Christopher Amott (Arch Enemy/Armageddon)

Name: Christopher Amott
Born: 23rd November, 1977 (Halmstad, Sweden)

Profile: He is a Swedish guitarist, vocalist and younger brother of guitarist Michael Amott (Carcass) and founding member of the Swedish metal bands "Arch Enemy" and "Armageddon".

History: Inspired by his older brother Michael Amott's band "Carcass", Christopher began studying the guitar at 14, playing in local bands, and eventually attending music college at age 18. His style of playing consist of aggressive, fast vibrato, speedy alternate-picking and fluid lead lines.

While attending music school in 1996, Amott's brother Michael asked him to record solos for his new melodic death metal project "Arch Enemy". The 'Black Earth' album was released in Japan, and was an instant hit, receiving regular airplay on Japanese MTV. In 1997, the band were invited to play in Japan, and it was there that Amott secured a deal for his "Armageddon" side project. The project began as a melodic death metal band, similar in style to "Arch Enemy", but with a more conceptual feel to the lyrics. "Armageddon" released their first debut album 'Crossing the Rubicon' in 1997.

In 1999, with "Arch Enemy" gaining ground worldwide, Amott would go on to release 'Burning Bridges' and 'Burning Japan Live 1999', then take a break until the later part of 2000, when "Armageddon" released their second album 'Embrace the Mystery' in Japan. This time featuring a melodic singer, and more of an overall power metal feel, the album was a drastic shift from the straight ahead melodic death metal, and marked Amott's desire to branch out of the extreme metal genre.

In 2001, "Arch Enemy" were joined by new singer Angela Gossow, and the band reached new heights in worldwide popularity with the release of 'Wages of Sin'. After completing an extensive world tour with "Arch Enemy", Amott returned to his "Armageddon" project, and released 'Three' in 2002. This album featured Amott as lead vocals. In 2005, "Arch Enemy" released, 'Doomsday Machine', but immediately after the recording, Amott left the band.

He now spent the next two years teaching music in Sweden, as well as attending a university. In 2010, Amott revealed that he would be releasing a solo album early in the year entitled 'Follow Your Heart'.

Influences: John Sykes, Yngwie Malmsteen, Uli Jon Roth, John Norum and Michael Schenker

Axology: Caparison guitars, ESP guitars, Boss Digital Delay DD-3 and Peavey JSX amplifiers

Signature song(s): Seed of Hate - Arch Enemy (Burning Bridges, 1999)

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7jbX2HKEOc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4Dn02bR4pg&feature=related

Jeff Loomis (Nevermore)

Name: Jeff Loomis
Born: 14th September, 1971 (Appleton, Wisconsin, USA)

Profile: He is an American musician and guitarist, most notably known as the lead guitarist for the Seattle progressive metal band, "Nevermore".

History: Loomis started making music with drums, but soon he was bored and he started playing guitar. He got his first instrument at 9 or 10 years old, but did not start practicing seriously until around the age of 15. As a teenager in he played in a handful of cover bands and three death metal bands before joining more established bands. At the age of 16, Loomis won Wisconsin's 'Guitar Wars' contest.

After he won the contest, he auditioned for "Megadeth", after their lead guitarist Jeff Young left. After they played a few songs together, Dave Mustaine, the band's frontman, thanked Loomis and told him that one day he would become a great guitar player, but because of his age he was not right for the position.

Not long after the audition, Loomis join the band "Sanctuary" after guitarist Sean Blosl had left, however, because of a dispute caused by guitarist Lenny Rutledge wanting to make grunge oriented music, "Sanctuary" broke up 4 months afterwards. After the break-up, Loomis and former "Sanctuary" members vocalist Warrel Dane and bassist Jim Sheppard made plans to form "Nevermore", and in late 1994, Loomis became the lead guitarist of "Nevermore" after the brief period being in "Sanctuary".

Now, he is the main songwriter of the band, adding to the unique sound that fans are familiar with. Currently, Loomis plays an important role in portraying the sound that "Nevermore" has today, using a 7 string guitars and techniques such as sweep-picking. One of his more important musical showcases is in the critically acclaimed album 'Dead Heart in a Dead World', in which he wrote most of the songs before forming "Nevermore".

In 2005, Loomis reported that he would take some time as a break and then begin recording a solo album. In 2008, he announced that the album will be called 'Zero Order Phase', and was released on September via Century Media Records.

