrist rapidly back and forth along the length of the string to alter the pitch (like a violinist), as opposed to bending the string.
This record features Warren on his own. This isn't Ratt at all. The only full lengh solo CD By Warren, released in 1996, Produced by Dweezil Zappa (who also appears) this album, features instrumentals alongside several numbers where Warren sings. The songs do not sound like what he would be doing in the context of Ratt, but it is fun to hear Warren do his thing. While his singing is probably a matter of taste, I did enjoy the record.
