Guitar Lords of Heavy Metal Rock

Jason Becker

2011-04-02T08:48:00.000-07:00

Jason Becker's story is as inspiring as it is sad. As guitar prodigy, Becker first achieved success in his mid-teens with the speed-metal outfit Cacophony, formed by he and guitarist Marty Friedman (Megadeth). Together, Becker and Friedman released two critically acclaimed albums, Go Off! and Speed Metal Symphony that resulted in successful tours of the U.S. and Japan. In 1988, Becker released his solo tour-de-force, Perpetual Burn, which further bolstered an already legendary reputation. His big break came in 1989 when he was handpicked by former Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth to fill his band's guitar slot once owned by guitarist extraordinaire Steve Vai. The celebration would be short-lived.

‘Perpetual Burn: The Story of Jason Becker’ is a new feature-length documentary film about the legendary guitar hero, Jason Becker; a guitarist and musical prodigy who, at just 19 and on the brink of stardom, was diagnosed with ALS, a rare terminal illness, and given just 3-5 years to live. Twenty years later, and without the ability to move or speak, he continues to compose music, note by note, with his eyes.

The film will feature interviews with Jason, his family and friends, and many of the amazing musicians he’s worked with over the years and will tell the whole untold story. There will be plenty of great Jason Becker performance footage from his shred guitar years with Cacophony through to his solo work, as well as tons of unseen footage and unreleased music from the Becker archives. Jason's music is recorded by some of the world's greatest guitarists & musicians and his songs are an inspiration to millions of people around the world including a new generation of guitar players. Jason Becker movie

Like many neo-classical guitarists, he studied the works of violin prodigy Nicolo Paganini. Becker’s rendition of Paganini’s 5th Caprice is a good example of his guitar mastery. Jason grew musically with Marty Friedman, with whom he co-wrote many songs and by whose sense of melody he was influenced while spurring him to greater heights of guitar technique.

Their harmonisation-by-ear melody lines remains their trademark. In 1989, at the age of 20, he was diagnosed with ALS (aka Lou Gehrig's Disease) which slowly robbed him of his ability to play guitar, to walk, and even speak. He still remains mentally sharp and through the aid of a computer, he continues composing music through the help of other musicians. In this way he released the album "Perspective" (1996).

Patrick Rondat

2007-04-12T11:05:00.000-07:00

Patrick Rondat from France is one of my favourite guitarists. His guitar style is a great mix of melodic, progressive and neo-classical elements. Patrick Rondat is a French guitar hero who made several instrumental solo albums. He is also the guitarist of metal bands like Elegy or Consortium Project, he's been part of the G3 with Joe Satriani, and he's also the guitarist of Jean-Michel Jarre.

"I listened to many players, Ritchie Blackmore, Al di Meola, Steve Morse, Ronnie Montrose...it was that guitar 'sound'! I was 17, it was late to start playing, but I had to...that 'sound' - it captivated me!" (P.Rondat 1997).With his roots in rock music, Patrick very quickly realised the benefits of studying a diverse and varied range of musical forms and techniques, and the ability to adapt and utilise this knowledge in his constant quest for a unique and personal sound.

Patrick Rondat has developed a playing technique that is natural and uninhibited - a skill factor and technicality attained by vision, passion and dedication to his art, he plays with grace, fluidity, power and intensity! His mastery of both electric and acoustic guitar is incomparable. His use of effects and enhancements is professional and unobtrusive as he combines different musical styles, intricate harmonies, subtle tempo variations, amazing themes and melodies into a sound that is radically distinctive and personal!

Patrick Rondat has a very individual and personal style, can loosely be compared to Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Tony Mcalpine.

Patrick has released 5 solo albums and 1 'Live' album during his career, all of which demonstrate an extremely high standard of musicianship. "Rape of the Earth", "Amphibia" and his 2004 release "Ephemeral World" - are 3 albums that should be in every aspiring guitar players collection. Very highly recommended!

Michael Angelo Batio

2007-04-11T12:02:00.000-07:00

Metal Hero Guitarist Michael Angelo Batio
Michael Angelo Batio is the fastest, meanest shredder on this or any other planet. He was the guitarist with 80's metal legends ‘Nitro' and now tours the world with his double Dean guitar, still shocking his army of fans.