Influences: Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony MacAlpine, Jason Becker and Marty Friedman

Axology: Schecter seven string guitars - Jeff Loomis C7 FR signature model, Schecter C-7 Hellraiser, Ibanez guitars, Gibson guitars, Jackson guitars, ESP guitars - Horizon 7 and Warmoth guitars, Peavey amplifiers and Krank amplifiers

Signature song(s): Timothy Leary - Nevermore (Nevermore, 1994) and Omega's Influence - Jeff Loomis (Zero Order Phase, 2008)

Link(s):

http://www.jeffloomis.com/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvfg0iLnzsw

Michael Amott (Carcass/Arch Enemy)

Name: Michael Amott
Born: 28th July, 1970 (London, England)

Profile: He is a Swedish guitarist, songwriter, founding member of the bands "Arch Enemy", "Spiritual Beggars", and "Carnage", as well as a member of the death metal band "Carcass". He is the older brother of Christopher Amott.

History: Amott began playing guitar as a young teenager, learning to play by copying Punk/Hardcore and Thrash/Speed Metal out of his record collection. he soon went to a new level with his playing. He has stated in guitar magazines that he has a preference for pentatonics scales, and his soloing style is frequently compared to that of Michael Schenker.

In 1988, Amott co-formed the death metal band "Carnage" with singer Johan Liiva, and released two widely traded cassette demos, gaining instant underground interest. Plagued by constant lineup changes, "Carnage" would eventually record their only album 'Dark Recollections'. In 1990, Amott was recruited by "Carcass", and released the album 'Necroticism - Descanting the Insalubrious' a year later, followed by, 'Heartwork', the album which help to define what is now known as melodic death metal.

In 1993, he left "Carcass" and decided to form a classic rock influenced band, "Spiritual Beggars". The band released their debut album a year later, which led to an European record deal with Music for Nations.

Still heavily into extreme metal, Amott formed a new melodic death metal project in the same vein as "Carcass", and he contacted original "Carnage" vocalist Johan Liiva, as well as his younger brother Christopher Amott and put together "Arch Enemy". The band's first album 'Black Earth' was originally intended to be a one-off project, but in 1997, the album's first single, 'Bury Me An Angel' received unexpected airplay on Japan's MTV Rocks! program.

In 2003, "Arch Enemy" released 'Anthems of Rebellion', and for the first time, their received US MTV airplay with the video for 'We Will Rise'. The band would reach new heights in popularity worldwide, and toured constantly until the release of 2005's 'Doomsday Machine'. Amott returned once again to "Spiritual Beggars" in 2005, releasing the album 'Demons'. He also recently performed a guest guitar solo on "The Haunted" and "Kreator".

Today, Amott is busy touring the world and recording with "Arch Enemy" and the re-formed "Carcass", and he does not rule out a return to "Spiritual Beggars" in the future.

Influences: Michael Schenker, Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), Frank Marino and Uli Jon Roth

Axology: Dean guitar Micheal Amott Signature Tyrant Bloodstorm, ESP guitars, Ibanez RG 550 Road Flare Red, Fernandes guitars and Marshall amplifiers

Signature song(s): Heartwork - Carcass (Heartwork, 1993) and Bury Me An Angel - Arch Enemy (Black Earth, 1997)

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uf9UVqaBQI8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77NK4aPayIU

Buckethead (Praxis/Guns 'N Roses)

Name: Unknown (he is also known as Death Cube K, Big B, The Boy and Bucky)
Born: 1969

Profile: He is an American musician, songwriter and virtuoso. He has released 29 studio albums, 4 special releases, 1 EP album and performed on over 50 more by other artists. His music spans such diverse areas as progressive metal, thrash metal, funk, electronica, jazz, bluegrass and avant-garde music.

History: He began playing at the age of 12, and took it seriously a year later. His playing began improving with lessons from various teachers including Pebber Brown, Johnny Fortune, Max McGuire and Paul Gilbert. He then began making demo recordings of his playing styles.

In 1988, 'Guitar Player' magazine's editor, Jas Obrecht was impressed with his demo, and encouraged him to make the most of his talent, and in 1989 a song called 'Sowee' composed by Buckethead got honorable mention by local guitarist.

In 1992, Buckethead, with bassist/producer Bill Laswell formed the supergroup "Praxis". Their first album, 'Transmutation (Mutatis Mutandis)' was well-received. The project was Bill Laswell's concept, and has since involved other guests such as Serj Tankian (System of a Down), among many others. In 1994, Buckethead released two albums, the first was 'Dreamatorium' under the name of Death Cube K (an anagram of 'Buckethead'), and the second was 'Giant Robot', which features many guest appearances by artists such as Iggy Pop and Bill Moseley.

