Diatoms are microscopic organisms that build tiny, elaborate shells for themselves, each one different from the next, and all astounding in their geometric elegance and radially symmetrical patterning. In modern industry, they are used by the billions—mostly for polishing and grinding (diatomaceous earth is a common ingredient in toothpaste, among other things). In this work, the tiny and intricate patterns a guitarist makes on the fretboard and strings are alternately viewed microscopically in all their beauty, or transformed into a grinding, powerful energy, according to needs of the moment. Diatoms was written for virtuoso electric guitarist (and pianist, and composer, and computer musician, and, and ...) Chapman Welch.