Just about every metal guitarist knows at least something about Michael Angelo Batio. He is best known for his twin-necked, left and right-handed double-guitar which he both invented and was the first to play. This ambidextrous virtuoso is not just a one trick wonder however. He is arguably the fastest guitar player you’ll ever hear and when he wants to, can play some slow yet engaging leads.
The famous guitar...
The Quad Guitar was invented and designed by Michael Angelo Batio. It was built by Wayne Charvel in Southern California. The guitar was originally built in conjunction with Gibson Guitars. Wayne later changed the necks and neck logos to say “Ritz” Guitars which at the time was his new guitar company. The 2 top necks have 7 strings while the bottom 2 necks have 6. The Quad Guitar is actually 4 separate guitars with back plates determining it’s shape.

Michael Angelo Batio demonstration workshops in the Netherlands...

Dinsdag 30 Mei om 14:00 uur:
Vanilla Music Store, Den Haag
Westeinde 45-47

Dinsdag 30 Mei om 20:00 uur:
Big One Music, Zwolle,
Rieteweg 13

Woensdag 31 Mei om 14:00 uur:
City Music, Alphen a/d Rijn,
Prins Hendrikstraat 99

Michael has vast music knowledge and started playing piano and composing at the age 5 and started playing guitar at age 10. At 14 he was playing jazz music and at 16 years old he won an award for outstanding jazz musician (what an achievement!). He's toured the world travelling to over 35 different countries since 1993 and has performed over 1200 shows since then. He also took Joe Satriani's genius invention of the ''Sock-Dampener'' and invented his own ''String-Dampeners'' himself (obviously without a sock lol). He started out as a session guitarist at 19 years old doing music for Films, TV, Radio... you name it he's done it! Although, Angelo can play at breakneck speed, he can create the most immaculate melodies you will ever hear, it is in a sense music that Shredaholic describes as ''it gets you there''.

Cool Metal Art Design...

2007-04-10T14:35:00.000-07:00

Some custom Metal art designs...

Or paint your guitar yourself...

Can you envision yourself painting a guitar and being able to produce a killer, glossy, factory finish on your very first attempt, even if you've never painted a guitar before?

Organic Metal art sculpture...

Artwork from ** Heavy Metal R.Den Herder

Ingwie Malmsteen

2007-04-10T14:15:00.000-07:00

Ingwie Malmsteen in Singapore...
One of rock’s most gifted and influential guitar players unleashing his devistating fusion of neo-classical rock, metal and blues in Singapore today at Fort Canning Park. This tour is in support of Yngwie’s latest release “Unleash The Fury”.

Yngwie Johann Malmsteen’s “Unleash The Fury World Tour” also features RISING FORCE with Dougie White on Vocals, Derek Sherinian on Keyboards, Mick Cervino on Bass & Patrik Johansson on Drums. Yngwie J. Malmsteen arrived on LA’s Sunset Strip in the early 1980’s with little more than a Fender guitar and a spare pair of jeans, yet quickly established his place in guitar history as one of rock’s premier virtuoso guitarists. Along with Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eddie Van Halen, and a handful of others, Yngwie has dominated the world of solo guitar for two decades.

Yngwie created a guitar sound and approach that is totally unique and different from any other rock guitarist. An ear-searing blend of metallic bombast and classical beauty. He has elevated classical chops to new heights, adding a distinctive European stamp. Both enchantingly dark-sounding and blindingly fast. His 1984 album, “Yngwie J. Malmsteen’s Rising Force,” established neo-classical melodic rock.

A legend in both style and technique, Yngwie’s long career reached new heights when his totally classical work for orchestra and solo electric guitar, “Concerto Suite,” was released, proving that his classical credentials were genuine. A respected musician among both his peers and his fans, Yngwie continues to play and compose at a level of mastery that many career musician only dream of.

Here is a great concert review of a 2006 performance in adelaide Australie...!!!

Ingwie's Fender Stratocaster...

Yngwie J. Malmsteen is one of rock’s greatest guitar heroes. He continues to be a featured draw in every guitar-oriented magazine on the planet. With a mix of technical playing, appreciation for classical composers, and hard rock edginess, Malmsteen is one of the most respected players around. He performed in the G3 tour in 2003 with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai.

Heavy Metal...

2007-04-10T13:21:00.000-07:00

Tribute to Heavy Metal Guitar

This blog is dedicated to the art of playing Heavy Metal Guitar. Here you can find heavy metal lessons, guitar tablature, article links to other sites and lots more. The backbone of heavy metal is the Electric guitar. Metal can be loud, intense, fast and aggressive. The vocal styles in heavy metal range from melodic singing to aggressive singing to unintelligible screaming, depending on the genre.