It was 'Monster and Robots' album - a collaboration with Les Claypool (Primus), which made Buckethead known to the music world and currently the best-selling album of his career. This album includes the song 'The Ballad of Buckethead', for which his first music video was made.

In 2000-2004, Buckethead achieved a higher public profile as lead guitarist for "Guns N' Roses". He recorded the often delayed album 'Chinese Democracy' with the band and appeared live on stage in 2001-2002. Despite being a member of "GNR", Buckethead released his sixth studio album, called 'Somewhere Over the Slaughterhouse' in 2001.

When performing, Buckethead used to wear a KFC bucket on his head, emblazoned with an orange bumper sticker that read 'FUNERAL' in capital black block letters, and an expressionless plain white costume mask. He also incorporates nunchaku, robot dancing, and toy trading into his stage performances.

Influences: Michael Jackson, Paul Gilbert (Racer X), Shawn Lane, Yngwie Malmsteen, Bootsy Collins, Eddie Hazel, Randy Rhoads and Angus Young (AC/DC)

Axology: Gibson Buckethead Signature Les Paul, Custom built ESP MV guitar, Ibanez X-Series Flying V, Ibanez X Series Rocket Roll II, Takamine Acoustic, Yamaha AES920, Custom built Jackson Y2KV, Heartfield Talon II model (by Fender), Digitech Whammy II and Peavey 5150 amplifiers

Signature song(s): Mighty Morphin Power Rangers' Theme

Link(s):

http://bucketheadland.com (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-woe3SCAaA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8akmP6Sjv2o

Although a multi-instrumentalist, Buckethead is best known for his electric guitar playing. He has been voted number 8 on a list in 'GuitarOne' magazine of the 'Top 20 Greatest Guitar Shredders of All Time'.

Jeff Hanneman (Slayer)

Name: Jeffery John Hanneman
Born: 31st January, 1964 (Oakland, California, USA)

Profile: He is an American musician and lyricist, best known as the lead guitarist and a founding member of the American thrash metal band "Slayer".

History: Started an interest in music in an early age, influenced by his brother Joey, the both of them started the band "Bloodcum" but nothing happened with that band. Early in the 80's, Hanneman approached guitarist Kerry King (when King was auditioning for a band). After the try-out session, the two guitarists started talking and playing "Iron Maiden" and "Judas Priest" songs, at that time "Slayer" was born.

In 1982, Hanneman, Dave Lombardo and guitarist Rocky George (Suicidal Tendencies) had a brief punk side project called "Pap Smear" - the band was due to start recording when Hanneman was advised to avoid the side project by "Slayer's" producer, Rick Rubin, and Hanneman took Rubin's advice, and later used two of the songs on "Slayer's" 1996 album 'Undisputed Attitude'.

Hanneman wrote probably the most well-known thrash song ever. It was 'Angel Of Death'. It should not be necessary to say, from where he got the inspiration to that song. Many know, that he for a long time, had interest in militarism.

Hanneman's and King's dual guitar solos have been called "wildly chaotic", and "twisted genius". Early albums, such as 'Hell Awaits' and 'Reign in Blood', featured a "wailing style" and "demented soloing often mimicking the screams of the song's victims". 'South of Heaven' featured "more technical" guitar riffs, utilizing the aforementioned tremolo picking and down-picked notes, improving musicianship while retaining a melodic sense.

Both Hanneman and King were ranked #10 on Guitar Worlds '100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time'.

Influences: Dead Kennedys, Alice in Chains, Type O Negative and Slipknot

Axology: ESP Jeff Hanneman Signature model, Jackson guitar and Marshall JCM-800 amplifiers

Signature song(s): Angel of Death and Raining in Blood - Slayer (Reign In Blood, 1986)

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNswXvOWBa8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nikDw2WOGWM

Joe Stump (Reign of Terror)

Name: Joe Stump
Born: 18th September, 1960

Profile: He is an American guitarist and composer and has released albums with his band, "Reign of Terror" and as a solo artist. He also plays the lead guitar for the symphonic metal band "HolyHell". Joe is a professional shredder, who has taught for many years at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

History: Originally picking up the guitar at age 10, Joe didn’t get serious until he was 13. His first guitar was a Gibson SG copy, then a year later he got a brand new 1974 Fender Stratocaster, black with a maple neck and big tilted headstock, just like Rithie Blackmore’s.

In 1979, Joe enrolled as a student at Berklee College Of Music and completing his degree in 1982. During the same time Joe started listening to a lot of classical music, hearing the way his favourite players used this influence and incorporating into his own style.

The mid 80’s saw Joe being part of rock/metal band "Trash Broadway" and in addition to the band album Joe planned to do a solo record with the same label. In 1993, Joe joined the faculty at Berklee becoming head of metal guitar.

In 1996, Joe formed a band "Reign of Terror" with the album "Lighting The Sky" getting release in North America, Europe and Asia. On the new band outlet Joe states, "The music is a natural extension of what I do on my solo records with the heavy Blackmore/Malmsteen influences mixed with some good doses of speed, thrash and European power metal". In mid 2000's, Joe then got an offer from Magic Circle Music to join a new power metal band called "Holy Hell". This new gig saw Joe play to large audiences with "Manowar" and "Rhadsody Of Fire" playing big venues in Europe in addition to some huge outdoor metal festivals with them.

Influences: Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple), Al DiMeola, Gary Moore, Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions), Michael Schenker and Yngwie Malmsteen - Classical Influences; Johann Sebastian Bach, Vivaldi, Carl Philip Emmanuel Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Paganini

Axology: ESP guitars, Fender Stratocaster guitars, MC guitars, BOSS FX, Marshall amplifiers, Rhino amplifiers, Engl amplifiers and Voodoo amplifiers

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Dhn-3ZLR9g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIcIZ4xJIVM

"I loved that guitar (Fender Stratocaster), and I was lucky my parents were very supportive of my musical endeavours when I was young" - Joe Stump

Takayoshi Ohmura

Name: 大村孝佳 (Ōmura Takayoshi)
Born: 26th December, 1983 (Osaka, Japan)
Profile: He is a Japanese musician popular as a rock guitarist.

History: He started learning piano at the age of 3. By the age of 11 he had started to play acoustic guitar moving to electric guitar at the age of 14. By the age of 17 he was heavily into hard rock/heavy rock of the western-style music and devoted himself into it. He decided to attend Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) in 2002 in the MI Japan Osaka school. He learned a lot through his 2 years. He also met and played with Vitalij Kuprij. He also recorded the CD "Nowhere To Go" with Richie Kotzen, Mark Boals and Doogie White. After finished studied he formed a band "Cross Hard" in 2005. In 2006, along with Cross Hard's bassist, Kaoru, he formed another band named "Gloria" and released its first mini-album on 26th March, 2008.

Influences: Yngwie Malmsteen.

Axology: ESP Ohmura's signature series and Marshall amps.

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_j-d-3Z2gY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHEyUjxM0HA

Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom)

Name: Markku Uula Aleksi Laiho aka Wildchild.
Born: 8th April, 1979 (Espoo, Finland)

Profile: He is a Finnish singer, composer and guitarist, best known for being the lead guitarist as well as lead vocalist for heavy metal band "Children of Bodom", and he is also the guitarist for "Sinergy" and "Kylähullut". Also a man with various tuning such as D Standard (D G C F A D), Dropped C (C G C F A D) and C# Standard (C# F# B E G# C#).

History: Alexi began his musical training at an early age by learning the violin. However, influenced by the music his sister listened to (heavy metal music bands such as W.A.S.P., Poison and Stone), he ended up dropping the classical instrument at the age of 11, in favour of guitars. A taped live performance of Steve Vai's song "For the Love of God" (from the Passion and Warfare album) was especially influential in Alexi's decision to become a guitarist. He then began taking lessons at the Finnish Pop & Jazz Conservatorio in order to study the instrument. His first guitar was a Tokai Stratocaster.

At the conservatory he also studied the piano. The development of his playing style was heavily influenced by "Stone's" Roope Latvala (who many years later became his bandmate in "Sinergy" and then in "Children of Bodom"). His vocal influences came mostly from Phil Anselmo (Pantera) and Mille Petrozza (Kreator). He genre is more to Melodic death metal, power metal, neo-classical metal, black metal and industrial metal.

Influences: Steve Vai and Roope Latvala.

Axology: ESP guitars, Jackson guitars and Marshall JCM 800 amps.

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di_UbxpCprk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j723qPG-qhA

"Guitar World magazine has ranked him as one of the 50 fastest guitarists in the world."

In an interview with Kirk Hammett (Metallica) "Who do you think is the best guitarist ever?" he responded: "That would be me! Nah, just kidding. I would say it's the one and only Joe Satriani or that kid Alexi! What a power he has!"

James Hetfield (Metallica)

Name: James Alan Hetfield
Born: 3rd August, 1963
Profile: An English, German and Irish descendant, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of American heavy metal band.

History: Started to play music (piano) when he was 9 years old, after which he took on his brother's drums and finally, at the age of 14, he began to play guitar. He was also in a few bands as a child "Leather Charm" and "Obsession". He also said Aerosmith as being his main musical influence and said they were the reason why he wanted to play guitar.

Hetfield recorded all rhythm and harmonic tracks, he occasionally plays guitar solos such as "Nothing Else Matters", "My Friend of Misery", "The Outlaw Torn", the second solo on "To Live Is to Die", "Orion", "Suicide and Redemption", and "Master of Puppets"

Influences: Aerosmith, Motorhead, UFO, ZZ Top, Black Sabbath, Saxon, Diamond Head, Johnny Cash, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, The Who, Hank Williams Jr., Kiss, Rush, Iron Maiden, Alice Cooper, Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Judas Priest, Ted Nugent, AC/DC, Blue Öyster Cult, Venom, Led Zeppelin,The Yardbirds, Thin Lizzy and unknown band called "Chopcore" and "Stutter" with Ray Burr on guitar.

Axology: ESP guitars, Gibson Flying V, Gibson Explorer, Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus Guitar Amplifier, Mesa/Boogie TriAxis preamp.

Signature song(s): Seek & Destroy - Metallica (Kill 'em All, 1983) and Blackened - Metallica (... And Justice for All, 1988)

Link(s):

http://www.metallica.com (Metallica's official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_W9IlDEh30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbFK0TBLNP0

"If you're ever satisfied, the game's over" - James Hetfield.

"James Hetfield is the greatest rhythm guitarist and songwriter in the history of heavy metal. Ask no question. Raise no objections. No one can chunk harder, crunch more cruelly or write meaner riff" - Guitar World.

Kirk Hammett (Metallica)

Name: Kirk Lee Hammett
Born: 18th November, 1962 (San Francisco)

Profile: An Irish and Philippines descendant, and the lead guitarist and a songwriter in "Metallica"

History: Before joining "Metallica", he formed and named a band called "Exodus". After picking up a 1978 Fender Stratocaster, Hammett attempted to customize his sound with various guitar parts, eventually falling for a 1974 Gibson Flying V. Hammett also took a job at Burger King as a youth to saved enough money for his Marshall amplifier. At the time of recording 'Kill 'Em All' album, Hammett was taking private guitar lessons from Joe Satriani.

In 2003, Kirk Hammett was ranked 11th in Rolling Stone's list - The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

Influences: Motorhead and Joe Satriani.

Axology: ESP Flying V, Gibson 1968 Les Paul Custom, Jackson Randy Rhoads signiture series guitars, Dunlop KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Crybaby, Ibanez Tube Screamer and DigiTech Space Station.

Signature song(s): Creeping Death - Metallica (Ride the Lightning, 1984) and Master of Puppets - Metallica (Master of Puppets, 1986)

Link(s):

http://www.metallica.com (Metallica's official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKiormZsvEg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0glNez9zqhY

Akira Takasaki (Loudness)

Name: 高崎 晃 (Takasaki Akira)
Born: 22nd February, 1961.
Profile: Legendary guitarist from Osaka, Japan.

History: Akira has been playing guitar since he was a teenager and was picked up at the age of 16 at a talent contest. Akira started his career in the mid 70's in the band Lazy, a Japanese Pop band under the stage name "Suzy". In 1981 he formed a heavy metal band named Loudness with Munetaka Higuchi (drummer). They were the first Japanese heavy metal act signed in the US, releasing seven albums (3 in America) by the end of 1987 and reaching the Billboard top 100.

As well as many singles and EPs, they have released 5 DVDs, 7 live albums and 24 studio albums the last being 'Metal Mad' released in 2008. Akira has had a very successful solo career too, from 1982, he has released 10 solo albums, the last to date 'Black Brown' in 2007. Thought by many as one of the best metal shredders in Asia, Akira has influenced guitarists around the globe, he continues his solo work and his work with his band "Loudness".

Influences: Eddie Van Halen and Ritchie Blackmore.

Axology: ESP Signature Random Star guitar, Killer guitar KG Prime, Marshall Amplifiers, Metaltronix Amplifiers and Roland JC-120 combo amplifiers.